Department of Music
A New Season of Harmony
Dear All,
Writing as the newly appointed Interim Chair of the Department of Music, I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with the students, staff and faculty of Music, as well as the broader Music community, and to welcome everyone to Music in 2024-25. I very much look forward to meeting everyone in the coming days and weeks. We have an exciting year ahead of us, with two Academic Senate faculty searches approved for this year, beginning the process of reopening the Music Building as seismic retrofits are being completed, and recruiting new students into the graduate program.
On behalf of the entire department, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Professor Helen Morales, who is stepping down as Interim Chair. Professor Morales provided exceptional leadership during a period of transformation for the department, which has benefitted enormously from her dedication, hard work and vision. We wish her every success in the coming year, especially for her upcoming, highly prestigious set of lectures at Cambridge University.
We also thank Professor Jill Felber, Professor Steven Gross and Senior Continuing Lecturer Charles Asche, on the occasion of their retirement, for their innumerable contributions to the department and their many years of service, and extend wishes for every success in the years to come.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or requests, or just to say hello!
With all best wishes for the coming year in all of your endeavors.
Mark
Congratulations
Department of Music Graduates
Summer 2023 - Spring 2024
Graduate Students
Doctor of Musical Arts
April Amante | Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice
Lucía Álvarez Núñez | Doctor of Musical Arts in Keyboard
Gulia Gurevich | Doctor of Musical Arts in Violin
Zhongxi Lin | Doctor of Musical Arts in Keyboard
Doctor of Philosophy
Eugenia Conte | Doctor of Philosophy in Ethnomusicology
Kramer Elwell | Doctor of Philosophy in Composition
Cloe Gentile | Doctor of Philosophy in Musicology
Diego Ratto | Doctor of Philosophy in Composition
Master of Music
Cam Audras | Master of Music in Strings (Viola)
Shirley Shang | Master of Music in Strings (Violin)
Britta Thomas | Master of Music in Strings (Cello)
Master of Arts
Daniel Oshiro | Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology
Diandian Zeng | Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology
Hani Zewail | Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology
Undergraduate Students
Bachelor of Arts
Jorge Anguino | Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies
Lizbeth Barreda | Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Shane Crawford | Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies
Tyler Fulgham | Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies
Michael Garrett | Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies
Joel Jaffe | Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies*
Henry Jurney | Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies and Bachelor of Science in Physics**
Benjamin Kim | Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry
Angel Li | Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies (Western Art Music)
Scott Miller | Bachelor of Arts Music
Mariana Raimundo | Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies
Laila Roshan | Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies*
Ben Scudero | Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies and Bachelor of Science in Physics
Sean Tran | Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies (Western Art Music) and Bachelor of Arts in Economics & Accounting
Maxwell Wilkens | Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies (Western Art Music) and Bachelor of Arts in Communications**
Bachelor of Music
Rafael Guevara | Bachelor of Music in Strings (Violin)
Dillon Halpin | Bachelor of Music in Woodwinds and Brass (Flute)
Karis Lee | Bachelor of Music in Strings (Viola)***
Ellie Lim | Bachelor of Music in Strings (Violin) and Bachelor of Arts in English***
Tiffany Rizzo | Bachelor of Music in Woodwinds and Brass (Clarinet)
Tiffany Yin | Bachelor of Music in Piano
*Honors , **High Honors, ***Highest Honors
† Certificate in College and University Teaching
2024 Season Highlights
The Department of Music presented a full Concert Series featuring an
From left: Lorenzo Johnson Jr. (DMA student), Colin Ramsey (MM/DMA student), Valdis Jansons (DMA student), Ariana Horner Sutherland (DMA student), Olivia Lyon Barker (DMA student), and Christina Pezzarossi (DMA student) with UCSB and Ventura College Choirs in the background during UCSB’s 2024 Opera Gala.
Photo Courtesy of Jeff Liang
an Opera Gala, ensemble concerts, masterclasses and more.
Santa Barbara
2024 Season Highlights
Opera Gala Unites Talent from UCSB Department of Music, Theater and Dance, and Ventura College of Performing Arts
The Opera Gala, a stunning collaboration between the UC Santa Barbara Department of Music, the Department of Theater and Dance, and the Ventura College of Performing Arts, took place from May 15 to 17, 2024, across multiple venues, delivering an unforgettable series of performances.
