Universal Musician

Creating sustainability through music education

Mariefaith Lane — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:29:50 +0000

Creating sustainability through music education Mariefaith Lane Wed, 02/12/2025 - 10:29

MarieFaith Lane

The 51吃瓜网 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 51吃瓜网 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 Colorado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.

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, the College of Music is preparing students to make an impact on our interconnected society.

Off

Traditional

White

Flourishing in times of flux

Mariefaith Lane — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Flourishing in times of flux Mariefaith Lane Fri, 12/06/2024 - 01:00

John Davis

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 51吃瓜网 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 51吃瓜网 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 isn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 51吃瓜网 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

In his year-end message, Dean John Davis reflects on the college's commitment to both refining and expanding our offerings: "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."

Off

Traditional

White

College of Music announces new bachelor鈥檚 degree emphasis

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 07:00:00 +0000

College of Music announces new bachelor鈥檚 degree emphasis Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 12/14/2023 - 00:00

John Davis

Dear friends,

As the holiday season approaches, I鈥檓 filled with immense pride and optimism reflecting our shared journey at the College of Music. In a world too often shadowed by conflicts and divisions, I鈥檓 heartened by our college鈥檚 daily transcendence of sorrow and seeming helplessness through the solace and power of music鈥攎ost recently and beautifully conveyed in our annual Holiday Festival featuring the diverse experiences, ethnicities, cultures and spiritualities of our talented students and faculty, and our greater campus community.

Additionally, as an update to my previous Dean鈥檚 Downbeat鈥攊n which I introduced our efforts to more effectively advance students pursuing music as a vocation as well as students interested in music as an active avocation鈥擨鈥檓 thrilled to announce that a new mission-driven Bachelor of Arts in Music emphasis has been approved by our hardworking curriculum committee! In our earnest commitment to identify and implement new non-traditional degree options that are more inclusive of our increasingly broadly-based student applicants, the College of Music鈥檚 Bachelor of Arts in Music: Music Production degree will be offered beginning fall 2025, paving the way for additional interdisciplinary degree emphases to come.

In other words, we鈥檙e gaining momentum and we have a great deal to look forward to in 2024! Meanwhile, we鈥檙e celebrating the extraordinary accomplishments of all our winter 2023 graduates and wishing you鈥攐ur students, staff, faculty, alumni and community of supporters鈥攋oyful, harmonious holidays and a rejuvenating winter break.

See you next year,

John S. Davis
Dean, College of Music

As 2023 draws to a close, Dean John Davis reflects on our shared journey at the College of Music and announces a new mission-driven Bachelor of Arts in Music emphasis. Our Bachelor of Arts in Music: Music Production degree will be offered beginning fall 2025!

Off

Traditional

White

Celebrating winter graduates: Ashley Civelli

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Celebrating winter graduates: Ashley Civelli Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 12/13/2023 - 00:00

Adam Goldstein

The fields of music and education are closely intertwined for transfer student Ashley Civelli.

Like any other musician, Civelli finds a very personal kind of magic in performing. As a clarinet player, Civelli depends on the instrument for inspiration. But she doesn鈥檛 operate in a musical vacuum.

Soon after Civelli began connecting with music and performance on a personal level, she knew she wanted to share the experience with others.

鈥淚鈥檝e known I wanted to teach music since I was in 7th or 8th grade,鈥� recalls Civelli, who graduates from the 51吃瓜网 College of Music this month with a bachelor鈥檚 in music education (instrumental band emphasis). 鈥淚t鈥檚 always been something that鈥檚 been there.鈥�

The dual drive to play and to teach is part of what brought Civelli from Connecticut, where she completed the first two years of her college career, to 51吃瓜网鈥攁 place she felt had more to offer in terms of her professional and personal ambitions. Transferring to the College of Music halfway through her undergraduate studies boiled down to a 鈥済ut feeling,鈥� she recalls, a sense that 51吃瓜网 was the right place to refine her skills.

