Graduate

Congratulations to our winter 2021 graduates!

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 04:32:40 +0000

Congratulations to our winter 2021 graduates! Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 12/07/2021 - 21:32

Our best well-wishes to all graduating Music Buffs!

Outstanding Graduating Senior Ariel Flach

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Alexander Bozik (Double Bass)
Portia Pray** (Double Bass)

Bachelor of Music

Justine Barrera (Double Bass Performance)
Ariel Flach*** (Flute Performance)
Eliot Johnson (Cello Performance
Chance Lytle (Voice Performance)
William MacLeod (Jazz Studies)
Chelsea Winborne (Violin Performance)

Bachelor of Music Education

Logan Duschatko (Instrumental / Clarinet)
Ariel Flach*** (Instrumental / Flute)
Shyanne Freeman* (Choral)
Amelia Lindsey (Choral)

* Honors, High Honors, * Highest Honors

Master of Music

Eamon Griffith (Piano Performance)
Stacey Novik (Jazz Performance + Pedagogy)

Doctor of Music

John McKeever (Orchestral Conducting + Literature)

Our best well-wishes to all!

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Jazz doctoral student exemplifies personal resilience and professional determination

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 15:08:34 +0000

Jazz doctoral student exemplifies personal resilience and professional determination Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 09/08/2021 - 09:08

Eric Hansen

As we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re inspired by the personal resilience and professional determination of doctoral student and tenor saxophonist Pablo Beltran (DMA, Jazz Studies).

The Fulbright Latin American Scholarship Program of American Universities scholar from Bogotá, Colombia, recently reflected on the hardships he experienced leading up to his arrival in Boulder and his studies at the College of Music.

“Sometimes, we can’t change the challenges around us, like sickness and poverty,” he says. “But I’ve learned that it’s better to embrace these things and make the most of the life that we do have.”

Indeed, Beltan’s triumph over unforeseen circumstances began during his first semester as a master’s student in jazz performance at the University of Northern Texas. “I was living my dream at one of the most well-known, prestigious jazz studies programs in the world,” he explains. “But then my wife, Maria—who lives with hearing and sight impediments—collapsed and we had to return to Colombia for her treatments.”

As a way forward, the couple proceeded to set their sights on Barcelona, Spain, where healthcare for Maria was more accessible to them. Despite those odds, Beltran kept on, earning a master’s in jazz performance at the Liceu Conservatory in 2019. Soon after, he was awarded a Fulbright scholarship … just months before the pandemic hit.

“That’s what life brought to us,” says Beltran, recalling two-week hotel quarantines he endured in 2020 to begin his doctoral studies at ��񱦵�. “We had one saxophone, one piece of luggage and a large service dog named Mingus. We learned to live with minimum stuff and we just embraced our experiences.

“Through all the difficulties and setbacks, we were able to see beauty.”

Adds Beltran, who—at age 18, moved to Cuba to explore his interest in music by studying the Russian method, a move that helped set the course for his technical skills on the saxophone: “I chose ��񱦵� partly because of its focus on creating healing communities.”

Back in Colombia, Beltran taught music at the college-level for seven years before going to college himself. “Teaching—and teaching how to learn—has always been my passion,” he concludes.

As we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we're inspired by the resilience and determination of DMA student Pablo Beltran.

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Horn performance + pedagogy student ready for fall after whirlwind spring and summer

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 16:05:31 +0000

Horn performance + pedagogy student ready for fall after whirlwind spring and summer Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 08/05/2021 - 10:05

Eric Hansen

“It felt really special to be performing again,” says Valerie Sly, DMA candidate in horn performance and pedagogy, reflecting on her five-week summer gig with the Des Moines Metro Opera. “They were one of the first opera companies to go back to a real live season.

“Everyone was just really, really grateful to be able to get back on stage—or, in our case, ‘in the pit.’”

