Happenings
There鈥檚 always something exciting happening at the College of Music! Stay informed and get to know our community through our accomplished students, alumni, faculty, supporters and college leadership.
Recent news
Dean鈥檚 Downbeat
Innovation as a collaborative act
Greetings 鈥渇rom the road鈥 where I鈥檝e been engaged in two accreditation site reviews for the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) as well as a trio of October conferences: From hosting the National Association of Music Executives at State Universities (NAMESU) Annual Meeting right here on our campus and at the new Limelight hotel to the 61st Annual Conference of the International Council for Arts Deans (ICfAD) in Santa Fe, New Mexico to the College Music Society (CMS) National Conference in Spokane, Washington this week where I鈥檒l be interacting with other deans and senior arts administrators engaged in public service and mentoring. Everywhere I go, I enjoy representing the unique achievements, aspirations and opportunities of our College of Music; along the way, I鈥檝e been struck by the supportive camaraderie and timely shared learnings among my counterparts.
As noted by American theatre and opera director Anne Bogart, 鈥淲e have been discouraged to think that innovation can be a collaborative act鈥 and yet it鈥檚 exactly that鈥攁 collaborative act鈥攖hat鈥檚 at the heart of institutions like ours.听MORE
of the Dean鈥檚 Downbeat,
a regular communiqu茅听from Dean John Davis.
听听Noteworthy media mentions
(Nov. 10, 2025, National Association of Teachers of Singing)
The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) has elected officers for the 2026-2028 term including Nicholas Perna, the College of Music鈥檚 associate professor of voice and director of vocal pedagogy, as president-elect! 鈥淚 am excited [...] to help lead NATS into a new, bright and diverse future as we invigorate our mission to transform lives through the power of singing.鈥
(Nov. 10, 2025, Daily Camera)
This Veterans Day, a spotlight on the College of Music鈥檚 new Director of Bands Shanti Simon: After seven years as a flight commander and associate conductor for the Air Force, Simon鈥攚ho鈥檚 also a voting member of the Recording Academy and Grammys鈥攍eft active duty and embarked on a path that led to 桃色视频. Learn more about her journey, and her approach to producing and directing 桃色视频 bands, drawing national attention to our program.
(Nov. 10, 2024, The Conscious Artist)
Emily Gee, director of our Musicians鈥 Wellness Program, was featured on a podcast where she shared insights on wellness, recovery and life as a clinician, educator, advocate and resource to promote health and wellness among musicians.听