Two years later, that intuitive leap to a new learning environment has proved invaluable. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think I really knew what was in store for me while I was transferring. I saw opportunities as they came up and I discovered more than I thought I would,鈥� Civelli says, crediting her professors, TAs and fellow students with helping her find new dimensions to her playing and teaching. 鈥淚鈥檓 a far better clarinet player than I ever thought I could have been, and a far better teacher as well.鈥�

True to the college鈥檚 mission to develop multiskilled, multifaceted universal musicians, Civelli found opportunities in both realms. Between playing high-profile performances with concert ensembles and coaching high school marching band students, Civelli鈥檚 time in Colorado has deepened her firsthand experience as both a musician and an educator, roles that are equally important as she looks beyond graduation.

鈥淥ne of my strong beliefs in music education is that I am developing lifelong lovers of music,鈥� Civelli says. 鈥淲hether they end up becoming professional musicians or not, at the end of the day they will be consuming music for the rest of their lives. Having the ability to explain why they like or do not like a song they hear, or why a guitar riff is really neat, is important.鈥�

Congratulations to Ashley and all our winter grads!

Clarinetist Ashley Civelli doesn鈥檛 operate in a musical vacuum. Her College of Music education has deepened her firsthand experience as both a musician and an educator, roles that are equally important as she looks beyond graduation.

Off

Traditional

White

Celebrating winter graduates: Isabel Goodwin

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Celebrating winter graduates: Isabel Goodwin Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 12/13/2023 - 00:00

Adam Goldstein

Isabel Goodwin sees a cosmic quality in their connection to the bassoon.

Goodwin graduates this month with dual Bachelor of Music degrees from the 51吃瓜网鈥攐ne in composition and one in bassoon performance. During their four years at our College of Music, the instrument has served as a gateway to creative growth, personal connections and artistic expression. They performed with the entire bassoon studio for holiday concerts, composed works that have been performed by the Chicago-based ~Nois saxophone quartet and collaborated with the university鈥檚 dance department.

All of these achievements stemmed from a connection to an instrument that could very well be considered accidental. 鈥淚 was in fifth grade and it was pick-your-instrument-night at school,鈥� says Goodwin, recalling a pivotal moment in their native Texas suburb. 鈥淎ll the flute spots were filled and my next two instruments of choice were also filled,鈥� they add, explaining how they landed on the bassoon. 鈥淣ow I know it was fate.鈥�

Goodwin soon fell in love with the instrument鈥攊ts low range, its expressiveness, its unique role in the orchestra. 鈥淏assoon just happened to be the reason why I made so many friends, too鈥攊t was my gateway into the orchestra world,鈥� they say.

Playing the bassoon ultimately led to an interest in composition鈥攁 passion sparked in 8^th-grade orchestra class鈥攖hat eventually helped steer Goodwin鈥檚 path from Texas to 51吃瓜网.

鈥淚 knew that I wanted to study both bassoon performance and composition,鈥� Goodwin reflects. 鈥淚 knew I wanted to go to a place where I was able to do both, where a well-rounded education was encouraged. The 51吃瓜网 College of Music was one of the only schools I applied to that was flexible in terms of the course load.鈥�

Indeed, our College of Music with its universal musician mission proved to be the perfect environment for Goodwin. In their eight semesters here, they not only successfully completed a double major, but also meaningfully connected with professors, peers and fellow musicians who helped chart their course in performance and composition.

Specifically, Goodwin credits Professor of Composition Carter Pann and Professor of Bassoon Yoshiyuki Ishikawa for their constant support and guidance, just as they offer thanks to their fellow College of Music students for consistent inspiration.

鈥淚 feel like I learned a lot about perseverance and endurance, in terms of training and learning and studying,鈥� they say. 鈥淚 also learned about attention to detail鈥擨 think I really expanded that skill in college. Those lessons are applicable to almost any field.鈥�

Congratulations to Isabel and all our winter grads!

Isabel Goodwin graduates this month with dual Bachelor of Music degrees鈥攐ne in composition and one in bassoon performance. During their four years at our College of Music, the instrument has served as a gateway to their creative growth, personal connections and artistic expression.

