Dean’s Downbeat

Embracing DEI: Keystone of the universal musician

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Embracing DEI: Keystone of the universal musician Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 03/21/2024 - 00:00

John Davis

Friends,

Recently, we’ve witnessed troubling trends where diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are being curtailed or eliminated in some settings, including higher education. At the ��񱦵�, however, we stand resolute in our commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment; and at the College of Music, specifically, we’re doubling down on our dedication to actively championing DEI as key to our universal musician mission.

DEI isn’t just about compliance or a checkbox to be ticked off. Essential to fulfilling our mission of developing versatile musicians who are equipped to thrive in a rapidly changing world, DEI is woven into the very fabric of our educational philosophy. Our faculty and staff work daily to create conditions where every individual—regardless of their background—feels welcome, valued, respected and empowered to reach their full potential.

We know that embracing and uplifting diversity—encompassing a spectrum of identities, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and disability—enriches our students’ educational experience and enhances the creativity, innovation and cultural richness of our college, campus and greater community. From last month’s first-ever statewide Jamaican Choral Music Symposium, organized by doctoral student O’Neil Jones and supported by a Roser Visiting Artists Program grant; to our fifth annual Persevering Legacy event earlier this month, with support from the College of Music Diversity, Equity + Inclusion Endowed Fund; to our upcoming Cross Genre Showcase representing an autophysiopsychic approach to musicking; to hosting the Sphinx Performance Academy again this summer, supported by a DEI Impact Grant from the Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion—our commitment to diversity is gaining momentum and recognition.

I’m especially proud of the ongoing work of the College of Music’s DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility) committee. Reflecting principles of shared equity leadership, this committee comprises faculty and staff colleagues who are passionate about putting into practice inclusive excellence recommendations in the areas of curriculum development, co-curricular programming, concert repertoire/programming, faculty hiring and student recruitment.

Drawing inspiration from the diverse lived experiences and cultural assets that our students, staff and faculty bring to the learning environment, we’re creating opportunities for them to leverage their unique backgrounds as sources of strength and ingenuity. In this way, it’s my goal to not only advance inclusivity, but also ignite greater collaboration and collective action within our college—and across other colleges, schools and programs on campus.

The result? Over time, I’m convinced that by embracing DEI as integral to our universal musician mission, we not only achieve flexible, interdisciplinary career options for our graduates, but also expand the artistic landscape and cultivate a community of curious, continuous learners who challenge biases, question assumptions and engage with diverse perspectives—and who navigate nuance and complexity with openness, understanding and empathy.

I’m so grateful for your support and engagement in this critical mission.

John S. Davis
Dean, College of Music

In this edition of the Dean’s Downbeat, Dean John Davis doubles down on the College of Music’s commitment to championing diversity, equity and inclusion. “I’m convinced that by embracing DEI as integral to our universal musician mission, we not only achieve flexible, interdisciplinary career options for our graduates, but also expand the artistic landscape and cultivate a community of curious, continuous learners who challenge biases, question assumptions and engage with diverse perspectives—and who navigate nuance and complexity with openness, understanding and empathy.”

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College of Music announces new bachelor’s degree emphasis

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 07:00:00 +0000

College of Music announces new bachelor’s degree emphasis Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 12/14/2023 - 00:00

John Davis

Dear friends,

As the holiday season approaches, I’m filled with immense pride and optimism reflecting our shared journey at the College of Music. In a world too often shadowed by conflicts and divisions, I’m heartened by our college’s daily transcendence of sorrow and seeming helplessness through the solace and power of music—most recently and beautifully conveyed in our annual Holiday Festival featuring the diverse experiences, ethnicities, cultures and spiritualities of our talented students and faculty, and our greater campus community.

Additionally, as an update to my previous Dean’s Downbeat—in which I introduced our efforts to more effectively advance students pursuing music as a vocation as well as students interested in music as an active avocation—I’m thrilled to announce that a new mission-driven Bachelor of Arts in Music emphasis has been approved by our hardworking curriculum committee! In our earnest commitment to identify and implement new non-traditional degree options that are more inclusive of our increasingly broadly-based student applicants, the College of Music’s Bachelor of Arts in Music: Music Production degree will be offered beginning fall 2025, paving the way for additional interdisciplinary degree emphases to come.

