College high notes

Inclusive excellence at the College of Music
What does inclusivity look like at the College of Music today? What are the college’s DEI—diversity, equity and inclusion—goals going forward? We’re making strides, but we know we must do more. 

Annual Distinguished Lectureship 
In March 2023, the College of Music’s Annual Distinguished Lectureship featured 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, André de Quadros anchored his presentation in the great tradition of freedom dreaming, calling for a new architecture of music performance and scholarly work rooted in radical compassion, dialogue and community engagement. 

Redubbed “CU Boulder SoundWorks” celebrates new approach to composition + conception
CU Boulder SoundWorks—formerly Pendulum New Music—is a concert series-meets-forum for the creation and performance of new and original works by student composers, improvisers, performers and collaborators from across the College of Music, as well as a space to celebrate works by living composers from outside the CU Boulder community. 

‘Soundscapes of the People’ explores Pueblo’s history through music (CU Boulder Today)
The College of Music’s American Music Research Center has embarked on a research project to document, preserve and engage with diverse musical and cultural influences in and around Pueblo, Colorado. In this onsite video, learn more about how Soundscapes of the People explores ways that musical traditions have served to bridge social, ethnic, urban/rural and religious identities. 
More: CU study on Pueblo's cultural music has collected 27 oral histories so far (Pueblo Chieftain) [clear /]

 

Learning the art of silent film scoring
Some of our DMA students delved into Grauman’s Theatres Scores Collection—part of our American Music Research Center archive—to present “A night of silent film” this spring, featuring music from the collection.
More: The College of Music's American Music Research Center digitizing 5,000 pounds of silent film score sheet music (Daily Camera) 

Entrepreneurship Center for Music awards artist grants
The College of Music’s Entrepreneurship Center for Music (ECM) awarded $10,486 in artist assistance grants this academic year, helping to support 14 students’ innovative projects, research, career building and professional development. Among them was Lírios Quartet cellist Chas Barnard, an artist diploma student, and alumna Sabina Balsamo who were artistically inspired by Proposition 114 which directed the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commission to develop plans to reintroduce gray wolves west of the Continental Divide. The result is a new, family-friendly opera—“Colorado Sky”—that tells the story about the reintroduction of wolves through music and cinematic shadow puppetry.

 

‘For the Trees,’ an immersive music story (Aspen Daily News)
Currently in residence at Juilliard, the Ivalas Quartet—former graduate string quartet in residence at our College of Music—toured Colorado this spring, performing Associate Professor of Composition Jeffrey Nytch’s "For the Trees" at different schools. Reaching some 650 students from Greeley to Glenwood Springs, Nytch's work uses music, video and sound design to tell the story of “Big Lonely Doug”—a 1,000-year-old Douglas Fir on Vancouver Island—as a means to engage in discussion about deforestation around the world and its contribution to climate change and environmental degradation. 

 

Colorado’s state songs share a message that still resonates
“Where the Columbines Grow” became the first in 1915, while “Rocky Mountain High” was named the second in 2007. Both have been criticized—primarily due to their lyrics—but each has strengths that deserve a deeper look. Inspired by exceptional summertime experiences in the Rocky Mountains, their composers cared deeply about nature as well as the stunning beauty of Colorado. While both have been discussed widely, neither song has been recognized for its warnings about the environment. Hear both state songs and learn more in this insightful perspective by Professor of Musicology Laurie J. Sampsel.

 

Eklund Opera’s “La Bohème” featured alum Wei Wu in a fresh take on Puccini’s “quintessential opera” and “Cendrillon” combined fairy-tale magic with classical grandeur.
More: Congratulations to our Eklund Opera Program for placing second in the very competitive National Opera Association’s Opera Production Competition with its production of “La Traviata” (2021). 

The College of Music’s Bachelor of Music/Musical Theatre program presented A fresh take on “Chicago” and “The Drowsy Chaperone” celebrated the joy of musical theatre. 

How TikTok has changed the music industry (CU Boulder Today)
College of Music Instructor of Music Theory + Composition Mike Barnett shares how TikTok has changed the music industry … for better and for worse. 

Music YouTuber discusses career in CU Boulder talk (Daily Camera)
YouTube creator “Sideways,” known for breaking down the music of popular films, drew a crowd at the College of Music talking to students, staff and fans about his career. The YouTuber was invited as a guest speaker for the college’s Career Launchpad series through our Entrepreneurship Center for Music which aims to help music students network and explore career options.