John Davis leaning on desk in his office

Embracing DEI: Keystone of the universal musician

March 21, 2024

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.”

McKee speaks with the Indianola High School Wind Ensemble sharing stories and life advice. Photo courtesy: Indianola High School Band.

Paul McKee: On mentorship and a new take on “Pomp & Circumstance”

March 20, 2024

Associate Professor of Jazz Studies Paul McKee reflects on the impact of mentorship and shares the spirit of his new, three-part arrangement of “Pomp & Circumstance” to be premiered at the spring 2024 university commencement ceremony!

Louis Saxton

Meet 2024 Presser Scholar Louis Saxton

March 7, 2024

Louis Saxton (BM ’24) has been named the College of Music’s 2024 Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award recipient. Discover Saxton’s inspiration, journey and experience at CU Boulder!

Smiling woman wearing headphones

Fifth annual Persevering Legacy event promotes diversity in performance

Feb. 28, 2024

Join us on March 7 for student performances celebrating women-identifying composers.

O'Neil Jones

Grad student brings first statewide Jamaican Choral Music Symposium to Boulder

Feb. 9, 2024

Mention Jamaican music to most Americans and the pop sounds of reggae usually come to mind. But there’s much more—the wonderfully rich harmonies of choral music, hundreds of rarely heard sacred songs and folk songs that deserve more exposure. Doctoral student O’Neil Jones is about to make that happen.

Headshot of Marilyn Brock, interim director, Entrepreneurship Center for Music

Getting to know Marilyn Brock—interim director, Entrepreneurship Center for Music

Jan. 10, 2024

The Entrepreneurship Center for Music (ECM) introduced a new face this academic year: While Professor of Composition and ECM Director Jeffrey Nytch is on sabbatical until fall 2024, Marilyn Brock fulfills the role of interim director.

 Adriana Ripley headshot

Student spotlight: Adriana Ripley

Oct. 11, 2023

Adriana Ripley—a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor’s in musical theatre at the College of Music—shares her favorite aspects of the College of Music and reveals the ways in which her music education is preparing her for a promising career.

Nathalie Joachim

Grammy-nominated Nathalie Joachim to deliver keynote address

Sept. 28, 2023

EVENT CANCELED.

SPA students receive full scholarships to participate in the intensive summer chamber music and solo performance program focused on cultural diversity for young string musicians.

Sphinx Performance Academy promotes cultural diversity

June 26, 2023

The Sphinx Performance Academy has changed the lives of thousands of underrepresented young musicians, offering a curriculum that includes lessons, master classes, recitals, career enrichment sessions and mentorship.

John Davis

Key change

May 10, 2023

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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