Colorado Music 2025
In this video, Dean John Davis previews the 2024-25 edition of Colorado Music, the annual magazine of the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music. This year’s edition—“Powering Human Connection”—celebrates the 50th anniversary of the world-renowned Takács Quartet, honoring their artistic contributions and decades-long residency at CU Boulder. Dean Davis also previews the College of Music's efforts to advance sustainability by integrating human and environmental sustainability into music education and underscores its commitment to developing universal musicians equipped to make an impact on an increasingly interconnected society. Join us in celebrating recent remarkable achievements of the College of Music community—and how we’re powering human connection, together.
IGNITING INNOVATION, ARTISTRY + BELONGING
ENGAGED, INSPIRED STUDENTS
329
undergraduates
198
graduate students
95.2%
undergrad retention
(year 1 to year 2)
25%
undergrads pursue
interdisciplinary studies
99%
BME
job placement
69%
grads employed
within six months
TRAILBLAZING ALUMNI
ACCOMPLISHED, DEDICATED FACULTY
ENTERPRISING, DEVOTED STAFF
A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORTERS
IN MEMORIAM
With fondness and gratitude, we remember faculty, alumni, colleagues and friends who have recently passed on.
Our College of Music community is deeply saddened by the recent passing—on Dec. 7, 2024—of Dean Emeritus Robert (Bob) Fink. Serving as dean from 1978 to 1993, Fink’s first initiatives at CU Boulder included the creation of a concerts office (now CU Presents) to manage all aspects of the college’s performance and publicity activities; and the acquisition of control of Macky Auditorium and the Artist Series.
His long-serving administration also saw the establishment of our American Music Research Center and the onboarding of our quartet in residence—the world-renowned Takács Quartet that celebrated its 50th anniversary this academic year. We’ll be sharing more about Fink’s inspiring impact on our college—in the new year. MORE
Our College of Music community mourns the passing of alumnus Robert Carnochan (MM ’93)—a passionate music educator and artist who made a profound impact. Upon earning a master’s in wind conducting at CU Boulder, Carnochan served on our faculty as associate director of bands and director of the Golden Buffalo Marching Band (1998-2002). “He was an innovative leader, a respected colleague and a beloved teacher,” shares Professor of Conducting Emeritus and Distinguished Professor Allan McMurray. “His warmth and genuine interest in each student were apparent to all.”
Gary M. Andrew
Linda J. Baumann*
Cara L. Bechter*
Bruce Bennett
Ralph K. Black*
Joan R. Anbuhl Bloom*
James M. Bowers
Donna Kay Brasel Gisle*
Helen E. Sandy Browne*
Eileen C. Burke-Sullivan*
Kenneth W. Calkins*
Shirley McDonald Campbell*
Timothy L. Campbell*
Vivian Hodgson Carlson
Robert L. Carruthers Jr.*
Patricia Staffel Carter*
Betsy Barnard Cheroutes*
Gale C. Chidlaw
Charlot Furman Clark*
Pauline Clark
James L. Colwell
Alexandra H. Cramer*
Jean E. Delaney*
*University of Colorado Boulder alumni.
Corinne Effinger-Owen
Lynn J. Ellins
Robert R. Fink
Francis Ivan Frazier*
Jerry R. Gilland
Beverly Hathaway*
Russell Everett Hayes
James L. Hill
Glenn E. Hunter*
Richard D. Irvin*
Mary Johnson
Malcom C. Jolley
Malcolm C. Jolley Jr.*
Diana Z. Kahn
Jonas Kiken*
Thelma Kiken
Walter A. Koelbel Jr.*
David Neil Larson*
Harold Leinbach
Jean Hammond Macferran*
Louisa Ann Sedwick Martin
Lorne David Matheson*
Nancy Aldridge Mehler*
G. Dale Meyer
Josef Michl
Marilyn Metcalfe Morrisson*
Earl L. Newmyer*
Patricia Ann Ostwald*
Carol Chambers Park*
Marcia Mae Peteranetz*
Karen Riehl Ringsby*
John F. Roberts*
Marjorie Roesinger
Patricia Seibel Romeo*
Rodney J. Rothlisberger*
Robert A. Ruyle*
Paul D. Schauer
C. Grace Shearer
Arthur Lloyd Shearin*
Janette E. Swanson Stanek
Paul Philipp Steinhauer
Peter W. Strickholm*
Gaylon E. Taylor*
Sandra J. Trenka
Marc W. Weaver*
William B. Wood
Marvin B. Woolf*
GUEST ARTISTS + RESIDENCIES
The College of Music welcomed many accomplished, inspiring guest artists this academic year including:
Ambler Clarinet Choir
Mariam Adam, clarinet
Allan Armstrong, collaborative piano
Ryan Banagale, musicology
Christopher Brody, music theory
Enrique Ponce, composer