Off

Traditional

White

Alumni spotlight: Scheherazade Music Festival

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Alumni spotlight: Scheherazade Music Festival Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 12/07/2023 - 00:00

Kathryn Bistodeau

Photo credit: Dwan Miller Photography, LLC

Great ideas can come from anywhere鈥攅ven a meal with your friends. Three 51吃瓜网 College of Music alumni鈥擟olleen White (DMA 鈥�17), Paul Zaborac (DMA 鈥�17) and Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao (DMA 鈥�19)鈥攄eveloped a vision for the Scheherazade Music Festival (SMF) over brunch, and soon started working to make their dream come to life.

鈥淲e casually thought, 鈥榃hat if we developed our own chamber music festival?鈥� Less than a year later, we had funding and a business plan,鈥� White says.

The nonprofit festival, held in Manhattan, Kansas, debuted in 2023 and will return for its second season in June 2024. [Experience the SMF performing 鈥�The Gorgeous Nothings鈥� by Ingrid St枚lzel.]

The SMF aims to tell stories through chamber music and each season features a unique theme. The 2024 theme is 鈥淐reatures Great and Small,鈥� focusing on music inspired by wildlife and creatures of all sizes.

The festival also hosts community events, children鈥檚 events and a composition competition that encourages composers to submit new works for voice, flute, saxophone and piano. The compositions must highlight narrative, focusing on the untold stories of underrepresented or marginalized groups and the festival theme; winning works will premiere during the summer festival.

鈥淭here鈥檚 something really unique and special about chamber music,鈥� Kao says. 鈥淭here鈥檚 an intimate and powerful connection among the performers and this connection extends to the audience.

鈥淓ach performance is unique. This is especially true when composers are creating new music, performed for the first time in front of a live audience.鈥�

In their festival activities, these music alumni say they regularly apply skills learned at our College of Music.

鈥淓ntrepreneurial know-how gained at CU has been instrumental in helping us develop this festival,鈥� explains Zaborac. 鈥淔rom arts administration, marketing and audio/video production to audience relations and creative concert programming. Being able to draw on this wide skill set has significantly contributed to the success of the festival, allowing us to create something really exciting.

鈥淧erhaps most important was the entrepreneurial mindset itself, of looking at challenges and finding creative solutions鈥攁nd the will to overcome, persevere and build something.鈥�

Congratulations!

Three College of Music alumni recently launched the Scheherazade Music Festival鈥攁n incubator for innovation and connection through chamber music, pushing the art form forward and bringing performers, composers and audiences together.

Off

Traditional

White

On creating beauty + mission-critical innovations

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 06:00:00 +0000

On creating beauty + mission-critical innovations Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 10/26/2023 - 00:00

John Davis

In light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas鈥攊n addition to the myriad of other wars and challenging circumstances around the globe鈥擨 can鈥檛 help but reflect on how music can transcend hardship and hopelessness by reinforcing collaboration and commonality among all peoples.

Music brings us together and connects us; music lifts our spirits and soothes our souls; and, perhaps most importantly, music allows us to yield to frustrated feelings or difficult emotions when we need to, providing a sense of refuge, renewal and hope.

Unlike other fields and disciplines鈥攅ven within the arts鈥擨 believe it鈥檚 music that people most often turn to in times of sorrow or despair; it鈥檚 music that鈥檚 most immediately and intensely accessible; and鈥攖he way I see it鈥攊t鈥檚 music that offers something inherently internal and palpably personal, yet ubiquitous. As an art form, I would argue that music alone maintains its essence and timelessness on-demand, across distances and mediums.

At the same time鈥攊n a world where artificial intelligence is the zeitgeist鈥擨 believe nothing prevails over the power of live, human-created musical performance. Most of us are drawn to direct exposure to other human beings producing something uplifting, thought-provoking or otherwise emotionally resonant. Beyond experiencing music as a commodity, witnessing the unique talents and vulnerabilities of individuals creating music both deepens and amplifies our encounters with music鈥攕ometimes taking us back to special places stored deep in our memories, sometimes propelling us forward in our most closely-hold aspirations.