In other words, we’re gaining momentum and we have a great deal to look forward to in 2024! Meanwhile, we’re celebrating the extraordinary accomplishments of all our winter 2023 graduates and wishing you—our students, staff, faculty, alumni and community of supporters—joyful, harmonious holidays and a rejuvenating winter break.

See you next year,

John S. Davis
Dean, College of Music

As 2023 draws to a close, Dean John Davis reflects on our shared journey at the College of Music and announces a new mission-driven Bachelor of Arts in Music emphasis. Our Bachelor of Arts in Music: Music Production degree will be offered beginning fall 2025!

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On creating beauty + mission-critical innovations

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 06:00:00 +0000

On creating beauty + mission-critical innovations Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 10/26/2023 - 00:00

John Davis

In light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas—in addition to the myriad of other wars and challenging circumstances around the globe—I can’t help but reflect on how music can transcend hardship and hopelessness by reinforcing collaboration and commonality among all peoples.

Music brings us together and connects us; music lifts our spirits and soothes our souls; and, perhaps most importantly, music allows us to yield to frustrated feelings or difficult emotions when we need to, providing a sense of refuge, renewal and hope.

Unlike other fields and disciplines—even within the arts—I believe it’s music that people most often turn to in times of sorrow or despair; it’s music that’s most immediately and intensely accessible; and—the way I see it—it’s music that offers something inherently internal and palpably personal, yet ubiquitous. As an art form, I would argue that music alone maintains its essence and timelessness on-demand, across distances and mediums.

At the same time—in a world where artificial intelligence is the zeitgeist—I believe nothing prevails over the power of live, human-created musical performance. Most of us are drawn to direct exposure to other human beings producing something uplifting, thought-provoking or otherwise emotionally resonant. Beyond experiencing music as a commodity, witnessing the unique talents and vulnerabilities of individuals creating music both deepens and amplifies our encounters with music—sometimes taking us back to special places stored deep in our memories, sometimes propelling us forward in our most closely-hold aspirations.

If there’s a reason to have hope in a world of upheaval and unrest, it’s experiencing a young person openly and courageously sharing their musical gift, including their angst or protest against injustices of all kinds. Beauty lies in their inimitable expression of their truth through music in a range of settings not limited to the concert hall. Beauty underpins our universal musician mission, for music majors and non-majors alike. Beauty is why we do what we do.

In my role as dean, my true purpose is to facilitate and empower our students and faculty to achieve their highest, noblest aspirations of beauty—from ensuring our faculty have what they need to best advise, mentor and inspire our students; to eliminating what might stand in the way of our students’ success and experiencing music in whatever form they seek; to supporting our staff who work so diligently in carrying out our mission on behalf of our entire College of Music community.

In that spirit—among other efforts underway to more effectively advance students pursuing music as a vocation as well as students interested in music as an active avocation—I’m excited about mission-driven revisions to our Bachelor of Arts in Music degree, including a proposed emphasis in music production. Paving the way for more potential degree emphases—from music and the entertainment industry to music and business, music and law, music and media, music and health, critical music studies, sound engineering and endless other options—this non-traditional, retooled degree will be one way to better ensure our students’ agency and preparedness for as yet unknown futures.

Expanding our reach, more inclusive and accessible degree offerings like these will not require an audition or applied study; that said, students enrolled in our BA in Music degree may still opt for emphases in, say, composition, piano or percussion. Such flexibility affords near-limitless opportunities for a broader student demographic to tailor their education to their specific goals, complementing our expanding suite of “stackable” micro credentials, certificate programs and badges in such areas as arts administration, music entrepreneurship, music technology, music theory and singing health.

In sum, new mindsets are inspiring new and necessary innovations to our college curriculum and programs which, I believe, will ignite more broadly-based student engagement in creating beauty in our world.

John S. Davis
Dean, College of Music

“If there’s a reason to have hope in a world of upheaval and unrest, it’s experiencing a young person openly and courageously sharing their musical gift, including their angst or protest against injustices of all kinds. Beauty lies in their inimitable expression of their truth through music in a range of settings not limited to the concert hall. Beauty underpins our universal musician mission, for music majors and non-majors alike.”

