Since 2019, the 欧美口爆视频 Boulder College of Music鈥檚 annual Persevering Legacy events have showcased works by women composers, including those from historically marginalized groups. This year鈥檚 concert and master class are no different.

Student soloists and ensembles are encouraged to select works from the 鈥攈oused in our American Music Research Center archives鈥攃omprising compositions by Black women composers.

This year, the concert will feature 11 different acts鈥攊ncluding the 欧美口爆视频 Boulder Chamber Singers led by Director of Choral Activities Coreen Duffy鈥攑resenting compositions by Connie Converse, Reena Esmail, Florence Price, B.E. Boykin and our previous Genevieve McVey Wisner lecturer Gabriela Lena Frank, among others. 

鈥淧ersevering Legacy is an opportunity for students to research composers or pieces that may be entirely new to them and then present those works, broadening their scope,鈥� says Alexis McClain, director of community support + programming, who helps facilitate Persevering Legacy. 鈥淥ur audiences also benefit, experiencing music that鈥檚 not often programmed.鈥�

Alumnus  (DMA 鈥�92, composition)鈥攕on of the late Helen Walker-Hill and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer George Walker鈥攚ill lead a master class for Persevering Legacy participants, working through the pieces they鈥檝e selected and offering his unique background, knowledge, insight and passion for the collection based on his directly personal connection.

鈥淚鈥檝e watched the collection unfold from close proximity for a number of years and love every aspect of the master class,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 love the music. I love getting in touch with the students who are discovering this music, often for the first time. And really, this keeps my mom alive for me because it鈥檚 not just my mother鈥檚 work, but a life鈥檚 work.鈥� 

Walker says playing new and largely unfamiliar pieces is helpful to students in their music careers as it allows them to apply their creativity and artistry in perhaps unexpected ways. 

鈥淲e spend most of our music education studying the guys that are the Mount Rushmore of classical music. The thing is, there鈥檚 a lot of baggage that comes with this default鈥攏ot only are you trying to nail the notes, but there are all these expectations that have been dictated by performers who preceded you,鈥� says Walker who recently released a satirical new book, 鈥�.鈥�

鈥淪o, if you鈥檝e got these underrepresented composers, not only have you found them or are championing them, but you have to make these decisions,鈥� he adds. 鈥淵ou have to develop your own internal tradition and use your creativity. It's more than you and impressing your audience that鈥檚 at stake, it's making a case for someone who could still be lost to history after you're done performing that night鈥攁nd that is a really worthy challenge.鈥�

Join us for the  on Thursday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m. and the preceding  with Gregory Walker on Tuesday, March 4 at 2 p.m., both in the Chamber Hall (S102), Imig Music Building.

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The University of 欧美口爆视频 Boulder is widely recognized for its commitment to sustainability鈥攎ost often associated with protecting the environment. At the College of Music, that definition extends further. 

Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Professor of Music Education Margaret Berg highlights the importance of human sustainability鈥攖hat is, the well-being of individuals and communities. By integrating both human and environmental sustainability into music education, our college is helping students develop into responsible, thoughtful professionals who are prepared to make an impact on our interconnected society.

鈥淗uman sustainability is about more than just resources,鈥� Berg explains. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about the self鈥攕tudents and teachers鈥攖he community around the school or studio, and the larger systems like colleges or universities.鈥� This multifaceted approach emphasizes the significance of emotional resilience, community building and cultural inclusivity in shaping the future of music education. 

Berg鈥檚 Sociology of Music Education course amplifies the College of Music鈥檚 unique focus on preparing students for roles beyond music performance; the college鈥檚 universal musician approach to achieving its mission encourages interdisciplinary learning and broadly-based student development. 鈥淎 teacher taking a more holistic approach will make a difference,鈥� says Berg, emphasizing the value of connecting music education with sustainability in the classroom and beyond.