Opening with an abridged performance at Casa Dorinda, audiences were treated to a delightful selection of works by Gluck, Handel, and Mozart. The elegant simplicity of piano accompaniment allowed the vocal talents of UCSB’s young opera stars to shine, setting the tone for the larger productions that followed.
The full-scale performances at the Helen Yunker Auditorium and Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall were nothing short of mesmerizing. Under the artistic direction of Dr. Isabel Bayrakdarian (UCSB), the gala featured beloved arias and ensembles that transported the audience to the romantic world of opera. The choreography by Christina McCarthy (UCSB) added a dynamic element to the show, seamlessly integrating dance into the storytelling.
A particular highlight was the contemporary multimedia piece by João Pedro Oliviera, a UCSB Corwin Chair and 2023 Guggenheim Fellow, which offered a striking contrast to the classical repertoire. The live orchestra and choir, directed by Brent Wilson, was a brilliant collaboration of faculty and guest artists from both UCSB and Ventura College. Their vibrant performance of works by Bologne, Gluck, Handel, and Mozart captivated the audience.
Overall, the Opera Gala was an impressive display of talent and creativity, combining opera, dance, and multimedia in a truly collaborative effort. The performances not only showcased the exceptional skills of the students but also underscored the power of partnership in community, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating the next collaborative production.
This production was made possible with support from our generous donors and co-sponsors: UCSB Theater and Dance, Carl Zytowski Fund for Opera, The Steve and Shannon Sorensen Fund for Choral Music, Ruth and Rodney Punt Fund for Opera and Vocal Performance, Casa Dorinda for the Casa DorindaUC Santa Barbara Humanities and Arts Culture Series Fund, Eva Haller, and Ventura College of Performing Arts.
1. Brent Wilson (UCSB) conducting live orchestra 2. João Pedro Oliviera (UCSB), Rodney Punt, Christina Pezzarossi (UCSB DMA graduate student), Ruth Punt 3. Artistic Director Isabel Bayrakdarian (UCSB), Choreographer Christina McCarthy (UCSB) taking a bow, and Colin Ramsey (UCSB MM/DMA graduate student) 4. Lorenzo Johnson Jr (UCSB DMA graduate student) 5. UCSB Graduate performers Colin Ramsey, Christina Pezzarossi, Ariana Horner Sutherland, and Lorenzo Johnson Jr. 6. UCSB Theater & Dance student Bella Sorokwasz 7. Valdis Jansons (UCSB DMA graduate student) 8. April Amante (UCSB Alumna, DMA Voice ‘23)
2024 Season Highlights
Olivia Barker, DMA Voice ‘24 singing at the 2024 UCSB Graduate Commencement Ceremony
UCSB Chamber Choir at Yosemite National Park during their 2024 California Tour
UCSB Music Students Blythe Davis, Mia Paul, Daniel Muñoz and Zachary Hamilton at Warner Bros Studios recording for Los Angeles Film Conducting studio intensive weekend
Spring quarter held over ten concerts in the last two weeks of the quarter, including the Middle East Concert. Pictured is graduate student Hani Zewail
We celebrated over 15 student recitals, moving our students through their degrees and giving them an opportunity to run their own performances.
DMA student Ariana Horner Sutherland pictured here after her DMA Lecture Recital
Our ensembles are growing and thriving with outside majors and double-majors!
The Corwin Chair Concert Series held multiple audiovisual concerts that explore the new concepts of electro/acousmatic music (all of which are free admission and open to the public!)
A masterclass with flutist and composer Gary Schocker
The department held multiple Ethnomusicology Forums with guest lecturers like Professor Neo Lekgotla Ramoupi (University of the Free State, South Africa) and Professor Mhoze Chikowero from UCSB History (pictured).
To watch recordings of our past events, visit our UCSB Department of Music Channel or scan the QR code.
UCSB Music Department Glow-Up: Big Renovations in Progress!