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Key change

Anonymous — Wed, 10 May 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Key change Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 05/10/2023 - 00:00

John Davis

Friends,

As the 2022-’23 academic year culminates in commencement this week and I reflect on the last couple years since I became dean of the College of Music in January 2021, it’s fair to say that we’ve witnessed and experienced a sea change—or, in musical terms, a key change.

We’ve come out of the COVID-19 pandemic only to be thrust into an increasingly complex global environment that’s characterized in part by deepening societal divisions, accelerating climate change and the as-yet unknown consequences of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence.

What I do know is that our mission matters more than ever. Because what we do as musicians requires not only skill, but humanity—that is, the simultaneous conveyance of emotion, connection and understanding.

That’s why I’m thrilled to share with you our newly revamped annual digital magazine. Colorado Musictakes stock of how far we’ve come through the success stories of our engaged, inspiring students, including Izzy Fincher—our Outstanding Graduating Senior who’s earned a BM in classical guitar performance, a BA in journalism, a business minor, as well as a Music Entrepreneurship Certificate and a Music Theory Certificate. In Colorado Music, we also highlight the impact of our trailblazing alumni, including our 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Ashraf Sewailam; and the influence of our accomplished, dedicated faculty, including Professor of Musicology Rebecca Maloy who was named Distinguished Professor for her research, dedication to teaching and service to her profession.

Colorado Music further brings to light a few examples of how our college is leading the way with innovative research and new curricula; and spotlights some of the transformative professional experiences we offer our students, including the return of “CU at Boettcher” and a robust roster of inspiring guest artists throughout the year.

Finally, we pay tribute to University Medal recipient Allan McMurray who retired from the College of Music in 2013 after a 35-year career directing our bands, developing our master’s and doctoral programs in instrumental conducting, and so much more; and Willie Hill—a College of Music alumnus and former professor—who was honored at the university’s 93rd Annual Alumni Awards ceremony. We also tip our hats to our community of supporters, including Margot and Christopher Brauchli whom we gratefully recognize as our 2023 Distinguished Service Award recipients. And we fondly remember the faculty, alumni, colleagues and friends who have recently passed on, including our dearly held, highly esteemed Associate Professor of Violin Charles “Chas” Wetherbee who died in January.

As we venture forward and look to the next academic year, we must acknowledge a pressing priority facing the arts and society alike, namely the critical need to recognize and embrace our unique differences. We must remain vigilant and exemplary in celebrating our differences rather than allowing them to divide us. Because in music, we understand that diversity can serve as a meeting place for fostering unity and collaboration.

As the late Harry Belafonte put it, “Artists are the gatekeepers of truth. We are civilization’s anchor. We are the compass for humanity’s conscience.”

That’s a noble call to action and a responsibility I take seriously.

Enjoy your summer,

John S. Davis
Dean, College of Music

In this edition of the Dean’s Downbeat, Dean John Davis offers reflections and a vision for the future as he shares highlights from our newly revamped annual digital magazine—Colorado Music. “...our mission matters more than ever. Because what we do as musicians requires not only skill, but humanity—that is, the simultaneous conveyance of emotion, connection and understanding. Colorado Music takes stock of how far we’ve come.”

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Walking the talk

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Walking the talk Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 03/13/2023 - 00:00

John Davis

Dear friends,

At the College of Music, we’ve covered a lot of ground since the beginning of the year including these highlights—among many others:

The 2023 Colorado Music Educators Association Clinic/Conference featured Denver native and College of Music alumna Tia Fuller as the conference keynote speaker, plus wide-ranging presentations by our faculty and stellar performances by the ��񱦵� Chamber Singers and University Choir. As well, alumna Allison Zema received this year’s Outstanding Young Music Educator Award—of note, our grads have received this recognition for five years in a row!
Graduate conducting student Kedrick Armstrong made us proud by conducting the world premiere of “The Factotum” with the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
The Aspen Music Festival and School’s Musical Connections residencies with Ensemble Flatirons (graduate brass quintet in residence) and the Lírios Quartet (graduate string quartet in residence) successfully demonstrated our commitment to community outreach and engagement.
Assistant Professor of Composition Annika Socolofsky was named a Faculty Fellow of the Center for Humanities + the Arts, Professor of Music Theory Daphne Leong is currently serving as the Schulich Dean’s Chair in Music at McGill University and—after a comprehensive international search—Kelly Parkes has accepted our offer to join the College of Music as associate professor of music education, beginning this fall.
Canadian composer Alexina Louie joined us for a week-long residency; the ��񱦵� Treble Chorus was honored to perform the U.S. premiere of Louie’s “Rain Makes Its Own Night.” We also welcomed guest composer Kevin Day, Mario Lavista scholar Ana Alonso-Minutti and the Grammy-nominated choral ensemble VOCES8 to our campus, among other esteemed visiting artists.
The American Music Research Center announced the Alex Craig and Christina Lynn-Craig Living Music Award for undergraduate and graduate students.
And our Diverse Musicians’ Alliance hosted a discussion with El Sistema Colorado’s Executive Director Ingrid Larragoity-Martin, a ��񱦵� alumna.