Aligned with 欧美口爆视频 Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz鈥檚 priority to accelerate sustainability on our campus, human sustainability in music education complements the College of Music鈥檚 progress toward reducing its environmental impact鈥攆rom 鈥済reen鈥� digital program books, energy-efficient LED lighting in Grusin Music Hall and music tablets that replace paper scores. Additionally, the use of braille building placards and other accessibility measures reflects the college鈥檚 commitment to inclusivity in all forms.

Integrating human and environmental sustainability equips students with the knowledge, skills and awareness to engage with both their immediate communities and the planet. In the classroom, Berg advocates for experiential learning practices that promote ecological literacy and environmental activism. For example, music educators can encourage students to engage with local sounds and landscapes, fostering an awareness of the natural world and its challenges. 鈥淲e can integrate local ecosystems into the repertoire selection process,鈥� Berg suggests, noting that 欧美口爆视频鈥檚 mountains or water issues might inspire student projects.

Berg further emphasizes the significance of core reflection which encourages educators and students to assess their well-being and resilience. 鈥淚t has to start with the human,鈥� she says. That is, to sustain both the work and the community, we must take care of individuals first鈥攖eachers and students alike. Core reflection allows teachers to identify their strengths and recognize the need to care for their own mental and emotional health to avoid burnout. In this way, self-care becomes foundational to sustaining long-term success in educational settings.

Adds Berg, 鈥淣ature is constantly creating and evolving, and engaging with the arts is a creative act that empowers both students and teachers to respond to the challenges of climate change, for example, in productive and meaningful ways. This is invaluable, as it engages their hearts and fosters powerful, thoughtful responses. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 a profoundly healthy way to navigate such challenges.鈥� 

Related resources

• Berg, M. H. (2023): Fostering care through core reflection.
• Shevock, D. J., & Bates, V. C. (2019): A Music Educator鈥檚 Guide to Saving the Planet.
• Smith, T. D. (2023): Caring with the Earth, community, and co-learners for the health of biological, social, and musical ecosystems.

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We鈥檙e pleased to announce that鈥攂eginning this fall鈥擲hanti Simon will join our College of Music as director of bands.

鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled to join a dynamic faculty committed to preparing universal artist-musicians to contribute to and lead the next generation of music making in our world,鈥� says Simon, currently director of bands at the University of Oklahoma where she conducts the Wind Symphony and leads the graduate wind conducting program. Additionally, she serves as associate conductor of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.

鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to working with students and colleagues to further the culture of wind music in our nation,鈥� adds Simon, 鈥渁nd to enhance the national and international reputation of stellar music making at the 欧美口爆视频 Boulder College of Music through creative, engaging, and artistic programming and performance.鈥�

Prior to joining the faculty at OU, Simon was flight commander and associate conductor with the United States Air Force Academy Band in 欧美口爆视频 Springs. Before that, she served as flight commander and associate conductor with the USAF Band in Washington, D.C. where she conducted performances in the national capital region and around the country. 

Simon further held the position of associate director of bands at Shenandoah Conservatory before she deployed to the Middle East in 2016 with the United States Air Forces Central Command Band (AFCENT Band) as the officer-in-charge overseeing musical troop support, community outreach and partnership building missions in seven countries. 

Simon earned MM and DMA degrees in conducting from the University of Minnesota where she studied with Craig Kirchhoff; and BME and BM degrees from Stetson University with Bobby Adams. The Florida native also served as associate director of bands at Vero Beach High School for four years where her ensembles consistently earned top ratings in all areas of district and state assessment.

鈥淚n addition to a thorough study of music history, theory, gesture, social context and performance, I encourage my students to be actively involved in conceptualizing new ways of presenting and sharing music with audiences,鈥� continues Simon who鈥檚 active nationally and internationally as a guest conductor and clinician, serves as a major in the Oklahoma Air National Guard and is a voting member of the Grammy Recording Academy.

