THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS SCHOOL OF MUSIC Fall 2016
Faculty NEWS Featuring a trio of trombonists including Associate Professor of Trombone Michael Davidson, the CD DREI BONES was reviewed in the International Trombone Association Journal. The review noted “DREI BONES was an absolute treat to to hear, presenting a a fantastic idea of not only what the trombone trio is capable of, but also how it should ideally sound.” Debr a Hedden, professor and director of music education, and coatuhor Asta Rauduvaite, director of the music department at the Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences, published the study “Literature Selection Practices of TeacherConductors in Teaching Children to Sing” in Problems in Music Pedagogy, an international publication from Daugavpils University in Latvia. Following the publication, Hedden was invited to serve on the editorial board for that journal.
Assistant Professor of Musicology Martin Nedbal’s book Morality and Viennese Opera in the Age of Mozart and Beethoven, was published by Routledge. The book explores how the Enlightenment aesthetics of theater as a moral institution influenced cultural politics and operatic developments in Vienna between the mid-18th and early 19th centuries. Director of Orchestral Activities David Neely’s 2015 televised performance of Leos Janaćek’s Jenufa with the Des Moines Metro Opera, which aired on Iowa Public Television, has been nominated for an Emmy. Joyce Castle, University Distinguished Professor of Voice, sang the role of Burja in the performance. Neely’s 2016 performance of Jules Massenet’s
Manon began broadcasting on IPTV in September. This month Neely conducted Daniel Catán’s Florencia en el Amazonas at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. In a review of the performance, the Bloomington Hearld Times wrote “Very much in charge of everything musical is returning guest conductor David Neely, who gave star quality to all things musical. Those who inhabit the stage get close attention. So does the chorus. And so, of course, does the pit orchestra, the IU Symphony, which took hold of the orchestral responsibilities with a loving vengeance, thanks to their sensitive and knowing Maestro Neely.” Scott Murphy, professor of music theory, shared his research on frequently occurring asymmetrical meters in music for popular multimedia and popular song in three venues: as a presentation at the annual meeting of the Semiotic Society for America, as a talk at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, and as an article on Music Theory Online entitled “Cohn’s Platonic Model and the Regular Irregularities of Recent Popular Multimedia.”
Cover Photo: On Sept. 16, the KU School of Music celebrated the start of the new acedmic year with the 17th Annual Collage Concert. The concert highlighed the diverse musical talents throughout the school, including a rousing performance by the KU Marching Jayhawks.
QuickNotes - Fall 2016 - music.ku.edu
Colin Roust, assistant professor of musicology, has been awarded a Big XII Faculty Fellowship. He will spend two weeks next spring at the University of Texas and Baylor University giving public talks on his research, guest lecturing in courses, and conducting archival research at the Harry Ransom Center in Austin, Texas.
University of Lafayette choirs. Pictured above are the four winning composers, Kari Medina, Wood, Tawnie Olson, Sivan Eldar and Dr. Jonathan Kulp, director of the UL Lafayette music department.
Eric Stomberg, professor of bassoon, was invited to perform, give master classes and conduct at the Spanish Double Reed Society’s (AFOES-Asociación de fagotistas y oboístas de España) conference in Murcia, Spain in September. Stomberg, pictured above, conducted the final performance of the festival with more than 50 performers.
Student NEWS Brian Allred, a doctoral student in flute performance, has been named the new director of the Kansas City Flute Choir. Allred is a student of Sarah Frisof, associate professor of flute.
Julia Taylor, MM in opera performance, sang the role of Casilda in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers at Bodhi Tree Concerts in San Diego. Taylor is a student of Joyce Castle.
Leslee Wood, MM in Musicology, was selected as one of four composers to be honored at the annual concert sponsored by the International Alliance for Women in Music. She traveled to the University of Louisiana Lafayette this October, where she participated as a guest composer working directly with the performers, participating in a panel discussion, and discussing her own work and the works of women composers in a public radio interview on KRBS. The IAWM annual event culminated in a public concert which featured the prize-winning compositions performed by the
Alumni NEWS Christian Elser, DMA ’08, is an associate professor of music at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, where he is the voice division director and director of the PC Opera & Musical Theatre program. Elser is also the founder and executive director of Glow Lyric Theatre in Greenville, which is South Carolina’s only professional opera company. With Glow he recently music directed and conducted the orchestra for both Charles Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette and Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story as part of its highly successful 2016 festival season. Recent singing engagements have included performances with the Hilton Head Symphony, Florence Symphony and LOOK Musical Theatre. Stephanie Moore, BM ’97 and MM in opera performance ’99, was a featured soloist in the recently released CD Considering Matthew Shepard, which was recorded by the Grammy-winning choir Conspirare and composed by Craig Hella Johnson, the choir’s founder and artistic director. The CD was released in September through the international classical label PIAS Harmonia Mundi. Moore is featured on several tracks of the recording, particularly on track four, “We tell each other stories,” which was written specifically for her voice. “I’m so honored that Craig wrote this piece for me and for my voice specifically. It is a dream come true to be a part of this ensemble and to be a part of Craig’s unique vision for this piece and for what choral music can be. This modern Oratorio- or Passion- is truly American in that the styles of gospel, country, jazz, blues, are all used to tell this story. It’s our Big Song dedicated to finding that the answer to this tragedy is in All of Us,” Moore wrote in an email.