The UCSB Department of Music is currently undergoing some major construction to make it a safer and more accessible space for students, faculty, and visitors. The upgrades focus on seismic strengthening, improving accessibility, and fixing up some older parts of the building that just need a little TLC
⚒ Seismic Strengthening
The Music Unit 1 Building, which was originally built in 1954, is getting much-needed upgrades to withstand potential earthquakes. The improvements include adding strong concrete walls, reinforcing existing structures, upgrading the building’s foundation, and strengthening other parts like columns and beams to keep everything safe.
♿ Accessibility Upgrades
To make sure the building is accessible to everyone, UCSB is adding features like a new access ramp, upgraded restrooms, better door handles, new signs, and improved drinking fountains. These upgrades will help ensure the building meets modern standards and is easier to navigate for people of all abilities.
✨ Deferred Maintenance
In addition to safety and accessibility, the building will also get some long-overdue repairs. This includes upgrading the heating, ventilation, and lighting systems, fixing damaged parts of the building like the roof, stairs, and railings, and removing any hazardous materials.
These improvements will make the Department of Music a more welcoming and safe place for everyone! Keep an eye out as the project continues.
We are very excited to report that, as of now, the seismic retrofit on the north wing of our facility is scheduled to be completed around the beginning of December. While this could very well change, we are hopefully optimistic that we will be able to start moving back activities in Winter and Spring quarters. We are so very excited to see the new classroom layouts and all of the other updates such as the completely remodeled restrooms. More info to follow as the quarter progresses!
- David Holmes, Chief Administrative Officer
Keys to Success: New Additions and Upgrades from our new Piano Technician
Ian Shafer
Ian Shafer, the UCSB Department of Music’s piano technician, has been hard at work ensuring that the department’s instruments are in top shape for your musical enjoyment. Here’s what’s new:
- Several pianos have been expertly tuned, regulated, and voiced, with some even receiving brand-new hammers!
These aren’t just any hammers either—they include:
• Premium Concert Quality Hammers from Germany
• Genuine Yamaha Hammers
• Beautifully Warm-toned Natural Felt Hammers, also from Germany
• “Gold Label” Hammers, perfect for vintage American pianos like Steinway or Baldwin
- The piano lab is also getting an upgrade with brand-new Yamaha digital pianos that offer the touch and tone of world-renowned grand pianos.
Featuring GrandTouch keyboard action and Virtual Resonance Modeling, these instruments provide a truly immersive learning experience. Whether you’re new to the piano or ready to advance your skills, it’s a great time to join in!
- Exciting news for piano enthusiasts—a Steinway B from 1916 has been generously donated to the department and will be fully refurbished.
Once restored, this classic beauty will join the student piano fleet, adding a historic touch to the musical landscape.
- In addition to the piano updates, we are thrilled to announce a very generous donation from one of our esteemed Board of Trustees this summer.
The gift is a Johannus-Rembrandt Model 377 console organ, a magnificent instrument featuring three manuals, a full pedal keyboard, and a wide range of organ stops for an incredible variety of sounds and capabilities. Fully electric, it allows practice through headphones or in the comfort of a practice room. We are deeply grateful to our Trustee for this wonderful addition!
For those interested in piano maintenance, here’s your chance! We’re looking for two student workers to assist in maintaining these marvelous instruments. Preference will be given to freshmen and sophomores, but all are welcome to apply.
Join us in keeping the music alive, whether it’s at the keys or behind the scenes!
A Step-by-step Guide to Planning Your Student Recital
If you have a student recital this quarter, please take a moment to reference the Student Recitals page on our website
Talk to your Faculty Advisor:
Step 1
Complete recital audition & Recital Audition Approval Form
Step 2
Schedule recital with your Prof & on Appointlet
• You will need to complete both of these with your Faculty Advisor.
• Recital Audition Approval Form is completed digitally via our Student Recitals page (use QR above).
Step 3
Complete Event Checklist
Keep in Mind:
• Recital booking window is only open for the first two weeks of each quarter
• Recitals may only be booked for weeks 1-8.
• Appointlet is found on the Student Recitals page (use QR above).
Step 4
Review the Student Recital Program page to create your program
Step 5
• This checklist will take you through all of the logistics of your event including event space, instrument needs, reception, publicity, programs, and any other specific needs for your event.
• Once you have completed this checklist, it will automatically send the information to the Production & Events Manager, Marketing & Communications Manager, and Piano Technician (if your event requires piano use).