Simon adds that her family鈥攈usband Jebodiah Eaton, Grace (4) and Bodhi (2)鈥斺�渃an鈥檛 wait to immerse ourselves in the energy and artistry of the 欧美口爆视频 Boulder College of Music community.鈥�

Welcome!

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Photo: Internationally acclaimed clarinetist Mariam Adam headlines 欧美口爆视频 Clarinet Day 2025.

It seemed like a nice idea, recalls Professor of Clarinet Daniel Silver: Let鈥檚 gather together the clarinet programs at 欧美口爆视频鈥檚 four major Front Range university music departments and create a day celebrating the clarinet with workshops, exhibits, a lecture, maybe a concert or two and a master class with a guest artist. Let's call it 欧美口爆视频 Clarinet Day.

That was 15 years ago鈥攁nd it's been going strong ever since. On Jan. 19, 2025, 欧美口爆视频 Clarinet Day returns to the 欧美口爆视频 Boulder College of Music.

鈥淭here鈥檚 always been camaraderie among us,鈥� notes Silver, referring to his counterparts at 欧美口爆视频 State University, the University of Northern 欧美口爆视频 and the University of Denver鈥檚 Lamont School of Music. The clarinet departments agreed to each hold a Clarinet Day annually, with the locale rotating, so that each campus would host every four years; thus, it falls on 欧美口爆视频 Boulder to welcome clarinet lovers to our Imig Music Building next month.

Every 欧美口爆视频 Clarinet Day is different, Silver points out. 鈥淓ach host puts their own stamp on it.鈥�

The upcoming Clarinet Day will begin with a morning recital by 欧美口爆视频 players (with guests from Wyoming), followed by Silver's talk on practicing techniques. An afternoon concert by the Ambler Clarinet Choir will be followed by a free evening recital featuring guest clarinetist 鈥攚ith Suyeon Kim, associate teaching professor, collaborative piano鈥攁t 6:45 p.m. in Grusin Music Hall.

Silver notes the significance of Adam鈥檚 presence. A founding member of Imani Winds and a sought-after international soloist, she represents more than a superior interpreter of the clarinet: 鈥淪he鈥檚 a woman of color and鈥攇oing back 30 years鈥攖here haven鈥檛 been many like her in the music world. We need more like her, shining a light on (musicians) who are not white males.鈥�

Referencing the College of Music鈥檚 universal musician approach to achieving its mission, he adds: 鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing a reflection of that here, where we鈥檝e taken steps to increase the diversity of our people.鈥�

Recalling the first Clarinet Day, Silver points out: 鈥淲e had about 60 attendees. Now, each event attracts around 200.鈥� So, who are all those clarinet lovers? Students, alumni, educators and performers, as well as exhibitors鈥攆rom Brad Behn and Brandon Chambers to the Flesher-Hinton Music Company, Mark Sloss Professional Wind Instrument Consultants and Vandoren | Dansr.

Lastly, Silver highlighted another important category of attendees: 鈥淎udiences who just want to hear good music.鈥�

We thank all participating staff, faculty, and guest artists and teachers; and we thank the Roser Visiting Artists Program, the 欧美口爆视频 Boulder Center for Humanities & the Arts and Conn-Selmer for their support of 欧美口爆视频 Clarinet Day.

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For Melda Turun莽o臒lu, music is more than its ingredients.

Turun莽o臒lu鈥攚ho graduates this month with a master鈥檚 in guitar performance from the 欧美口爆视频 Boulder College of Music鈥攆inds a value that goes deeper than melody, harmony and tempo when she plays classical guitar. Originally from Turkey, Turun莽o臒lu draws on music as an essential tool to make connections in a new country and a new culture.