QuickNotes - Fall 2016 - music.ku.edu
The CD is No. 3 on the Billboard charts for Traditional Classical and No. 7 on the Classical chart. The choir will be filming a version of the work for PBS this winter and touring, including a performance in Boston’s Symphony Hall.
Evan R. Edwards also presented his study, “Pep Band Member Noise Dosage and Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Prevention” at the Performing Arts Medical Association Symposium in New York City in June.
Leigh Munoz, DMA ‘06 , was named assistant teaching professor of bassoon at the University of Missouri. Munoz was a student of Eric Stomberg. She is also the founder and owner of GoBassoon Reeds and will serve as second bassoon for the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas.
Alan J. Martin presented a research poster titled “The Status and Scope of Vocal Pedagogy and Vocal Music Education in U.K. Colleges & Universities” and a spoken paper titled “The Effect of Abdominal Exercises on Acoustic Measurements, Abdominal Expansion Capability, and Singer Perceptions of University Voice Students” at the International Society of Music Education conference in Glasgow, Scotland this July.
Angel Yang, DMA ‘13, was awarded the Outstanding Young Alumnus at Emporia State University and gave the school’s Annual Gala Benefit Concert. Since leaving KU, Yang has won the national solo competition for university professors in China and become the director of the Chinese Musicians National Association. Angel was a student of Steven Spooner, associate professor of piano.
IN OTHER NEWS Members of the Vocal/Choral Pedagogy Research Group presented refereed studies at several national and international conferences this past summer: At the annual international Voice Foundation Symposium held in Philadelphia in June: - James F. Daugherty, associate professor of choral and vocal pedagogy; Cathy Crispino, Baker University; and Evan R. Edwards, a MME student; presented “The Effects of Equidistant and Unequal Inter-Singer Spacing Conditions on the Long-term Average Spectra of an SATB Choir.” - S. Thomas Scott, a PhD candidate, presented “The Effects of Tactile, Singer-Initiated Head and Neck Alignment on Postural, Acoustic, and Perceptual Measures of Male Singers.” - Alan J. Martin, a PhD candidate, presented “The Effect of a Straw-in-Water Phonation Protocol on Acoustic and Perceptual Assessments of University Voice Students.” - Caitlin E. Teters, a MME student, presented “The Effects of the Monthly Menstrual Cycle on Acoustic and Perceptual Measurements Acquired From Trained Female Singers Across Three Months at Each of Four Distinct Phases: A Collective Case Study.” - Edwards also presented “The Effect of Wearing a Necktie on Perceived Phonatory Effort and LTAS in a Male Choir.” - Several alumni of the group also presented studies in Philadelphia including Jeremy Manternach, MME ’09 and PhD ’12, now at University of Iowa; K athy Price, PhD ’10, now at Westminster Choir College; Amelia Rollings, PhD ’15, now at Western Kentucky University; and Matt Schloneger, PhD ’14, now at Hesston College.
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The School of Music Ambassador’s Club (SMAC) is wrapping up the Fall SMAC Swag sale. Polo shirts are $30, quarterzip fleece are $50, and new tumblers are $20. All carry either the Conducting Jayhawk or the School of Music logo. They make great gifts! To guarantee availability, please place your order by Nov. 4 in Room 460 Murphy Hall or email music@ku.edu. Payments will be accepted in cash or checks payable to SMAC.