This week, I hope to see many of you at our Annual Distinguished Lectureship featuring André de Quadros—conductor, ethnomusicologist, music educator, writer and human rights activist. Based on decades of work in some of the most desperate and marginalized settings, de Quadros will anchor his presentation in the great tradition of freedom dreaming and call for a new architecture of music performance and scholarly work rooted in radical compassion, dialogue and community engagement.

At a time when political, economic, socio-cultural, environmental and other external influences appear all-too threatening, de Quadros represents what it means to apply the arts as a tool for social activism. I look forward to de Quadros’ perspectives on how music can manifest real world relevance and how we—as musicians, creatives and changemakers—can make new meaningful impacts on the world. There’s no more critical period in recent years than now to demonstrate the applicability of the arts.

The research and lived experiences of trailblazers like André de Quadros ignite understanding of this current moment in American and world history—and how diverse, creative communities can help shape, sustain and support a democracy that ensures justice and liberty for everyone.

Also this month, we’re excited to host the prestigious 2023 National Trumpet Competition and in May, and for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ll once again present CU at Boettcher featuring Carl Orff's “Carmina Burana,” the world premiere of a new work by the College of Music’s Professor of Composition Carter Pann and a collaboration with El Sistema Colorado.

Looking ahead to summer, our College of Music and the Sphinx Performance Academy will partner to provide a full-scholarship, intensive summer chamber music and solo performance program focused on cultural diversity for string musicians ages 11-17. The SPA—which also partners with The Juilliard School and Cleveland Institute of Music—offers a curriculum that includes lessons, master classes, recitals, career enrichment sessions and mentorship tailored to each student.

In a word, we walk the talk when it comes to developing universal musicians in an environment of inclusive excellence—I’m inspired by our momentum and I hope you are, too. I invite you to keep up with our continuous and consistently inspiring student, alumni and faculty news on our website, social media channels and newsletters; and be sure to keep current with College of Music events, including the Eklund Opera Program’s lush production of Jules Massenet’s “Cendrillon” this weekend, ��񱦵� SoundWorks events this spring, and performances by our World Music ensembles marking three decades of exploring artistic identity, intercultural collaboration, global pedagogy and multidisciplinary approaches to music making at the College of Music.

Making strides,

John Davis
Dean, College of Music

In this edition of the Dean’s Downbeat, Dean John Davis shares highlights from recent College of Music activities and accomplishments, including his perspective on the significance of our 2023 Annual Distinguished Lectureship: “The research and lived experiences of trailblazers like André de Quadros ignite understanding of this current moment in American and world history—and how diverse, creative communities can help shape, sustain and support a democracy that ensures justice and liberty for everyone.”

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Announcing a University Medal and increasing diverse representation in music

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Announcing a University Medal and increasing diverse representation in music Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 12/01/2022 - 00:00

John Davis

Photo: Dean John Davis and CU President Todd Saliman show their school spirit at Saturday’s final home game.

Dear friends,

As the year sprints to a close, I look forward to ushering in the spirit of the season this weekend at our long-running, much-loved Holiday Festival. I hope to see many of you at Macky Auditorium, enjoying inspired, heart-warming performances featuring our talented students and faculty.

Meanwhile, I’m pleased to share glad tidings: Professor of Conducting Emeritus and Distinguished Professor Allan McMurray was just notified of his selection for the CU Regents’ 2023 University Medal! You’re among the first to know of this tremendous, well-deserved recognition of McMurray’s lifelong dedication to his craft at our college and beyond.