鈥淓nglish is my second language. It鈥檚 difficult to try to connect with people in a different language,鈥� she explains. 鈥淲hen I first came to the U.S., I was uncomfortable talking to people鈥擨 felt I couldn鈥檛 explain myself well. But I found a connection through music. It鈥檚 not only melody, or rhythm鈥攜ou鈥檙e connecting with people.鈥�

Turun莽o臒lu speaks candidly and earnestly about the odyssey that brought her from her native Turkey to a two-year stint in Italy (where she attended an early music school in Venice and studied with lutenist Massimo Lonardi for a year), then back to Istanbul and finally to her current home in Boulder.

Though she communicates in English with ease and grace, approaching a new language, culture and pace of life in Boulder wasn鈥檛 easy. Turun莽o臒lu came to 欧美口爆视频 with her husband and young son six years ago, and found herself facing profound inner questions.

鈥淚 began to ask myself, what am I doing here? Maybe I was regretful about coming here. Everything is very different,鈥� Turun莽o臒lu recalls, adding that she realized she missed being a musician and a performer. That self-examination ultimately led her to contact Associate Professor of Guitar Nicol貌 Spera. 鈥淚 played guitar for him and he encouraged me a lot to apply for a master鈥檚 at 欧美口爆视频 Boulder.鈥�

That initial show of support from Spera ultimately offered a path toward connection, purpose and fulfillment as Turun莽o臒lu set about honing her craft and finding ways to communicate creatively on a universal level鈥攁n approach that aligns with the College of Music鈥檚 commitment to developing broadly-based, multifaceted universal musicians.

She expanded her network among faculty and fellow students alike, continuing to work with Spera and connecting with recently retired Professor of Harpsichord Robert Hill, who worked with Turun莽o臒lu on Baroque music and included her in showcases. The chance to play for audiences, to create that immediate bond with listeners, proved to be an important step in Turun莽o臒lu鈥檚 evolution as an artist.

鈥淗ill encouraged me to play solo in his ensemble showcases even though I was feeling insecure after so many years without performing for people. He told me, you have to share your music. You are here for this,鈥� she says. 鈥淪o I played. I played many times for his ensemble showcases during the past two years鈥攁s well as in smaller spaces such as a retirement community, a coffee shop and even my son鈥檚 school. There was an earthquake in Turkey last year and I played for a fundraiser. It was an amazing feeling to help people in need with my music.鈥�

All of these opportunities helped Turun莽o臒lu grow and advance, including the chance to study the music of the Renaissance, and the Baroque and Romantic eras; occasions to share her art with audiences; and access to a higher grade of instrument built by luthier John Weissenrieder.

鈥淛ohn鈥檚 family gave some of his guitars to the College of Music鈥檚 guitar studio and Nicol貌 gave me one of them for two years. I owe a lot to this guitar,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 met with John鈥檚 parents. They came to all of my recitals. We hugged and cried and it felt so nice to connect with them. They鈥檙e like a family now.鈥�

At 欧美口爆视频 Boulder, Turun莽o臒lu has grown as an artist, a musician and as a part of our community. And she鈥檚 intent on continuing the journey鈥攖eaching, performing and learning. Turun莽o臒lu has been accepted to the College of Music鈥檚 Artist Diploma program and will begin studies next fall.

In the meantime, she鈥檒l continue to draw on her music to find new ways to communicate and connect to a community that鈥檚 come to feel more like home.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 perform for almost 10 years. I began again, and I feel like now I鈥檝e found a connection with people. That鈥檚 precious for me and I don鈥檛 want to lose it,鈥� she says. 鈥淧eople here鈥攖hey care about your gift. They see a special thing. You are making music, they share their feelings afterward鈥攁nd it鈥檚 great.鈥�

The University of 欧美口爆视频 Boulder鈥檚 winter 2024 degree conferral is Dec. 19. To all our extraordinary graduates, CONGRATULATIONS and welcome to the Forever Buffs family鈥攚e hope you鈥檒l join us for our spring 2025 recognition ceremony!

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Photo credit: Hao Zhou

A complaint about high frequencies would prove fateful for Clarrisse Bosman and her future path as a musician and educator.