Not only did Sly win Third Horn position with the Des Moines Metro Opera, she also recently nailed the runner-up spot for the Fort Worth Symphony’s Principal Horn position, earned a finalist spot for the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C. and was invited—by audition—to return to the Lucerne Festival Academy in Switzerland as part of its alumni program.

“They do some really experimental stuff sometimes and I love it,” says Sly, reflecting on the contemporary focus of the Lucerne Festival Academy where she’ll spend a week this fall. “They play mostly new music written within the last 50 years.”

Of the four-round competition in Fort Worth, Texas, she adds: “This was the first live audition that happened for me since the beginning of COVID.

“I think we're going to start to see auditions open up again and I feel like I’m in a good place to be taking more auditions this year.”

Beyond her active and rewarding spring semester and summer, Sly shared that she’s always wanted to study with Professor of Horn Michael Thornton, which led her to ��񱦵�. “There are many positives to gigging constantly, but having this time at CU not worrying about work has been a great privilege,” says Sly, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College and Conservatory in 2013 and a master’s degree in horn performance from Yale University in 2017.

“I’ve been able to go back to the basics and gain the opportunity to reconnect with this instrument…and the reason why I do what I do.”

Not only did DMA candidate Valerie Sly win Third Horn position with the Des Moines Metro Opera, she also recently nailed the runner-up spot for the Fort Worth Symphony’s Principal Horn position, earned a finalist spot for the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C. and was invited to return to the Lucerne Festival Academy.

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"I'm pinching myself!"

Anonymous — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 19:15:55 +0000

"I'm pinching myself!" Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 03/31/2021 - 13:15

Olivia Lerwick

Each spring, the College of Music recognizes two outstanding students as winners of the college's annual Honors Competition. The competition for these winning spots is fierce and this year was no exception.

Ethan Blake (BM cello), a junior, is this year's undergraduate winner. When asked about his musical selection—performed with collaborative pianist Chen-Fang Hsu—he says, “The Dvořák concerto was one of the first concerti I learned, and it was one of the pieces that really got me into playing cello.

"To be able to play it with an orchestra is both a blessing and a revitalizing experience for any cellist.”

Indeed, the opportunity to perform with an orchestra is rare, which makes winning the Honors Competition all the more impactful.

Anita Dumar (AD violin) is a member of the Ivalas Quartet and winner of the graduate division, having competed with collaborative pianist Hyeji Park. "Winning this competition was such a huge honor," she says. "Our University Symphony is an amazing orchestra and Professor [Gary] Lewis is such an incredible conductor—I’m pinching myself!”

Specifically, Dumar will perform Maurice Ravel’s "Tzigane" next fall. She credits her teacher Harumi Rhodes, associate professor of violin and Takács Quartet artist-in-residence, for providing the courage and support to tackle it.

To enjoy the winners' performances in the fall semester, visit cupresents.com for details.

Every year, talented students across the College of Music vie for a chance to perform with the CU Symphony Orchestra the following school year. Meet the 2021 winners of this year's Honors Competition.

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Pandemic workaround: Choral Conductors Colloquium

Anonymous — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Pandemic workaround: Choral Conductors Colloquium Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 03/05/2021 - 00:00

Olivia Lerwick

“Why is it important to preserve the arts? To me, that's like asking why we need air to breathe," says Raul Dominguez. "The arts are vital to human expression and therefore vital to humanity.”

Indeed, Dominguez—originally from Houston and a current choral conducting and literature doctoral student at the College of Music—is a fervent proponent of the essentiality of the arts in our lives. So when the COVID-19 pandemic hit last March, he realized he needed to do something to make arts education available to students over the summer.

With a grant from the Entrepreneurship Center for Music, Dominguez founded the Choral Conductors Colloquium, partnering with prominent conductors to offer five free Zoom lectures to learning choral musicians. “We had viewers from every continent except Antarctica," he says, further noting that participants represented more than 50 countries. “Some participants came for one or two lectures and many watched all five. For participating CU students, we were able to offer extra credit.”