Frederick Burrack, music education
Byrne:Kozar:Duo (Corrine Byrne, soprano + Andy Kozar, trumpet)
Jesús Castro-Balbi, cello
Raven Chacon, composer/musician/sound installation artist
Jooyeon Chang, collaborative piano
Rachel Childers, horn
Jung Choi, oboe
Alexandra Colaizzi, vocal pedagogy
Joan Catoni Conlon, professor + director of graduate choral research emerita
Viet Cuong, composition
Nick Davies, bass/utility clarinet
Kevin Day, composer
Daniel de Borah, piano
Kristen Denny-Chambers, clarinet + composition
Dave Collins, trumpet
Jennifer Johnson Cullinan, oboe
Anoushka Divekar, clarinet
Bill Douglas, piano
Eric Drott, music theory
Matthew Eckenhoff, horn
Adam Ewing, baritone
Brook Ferguson, flute
Wesley Ferreira, clarinet
Dan Fong, photography
Alexandra Gardner, composer/performer
Mary Elisabeth Gibbs, choral conducting
Matt Glaser, violin
Lindsey Goodman, flute
Govorov & De Groot Duo (Sergei Govorov, saxophone + Britta De Groot, piano)
Maggie Greenwood, clarinet
Arthur Haas, harpsichord + organ
“Hamilton” touring company (Associate Music Director Peter van Reesema + Head Dance Coordinator Lili Froehlich)
Christopher Haygood, choral conducting
Shannon Heaton, Irish flute
Jordan Holloway, composer
Edwin Huizinga, Baroque violin
Lacey Huszcza, alumna + Richmond Symphony president + CEO
Ikuko Inoguchi, piano
ITER Research Ensemble
Musical Mentors Collaborative
Jérémy Jouve, classical guitar
Julian Kaplan, trumpet
Tomoko Kashiwagi, piano
Martin Katz, collaborative piano
Daniel Kelly, trumpet
Paa Kow, composition + drums
Amanda Laborete, cello
Andrew Lippa, composer + lyricist
Rachel Lumsde, music theory
Noriko Manabe, music theory
Spencer Myer, piano
Paul Naslund, trombone
Jason Olney, clarinet
Pan Pacific Ensemble
Gleyton Pinto, clarinet
Andrea Ramsey, composition + choral conducting
Jeremy Reynolds, clarinet
Kailah Grace Robbins, traverso
Jude Rodgers, arts journalism
Tracy Rowell, bass
Kenta Saito, Japanese saxophone
Jennifer Sengin, choral conducting
Maria Schneider, composition
John Sevy, drum set + percussion
Jason Shafer, clarinet
SoloDuo (Lorenzo Micheli + Matteo Mela), permanent visiting artists of the Ritter Family Classical Guitar Program
Liza Stepanova, piano
Cameron Stowe, piano
Bobby Stuckey, entrepreneurship
David Sullivan, French horn
Otis Taylor, blues artist
Ebonee Thomas, flute
Chris Underwood, trumpet
Javier Vinasco, clarinet
John Walthausen, harpsichord
Larry Zalkind, trombone
CU PRESENTS
In addition to the many inspiring events featuring our students, faculty and guest artists every year, the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music is pleased to bring the world-class Artists Series to our campus and community since 1937.
In the 2024-25 academic year, the College of Music was pleased to present 340 events including:
39
Artist Series
+ other ticketed events
192
Student recitals
109
Other free events
ENCORE
In November, Dean John Davis attended the annual meeting—and centennial celebration—of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) in Chicago, Illinois. This organization of schools, conservatories, colleges and universities establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for music and music-related disciplines, and more. Our college has been a member since 1941.
Kennedy Center honoree and five-time Grammy-winner Renée Fleming, soprano—with Howard Watkins, piano—headlined the College of Music's Artists Series on Jan. 31 in a program inspired by her “Voice of Nature” album focused on the environment.
Fleming’s Colorado residency further included a panel discussion—”Music and the Mind”—at the CU Anschutz Center for Bioethics and Humanities and a master class at Grusin Music Hall.
More:
Advocacy through artistry (CU Presents)
Renée Fleming returns to CU Anschutz for collaboration on arts and health (CU Anschutz)
World-renowned soprano explores the power of music as it relates to health and the brain.
”The people’s diva” (Boulder Weekly)—Superstar soprano Renée Fleming makes Boulder debut with recital based on Grammy-winning album.
June 9, 2025
By Kathryn Bistodeau
In June 2025, the College of Music’s New Opera Program (CU NOW) workshopped Mark Adamo’s “Sarah in the Theatre” spotlighting legendary (and controversial) American opera conductor, impresario and stage director, Sarah Caldwell.
