This Week at the College of Music: Community Edition - Feb. 10, 2022

Composer George Crumb (b. 1929) died peacefully at his home in Media, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 6, surrounded by his family. Crumb began his university career at CU Boulder (1959-64) where his distinctive compositional voice emerged in “Five Pieces for Piano” (1962)—premiered by his colleague, the late College of Music Professor of Piano David Burge—and “Night Music I” (1963), composed for other faculty colleagues. Over his distinguished career, he maintained his ties to Colorado, and many CU faculty have performed his music here and internationally. Crumb dedicated several works to retired Professor of Voice Patrick Mason, and his premiere recordings are part of the complete Crumb Edition from Bridge Records. Associate Professor of Music Theory Steve Bruns first met the composer in 1992 at a Crumb Festival in Prague. “That experience changed my life forever,” he recalls. “The focus of my research shifted from Mahler to Crumb. In addition to writing and lecturing about his music, I became his archivist and biographer. I’ve attended many performances, from Seoul to New York to Granada, Spain, and Crumb’s music never fails to captivate audiences. Everyone who knew George remembers his extraordinary humility and kindness. He was a giant of a composer and a man, and I will miss him terribly.” Photo by Becky Starobin, President of Bridge Records: Bruns and Crumb at a recording session of “Metamorphoses, Book II” at Swarthmore College last year.

• Members of the College of Music's Golden Buffalo Marching Band participated in a moving tribute to community healing at the reopening of the Table Mesa King Soopers on Feb. 9. Grocery store employees, city officials and community members came together to memorialize the 10 lives lost nearly a year ago. #BoulderStrong 
• music+ campaign raises over $50 million for College of Music people and programs: Learn more and meet recipients of music+ scholarship support!
• On Feb. 12, the Boulder Philharmonic will present the world premiere of Billy Childs’ Violin Concerto No. 2, featuring violinist Rachel Barton Pine. On Feb. 11 at 2:30 p.m., join us at the College of Music (Chamber Hall, S102) for a talk by this extraordinary composer, arranger and jazz pianist. Childs will share about his life, music and career, with an opportunity for Q&A. 
• On Feb. 22, our American Music Research Center will present “PLAYED: How Music and YouTube Exploit Twerking and Orchestrate Violence Against Black Girls Online.” Learn more and join us! 
• Student life + advice for #FutureBuffs: Isabel Goodwin, a third-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Music in bassoon performance and composition, shares her experience at the College of Music, including how faculty support and inspire her, how to transcend and gain creativity from difficult circumstances, and advice for prospective students.

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