• Students are responsible for creating their own programs, reviewing them with their Faculty Advisor, and submitting their recital program ready to print
• You will find easy to use templates and resources on this page, and you will also submit your program on this page (use QR above).
Submit your Post-Recital Form and Celebrate! You Did It!
• You’ve completed your recital, and now all you have left to do is submit your Post-Recital Form which is a digital form and can be found on the Student Recitals page (use QR above).
If you have any questions feel free to reach out to the Production and Events Manager and/or the Marketing and Communications Manager
Meet your Music Staff
We’re here to help you thrive and succeed! Here’s what we’re looking forward to in this new academic year:
Welcoming our continuing graduate students back to campus! Carly Yartz
Graduate Advisor
Ian Shafer
Piano Technician
I am looking forward to bringing the pianos back to their former glory.
Picabo Barrington
Academic Personnel Coordinator
In my first year at the Music Department, I’m looking forward to meeting all of our incredible faculty and students.
Olivia Mendoza
Undergraduate Advisor
I’m looking forward to hosting more fun events for the undergraduate students, like Gingerbread Cookie Decorating and the Easter Egg hunt!
David Holmes
Chief Administrative Officer
I’m looking forward to our students being back on campus and to being able to open the other half of the facility once the seismic retrofit is completed.
Richard Croy
Production and Events Manager
Making great art with enthusiastic artists.
Alessandra Villegas
Marketing and Communications Manager
Coming up with rad designs and exciting materials to amp up the department.
Dave Farrar
Financial Analyst
Supporting faculty and student projects, and implementing efficient financial systems to support the department’s growth and success.
Congratulations to Dave Farrar, the UCSB Department of Music’s dedicated Financial Analyst, for reaching an incredible 25 years of service! Your expertise, commitment, and behind-the-scenes magic have played a vital role in the department’s success. Here’s to a quarter-century of excellence and to many more milestones ahead!
Students of Note
Tiffany Ta Shines in 2024 with Prestigious Awards
and Publications
Tiffany Ta, a standout UCSB Ph.D. Music Theory student, has had an exceptional 2024. She was named a finalist in the prestigious Grad Slam competition, winning the Humanities and Fine Arts Round. Ta also received an Honorable Mention for Excellence in Teaching from the Graduate Student Association (GSA).
This year, she has presented her research at several prominent conferences, including Music and the Moving Image, the West Coast Conference of Music Theory and Analysis, the International Association for the Study of Popular Music, Music Theory Southeast/ South-Central Society for Music Theory, and Indiana University’s Annual Symposium of Research in Music.
Additionally, Tiffany has been invited to contribute a chapter to the Oxford Handbook of Global Music Industry Studies, edited by Jayson Beaster-Jones and Kaleb Goldschmitt. Her chapter, titled “From West to East to West Again: The Role of American Hip-Hop in K-Pop,” will be published in the upcoming volume, slated for late 2025.
Diego Ratto (UCSB PhD ‘24) Earns Multiple International Honors in Electronic Music
Diego Ratto, a 2024 PhD graduate in Music Composition from UCSB, has recently earned notable recognition in the electronic music field. He has been awarded 2nd Prize at the ULJUS International Competition 2024 in the category of Electronic Music. In addition to this honor, his mentor, João Pedro Oliveira, UCSB Corwin Chair, received a diploma for pedagogical excellence in connection with this achievement.
Diego’s acousmatic piece MEMORIA has also brought him acclaim. It was selected as a finalist in the international call for works organized by the MA/IN Festival in collaboration with CRM ArteScienza 2024 (Rome), where it earned an Honorary Mention. Additionally, MEMORIA received a mention at the prestigious Prix Russolo Award 2024
Furthermore, MEMORIA has recently been selected by the Call for Works at Supersonique in Marseille, France, and the Escuta Aqui! New Music Festival in Vitória, Brazil.
Diego’s achievements reflect his dedication to pushing boundaries in electronic music and composition, while also highlighting the collaborative support from mentors at UCSB.