Bosman, who will graduate from 欧美口爆视频 Boulder鈥檚 College of Music this winter with bachelor鈥檚 degrees in both bassoon performance and instrumental music education, recalls the moment that led her to the largest instrument in any typical orchestra.

鈥淚 started playing music on the flute. I was practicing one day, and my mother couldn鈥檛 stand the high register,鈥� says Bosman, adding that she was asked to find some other musical means to express herself. She obliged, opting for an instrument at the other end of the register in terms of pitch and size. 鈥淚 said, 鈥極kay, I鈥檒l pick the largest instrument that I can get my hands on.鈥�

Bosman, who鈥檚 apt to chuckle as she points out that she鈥檚 a 5-foot-2 musician playing an instrument that normally measures about 4-foot-5, quickly made an immediate and profound connection to the bassoon鈥攐ne that helped steer her course through Cherry Creek High School in Englewood and then at 欧美口爆视频 Boulder.

鈥淚 fell in love with it. It鈥檚 so unique. It literally stands out among the orchestra,鈥� Bosman continues. 鈥淚 knew that I wanted to pursue music and especially music education. I鈥檝e always had a passion for music education and teaching people.鈥�

The decision to build on the musical foundations she built in high school at 欧美口爆视频 Boulder boiled down largely to faculty, she says. When it came to finding a mentor that could offer her direction鈥攂oth in terms of her own performance and her ability to inspire others鈥攕he found a perfect fit in Yoshiyuki Ishikawa, professor of bassoon.

鈥淔or me, music and where I chose to study depended on the professor,鈥� she reiterates. 鈥溑访揽诒悠� Boulder has set me up for success in the teaching world. I鈥檓 grateful to have had such great mentors in the College of Music.鈥�

Specifically, our program offered Bosman the chance to come into her own as a soloist, even as it provided opportunities to build real-world teaching experiences in classrooms across the Denver metro area, including a stint at Campus Middle School, literally next door to her former high school. Along with student teaching and practicums at Sunset Middle School, Horizon High School and other institutions, these experiences helped Bosman develop her own teaching style.

鈥淚 have a diverse teaching portfolio鈥擨鈥檝e taught concert band, jazz band and orchestra as well as mariachi ensemble. Usually students choose to only student teach in one area, but it鈥檚 been fun to have the opportunity to specialize in different areas,鈥� she says. 鈥淣othing prepares you like putting it into practice. 欧美口爆视频 Boulder provides rigorous challenges and puts us into actual classrooms.鈥�

Bosman developed her teaching experience as she found opportunities to perform for audiences. One of her most memorable concerts came in the midst of a crisis, she says.

鈥淢y apartment caught on fire the night before my senior recital,鈥� she remembers, crediting 欧美口爆视频 Boulder鈥檚 Basic Needs Center for providing assistance in the face of the emergency. 鈥淚 grabbed my concert heels, my dress and a few belongings and woke up the next day like nothing happened. I had to put on my senior recital. It鈥檚 the concert that stands out the most,鈥� she adds, noting that her bassoon was safe in her locker at school and that the performance ultimately turned out successful.

Bosman, who balanced several different interests and passions in high school, found the same equilibrium at 欧美口爆视频 Boulder. Even as she honed her skills as a musician and teacher, she continued pursuing other interests and passions鈥攆or example, she served as the 欧美口爆视频 Boulder Ice Skating Club president, coached members of the Ice Skating Club and participated in several on-campus programs. She notes that 欧美口爆视频 Boulder provides incredible opportunities and support programs, especially through the Center for Inclusion and Social Change which was instrumental as a first-generation student being the first in her family to graduate college.

Bosman dedicated herself to finding a well-rounded existence at 欧美口爆视频 Boulder鈥攋ust as she pursued dual degrees that align with the college鈥檚 universal musician approach which aims to develop multiskilled artists who are equipped to make a difference in our world as broadly-based professionals.

