Brass + percussion

Trombone studio attends International Trombone Festival

Mariefaith Lane — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 12:40:10 +0000

Trombone studio attends International Trombone Festival Mariefaith Lane Thu, 09/11/2025 - 06:40

Kathryn Bistodeau

Following Tanner’s ITF solo recital on July 17, with ��ɫ��Ƶ trombone students (left to right): Luke Meredith, Jackson Franco, Corey Nance, Sam McDiarmid-Sterling, Madison Joy, Sterling Tanner, Alex Weeks, Ben Garcia, Wesley Shores, Mark Bennett, Abby Burford.

This summer, Assistant Professor of Trombone Sterling Tanner led a group of ��ɫ��Ƶ students to participate in the International Trombone Festival (ITF) hosted at Western University in London, Ontario.

The group performed at the festival, opening for Christian Lindberg, and attended numerous lectures, concerts and workshops over four days. While performance opportunities brought them to the festival, Tanner says the networking and bonding with the broader trombone community were additional highlights.

“It's not just about the playing and the level of their performance,” explains Tanner. “It's more about the people part, and the hang.

“Watching the students connect—sharing meals, grabbing coffee, playing duets and exchanging ideas—was inspiring. What’s most special for me is just seeing them flourish as humans in that environment.”

On July 18, the ��ɫ��Ƶ Trombone Octet opened for international trombone soloist Christian Lindberg (left to right): Ben Garcia, Abby Burford, Madison Joy, Corey Nance, Wesley Shores, Sam McDiarmid-Sterling, Mark Bennett, Scott Underwood.

��ɫ��Ƶ was well represented with Tanner presenting a recital of his new solo album, ”Resonant Renaissance”; graduate student Corey Nance presenting with the ITA Student Council as its vice president; and Mark Bennett competing as one of three finalists in the Larry Wiehe Tenor Trombone Competition.

For Tanner, the experience felt full circle as his undergraduate professor was also present. “The first ITF that I attended was in 2013,” Tanner recalls. “I was lucky enough to be at the institution where it was hosted, Columbus State University. And my teacher, Bradley Palmer, was really a figurehead in the trombone community.”

As College of Music ITF participants readied for the festival, Tanner asked Palmer to conduct a piece on the students’ recital. “It was really special because when the students played the first piece, I’m standing backstage with my former teacher and he’s like, ‘Man, they sound really great. This is what you’ve always dreamed of, and I'm excited that you're getting to experience that now’,” Tanner shares.

He hopes to involve more students in the ITF in the future. For now, he’s excited to be getting back to work with his studio and building on the impact of their ITF experiences. “You never know what they picked up on—maybe it's something that's not even related to playing the trombone, you know? I'm excited to speak with the students as we get started and know like, okay, that really stuck with you? Maybe we should look into seeing how we can incorporate that here.”

Looking back on a fruitful summer, Assistant Professor of Trombone Sterling Tanner led a group of students to participate in the International Trombone Festival in London, Ontario! Learn about their impactful trip and Tanner’s full-circle experience.

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The Cleveland Orchestra residency returns

Mariefaith Lane — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 11:00:13 +0000

The Cleveland Orchestra residency returns Mariefaith Lane Thu, 09/04/2025 - 05:00

Kathryn Bistodeau

From Sept. 10-12, members of The Cleveland Orchestra will resume their biyearly collaboration with the College of Music that began over a decade ago—including a guest recital on Sept. 11, joined by College of Music faculty and students, and offering coachings, rehearsals, panel discussions on auditions and careers in music, and more.

Professor of Clarinet Daniel Silver describes the residency as a unique opportunity for students to observe and learn from professionals in the industry.

“No one gets into The Cleveland Orchestra unless they’re one of the very best,” he says. “People don’t win jobs like that because they’re lucky. So you’re really dealing with an incredibly high level of skill and artistry.

“This is a really wonderful group of people, too—they have a sense of humor. And they love coming to Boulder, meeting students and sharing what they know.”

Participating members of The Cleveland Orchestra will team up with their instrument’s faculty counterpart at the College of Music for studio classes, lessons and coachings. For Silver, a standout event on the schedule is a side-by-side rehearsal with the ��ɫ��Ƶ Symphony Orchestra.

