Abby Terrill Headshot

Alternative keyboard offers College of Music students greater reach

Sept. 10, 2024

The College of Music has had an alternatively-sized keyboard on loan since April 2023. Recent graduate Abigail Terrill shares how the narrower keyboard is helpful, why it’s needed and what her thesis research found about the process of transitioning between pianos.

Ian Malkin, Transversales Verdun

CU Boulder’s Grammy Award-winning Takács Quartet celebrates 50 years

Sept. 9, 2024

“I find myself thinking about all our former quartet members—we wouldn’t be celebrating this milestone today except for them,” says first violinist Ed Dusinberre. Adds second violinist Harumi Rhodes, “It’s a monumental moment and we’re approaching it with a sense of awe. I feel humbled. Yet, in another sense, for us it’s business as usual.” And much of that business takes place right here in Boulder.

SPA 2024

The (musical) kids are back in town

June 28, 2024

Last summer, the College of Music and Sphinx Performance Academy kicked off a new partnership to welcome talented string students—ages 11-17—to our campus for an intensive scholarship program emphasizing cultural diversity. This month, it’s déjâ vu as auditioned youths engage in lessons, master classes and more, culminating in public performances tonight and this weekend.

Table Read of “Polly Peachum” with the full cast, composer Gene Scheer and librettist Bill Van Horn.

Nurturing young singers with new opera

May 31, 2024

The College of Music’s 2024 New Opera Workshop (CU NOW) is underway, leading up to performances of Gene Scheer’s “Polly Peachum”—as well as performances of opera scenes presented by our Composer Fellows’ Initiative—in June.

Michael Uy headshot

Michael Sy Uy to direct American Music Research Center

April 22, 2024

Uy will join the College of Music’s musicology faculty as an associate professor and assume leadership of the AMRC this fall, bringing to his new responsibilities a rich background in musicological research as well as a broadly-based perspective on academic administration.

Andrea Segar

Meet incoming Assistant Professor of Violin Andrea Segar

April 10, 2024

As the first violinist of the renowned Lydian String Quartet in residence at Brandeis University, Segar previously served as a professor in the university’s Department of Music.

Professor of Harpsichord Robert Hill

Robert Hill’s laboratory for thought

April 5, 2024

Retiring Professor of Harpsichord Robert Hill reflects on his career, the College of Music’s universal musician mission and the academic community as “a formalized laboratory for thought.”

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!

Chad Wackerman

College of Music hosts drumming legend + clinician Chad Wackerman

March 14, 2024

Rock/jazz drumming giant Chad Wackerman will hold a rare residency at our College of Music next week. Mike Barnett, associate teaching professor in composition and music theory, shares how the residency demonstrates the college’s universal musician mission. “As an artist, you can grow throughout your entire life,” he says.

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