Upcoming Events NOVEMBER NOV. 2
KU JAZZ ENSEMBLE I WITH CHUCK MACKINNON, COMPOSER & GUEST DIRECTOR 7:30 p.m. 130 Murphy Hall
NOV. 5
2ND ANNUAL KU DAY OF JAZZ IMPROVISATION 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Murphy Hall 1st floor
NOV. 6
WEST AFRICAN DRUM ENSEMBLE 3 p.m. 130 Murphy Hall
NOV. 7
KANSAS VIRTUOSI 7:30 p.m. Swarthout Recital Hall
NOV. 9
KU WIND ENSEMBLE WITH JOEY TARTELL* 7:30 p.m. Lied Center
Tickets available at lied.ku.edu or 785-864-2787
NOV. 10 VIOLIN STUDIO RECITAL 7:30 p.m. Swarthout Recital Hall
NOV. 11
NEW MUSIC GUILD 7:30 p.m., Swarthout Recital Hall
NOV. 13
THE MUSIC THAT UNITES US: KU SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHOIRS 3:00 p.m. Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts Free tickets at kauffmancenter.org or 816-994- 7222 Sponsored by Reach Out Kansas, Inc.
QuickNotes - Fall 2016 - music.ku.edu
NOV. 14 TUBA-EUPHONIUM
CHAMBER ENSEMBLES 7:30 p.m. Swarthout Recital Hall
NOV. 15
TROMBONE CHOIR AND HORN ENSEMBLE
7:30 p.m. Swarthout Recital Hall
NOV. 16
KU JAZZ ENSEMBLES I, II & III 7:30 p.m. Lawrence Arts Center
DEC. 4 VESPERS*
2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Lied Center
Tickets available at lawrenceartscenter.com or 786-843-2787
DEC. 5
FACULTY RECITAL SERIES GENARO MENDEZ, TENOR 7:30 p.m. Swarthout Recital Hall
DEC. 6
ROCK CHALK SINGERS
Tickets available at lawrenceartscenter.com 6 p.m. Swarthout Recital Hall or 786-843-2787
NOV. 15
KU BRAZILIAN STEEL DRUM BAND
NOV. 15
BALES CHORAL
6:30 p.m. 130 Murphy Hall
NOV. 17
KU SAXOPHONE QUARTETS 7:30 p.m. Swarthout Recital Hall
NOV. 17-20 KU OPERA - THE IMPRESARIO & THE MEDIUM Nov 17-19 - 7:30 p.m. Baustian Theatre Nov 20 - 2:30 p.m. Baustian Theatre Tickets available at the door or by calling (785) 864-3436
NOV. 19
HELIANTHUS CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE 2:30 p.m. Swarthout Recital Hall
NOV. 20
THE MUSIC THAT UNITES US: KU SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHOIRS* 6 p.m. Lied Center
KU CHOIRS: BALES CHORALE 7:30 p.m. Bales Organ Recital Hall
DEC. 7
7:30 p.m. Bales Organ Recital Hall
DEC. 6
free tickets at lied.ku.edu or 785-864-2787 Sponsored by Reach Out Kansas, Inc.
FLUTE STUDIO RECITAL 7:30 p.m. Swarthout Recital Hall
DEC. 8
COLLEGIUM MUSICUM 7:30 p.m. Bales Organ Recital Hall
DEC. 8
VISITING ARTIST SERIES NINO SANIKIDZE,PIANO, WITH THE LA OPERA YOUNG ARTISTS 7:30 p.m., Swarthout Recital Hall
DEC. 10
JAZZ ENSEMBLE I BORDER SHOWDOWN 8 p.m., Blue Room - American Jazz Museum
Tickets at club.americanjazzmuseum.org or 816-474-6262
DEC. 13
EDWARD CAMPUS RECITAL SERIES SARAH FRISOF, FLUTE AND ELLEN SOMMER, PIANO
NOV. 21
7:30 p.m. - Regnier Hall Auditorium Edwards Campus
NOV. 29
All events subject to change. Please visit music.ku.edu for the latest event information. Admission is free unless otherwise noted.
NOV. 30
*Concert will be live streamed. Live stream updates available here.
KU TUBA-EUPHONIUM CONSORT 7:30 p.m. Swarthout Recital Hall KU STEEL DRUM BAND 7:30 p.m. 130 Murphy Hall SYMPHONIC BAND & UNIVERSITY BAND 7:30 p.m. Lied Center
Tickets available at lawrenceartscenter.com or 786-843-2787
DECEMBER DEC. 2
VESPERS ON THE ROAD 7:30 p.m. Carlsen Center
Johnson County Community College Call 913-469-4445 for free tickets Sponsored by Reach Out Kansas, Inc.
DEC. 3
SAXOPHONE STUDIO RECITAL 9 a.m. Swarthout Recital Hall
DEC. 3
KU PERCUSSION GROUP 7:30 p.m. Swarthout Recital Hall
DEC. 4 PRE-VESPERS 1:30 & 6:30 p.m.
Bales Organ Recital Hall QuickNotes - Fall 2016 - music.ku.edu