“I think that’s one of the linchpins, because the orchestra is playing big orchestral repertoire—and not only do The Cleveland Orchestra members know these pieces well, but they’ve played them dozens of times in their lives,” he explains. “So they’re full of experience about the pieces, and how to be more artistic, responsive and professional in an orchestra at a high level.”

According to Silver, the impact of the residency on students is tangible: They come away fired up and eager to put their new ideas and advice into practice.

“Somebody who plays in an orchestra at this level all the time will bring insights, wisdom, suggestions, ideas about practice and approaches to the music that are unique—and that would be hard for our students to get anywhere else,” he says.

There’s also a personal connection for Silver, who grew up attending The Cleveland Orchestra concerts. “I used to hear the orchestra every week when I was in middle school and high school,” he reflects. “It took me a few years to realize when I would go other places and come back how fortunate I was. I’m looking forward to rekindling the connections to my hometown.”

Our gratitude to the 16 members of The Cleveland Orchestra who are joining us on campus this year:

Amy Lee, Associate Concertmaster
Stephen Rose, Principal Second Violin
Stanley Konopka, Assistant Principal Viola
Mark Kosower, Principal Cello
Maximilian Dimoff, Principal Bass
Mary Fink, Principal Piccolo | Flute
Frank Rosenwein, Principal Oboe
John Clouser, Principal Bassoon
Amy Zoloto, Bass Clarinet | Clarinet
Michael Sachs, Principal Trumpet | Cornet
Meghan Guegold, French Horn
Shachar Israel, Assistant Principal Trombone
Yasuhito Sugiyama, Principal Tuba
Paul Yancich, Principal Timpanist (retired)
Marc Damoulakis, Principal Percussion
Trina Bourne, Principal Harp

From Sept. 10-12, members of The Cleveland Orchestra will resume a biyearly collaboration with the College of Music that began over a decade ago—including a guest recital on Sept. 11, joined by College of Music faculty and students.

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2025 ECM grants help students shine

Mariefaith Lane — Fri, 23 May 2025 17:51:36 +0000

2025 ECM grants help students shine Mariefaith Lane Fri, 05/23/2025 - 11:51

Kathryn Bistodeau

Each spring, the Entrepreneurship Center for Music (ECM) awards project grants to support students in their professional and artistic endeavors. This year’s adjudicator panel—comprising Dairy Arts Center Executive Director Melissa Fathman, Colorado Symphony member Nick Davies and myself—considered 27 applicants and awarded 16 grants totaling just over $6,200. I sat down with a few of these students to learn about their projects and how the grants helped fuel their success:

Electronic oboe piece
When Grace Stringfellow discovered composer Gracie Fagan’s work, they knew they had to work together. Stringfellow, a DMA student in oboe performance and pedagogy, first discovered Fagan (MM ’25) through an Instagram post of a piece she wrote for Assistant Professor of Saxophone Nathan Mertens.

“It was a really good example of her compositional style. She’s very into using electronics, live processing and other more modern sounds,” Stringfellow says. “She’s inspired by EDM and other dance musics.”

They then reached out to Fagan about writing a piece for oboe—something that would bring the repertoire into the present and showcase more extended techniques on the instrument. The ECM grant helped Stringfellow to compensate Fagan for the project.

“The main motivation was to create something that feels modern—that feels like something you would hear on the radio, something that’s singable, maybe has a little bit of improvisation,” they say. “Throwing everything out of the window of what is expected.”

Stringfellow and Fagan worked together to come up with inspiration for the piece, creating a collaborative and integrative process that Stringfellow says is unique from their commission experiences in the past.

“This feels like almost, almost co-writing. Obviously, she’s doing the body of the work, but it feels like co-writing and co-creating which is fantastic.”

The completed piece will be six or seven short movements, reflecting the shorter songs heard in pop music. Stringfellow plans to premiere the work at a recital in October, then hopes to perform at other local venues as well. They also plan to record the piece for public release.

“I really want to push the boundaries with this commission, so I’m really glad that we can do this,” Stringfellow says. “Gracie will be able to come back for the premiere, so I think I’m looking forward to that most of all and continuing to work with her!” MORE

Each spring, our Entrepreneurship Center for Music awards project grants to support students in their professional and artistic endeavors. This year’s adjudicator panel awarded 16 grants—meet some of the amazing student recipients and learn about their projects!