Dominguez secured a webinar license from the Office of Information Technology which enabled him to direct all funding to the colloquium itself, engaging top-tier lecturers from choral programs such as St. Olaf College and the University of North Texas.

"When our own mentors foster a culture of collaboration, we students gain the ability to achieve a socially distanced connection," he adds. "That kind of access to the minds and hearts of wonderful mentors energizes me to pay it forward.”

While Dominguez hoped to offer a sense of purpose and community to student conductors who couldn’t complete their summer fellowships or internships, the 2020 colloquium was much more successful than he could have anticipated. Dominguez plans a follow-up colloquium in the same virtual format this summer: stay tuned!

The COVID-19 pandemic blindsided not only arts organizations and presenters but also arts education and mentorship. Fortunately, doctoral student Raul Dominguez knew just what to do.

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The power of promise

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 22:54:14 +0000

The power of promise Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 02/02/2021 - 15:54

Olivia Lerwick

It’s no secret that a university education is one of the strongest indicators of a person’s career prospects and earning potential, but it’s also no secret that paying full tuition is financially impossible for many deserving students and their families.

Indeed, on average, 75% of students at the college receive scholarships or financial aid. Recognizing this ongoing need, the College of Music new Silver and Gold Scholarship Program supports students from all backgrounds in their academic pursuits.

Jessica Quah, a PhD candidate at the College of Music, reflects on how scholarships have shaped and defined her academic experience: “I was fortunate to receive a full tuition-and-board scholarship for my undergrad studies, which enabled me to come to the United States and eventually make my way to ��񱦵�. Without that generosity, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Quah, originally from Malaysia, was drawn to the ��񱦵� for its distinguished musicology program, and the opportunity to pursue her interest in both ethnomusicology and historical musicology, although she began her career in piano performance.

“It’s such a privilege to be able to work with the professors here,” she adds. “I also find that I’m always learning from my classmates and that ��񱦵� really encourages a high academic standard while keeping an open-minded, welcoming environment.”

Ingrid Anderson, current president of the undergraduate music student government, also appreciates ��񱦵�'s scholarship support and academic rigor. A double major in violin performance and neuroscience, she plans to apply to medical school and believes that her studies in music will help her succeed in the medical field.

“Music requires not only a high degree of inner drive and discipline, but also the ability to work in groups like an orchestra to create something bigger than yourself,” Anderson explains. “It strikes me that people working in the medical field also need these qualities to succeed.”

Pursuing a double major in such disparate fields isn’t possible at many schools, but Anderson says her teachers in both disciplines have been very supportive.

“I came in as a violin performance major, but soon found that I wanted to explore my interests in the sciences, as well,” she says. “My scholarship has given me the opportunity to figure out what I want to do and go for it, even if what I end up doing professionally isn’t what I originally came here to do.”

Anderson and Quah represent many extraordinary students who benefit from ��񱦵� scholarships. It's in this spirit that the Silver and Gold Scholarship Program aims to promote equity by helping diverse student musicians follow their dreams and realize a world-class musical education at the College of Music.

The new Silver and Gold Scholarship Program commits to promoting excellence and equity at the College of Music.

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Welcoming new Buffs with tips about being on campus

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 22:26:48 +0000

Welcoming new Buffs with tips about being on campus Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 03/23/2020 - 16:26

John McColley , Veronica Greuel

��񱦵� College of Music Director of ��񱦵� and Recruitment Veronica Greuel welcomes future music Buffs with an FAQ by College of Music Music Ambassador John McColley that's all about being in Boulder:

Congratulations on your admission to ��񱦵�! During these uncertain times, we want to do our best to help you figure out where you’ll be this August. To help, we are sharing this list of frequently asked questions, answered by College of Music Ambassador John McColley. Covering the amazing opportunities available in Boulder, we hope it helps you to picture your life at CU next year!

What things are there to do for fun outside of the College of Music?