Achievements in Musicology and Archival Work by Caitlyn Park
Caitlyn Park, an MA student in UCSB’s Musicology program, has had a productive year marked by significant academic and archival accomplishments. As part of a collaboration with the UCSB Department of Music, Caitlyn contributed program notes to the festival book for the Music Academy of the West, under the guidance of UCSB Professors Derek Katz and Martha Sprigge.
In addition to her academic work, she completed the processing of the Richard C. Norton musical theater collection in collaboration with UCSB Special Collections, resulting in her first published finding guide. She is also nearing the completion of processing Gitta Alpar’s papers, a collection dedicated to the renowned interwar Hungarian soprano, which will be presented to the family this fall.
Chet Stussy Presents at Major Conferences and Earns Prestigious Award
Chet Stussy, UCSB PhD Candidate in Musicology; MA ’23, recently presented his research at two major conferences in the field of organology (the study of musical instruments). In May, Chet presented a paper titled “‘Say It In A Hula-Hula Way’: The Stroh Ukulele and Phonographic Performance, 1899–1925” at the annual meeting of the American Musical Instrument Society, held at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona. Chet’s paper examined the contexts of a little-known ‘ukulele, arguing for an understanding of the object as one entangled in a network of early sound-recording technologies, trends in popular song, and the burgeoning craze for Hawaiiana that swept the United States after the 1898 annexation of the Hawaiian Islands. Chet also received the Society’s 2024 William E. Gribbon Memorial Award for Student Travel.
In June, Chet then traveled to the University of Oxford to present his ongoing research at the annual meeting of The Galpin Society for their themed conference on “Materiality and the Meaning of Musical Instruments.” Chet is working on his dissertation under the supervision of Professor Derek Katz, which expands on these themes of instrumentality, novel technologies, and the domestic musical activities of amateur musicians in the United States during the machine age.
Students of Note
Christina Pezzarossi headlines in San Luis Obispo’s Carmen
UCSB graduate student Christina Pezzarossi will be taking on the title role in Georges Bizet’s Carmen, presented by Opera San Luis Obispo. This beloved opera will be performed on Saturday, October 19, 2024 and Sunday, October 20, 2024, at 2:00 PM at the Harold Miossi Hall Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo. Carmen is a thrilling tale of love, passion, and tragedy, featuring a talented cast. A timeless work that promises to be extraordinary with expansive ballet, spectacular two-story sets, vivid costumes: all accompanied by the fantastic OperaSLO Grand Orchestra! We hope you will attend and support Christina’s performance!
Scan QR code to get more details on the upcoming event.
Saturday, October 19, 2024 Sunday, October 20, 2024
2:00 PM | Harold Miossi Hall
1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
The Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo is located on the Cal Poly campus in San Luis Obispo, California
Scan QR code for more details on how to reserve your complimentary ticket!
The Department of Music is excited to present a wonderful opportunity for our Music Majors and students enrolled in MUS 1, 15, 17, or 114.
UCSB Arts & Lectures has generously reserved complimentary tickets for currently enrolled music majors and discounted tickets for students enrolled in MUS 1, 15, 17, or 114 to the following Fall 2024 events:
- Olivier Messiaen’s HARAWI: An American Modern Opera Company (AMOC) Production Friday, October 4 | Campbell Hall, UCSB
- London Philharmonic Orchestra | Saturday, October 12 | The Granada Theatre
Wherever we are, we share a common experience as UC Santa Barbara friends, faculty, staff, scholars and musicians.
Our donors provide essential support for teaching, research, and program needs.
Your generosity plays a critical role in our ability to fulfill our mission and is truly appreciated. Every gift counts.
Contact Leslie Gray, Senior Director of Development, at (805) 893-4193 or leslie.gray@ucsb.edu to make a donation. Gifts can also be made online at giving.ucsb.edu
Faculty of Note
New Edited Volume on Eduard Hanslick by UCSB Professor Emeritus Lee Rothfarb
UCSB Professor Emeritus Lee Rothfarb, in collaboration with Austrian scholars Alexander Wilfing and Thomas Landerer, is soon to release a new edited volume titled The Aesthetic Legacy of Eduard Hanslick: Close Readings and Critical Perspectives. Published by Routledge, this scholarly work delves into the writings of Eduard Hanslick, one of the most influential figures in 19th-century music criticism and aesthetics. The volume brings together a collection of essays offering close readings of Hanslick’s work, along with critical analyses of his broader impact on the philosophy of music.