McMurray was nominated without his knowing by myself and Conducting Area Chair, Professor of Conducting and Director of Bands Donald McKinney; Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Enrollment Management, and Associate Professor of Conducting and Music Education Matthew Roeder; and Professor of Piano and former College of Music Dean Daniel Sher. Also supporting his nomination was alumna Karen Fannin who earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in conducting from our College of Music, studying with McMurray; she’s now professor and director of bands at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

McMurray is recognized as one of the leading teachers of wind ensemble and conducting in the world—he has taught and guest conducted at more than 200 colleges and conservatories internationally. At the College of Music, he served as director of bands and the Robert and Judy Charles Professor of Conducting from 1978 until 2013. McMurray will be formally recognized by the Board of Regents at the spring commencement ceremony in May 2023.

Complementing and building on McMurray’s trailblazing legacy, I’m also excited to share news from our current activities at the college: Just after Thanksgiving, I was thrilled to see that artists from the Sphinx Organization—who joined us at the College of Music for a series of master classes in September—were featured in The New York Times (They Were Ahead of the Curve on Diversity in Classical Music). These artists—including our new Assistant Professor of Violin Alex Gonzalez—are working to increase diverse representation in music, a key aspect of the College of Music’s emphasis on inclusive excellence. In brief, according to the Times, the Sphinx Organization has “started training programs and ensembles, and has pushed for more diverse repertory and orchestra rosters. It has promoted young soloists and arts administrators, and operates an ever-expanding annual conference. With a burst of new attention to phrases like diversity, equity and inclusion over the past two years, Sphinx’s steady, patient work has come to seem prescient.”

Indeed, the Times article well reflects the spirit of my vision to develop multiskilled, multifaceted universal musicians through diverse opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and a culture of belonging.

In these uneven times, our community is also in mourning following the Club Q tragedy. The College of Music joins the campus community in standing by the LGBTQ+ community, the Colorado Springs community, and the family, friends and loved ones of those so senselessly killed and injured on Nov. 19. Together, we’ll keep doing our part to foster a welcoming environment that promotes diversity of music, ideas and underrepresented identities at the College of Music.

Please take care of yourself and of one another this holiday season.

In the final Dean’s Downbeat of the year, Dean John Davis announces Allan McMurray’s 2023 University Medal; describes how the important, prescient work of the Sphinx Organization underscores his vision for the College of Music ... and more.

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A mission and a process

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +0000

A mission and a process Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 10/13/2022 - 00:00

John Davis

Dear friends,

The First Amendment protects individual expression in music as a form of free speech. Indeed, music is one of our most powerful forms of free speech and arguably one of the best ways to connect with diverse populations.

So when I see the headlines decrying declining university enrollment rates across the board—exacerbated by the pandemic—I remain optimistic. Because what we offer at the College of Music is more relevant to education’s role in preserving democracy than ever before.

A few weeks ago, in Chancellor Philip DiStefano’s first in-person State of the Campus address in three years, he said, “If we as a university are to help form a more perfect nation, we must ensure that every person regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual identity, disability or background has the opportunity to participate.”

By preparing multi-skilled, multifaceted universal musicians to innovate, influence and impact a diversity of disciplines, I believe that—at the College of Music—we’re doing exactly that: creating a broad range of opportunities for inclusive participation, thereby instilling collaboration and community among our students, faculty and staff in our myriad roles as emerging creatives and changemakers, accomplished professionals, active allies and engaged community members with heart.

Talk about relevance! At a time rife with political pressures and societal divisions, we at the College of Music aim for consensus and collaboration.

The way I see it, developing universal musicians who demonstrate diversity in all forms is both a mission and a process that directly supports and sustains democracy. Our diversity of experiences and abilities, perspectives and opinions, races and ethnicities, and genders and sexual identities enhances our conversation, ignites and expands our awareness, and makes us better when we come together.

At its core, music making is inherently about listening to one another, respecting and discussing differences, sharing leadership and coming together around a common goal, a unified whole … the same values that form the bedrock of a well-functioning democracy.