If there鈥檚 a reason to have hope in a world of upheaval and unrest, it鈥檚 experiencing a young person openly and courageously sharing their musical gift, including their angst or protest against injustices of all kinds. Beauty lies in their inimitable expression of their truth through music in a range of settings not limited to the concert hall. Beauty underpins our universal musician mission, for music majors and non-majors alike. Beauty is why we do what we do.

In my role as dean, my true purpose is to facilitate and empower our students and faculty to achieve their highest, noblest aspirations of beauty鈥攆rom ensuring our faculty have what they need to best advise, mentor and inspire our students; to eliminating what might stand in the way of our students鈥� success and experiencing music in whatever form they seek; to supporting our staff who work so diligently in carrying out our mission on behalf of our entire College of Music community.

In that spirit鈥攁mong other efforts underway to more effectively advance students pursuing music as a vocation as well as students interested in music as an active avocation鈥擨鈥檓 excited about mission-driven revisions to our Bachelor of Arts in Music degree, including a proposed emphasis in music production. Paving the way for more potential degree emphases鈥攆rom music and the entertainment industry to music and business, music and law, music and media, music and health, critical music studies, sound engineering and endless other options鈥攖his non-traditional, retooled degree will be one way to better ensure our students鈥� agency and preparedness for as yet unknown futures.

Expanding our reach, more inclusive and accessible degree offerings like these will not require an audition or applied study; that said, students enrolled in our BA in Music degree may still opt for emphases in, say, composition, piano or percussion. Such flexibility affords near-limitless opportunities for a broader student demographic to tailor their education to their specific goals, complementing our expanding suite of 鈥渟tackable鈥� micro credentials, certificate programs and badges in such areas as arts administration, music entrepreneurship, music technology, music theory and singing health.

In sum, new mindsets are inspiring new and necessary innovations to our college curriculum and programs which, I believe, will ignite more broadly-based student engagement in creating beauty in our world.

John S. Davis
Dean, College of Music

鈥淚f there鈥檚 a reason to have hope in a world of upheaval and unrest, it鈥檚 experiencing a young person openly and courageously sharing their musical gift, including their angst or protest against injustices of all kinds. Beauty lies in their inimitable expression of their truth through music in a range of settings not limited to the concert hall. Beauty underpins our universal musician mission, for music majors and non-majors alike.鈥�

Off

Traditional

White

Student spotlight: Adriana Ripley

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Student spotlight: Adriana Ripley Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 10/11/2023 - 00:00

MarieFaith Lane

Adriana Ripley (BM 鈥�25) is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor鈥檚 in musical theatre at the College of Music.

Ripley鈥攚hose passion for dance, music and theatre arts began at a young age鈥攚as born in Guatemala to a Brazilian-American mother and a Guatemalan father. At 51吃瓜网, she exemplifies the College of Music鈥檚 universal musician mission by pursuing degrees in musical theatre, psychology and French.

She 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:

What鈥檚 your favorite aspect of the 51吃瓜网 College of Music?
Ripley: There鈥檚 a beautiful sense of camaraderie in the College of Music鈥攑eople look further than the instrument someone plays or the role they are given, and love and appreciate the person behind that. While it鈥檚 true that the hallways are filled with the sounds of music that people enjoy making for themselves, students here accept and embrace the beauty of sharing music with one another as well. I鈥檝e noticed a fantastic balance between drive for personal improvement and a love for the art form we鈥檝e all chosen.

How does the College of Music support you in your professional endeavors?
Ripley: The College of Music provides me with curricular support. I鈥檓 acquiring practical skills鈥攍ike business and networking techniques鈥攂eyond the musical aspects of my degree through the classes offered in my major. I鈥檓 learning skills that can help me get further in my career鈥攅ven before I graduate and enter the workforce.

I鈥檓 also receiving stellar individual training from brilliant professors. Jennifer DeDominici, Andrew Garland and Mutsumi Moteki are the professors I work most closely with in my applied area of voice. The art of collaboration is valued here, making me a more well-rounded artist, giving musician and focused person.

There are many individuals here who share similar dreams to my own and who have supported me in pursuing my passion鈥攁 rare and cherished quality to find in classmates.