Boulder is all-around a fun town to explore! There are tons of hiking trails around the area that are only minutes away. It's a great way to get outside with friends! The trails have so many great views, and running is also a great option. When it’s colder—this is a mountain town, after all—working out at the Recreation Center is a great way to keep stress levels low. Plus, membership is included in your student fees. And there's more than hiking trails: Pearl Street has great restaurants and boutiques, skiing is close by, as is Rocky Mountain National Park.

On campus, CU has a variety of great student organizations you can be involved in:

Student government
Swing dance club
Kappa Kappa Psi, a band service co-ed fraternity
Mu Phi Epsilon a performance/scholarship co-ed fraternity

Where do music students typically live during their freshman year? Where do they live the other three years? Will my roommate be a music major, too?

Music students typically live with other music students in a residence hall. This fall, music majors have the option to live together in Willard Hall. This is a great place to meet friends, too. After freshman year, many students choose to live off campus, but some will continue to live in the residence halls. Most first year music majors choose to live together sophomore year, too. Music is an incredibly social major, and you will make lifelong friends!

What is campus food like?

Campus food is good, and there is a lot of variety. That being said, it’s very easy to get stuck in a rut, eating the same things in the same places day after day. My first semester I didn’t do a great job of that, but this second semester I did much better! The university has lots of healthy options, so make sure to take advantage of them!

How does getting involved in multiple studios work?

Getting involved in other studios can be as easy as emailing the professor and asking for information. Professors have a lot of say in how their studios are run, and often they will include any student who is interested. I took tuba lessons from Professor Dunn, and he personally went out of his way to make sure that we found a lesson time for me, in addition to giving me access to one of the studio's horns, and I ended up learning a lot and gaining a close friend, too.

I was lucky to have been accepted by both the composition and bassoon studio when I auditioned. Being involved in both has been challenging but extremely rewarding. You can also email professors to ask about taking lessons without being in their studios—there are often options to take lessons with TAs if you’re interested.

What has your favorite/least favorite class been?

I have enjoyed a lot of my classes so far; I think my favorite classes have been conducting and my musicology seminar. Both of these classes have really pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow as an individual. My least favorite classes have been outside the College of Music. My advice would be to take a range of classes and learn what your other interests outside the college are. You might not like some of the classes, but others will be great!

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the College of Music ��񱦵� team. We are planning a variety of virtual options to be in touch; check your inbox for invitations!

Veronica Greuel
Director of ��񱦵� and Recruitment, College of Music
ugradmus@colorado.edu

��񱦵� College of Music Director of ��񱦵� and Recruitment Veronica Greuel welcomes future music Buffs with an FAQ created by College of Music Ambassador John McColley that's all about life in Boulder.

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Ten ways to be successful at the College of Music

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 17:23:45 +0000

Ten ways to be successful at the College of Music Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 02/11/2020 - 10:23

Curtis Sellers

Being a music major is truly a challenging endeavor: You have to find time to practice, study, listen and rehearse … all while trying to maintain a social life and live on your own. The following 10 points are bits of advice I have received that have helped me navigate my way through the past two and a half years at ��񱦵�. I hope they help you and make life as a music major easier.

Student life

Figure out the bus routes and use your bus pass/other transportation. It is easy to just stay on campus—especially freshman year. I recommend downloading the Transit app and TapRide, as they are both excellent ways to make the most of transportation around Boulder and even into Denver!
Prioritize the assignment/class that you least like when doing homework. If you get it out of the way you can work on classes you enjoy more. This will also clear your head of all of the more major assignments/commitments that may loom over you.
Early to bed, early to rise: Sleep is HUGE in college. There is nothing and no one stopping you from pulling all-nighters. If you are well-rested, you will be more focused and alert in all of your classes (trust me, I’ve been the kid falling asleep in the front row many times).
If your schedule allows for it, try to get out of Imig and Macky and find non-music courses (or minors/certificates) you enjoy. This will make days less repetitive, open you to new people and opportunities, and give you different options (some of which you may be able to combine with music). I recommend finding a minor in a field of interest and at least exploring some of its courses.