To that end, we’re working continually to refine and flex our offerings, update our applied curriculum, implement ever more diverse programming and repertoire, and nurture intentional inclusivity in everything we do … all to expand our students’ agency and self-determination in meeting and exceeding their aspirations. Instead of being prescriptive, the College of Music asks students their passions and what most resonates with them, and then advises them accordingly.

I’ll continue to share our progress, and always welcome your thoughts as our mission unfolds. Contact me anytime at musicdean@colorado.edu.

Photo: Dean John Davis at the annual National Association of Music Executives of State Universities [NAMESU] conference recently: “Expanded preparation of our students for the multifaceted world they face—what I call the universal musician—is a hot topic!" Left to right: Tayloe Harding, Dean, University of South Carolina School of Music; John Richmond, Dean, UNT College of Music; and our Dean John Davis.

Together, we’re making a difference toward inclusive excellence at the College of Music by developing multi-skilled, multi-faceted universal musicians of tomorrow. We invite you to contribute to the Dean's Annual Fund to ensure our timely, flexible response to the rapidly changing critical needs of our students, faculty, staff and programs throughout the College of Music. Your gift to the Dean’s Fund enriches student and faculty experiences through diversity, equity + inclusion (DEI) initiatives, faculty and staff professional development, student performances at Boettcher Concert Hall, distinguished visiting lecturers ... and so much more. Thank you!

“The way I see it, developing universal musicians who demonstrate diversity in all forms is both a mission and a process that directly supports and sustains democracy. Our diversity of experiences and abilities, perspectives and opinions, races and ethnicities, and genders and sexual identities enhances our conversation, ignites and expands our awareness, and makes us better when we come together.”

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Building blocks of human betterment

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Building blocks of human betterment Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/21/2022 - 00:00

John Davis

Susanne Langer—philosopher and educator renowned for her theories on the influences of art on the mind—defined music as “a laboratory for feeling and time.” I would add that music is essential to human betterment.

This Spring alone, from the war in Ukraine to fires in our own backyard—on the heels of a two-year (and counting) pandemic and accelerating repercussions of global climate change—it can be difficult to stay focused, to be creative. And yet, in the steady success of our students (meet Outstanding Graduating Senior Nelson Walker), alumni and faculty, I’m convinced that what we do at the College of Music is more important, more relevant than ever. Because what we do is create the building blocks of human betterment—of ourselves, one another and our world.

As I reflect on the past academic year and look forward to the next one, I’m moved by our accomplishments and motivated by our mission to develop and nurture the universal musician. I consider it a profound privilege to ensure that our programs and practices increasingly support a compassionate community, transcending differences and difficult times. It’s through this lens that our faculty and staff, too, aim to guide, empower and elevate our talented and remarkably resilient students.

It’s understandable to feel helpless and to ask “What can I do?” While there’s no playbook for the unprecedented and the unknowable, a shared commitment to betterment provides anchorage and inspires action. The way I see it, by channeling collective despair into collective creativity, we become artistic entrepreneurs, contributing to society in impactful ways:

Among too many recent student successes to name, Nelson Walker’s composition “Untitled [wind]” is his processing of—and reflection upon—the devastation of the Marshall and Middle Fork fires. Meanwhile, first-year master’s student Kedrick Armstrong landed on The Washington Post’s 2022 “Composers and performers to watch” list, representing the College of Music among diverse composers, performers and artists who are “hitting their stride with work that resonates with the right now.” As well, the Ivalas Quartet—our Graduate String Quartet in Residence, studying with the Takács Quartet—won Grand Prize and First Prize in the national Coltman Chamber Music Competition; and our exceptional trumpet studio had unprecedented success at the National Trumpet Competition, winning three out of five collegiate divisions (large ensemble division, small ensemble division and military excerpts division) and placing second in the graduate solo division.

Among wide-ranging faculty achievements and well-earned accolades, Professor of Music Education James Austin was inducted into the Colorado Music Educators Association’s Hall of Fame earlier this year; and Susan Thomas—the College of Music’s Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity + Inclusion, Director of the American Music Research Center and Professor of Musicology—was recognized for her leadership and service by the Boulder Faculty Assembly this month. The Soundscapes of the People project she co-directs was just awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Archaeological and Ethnographic Field Research program. Additionally, a new book—“In Search of Inspiration: Interviews with Notable Choral Conductors”—by Director of Choral Studies Gregory Gentry features 15 choral conductors, each answering fundamental questions about how they shaped their achievements; and, on April 30, Chair of Musicology and Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology Austin Okigbo will explore how we create music in response to pandemics, and how musicians impact public health and healing from pandemics at TEDxMileHigh.

