David Degge knows how to deal with stress. After overcoming the time-consuming hurdles of being a Sing Song director for the senior class, Degge is moving on to his recital, the milestone of his college career.

“It took hundreds of hours to prepare for this one performance,” Degge said.

Degge, senior music education major from Dallas, has performed in places like Carnegie Hall and Princeton University. He will perform five percussion pieces Thursday; one daunting piece consists of playing four bongos, two congas and a kick drum.

Anna Peters, alumna from Houston, has fond memories of her recital performance in 2009.

“For me it was sharing my testimony,” Peters said. “Each song had a heart, a name, a face, some form of influence to it. With that blessing, it pushed me to practice and practice to create what I hope was a blessed experience.”

Peters said all students, not just music majors, should experience a recital.

“Music is a celebration,” she said. “It is a way to bring people together and share parts of yourself that no one knows or imagines.”

Billy Prude, sophomore music education major from Dallas, said he is looking forward to his recital and has been inspired by the recitals of previous graduates like Isaac Bray (’09) and current seniors like Eric Wyatt.

“I have started thinking about it,” Prude said. “There’s your sophomore proficiency and your senior recital,” Prude said. “Those are the two most important performances that you work on as a music education major.”

All music education majors, except those who are earning a bachelor of arts in music, are required to organize a recital, which they will perform in the Recital Hall of the Williams Performing Arts Center during their senior year.

Prude said he anticipates the recitals each year and considers it a great way to appreciate different genres of music.

“Some do basic repertoires, others do more unique pieces,” he said. “My favorite part is getting to see the relief on the performer’s face of it finally being over.”

Recitals are performed throughout the semester and are open to students, friends, faculty and family members.

For more information, visit www.acu.edu/admissions/freshmen/academics/majors/department/music.html.