Keeping a schedule

Find what works best for you personally and USE IT. Paper calendars have never worked for me, so I use Google Calendar to stay on track. Another great method I learned from Mark Arnett (a fantastic Aural Skills/Theory professor) is drawing out a full calendar with everything planned out in terms of hours, calculating everything to do in and out of class, practicing and then see how much free time you actually have.
When in a chamber group or other small ensemble where others are counting on you, make sure rehearsal times are booked solid so there isn’t a need for rescheduling or canceling.

Practicing

Keep a Practice Journal. This is one of the best ways to stay organized. You can define strengths and weaknesses, have a solid warm-up plan, take notes on rep you are working on and set goals.
Record yourself every day and LISTEN. Almost everyone has a smartphone and a recording app. It takes a few extra minutes but makes a night and day difference. You can listen for inflection, evenness, intonation, tempo, character and more in a much clearer way.
Practice at a time of day when you are at your best, and your most energized and most focused self. I’ve found that it’s best for me to practice before class when possible. This lowers my anxiety about ensemble rehearsal and any other musical commitment I have. It also promotes discipline, giving me a set schedule to work from. But ultimately, any work done on rep should happen when you are at your most alert because not everyone is a morning person.

Mental health

In a world that demands more and more of us every day, we need to stay strong mentally. A few things I do to stay positive and to clear my head are running (a reminder that Boulder is probably the most beautiful place you will live), working out (every student gets a pass to the Rec Center as part of student fees), listening to music I enjoy, reading books that I enjoy or that discuss mental health/positivity, and spending time with my friends and studio (my family away from home).

I truly hope this helps clear up any questions or concerns you may have about being a music major at CU. This list is by no means all encompassing. Ultimately, you will find your own way. If even one of these points helps make your life easier, I will be delighted. Good luck this audition season and take care!

Curtis Sellers is a junior oboe performance major at the College of Music. He is originally from the St. Louis area and is studying with Peter Cooper. Read his blog "Ten reasons to get excited about the College of Music" here.

In part two of this blog series from junior Curtis Sellers, we have tips for how to make the most of your time as a student at the ��񱦵� College of Music.

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Ten reasons to get excited about the College of Music

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 09:20:50 +0000

Ten reasons to get excited about the College of Music Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 11/12/2019 - 02:20

Curtis Sellers

From the Boulder vibe to the performance opportunities, there are a number of reasons to call ��񱦵� your home while earning your degree in music. Current student Curtis Sellers lays out his top 10 reasons to study music at ��񱦵�.

If you’re not from Colorado, take advantage of all the local trails while you can, because come early October they may be covered in snow. Being from the Midwest, the mountain views here are incredible to me, especially from the top looking down. Some great trails are less than two miles from campus.
Go to the Farmer’s Market. One of the most beautiful parts of Boulder is the small business community. Every Saturday morning and afternoon, you can try yummy samples, buy fresh produce, find creative homemade products and have some of the best food truck meals Boulder has to offer. Every vendor there is kind and welcoming.
Check out Pearl Street! While it can be quite expensive, there are stores for just about everything there. Some of my favorite shops include Boulder Book Store, Rocket Fizz, Pizza Colóre, Sock Em’ and Kilwins, just to name a few.
Every time you walk outside, you will be blessed by the incredible views of the Flatirons. Any sunrise or sunset, you are in for a beauty that words don’t do justice.
Even though you will also be performing a lot, try to find inspirational performances to attend. At CU, there are concerts happening pretty much every day. Between recitals, Faculty Tuesdays, ensemble concerts, the CU Presents Artist Series and Colorado Symphony concerts down in Denver, there are plenty of opportunities to find a new source of musical inspiration.
If you want to get involved in different sorts of ensembles, there are a plethora of different options! For every area of music, you can find an ensemble of non-majors. In addition, there are a variety of World Music ensembles to join.
One great opportunity I got to be a part of is the Pendulum New Music concert series. Every month, music performance majors get to work with faculty and student composers on their works, old and new. There is a great relationship in that composers get to see their work realized and students get to perform a new, challenging work! Sometimes, as in my case, students get to play with instrumentalists they would never imagined working with. In the past, I got to work with a harpist, flutist and violist, and I will soon be on a piece with oboe and percussion.
Summer music festivals: Do them! They open you up to working with new colleagues and professors in new venues playing new rep. While potentially intimidating at first, many will be life-changing and push you to new musical heights.
I would highly recommend joining student organizations and clubs! If you’re looking for something music-related, a few groups are Kappa Kappa Psi (a co-ed band service fraternity that I am a part of), NAfME (music education organization), Mu Phi Epsilon (a co-ed international professional music fraternity), CMSG (College of Music Student Government), ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) and ASTA (American String Teachers Association).
In addition, there are plenty of on-campus music-related jobs. I would recommend looking into the CU Presents Box Office/Marketing positions and Music Ambassadors (another group I’m a part of in which we give prospective students tours, participate in panel discussions and help with audition days).