This book promises to shed new light on Hanslick’s intellectual legacy, appealing to scholars, students, and anyone interested in music theory and aesthetics. The volume not only revisits Hanslick’s original writings but also engages with contemporary debates surrounding his ideas.
UCSB Corwin Chair of Composition João Pedro Oliveira Wins Best Indie Author of the Year Award
The UCSB Department of Music is proud to announce that Professor João Pedro Oliveira has been selected as Best Indie Author of the Year at the 8 & HALFILM AWARDS, in collaboration with the Casino Film Festival. This prestigious recognition highlights his groundbreaking work, The 70th Week, a visual opera that continues to push the boundaries of music and cinematic art. His achievement will be celebrated at the Cannes Film Festival 2024, marking another milestone in Professor Oliveira’s distinguished career.
Are you a UCSB Music student, faculty member or alumni? We would love to hear from you!
Let us know what your latest projects are, how we can get involved, and what incredible things you have accomplished! Email the Music Department to share your news.
Congratulations to Jill Felber, Charles Asche, and Steven Gross on Retirement!
The UCSB Department of Music extends its heartfelt congratulations to Professor Jill Felber, Senior Continuing Lecturer Charles Asche, and Professor Steve Gross on their retirement. Their exceptional contributions have left a lasting impact on the department and the broader music community.
Professor Jill Felber has been a distinguished member of the Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion faculty, specializing in flute performance. As an internationally renowned flutist, she has mentored countless students who have gone on to successful careers in music. Jill served as Chair of the Department of Music from 2013 to 2016 and her dedication to performance and education has elevated the department. Her community involvement and leadership has inspired generations of flutists.
Senior Continuing Lecturer Charles Asche has been a pivotal figure in the Keyboard Program, known for his commitment to teaching and legacy of award-winning students.
In 2020, Dr. Asche was awarded the annual Lifetime Achievement Award granted by the California Association of Professional Music Teachers; state affiliate of Music Teachers National Association. The award recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the areas of performance, teaching, and service to the profession. His artistry and scholarship have enriched the department, and his guidance has shaped the development of many talented pianists who continue to excel in the music world.
Professor Steven Gross, a leading figure in the Brass area, Steve has brought his expertise in horn performance and pedagogy to UCSB, building a strong legacy of brass education. Steve represented the talent of the Department of Music in numerous masterclasses, recordings, and performances around the world. His students have benefited from his global experience and deep knowledge of horn music.
We thank them for their years of dedication to teaching, performance, and scholarship, and we wish them the very best in their well-deserved retirements.
Remembering Sarah
The UCSB Department of Music mourns the loss of former faculty member Sarah Gibson, an esteemed composer and pianist, who passed away on July 14, 2024, at her home in Los Angeles at the age of 38, after battling cancer. As Tim Page wrote in The Washington Post, Sarah’s music combined “grace, invention, lyricism, and prismatic color,” earning her widespread admiration throughout her career.
Sarah Gibson
Sarah’s time at UCSB left a lasting impact on students and colleagues alike. Even if you didn’t know Sarah’s incredible talent, you knew her bright smile, bouncing curls and infectious positivity. Known for her innovative compositions and collaborative spirit, she brought boundless creativity and inspiration to the department. As a true educator, she always led by example in pushing the boundaries of sound and composition. Beyond UCSB, Sarah’s work garnered national and international acclaim. In 2022, she was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras, with the support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, to write to ‘make this mountain taller’, which premiered with the Sarasota Orchestra and received additional performances by orchestras in Pittsburgh, Knoxville, Lansing, and Pocatello.
Sarah’s career was full of remarkable achievements. Born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on May 21, 1986, she began studying piano at age seven and soon demonstrated extraordinary musical talent. As a teenager, she served as pianist and principal keyboardist for the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. She earned double bachelor’s degrees in piano performance and music composition from Indiana University in 2008 and later received her master’s (2010) and doctorate (2015) in composition from the University of Southern California.
At the time of her passing, Sarah was preparing for the world premiere of her nearly completed piece ‘beyond the beyond’ at the BBC Proms in August 2024. Her legacy also includes her role as assistant director for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Composer Fellowship Program, and her teaching roles at various colleges, including UCSB and conservatories across Southern California.