Such examples of the College of Music’s community engagement and artistic entrepreneurship in composition, performance, scholarship and research inspire me every day. I’m confident that, through music, our students, alumni, faculty, staff and supporters will continue to contribute to the betterment and benefit of the world we inhabit. Stay tuned for our spotlights next week featuring the impact and influence of 2022 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient Damani Phillips and 2022 Distinguished Service Award recipient Judith Glyde.

With proud congratulations to our Spring 2022 graduates, I wish you a rejuvenating summer!

Photo: Dean Davis interacts with Conducting Chair and Director of Bands Donald McKinney. On Tuesday, April 19, the CU Wind Symphony—conducted by McKinney—performed “The Battle for the Ballot” by Stacy Garrop. Her piece celebrates the centenary of the passage of the 19th Amendment. Also on the program was “I wander the world in a dream of my own making” by composer Christopher Theofanidis. Join us on April 26, when the CU Symphony Orchestra premieres Theofanidis’ “On the Bridge of the Eternal.” Originally commissioned by the college in 2020, the debut of this work was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“While there’s no playbook for the unprecedented and the unknowable, by channeling collective despair into collective creativity, we become artistic entrepreneurs, contributing to society in impactful ways.” In this year-end reflection on triumphs over turmoils, Dean Davis offers his perspective on music as essential to human betterment.

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Ambition + anchorage

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Ambition + anchorage Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 02/24/2022 - 00:00

John Davis

“As with anything in life, it’s important to remember that the road to success is rarely a straight line,” says Reuben Kebede (AD ’22), one of this year’s Honors Competition winners. “Things are likely to work out in your favor eventually if you put in the work.”

Indeed, as February sprints to a close and the Front Range endures an arctic chill, I’m warmed and energized by our students’ successes and the steady, stunning progress of our College of Music as a top-tier music program—thanks to the hard work of every one of us, together, transcending the effects of pandemic burnout and other realities that would throw us off course.

On Sunday afternoon in Grusin Hall, Kebede—who’s also a violinist with the Ivalas Quartet, the college’s Graduate String Quartet in Residence—performed Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Violin Concerto in G minor, Op. 80, accompanied by pianist Madoka Asari, in a winning performance; flutist Courtney Badura (BM ’23) is our undergraduate Honors Competition winner, and cellist Matthew Wiest and mezzo soprano Gabrielle Razafinjatovo earned honorable mentions.

Our faculty members are equally ambitious for quality during this pivotal time at our college, in our community and in our world. Where there’s angst, our faculty offer anchorage through their teaching excellence, and their wonderfully consistent artistic achievements as performers, composers and researchers.

Just this week, I was thrilled to learn that the Boulder Faculty Assembly (BFA)—the representative body of the faculty in the shared governance of the ��񱦵� campus—has named Susan Thomas a 2022 BFA Excellence Award Winner in the Leadership + Service category. Thomas is our college’s newly appointed Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity + Inclusion—as well as director of our American Music Research Center and professor of musicology—and I’m so pleased that the impact of her hard work has been recognized by our broader campus community. An honor for her, and an honor for the college.

Meanwhile, in our shared commitment to inclusive excellence, I’m delighted to announce that Alex Gonzalez will join our violin faculty this fall. In a competitive process that resulted in several strong finalists, members of our faculty search committee—co-chairs Margaret McDonald and Chas Wetherbee, as well as Christina Jennings, Gary Lewis and David Requiro—were unanimous in their selection, which also included input from our string faculty and feedback from students.

As McDonald puts it, “Alex is an extremely open and generous person. His performance was engaging and heartfelt. His master class achieved immediate results and sparked ideas in the students that could help them continue to grow. He brings many new, fresh ideas to the college.

“Alex will not only have a great influence on the violin studio and string department, but also the entire College of Music and the surrounding community.”

I’m especially impressed by how Gonzalez models the way of the universal musician. Coequally experienced as a teaching artist, and as a virtuoso performing and recording artist, he can’t be pigeonholed into just one professional track. In sum, Gonzalez’s genuine likeability and broad background as an award-winning chamber musician, ensemble leader, soloist and educator—across the country and internationally—are a perfect fit for us.