That dynamic will remain with Bosman as she preps for her next steps. She knows she loves teaching, particularly at the middle school level; and she knows no matter where she travels, her passion for music and teaching will follow.

鈥淚 have plans to be a substitute teacher for music until more full-time positions open up and I鈥檓 exploring coaching opportunities in the figure skating world,鈥� she notes. 鈥淚鈥檓 also a traveling spirit and I would be open to something a little more tropical if it ever arises. (But) I do keep music at my heart.鈥�

The University of 欧美口爆视频 Boulder鈥檚 winter 2024 degree conferral is Dec. 19. To all our inspiring, accomplished graduates, CONGRATULATIONS and welcome to the Forever Buffs family鈥攚e hope you鈥檒l join us for our spring 2025 recognition ceremony!

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NASM celebrates 100 years
Last month, Dean John Davis attended the annual meeting鈥攁nd centennial celebration鈥攐f 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, as well as other credentials for music and music-related disciplines. Our college has been a member since 1941.

Dear friends,

As we approach our much-anticipated annual Holiday Festival performances this weekend, I鈥檓 filled with awe and gratitude as I reflect on a busy, successful fall semester at the 欧美口爆视频 Boulder College of Music鈥攊ncluding continued progress in developing multiskilled, multifaceted universal musicians.

Our commitment to both refining and expanding our offerings has never felt more relevant鈥攁nd more urgent; our faculty members, advisors and other staff are highly motivated to ensure that our students not only master their chosen craft, but also emerge as well-rounded, adaptable professionals prepared to take on the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Having represented our College of Music at several conferences this fall鈥攊ncluding, among others, the annual conferences of the College Music Society and National Association of Music Executives at State Universities, the National Association of Schools of Music annual meeting, and the annual conference of the International Council for Arts Deans in Montreal, Canada鈥擨 was heartened to observe that our work at 欧美口爆视频 Boulder reflects real-world trends and mandates in music education. Colleges and schools like ours are similarly focused on widening students鈥� horizons, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and emphasizing broadly-based skills. I鈥檓 proud that our approach amplifies current best practices at comparable institutions, nationally and internationally.

We鈥檙e also aware that the landscape of higher education is shifting and that we must be vigilant, agile and proactive. In the new year, changes to federal policies may impact how we accomplish鈥攁nd communicate鈥攐ur work; what 颈蝉苍鈥檛 changing, however, is our commitment to support our students with the resources, knowledge, experiences and inspirations they need to succeed and thrive in their chosen ventures鈥攁nd in life. To that end, we continue to deepen our relationships with campus partners including Chancellor Justin Schwartz, who champions our efforts. The new 欧美口爆视频 Boulder chancellor has encouraged our campus community to embody courage, curiosity, care and consistency as we engage with one another, prioritize free expression and pursue creative ideas. His vision aligns with our values and I鈥檓 optimistic that the College of Music鈥攁long with all arts and humanities units on campus鈥攚ill prosper under his leadership, and sustain our current momentum in student recruitment and retention.

By reimagining our offerings to include more diverse disciplines and perspectives, we鈥檙e implementing a richer, more holistic educational experience for our students that ignites their explorations across wide-ranging fields of interest鈥攚hile nurturing their capacity to engage meaningfully, compassionately and confidently with the summons of our time.

From our dedicated community of supporters to our versatile students to our forward-looking faculty and staff, I鈥檓 immensely proud of what we鈥檝e already achieved together. In the new year, stay tuned for announcements of our most recent programmatic and curricular developments that meet the moment鈥攊ncluding a new BA degree emphasis.

Meanwhile, I wish you peaceful, joyful holidays!

John Davis
Dean, College of Music

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We are thrilled to announce the winner of the 2024-25 Bruce Ekstrand Memorial Graduate Student Performance Competition: The Koa String Quartet!