What upcoming project are you looking forward to?
Ripley: I鈥檝e served as a resident artist in the Shedd Institute鈥檚 Contemporary Broadway Songbook Project since 2015 and have been closely involved with 鈥�Mija鈥� since its creation the same year. I鈥檒l be playing the part of Gabriela (Gabi) Milagros Mishel Armstrong in 鈥淢ija鈥� for the National Alliance for Musical Theatre鈥檚 35th Annual Festival of New Musicals in New York City, Oct. 26-27.

Congratulations, Adriana!

Inspired by a true story, 鈥淢ija鈥� is a new bilingual musical about survival, identity and the complexity of family鈥攊t follows characters across continents, decades and generations. When Luisa leaves behind her sheltered life in the United States for Guatemala, she鈥檚 blindsided by a life-threatening pregnancy. In Oregon, Gabi aches for grownup life to start but first she seeks to uncover secrets the adults around her deny. The show provides a finely-crafted look at the relationships between mothers and daughters across different eras, capturing both the specific and the universal.

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

Off

Traditional

White

Discovering Vienna鈥檚 art history first-hand

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Discovering Vienna鈥檚 art history first-hand Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 07/14/2023 - 00:00

Marc Shulgold

There鈥檚 nothing wrong with the traditional college classroom. Nothing at all, Robert Shay stresses. But when it comes to teaching a course titled 鈥�Music, Arts + Culture 1880-1920 (Vienna, Austria),鈥� the College of Music professor of musicology admitted that, sometimes, it鈥檚 time to leave the classroom behind.

In this case, when Vienna beckoned, Shay and 10 of his upper-level undergraduate students answered the call. During Maymester, they headed off to get up close and personal with the Austrian capital. Part of the 51吃瓜网 Study Abroad program, this exciting, interdisciplinary two-week experience was one of the many instructor-led Global Seminars, Shay points out, noting that 鈥淐U does 30 or 40 of these around the world.鈥�

Planning for such an intense on-the-road course began 鈥渁 few years ago,鈥� says Shay. 鈥淏efore we left, we had three class sessions, sort of as a crash course. I wanted to get the basics in place.鈥� Once in Vienna, everything changed. 鈥淏y actually being there, you鈥檙e seeing these things we鈥檙e talking about,鈥� Shay adds. 鈥淭here鈥檚 an immediacy. I can see how rapidly students can internalize information.鈥�

And there was a lot of information to internalize鈥攁nd a lot of sights to see. Though Shay鈥檚 specialization is music, this course involved all of the arts, particularly new views of architecture and painting鈥攃reative breakthroughs that had made the city a hub of revolutionary activity at the start of the 20th century. 鈥淚t was the birth of the Modernist movement,鈥� he says. 鈥淭here was enormous political upheaval.鈥� The artistic explosion became known as the Vienna Secession, led by architects Joseph Hoffmann and Joseph Maria Olbrich, and painters Gustav Klimt, Alfred Roller and Koloman Moser. Their goal was to join Europe鈥檚 growing Art Nouveau movement. Secessionists sought a new purity that would chase away traditional styles and bring together all of the separated arts. Olbrich designed a Secession Building, which currently houses Klimt鈥檚 enormous 鈥淏eethoven Frieze鈥� in the basement. Yes, Shay and his students visited the impressive gold-domed structure.

Besides a visit to Klimt鈥檚 remarkable 112-foot salute to Beethoven, Shay and his students were able to sample live music while in Vienna, attending a performance of Alban Berg鈥檚 opera 鈥淟ulu鈥� and a concert in the famed Musikverein concert hall. In fact, Shay points out, the course was offered as a music course. Nine of his charges were music majors, the other a music minor. 鈥淲e had focused on [composer Arnold] Schoenberg beforehand and one of the students chose him for the integrated topic.鈥�

Shay explains that the course requirement included a paper based on the Vienna trip. Other topics chosen by the students included women composers of that period and Viennese architects.

Since nine of the 10 young travelers had never visited Europe, one wondered about the impact of visiting the great Austrian city. 鈥淲e talked as a group afterward,鈥� recalls Shay, 鈥渁nd I got a general sense of their response to the trip鈥擨 think I whetted their appetite for more learning and for more travel.鈥�

Professor of Musicology Robert Shay and 10 of our students went beyond the traditional classroom this summer鈥攖o Vienna, Austria! Part of the 51吃瓜网 Study Abroad program, this exciting, interdisciplinary two-week experience was one of several instructor-led Global Seminars.