“I am so happy to have found a home at the ��񱦵� College of Music,” Gonzalez tells us. “I’m excited to be able to contribute to a community that values collaboration, curiosity and artistic excellence above all else.”

We’re excited, too!

In this edition of our monthly Dean’s Downbeat, John Davis reflects on our students’ successes, introduces new violin faculty—welcome, Alex Gonzalez!—and celebrates Susan Thomas’ BFA Excellence Award. Transcending pandemic burnout, “our faculty offer anchorage through their teaching excellence, and their wonderfully consistent artistic achievements as performers, composers and researchers,” he writes.

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Remembrance, resilience + forging our future

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Remembrance, resilience + forging our future Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 01/27/2022 - 00:00

John Davis

As I write to you from the 2022 Colorado Music Educators Association’s Clinic/Conference in Colorado Springs this week, I’m energized by the College of Music’s critical mission to inspire and equip the teachers, performers, composers, scholars and innovators of tomorrow.

At the same, we’re now in the third year of a global pandemic and the recent Omicron surge, among other factors, resulted in a remote start this semester. While we’re back in person now, the College of Music family also joins our broader community in healing and recovering from the devastation of the Marshall Fire, nearly one month ago. Additionally, many of us were deeply saddened to learn of violist Roger Tapping’s recent passing. In 1995, Tapping had relocated from London, England, to join our Takács Quartet; during his decade with the quartet, their Decca/London recordings—including the complete quartets of Bartók and Beethoven—placed them in Gramophone magazine’s Hall of Fame and won three Gramophone Awards, a Grammy and three more Grammy nominations. Especially, he was beloved among his students, collaborators and audiences for his luminous talent and deep sense of humanity.

Yet even as we bear witness to loss and unknowable challenges with compassion and care, I see us rebounding with resilience again and again—undeterred in our shared quest for excellence, dogged in our pursuit to inform and influence what it means to be a successful, fulfilled creative artist in an increasingly diverse and interdisciplinary musical landscape.

Most immediately, here at the annual CMEA gathering of educators, I’m so proud to join friends and colleagues in celebrating and recognizing alumna Carrie Proctor (BME ’19), the most recent recipient of the CMEA Outstanding Young Music Educator Award; and Professor of Music Education James Austin, the latest inductee in the CMEA Hall of Fame. Says Associate Dean for Graduate Studies Margaret Berg, “I can think of no one more deserving of this prestigious award than Jim, given his wide-reaching and impactful professional accomplishments, commitment to excellence and unwavering dedication to the K-12 music teaching and music teacher education professions. Jim’s influence on the K-12 music teacher and music teacher education landscape, both in Colorado and nationally, is truly inspiring.”

Additionally, since the start of the year, I was thrilled to learn that first-year master’s student Kedrick Armstrong (orchestral conducting) landed on The Washington Post’s “composers and performers to watch” list, and that alumna mezzo-soprano Claire McCahan won the 47th National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Artists Awards competition ... to note only a few highlights in a steady stream of impressive achievements among our students, alumni, faculty and staff.

Meanwhile, back on the Boulder campus, newly appointed Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity + Inclusion (DEI) Susan Thomas—who also directs our American Music Research Center and serves as professor of musicology—and Diversity and Outreach Coordinator Alexis McClain, our newest staff member, are deeply dedicated to further ensuring a welcoming culture at the College of Music that increasingly integrates and uplifts DEI across all our programs, performances, presentations and academic curricula.

That’s why I’m energized, despite setbacks—even sadness—along our shared journey. Because what we do at the College of Music is making a difference. Together, we’re creating the soundscape of what matters.

Happy New Year!

Photo: Earlier this week, we snapped this impromptu photo of Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity + Inclusion Susan Thomas (left), Diversity and Outreach Coordinator Alexis McClain and Dean John Davis.

“Even as we bear witness to loss and unknowable challenges with compassion and care, I see us rebounding with resilience again and again—undeterred in our shared quest for excellence, dogged in our pursuit to inform and influence what it means to be a successful, fulfilled creative artist in an increasingly diverse and interdisciplinary musical landscape.”

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