I hope this has helped give you an idea of how incredible CU is. I urge you to do yourself a favor and “Be Boulder.” ‘Sko Buffs!

Curtis Sellers is a junior oboe performance major at the College of Music. He hails from the St. Louis area and is studying with Peter Cooper.

College of Music junior Curtis Sellers writes about what incoming Music Buffs can look forward to while pursuing a degree at ��񱦵�.

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Explore technology during College of Music Summer Session

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 21:59:48 +0000

Explore technology during College of Music Summer Session Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 03/21/2019 - 15:59

Jessie Bauters

Online piano class, music technology and more await you this summer at the College of Music.

It may still look like winter out there, but the College of Music has its lineup set for a summer of fun and enlightening music courses. Whether you’re into heavy metal, jazz, or music history, odds are you can find your musical cup of tea.

Piano Class I: Online

For the sixth time, Professor of Piano Pedagogy Alejandro Cremaschi will be teaching Piano Class I online during B Session. While the idea of learning piano at a distance might seem hard to imagine, Cremaschi says he’s worked with students to make the system work better every year.

“Some of the people online are not in Boulder, they’re at home somewhere in the country, so they can learn from where they are. It’s also helpful for me to be able to teach anywhere. This year I’ll be in Brussels for a conference during part of the class.”

The class is taught asynchronously, meaning there are no video meetings. However, Cremaschi says technological advances have made digital learning easier.

“We use Canvas as the main repository of materials, including videos I have created for each unit, which explain the pieces students are learning and model the technique. We also use Piano Marvel, which contains all the pieces they learn in sequential order and gives students instant feedback, telling them when they’re playing wrong notes or rhythms, and giving them a score.”

Cremaschi, himself a long-time programmer, also developed his own app for the class: MusicU. It’s a web-based app that allows students to use their phone or computer to create and share audio and MIDI recordings from digital keyboards for their assignments.

“It also allows them to join specific groups of students and share their videos so they can give each other feedback. It creates a community, even though everyone is very far apart.”

The class piano instructors at the College of Music also use of the app to allow their students to share video recordings throughout the year, helping grow this digital community further.

“They do a Recording of the Week, which allows us to monitor their progress and provide feedback,” he explains.

Cremaschi adds, this format could be the way of the future for music pedagogy.

“Online offerings have been growing exponentially in the last 10 years. It’s convenient for students because they can work at their own pace and be away from campus.”

The target audience for the summer online piano class is beginners, who Cremaschi says can learn more easily through digital methods. In-person Piano Class I is still taught during the A and B sessions.

Topics in Music Technology: Digital Music and Video

A different kind of technology comes into focus during the Maymester course Topics in Music Technology: Digital Music and Video, taught by Instructor of Composition and Music Technology John Drumheller.

“It’s basically a film scoring class. We talk about how to synchronize video and sound and we learn different applications like Logic Pro, Reason 10 and other apps you can use to compose music or create sound design.”