Off

Traditional

White

Meet Izzy Fincher: Spring 2023 Outstanding Graduating Senior

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Meet Izzy Fincher: Spring 2023 Outstanding Graduating Senior Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/20/2023 - 00:00

Sabine Kortals Stein , Kathryn Bistodeau

Congratulations to Izzy Fincher鈥攖he College of Music鈥檚 Outstanding Graduating Senior this spring鈥攚ho will graduate with a BM in classical guitar performance, a BA in journalism, and a business minor with a Music Entrepreneurship Certificate and a Music Theory Certificate, exemplifying the College of Music鈥檚 universal musician mission. Each semester, outstanding students are selected based on academic merit, a strong record of musicianship, and a record of service and leadership. As part of this award, Fincher will be recognized and deliver a speech at the College of Music commencement ceremony on May 11.

鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful and honored to have been selected for this award,鈥� says Fincher. 鈥淚鈥檝e had such an incredible experience here at the College of Music over the past five years and it means so much to receive this recognition at graduation.鈥�

Fincher has also been named Outstanding Graduate of the 51吃瓜网 College of Media, Communication and Information (CMCI).

As a student, Fincher was involved with several student groups, including as a writer and editor at the CU Independent, and as a member of the College of Music鈥檚 Diverse Musicians鈥� Alliance (DiMA).

鈥淒iMA has been one of my favorite experiences over the past five years,鈥� says Fincher. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been wonderful to be part of such a supportive, diverse community. I鈥檓 Japanese-American and a really important part of my identity is advocating for marginalized, BIPOC composers and musicians鈥攖hat鈥檚 something I鈥檓 really passionate about.鈥�

Fincher also notes DiMA鈥檚 Persevering Legacy project as being particularly inspiring. The project elevates the stories of women composers, aligning classical music with social activism. 鈥淭he Persevering Legacy events had a really big impact on me, inspiring me to seek out diverse composers and champion their works which has become a really important mission for me as a musician,鈥� she shares.

鈥淔or my senior recital, I鈥檓 programming three female composers鈥攖hat鈥檚 more than half of my program and that鈥檚 something I know I wouldn鈥檛 have been aware of or really advocated for unless I鈥檇 been a part of DiMA.鈥�

Fincher felt especially supported and inspired by faculty from across campus鈥攖aking classes at the College of Music, CMCI and the Leeds School of Business.

鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to all the wonderful faculty members I鈥檝e studied with during my time at 51吃瓜网,鈥� she says. 鈥淚n particular, I wanted to thank my thesis advisor, Professor Chang, for all of his support this past year, Professor Nytch with the Entrepreneurship Center for Music [ECM]鈥攁nd all of those incredible entrepreneurship opportunities鈥攁nd my guitar teacher Professor Spera, of course. He鈥檚 been so encouraging over the past five years, it鈥檚 been incredible.鈥�

To incoming freshmen, Fincher says she highly recommends the Music Entrepreneurship Certificate. 鈥淭he College of Music is such a wonderful resource and we learn so much about music here,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he ECM adds to that by offering important practical skills that we鈥檒l need in the real world beyond the classroom.鈥�

After graduation, Fincher is headed to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she鈥檒l pursue a master鈥檚 degree in classical guitar performance under Ren茅 Izquierdo. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a legend in the guitar world, so I鈥檓 really looking forward to studying with him,鈥� she says.

Congratulations to Fincher and all of the College of Music鈥檚 2022-23 outstanding students, selected by faculty vote:

Outstanding Graduating Senior鈥擨zzy Fincher, classical guitar performance
Outstanding Junior鈥擝en Golden, music education鈥攊nstrumental (trumpet)
Outstanding Sophomore鈥擜nna Kallinikos, trumpet performance
Outstanding Freshman鈥擟hloe Ehrmantraut, viola performance

Off

Traditional

White