Sarah’s artistry, dedication to education, and passion for music will be fondly remembered by all who had the privilege to know and work with her. Our deepest condolences go out to her family, and the many students, friends, and colleagues whose lives she touched.
2021 UCSB Ensemble for Contemporary Music directed by Sarah Gibson
Photo Courtesy of Jeff Liang
In Memoriam of Emeriti: Dr. Betty Oberacker and Emma Lou Diemer
Dr. Betty Oberacker (1932–2024)
The UCSB Department of Music is deeply saddened by the passing of internationally acclaimed pianist and beloved former faculty member Dr. Betty Oberacker, who died peacefully on June 28, 2024, at her home in Santa Barbara. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Oberacker’s prodigious musical gifts emerged at the age of three, and she went on to study under the renowned pianist Beryl Rubinstein. She earned degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts from Ohio State University before embarking on a distinguished career in performance and education.
Dr. Oberacker joined UCSB in 1973, where she became a pivotal figure in the Department of Music, eventually rising to Chair. Her profound influence extended beyond the university, as she mentored and inspired countless students, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers of their own. She also famously coached actor F. Murray Abraham for his role as Antonio Salieri in the Oscar-winning film Amadeus
Her career as a pianist took her to some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and the Vienna Musikverein. Dr. Oberacker served as artist-in-residence at 55 universities and music festivals worldwide, and many leading composers dedicated works to her, including Emma Lou Diemer and John Biggs.
In addition to her extraordinary musical career, Dr. Oberacker was a devoted lover of animals, often sharing stories about her cherished pets. She was also active in the Santa Barbara Music Club, where she continued to volunteer after her retirement, contributing to concert and scholarship committees and performing regularly.
Dr. Oberacker’s legacy of excellence, passion, and commitment to her craft will be remembered by all who had the privilege to know her. Her contributions to the UCSB Department of Music and the wider musical world will not be forgotten.
Emma Lou Diemer (1927-2024)
Professor Emma Lou Diemer was a pioneer in her time—an exceptional composer, performer, and visionary in the field of electronic music. She paved the way for the UCSB Department of Music to become a leader in this innovative area. As a role model for women composers, she distinguished herself with an outstanding background in music composition during an era when it was challenging for women to gain recognition in the field. She studied with prominent figures such as Howard Hanson, Ernest Bloch, and Paul Hindemith, earned her Master’s in Music Composition from Yale University, and her PhD from the Eastman School of Music in 1960.
Dr. Diemer was a Professor of Theory and Composition at the University of Maryland from 1965 to 1970, before joining the UCSB Department of Music in 1971. She was a founding member of the Composition faculty and taught until her retirement in 1990. Throughout her career, she continued to compose and publish works for orchestra, chamber ensembles, organ, and more. She also served as a devoted organist at First Presbyterian Church in Santa Barbara.
Professor Diemer was an internationally recognized figure with over 250 published compositions for orchestra, chorus, chamber ensemble, keyboard, voice, and electronic media. An accomplished keyboardist, she performed her own organ works at prestigious venues such as the Washington National Cathedral. Her musical style spanned both tonal and complex atonal works, demonstrating her remarkable versatility.
Her numerous honors include awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), the American Guild of Organists, and the Kennedy Center Friedheim Award in 1992 for her Concerto in One Movement for Piano. She was also featured on NPR, recognized as one of the most prolific composers of her time.
Professor Emma Lou Diemer made significant contributions to contemporary music composition and organ performance, leaving a lasting legacy. She will be remembered as an influential figure in 20th and 21st-century music and for her invaluable mentorship to future generations of musicians.
#UCSBLiveMusic
We are so excited to have live performances back, and so are our students! Don’t miss our live music announcements.
#UCSBMusic
Learn more about the different areas of music that there are to study here at UCSB.
FALL 2024 EVENTS
OCTOBER
#UCSBStudentRecital
Get to know more about our students and their incredible talents. Student recital performances are free.
#UCSBConcertSeries
See reminders and buy tickets online to our upcoming concerts and shows. You can also livestream many of our performances and access our digital programs.