The College of Music鈥檚 current graduate string quartet in residence鈥攃omprising violinists Kisa Uradomo and Leah Pernick, violist Thomas Chafe and cellist Heewon Lee鈥攕tudies with the Tak谩cs Quartet. On Nov. 19, the Koa Quartet performed selections from works by Joseph Haydn and Kevin Lau, and was awarded $2,000 for their Ekstrand win.

鈥淲e are so happy to have started our residency at 欧美口爆视频 Boulder on such a positive note! It was an incredible opportunity to perform onstage alongside so many of our talented peers,鈥� Pernick says. 鈥淭hank you so much to the Tak谩cs Quartet and string faculty for their mentorship, and to the Ekstrand family for their generous support of students.鈥�

Lee shares, 鈥淥ur main goal of the performance was to have fun and keep up the good energy. I think us dancing backstage helped with that. But in all seriousness, we鈥檙e super thankful for the win!鈥�

Second prize ($1,000) went to saxophonist Joel Ferst, who also won the audience favorite prize ($250). This year鈥檚 other Ekstrand finalists ($500 each) include pianist John-Austin King, baritone Andrew Konopak and violinist Laura P茅rez Rangel.

This year鈥檚 esteemed panel of judges were Jason Bergman鈥擜ssociate Professor of Trumpet, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music; Courtney Hershey Bress鈥擯rincipal Harpist, 欧美口爆视频 Symphony; Adjunct Professor of Harp, University of Denver Lamont School of Music; and Lecturer of Harp, University of Wyoming; and Cameron Stowe鈥擟hair, Collaborative Piano, New England Conservatory; Director, Collaborative Piano, Aspen Music Festival and School.

The Ekstrand Competition was launched by previous College of Music dean Robert Fink, and later renamed to honor the late Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and psychology professor Bruce Ekstrand. The competition invites top graduate students to compete for cash prizes for professional development. This year鈥檚 faculty judges for the鈥� semi-final competition were Renee Gilliland, Jeremy Reger and Branden Steinmetz.

Semi-finalists included:

• Voice: Sidney Grimm, soprano; Andrew Konopak, baritone; James Robinson, baritone
• Piano: John-Austin King, Luca Pompilio
• Strings: Julian Bennett, cello; Koa String Quartet; Laura P茅rez Rangel, violin
• Woodwinds: Joel Ferst, saxophone; Dylan King, saxophone; Harold Gomez-Montoya, clarinet
• Brass + percussion: Mark Bennett, trombone; Sydney Hoehl, trumpet; Connor Johnson, trumpet

Congratulations to the Koa String Quartet and all participants in this year鈥檚 competition, as well as their teachers鈥攖he Tak谩cs Quartet, Andrew Cooperstock, Andrew Garland and Nathan Mertens in the final round. Our special thanks also to collaborative pianists Runze Li, Hsiao-Ling Lin, Matthew Sebald鈥攁nd all other pianists, mentors and teachers involved in the previous rounds of this competition.

Partially funded by the , this annual event is the premier performance competition for the College of Music鈥檚 most outstanding graduate students.

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With support from a $15K 欧美口爆视频 Boulder Center for Humanities & the Arts (CHA) grant, the Chicago-based returned to the College of Music earlier this month as guest artists in our Faculty Tuesdays series and SoundWorks series.

鈥淭he composition department has been bringing ~Nois to campus for the last six or seven years,鈥� says Carter Pann, chair of the composition department. 鈥淭his is the first year that two studios hosted the quartet鈥攃omposition and saxophone. The plan was for ~Nois to work with our student and faculty composers, and with students in [Assistant Professor of Saxophone] Nathan Mertens' saxophone studio.鈥�

Indeed, the five-day residency was packed鈥攊n addition to Faculty Tuesdays and SoundWorks concerts, ~Nois also presented a master class, a guest lecture in the Department of Theatre & Dance and more. College of Music students had the opportunity to rehearse with members of the quartet, ask questions, and get feedback on performances and compositions.