Photo (left to right): Composer/librettist Mark Adamo, composer John Corigliano and College of Music Dean John Davis.
Hosted by the American Music Research Center (AMRC), legendary blues musician Otis Taylor led a musicians workshop for students and faculty this spring. A singer, songwriter, guitarist and banjoist, Taylor has recorded 15 albums since 1996, pioneering electric, psychedelic “trance blues.” Check out the AMRC’s Otis Taylor collection and catch this two-part interview with the internationally renowned and Boulder-based blues banjo player.
In March, Director of Choral Activities Coreen Duffy and Associate Director of Choral Studies Elizabeth Swanson participated in the 2025 national conference of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) in Dallas, Texas! Our College of Music community shined including alumna Charlene Archibeque (DMA ’69) who received the Robert Shaw Award, the highest honor in the field. Archibeque is the first woman to earn a DMA degree in choral conducting, doing so at CU Boulder. Additionally, Kirk Aamot (DMA ’01)—director of choral activities, Montana State University—was named this year’s CU Boulder Distinguished Choral Alumnus Award recipient; both Aamot and Archibeque were honored at the well-attended alumni reception.
Moreover, Duffy’s composition “Siman Tov”—premiered at Carnegie Hall in 2024—was featured during a dynamic ACDA reading session. And Swanson, who serves on the ACDA National Board as co-chair of student activities, moderated a panel—“Aspiring Conductor-Educators: Maximizing Your Undergraduate Years”—featuring prominent leaders in the field. As well, Raul Dominguez (DMA ’22) presented “Nosotres existimos: Mexican Choral Repertoire and Resources.” Current students Lau Marial (BME) and Blake Clawson (MM Choral Conducting) also attended the conference—their first national ACDA experience!
In September, music students at Boulder’s Platt Middle School met Luka Vezmar, a College of Music junior, who combined the band, orchestra and choir students’ suggestions into a single piece, which premiered at a November school concert. Platt band director and alumnus Caleb Starbuck (BME ’02 + MME ’07) started the composer program more than 15 years ago in partnership with Professor of Composition Carter Pann.
More:
Platt Middle School students work with CU Boulder composers to create music (Daily Camera)
Discover the College of Music's Emerging Composers Project (ECP)
The Fall 2024 Powwow at CU Boulder marked the return of a beloved tradition to campus after a 23-year hiatus. On Sept. 28 at Farrand Field, College of Music students, staff and faculty participated or attended the event including (front) Director of Community Support + Programming Alexis McClain and Associate Professor of Musicology + Director, American Music Research Center Michael Sy Uy; and (back) Administrative + Student Services Assistant Josie Moe and husband Peter.
On March 27, the Sundance Institute named Boulder, Colorado as the new host of the Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027. “Boulder is a tech town, a college town, it’s a really creative town,” says Eugene Hernandez, the festival’s director. “It’s just a really creative place. And that integration of the artsy community with the university side of it all is really dynamic.”
More:
Sundance picks its new home: Boulder, Colo. (The New York Times)
Sundance selects Boulder for film festival—beginning in 2027 (CU Boulder Today)
CU Boulder’s Macky Auditorium Concert Hall will host Sundance Film Festival screenings.
STAFF BOX
COLORADO MUSIC
Higher education and the arts are beacons of progress and the College of Music is poised to contribute to that journey: We’re committed to expanding and deepening a culture of care; and creating a welcoming, supportive environment where everyone matters and all can thrive. Colorado Music aims to inform and inspire the College of Music community by elevating the accomplishments and successes of our students, alumni, faculty, staff and supporters.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Dean
John S. Davis
College of Music Cabinet + Advisory Board
Editor-in-Chief
Sabine Kortals Stein
Senior Director of Communications
Digital Design
MarieFaith Lane
Communications Manager
Print Design
Sabrina Green
Publications Manager
CONTRIBUTORS + CREDITS
Annie Booth Music, Kathryn Bistodeau, Amy Bounds, Shih-Han Chiu, Jeff Colella, CU Boulder University Libraries, DB Productions, Ally Dever, April Driver, Coreen Duffy, Andrew Eccles, Clay Bonnyman Evans, Dan Fong, Manfred Fuß, Cody Goetz, Adam Goldstein, Gramophone, Cliff Grassmick, Laima Haley, David Harwi, Ken Jacques Photography, MarieFaith Lane, Kyle MacMillan, Johnette Martin, Cyrus McCrimmon, Henry Michaels, Joanna Morrissey, Erika O’Conor, Marc Shulgold, Anne Staveley, Sabine Kortals Stein, Sundance Film Festival, Elizabeth Swanson, Greg Swenson, Tilde Media, Stacy Wagner, Ginger White, Owen Zhou and The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
ENGAGE
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