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My dearest coach, mentor, friend, and Maestro Jan McDaniel has been laid to his final rest. It was a weekend of music from the heavens and a community unrivaled in strength and love.

Maestro, you taught me and championed me through hardship and celebrated me in the grit of achievement. But you never doubted. When I did you didn’t. My favorite quote that Jan would say when I was down on my luck was “it’s not if, my dear, but WHEN.” And I believed in him believing in me so much and I still do.

I will forever cherish our time together. My first Susannah learned with him at the podium, my coachings chatting all things opera (and laughing about all the insider drama he knew), my audition tapes with him at the keys, our many texts about contracts before during and after, and on and on. Somehow he knew everyone and everything. And we all became leaves on his giant musical tree.

It’s an honor to continue your legacy, Jan. To be infused with just a sliver of the artistry you gave to the world. You have been there through it all and I will continue to reserve a seat for you. Stop by whenever you’re not too busy sitting in on all your student’s shows. I know you’ll be busy!

Clipped is some of our work together from many years ago now. Every time I sing this song I picture Jan at the keys saying “oh yeah, that’ll work!” after the take was done. He’s cropped out of this video, like he wanted of course, and now life will be similar. Not being able to see him, but still being able to hear his music. I have so many memories that will remain in my heart and echo in my soul for years to come.

Forever in my heart. Forever in my music and voice (and every u vowel). To my Father Opera, rest well and thank you for the music — it wasn’t enough time and I think you would agree that it never is. ♥️

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This week has been jam packed but ended on an extremely high note, my first Fauré Requiem and with my hometown orchestra the @okc_phil which is always so warm and inviting. They played beautifully and it was a magical evening. So happy to meet and get to work with @bohlfege who sang beautifully and as always Maestro @mickelthwate was fabulous. This day was special for a couple of other reasons, in honor of my friend @maestro_mcd who left us too soon this summer, and it happened to be my beloved Verdi’s birthday. My heart is full and time to reacquaint with Schubert Mass in G (with @canterburyokc ) and Duruflé’s Requiem. Thanks OKC, it’s good to be home and especially with my love, ever supportive, ever loving @kig.wizard_

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The life and legacy of our beloved Jan McDaniel @maestro_mcd will be celebrated in a Service of Witness to the Resurrection beginning 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Musical prelude begins 30 minutes prior. Those unable to attend in person are invited to join the service via livestream on the @westminsterokc facebook page or youtube channel.

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Excerpts from today's Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel Religious Life at OCU service program, which notes: "The musical selections in today's service are dedicated in loving memory of Professor Jan McDaniel (1957-2026). Professor McDaniel was active in University Worship and a dedicated and beloved member of OCU's music faculty for 27 years. We remain grateful fr his immense legacy and humbled by his generous spirit." Join us at 1 p.m. for the livestream: okcu.link/2YRfuhT.

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The @oklahomacityuniversity community gathers today to celebrate the life and legacy of Prof. Jan McDaniel with a 1 p.m. service in the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel. Join us in person or via livestream via the @religiouslifeocu facebook page: okcu.link/2YRfuhT.

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The life and legacy of @maestro_mcd will be celebrated 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, in the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel. An @ocu_alumni string quartet and our Blackwelder Brass will perform and Professor Emeritus Dr. Randi Von Ellefson will direct a choir of alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends. Rev. Rodney Newman, OCU chaplain from 2007–2016, will be guest speaker. Out-of-town guests are invited to join the livestream via the @religiouslifeocu facebook page: okcu.link/2YRfuhT.

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Grateful to @brandybamok of @_theoklahoman for today's tribute to our beloved @maestro_mcd .

Join us 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, in @oklahomacityuniversity 's Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel for a celebration of the life and legacy of Prof. Jan McDaniel. The service will stream live on the @religiouslifeocu facebook page.

Read McDonnell's article and view images from McDaniel's career at www.oklahoman.com.

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Join us in honoring the life and legacy of Professor Jan McDaniel during a special University Worship service on Thursday, September 17, from 1–1:50 p.m. in the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel. While this will not be a memorial service, we will celebrate and remember Jan’s life and his remarkable dedication to OCU’s music and Religious Life communities.

Professor Emeritus Dr. Randi Von Ellefson will direct the McDaniel Memorial Choir, made up of 60 alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends. The choir will be accompanied by an alumni string quartet and Blackwelder Brass. Rev. Rodney Newman, OCU Chaplain from 2007–2016, will provide a message of hope for all.

No matter your involvement in Religious Life, or your commitment to faith, you are invited, worthy, and welcome exactly as you are!

If you are unable to attend in person and would like to join us virtually, the service will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/religiouslifeocu

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One week from today: the @oklahomacityuniversity community with gather Sept. 17 to honor the life and legacy of Prof. Jan McDaniel. Professor Emeritus Dr. Randi Von Ellefson will return to direct @ocu_alumni , students, faculty, staff and friends in the McDaniel Memorial Choir at 1 p.m. Thursday in the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel. The event will livestream via the @religiouslifeocu facebook page.

The @maestro_mcd memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at @westminsterokc Presbyterian Church, 4400 N. Shartel. #thankyoujan

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A celebration of the life of our beloved Jan McDaniel will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at @westminsterokc . In addition, the @oklahomacityuniversity community will honor the legacy of @maestro_mcd in a special service 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, in the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel with @ocu_alumni , students, faculty, staff and friends forming the McDaniel Memorial Choir. #thankyoujan

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Today's episode of Classical KUCO's Spotlight on the Arts celebrates the remarkable life and legacy of @maestro_mcd . In addition, @ocu_music and @theatreocu Dean @juliarmontag kicks off the first of her 2026-27 weekly appearances previewing campus performances, hosted by @classicalkuco morning host / newly appointed @ocutubaeuph instructor @nespypfunk . Tune in 9 a.m Wednesday, Aug. 27, via 90.1 FM or kucofm.org or on demand via @spotify or @applepodcasts .

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Always through the changing 🤍

In my senior year at OCU, I had the great honor of performing my opera dream role. Coached by the irreplaceable Maestro Jan McDaniel, I learned what turned out to be the most challenging role I’ve been privileged to perform to date.

The final aria, “Always through the Changing” has always had a special place in my heart. The love story is tied with a beautiful ribbon when Baby Doe sings “as our earthly eyes grow dim, still the old song will be sung. I shall change along with him so that both are ever young.” Those lyrics always stuck with me.

Over the past week, I’ve been trying to decide how I can honor the late Jan McDaniel, and after re-listening to the old voice memos from our weekly coachings, I knew exactly what I should do.

Jan lives on through music and the beautiful legacy he left with his students. Every one of the OCU alums I’ve been blessed to work with at Masquerade were students of Jan’s. We may have gone to college at different times, but he was that common thread.

Jan is forever young in his students. I certainly would not be where I am today without him.

This tribute is accompanied by the brilliant Masquerade music director, Matt Castle, and coached by my Angel of Music, Jan McDaniel 🤍

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