CHA grants support projects that amplify the arts and humanities, and create community around campus. The College of Music's composition and saxophone departments were awarded more than they applied for, allowing for an extra house concert in a donor鈥檚 home.

鈥淚 believe that the application meets all criteria and that it is far ranging,鈥� wrote CHA Director Jennifer Ho. 鈥淭his is one reason I鈥檝e increased the award鈥攕o that you may be able to think even more capaciously in creating programs that will involve multiple community members within the College of Music and across campus.鈥�

The College of Music鈥檚 relationship with the quartet began with Pann鈥檚 musical connection with a family member of one of the musicians. 鈥淥ne of the ~Nois members, Jordan Lulloff, is the son of a very good friend of mine whom I have written lots of saxophone music for,鈥� shares Pann. 鈥淎 lightbulb went off and I realized that Jordan was in this new quartet of Northwestern University grads.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really useful and it鈥檚 a great opportunity for young composers to write for saxophone quartet. It鈥檚 a very enterprising endeavor because saxophonists in general clamor for new music.鈥�

Through the years, ~Nois has become familiar on campus, and created even more and deeper connections. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e just game when they鈥檙e here,鈥� adds Pann. 鈥淭hey end up seeing donors, seeing the dean, working with students, coming to classes鈥︹��

Pann hopes the residency inspired creativity among our students. 鈥淲hen students work closely with them, the ~Nois boys are so professional. They don鈥檛 skimp on anything. They will crash open the door to rehearse more with these students. They鈥檙e constantly teaching them what their instruments can do.

鈥淭hese guys increase the learning horizon tenfold. When you see somebody that鈥檚 kind of close to your age breaking into this professional realm鈥攊t鈥檚 really inspiring to our students.鈥�

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Smiley, who teaches a large 370-student jazz history class as well as a jazz combo, plans to use the fellowship to advance his compositional goals. His primary focus during this time will be composing a suite of octet music鈥攁 significant leap in scope from his usual compositions for smaller groups like trios, quartets and quintets. He鈥檚 looking ahead to spring 2025 when he hopes to record his new compositions with both 欧美口爆视频 musicians and other collaborators from across the country.

As a composer, Smiley鈥檚 work sits at the intersection of jazz and contemporary classical music, drawing on improvisational techniques that challenge the conventions of both genres. 鈥淭he music I write is always too improvisational for the contemporary classical world but utilizes modern compositional techniques that are still foreign to most of the jazz world,鈥� he explains. Smiley is inspired by composers such as Christian Wolff, known for creating compositions meant to be performed in different ways with varying orchestrations, ensuring that no performance is ever the same. This flexible, open form of composition has become a hallmark of Smiley鈥檚 approach which he鈥檚 excited to explore further. 

While Smiley is accustomed to composing for small ensembles of musicians with whom he regularly collaborates, the MacDowell Fellowship offers an opportunity to expand his creative work to larger ensembles and broader collaborations鈥攁 challenge he鈥檚 ready to embrace while maintaining the intimacy and improvisational spirit of his works for smaller ensembles.

Smiley鈥檚 path to the MacDowell Fellowship was marked by persistence and inspiration from peers.  (BM 鈥�11, MM 鈥�20)鈥攁 欧美口爆视频 Boulder College of Music alumna and a successful local composer, pianist, educator and entrepreneur鈥攅ncouraged him to apply for composition residencies. 鈥淚 have never had planned time off from teaching, performing and working to sit down and focus solely on writing music,鈥� Smiley notes. 鈥淚 have a lot of goals to accomplish while I鈥檓 there.鈥�

Especially, Smiley is eager to develop new compositions that embrace the unpredictability of improvisation while utilizing advanced compositional techniques. His work will undoubtedly continue to challenge the boundaries of both the jazz and contemporary classical music worlds鈥攂ringing fresh perspectives to both genres.

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