Drumheller, who now directs Music Technology at the College of Music and helped launched the program when he was a doctoral student here, says he started from scratch with not much more than an abiding interest in the discipline.

“When I first started doing electronic music, it was all analog with tape in the 80s. Then when I was the music tech TA here in the 90s, the technology was digital and MIDI was the next big thing. Computers weren’t as powerful and synthesizers connected to the computer controlled the sound then. The technology has come a long way since.”

In this summer class, which Drumheller says is popular among both Certificate in Music Technology students and non-music students, he focuses on sound design in films rather than a high-level introduction to music technology.

“We actually watch a couple of films and take them apart, focusing on the music and the sound design. One is ‘The Red Violin,’ which most of the students have never seen.”

Drumheller says the class is meant to be fun and informative for anyone with an interest in music—including graduate and undergraduate students. Contact Drumheller about prerequisite requirements by emailing him at drumhell@colorado.edu.

Introduction to Audio Recording

If you’re one of the many non-music students clamouring to learn a thing or two about audio recording from the College of Music’s expert engineer, then the Maymester crash course in Introduction to Audio Recording is for you.

“When they opened the Music Technology certificate to non-majors, there was a huge demand from outside the college, but that became a huge bottleneck because this class almost always fills up with majors during fall and spring. So this summer class is an opportunity for non-majors to get in.”

Kevin Harbison has taught audio recording in the summer for the better part of a decade, and he says while the course content has evolved with the times, the real evolution has been in the knowledge of the students he teaches.

“When we started, there might have been a few people familiar with GarageBand or Logic Pro or those workstations, but there would also be people who had never touched a computer for anything except Word. Now it’s not unusual for one or two people to have their own recording software and be well versed in systems like Ableton.”

Harbison, who has done audio engineering and recording in concert halls for most of his career, says he learns something new every year from his Summer Session students, who are more likely to have created recordings in home studios than Grusin Music Hall-like venues. That’s why he formats this summer course a little differently.

“My background is almost exclusively working in concert halls with acoustic instruments, primarily classical. But about halfway into the course, we turn the classroom into a home recording studio for our final projects.

“The approach is totally different. In a concert hall, my job is to capture a recording that is as accurate and realistic as possible. The studio engineer’s job is to create a sound that’s almost the opposite of reality. This is really the only time during the year that I get to do things like mic up a drum set. So it’s fun to try these new things.”

Harbison says while the summer class likely won’t change too much once the College of Music gets its brand new, state-of-the-art recording studio in Fall 2020, he is thrilled for the potential for his students to grow in their skills when the time comes.

“The new control room will be big enough to hold 12 students at a time, so the classes I teach during the academic year will meet in that space. We’ll probably use the new studio for demonstrations during the summer, to show students a well-designed control room.”

For a full list of College of Music Summer Session offerings, visit the ��񱦵� Course Catalog.

Online piano class, music technology and more await you this summer at the College of Music.

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Graduate

Congratulations to our winter 2021 graduates!

Our best well-wishes to all graduating Music Buffs!

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Bachelor of Music

Bachelor of Music Education

* Honors, ** High Honors, *** Highest Honors

Master of Music

Doctor of Music

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Jazz doctoral student exemplifies personal resilience and professional determination

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Horn performance + pedagogy student ready for fall after whirlwind spring and summer

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"I'm pinching myself!"

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Pandemic workaround: Choral Conductors Colloquium

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The power of promise

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Welcoming new Buffs with tips about being on campus

What things are there to do for fun outside of the College of Music?

Where do music students typically live during their freshman year? Where do they live the other three years? Will my roommate be a music major, too?

What is campus food like?

How does getting involved in multiple studios work?

What has your favorite/least favorite class been?

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Ten ways to be successful at the College of Music

Student life

Keeping a schedule

Practicing

Mental health

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Ten reasons to get excited about the College of Music

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Explore technology during College of Music Summer Session

Piano Class I: Online

Topics in Music Technology: Digital Music and Video

Introduction to Audio Recording

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* Honors, High Honors, * Highest Honors