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2024-25 Ekstrand Graduate Student Competition winners announced

Mariefaith Lane — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 19:00:00 +0000

2024-25 Ekstrand Graduate Student Competition winners announced Mariefaith Lane Wed, 11/20/2024 - 12:00

Kathryn Bistodeau

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’s current graduate string quartet in residence—comprising violinists Kisa Uradomo and Leah Pernick, violist Thomas Chafe and cellist Heewon Lee—studies with the Takács 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.

“We are so happy to have started our residency at ��ɫ��Ƶ on such a positive note! It was an incredible opportunity to perform onstage alongside so many of our talented peers,” Pernick says. “Thank you so much to the Takács Quartet and string faculty for their mentorship, and to the Ekstrand family for their generous support of students.”

Lee shares, “Our 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’re super thankful for the win!”

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

This year’s esteemed panel of judges were Jason Bergman—Associate Professor of Trumpet, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music; Courtney Hershey Bress—Principal Harpist, Colorado Symphony; Adjunct Professor of Harp, University of Denver Lamont School of Music; and Lecturer of Harp, University of Wyoming; and Cameron Stowe—Chair, 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’s faculty judges for the  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 Pérez 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’s competition, as well as their teachers—the Takács 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—and all other pianists, mentors and teachers involved in the previous rounds of this competition.

Partially funded by the Ekstrand Competition Endowment Fund, this annual event is the premier performance competition for the College of Music’s most outstanding graduate students.

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

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Paul McKee: On mentorship and a new take on “Pomp & Circumstance”

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Paul McKee: On mentorship and a new take on “Pomp & Circumstance” Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 03/20/2024 - 00:00

Marc Shulgold + Sabine Kortals Stein

Associate Professor of Jazz Studies Paul McKee (center) at the inaugural Paul McKee Jazz Festival!

For Associate Professor of Jazz Studies Paul McKee, it doesn’t seem all that long ago that he was playing a gig with a small combo at yet another wedding. Around him were a handful of bored players, earning another paycheck. “But regardless of whether it’s a rehearsal or a gig, it’s important to always put forth your best effort,” says the trombonist and composer/arranger extraordinaire. “That’s what I told the kids at Indianola last month: ‘You’ve got to play full power all the time. Give it 100% effort.’”

McKee was referring to his recent visit to Indianola High School: On Feb. 17, his high school alma mater inaugurated the Paul McKee Jazz Festival, rebranded in tribute to an illustrious alumnus. “It’s a huge honor and a big event,” he explains. “Forty bands competed in the festival—from middle school to high school.

“Next year, I’m going to write a piece for the Indianola High School Jazz Band—and maybe come back and play something.” This year, McKee served as a guest judge.

McKee speaks with the Indianola High School Wind Ensemble sharing stories and life advice.
Photo courtesy: Indianola High School Band.

Being recognized in this way invites reflection on an unusual life in music—one in which McKee nimbly juggles academics with exciting experiences in jazz performance including a stint with the legendary Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd.

“I always wanted to play,” he says. “But I felt that getting a college degree would be a wise choice, so I earned music education and composition degrees. I later had the opportunity to send an audition tape to the Woody Herman band. That was in 1984.

“I had sought out opportunities to go out on the road—so when they brought me on board, I was ecstatic. It was one of the big deals of my lifetime.”

McKee’s years as a traveling musician still serve as a valuable experience to share with his students. “I always strive to teach by example,” he points out. “I give them the ball and let them run with it.”

On May 9, McKee’s impact will extend beyond the classroom to the university commencement ceremony at Folsom Field stadium, premiering his new arrangement of the familiar theme from Sir Edward Elgar’s Pomp & Circumstance March No. 1 In D (1901), performed and recorded by students in the college’s Thompson Jazz Studies Program. “It’s a contemporary arrangement in three parts capturing the diversity of our graduates and our campus community,” explains McKee. “You’ll hear a big band rendition of the march, then in the Latin montuno style and finally in the New Orleans style that should lighten things up for everybody.”

This eclectic musical mix both mirrors McKee’s approach to life and the lessons he imparts in his teaching, and reflects the College of Music’s universal musician mission: “The more skills you have, the stronger a candidate you are for finding interesting, interdisciplinary work,” he says. “That’s what I reinforce in mentoring my students. I encourage them to build on what they’ve experienced, what they’ve learned and what they know, and to understand how much they have to offer.”

Associate Professor of Jazz Studies Paul McKee reflects on the impact of mentorship and shares the spirit of his new, three-part arrangement of “Pomp & Circumstance” to be premiered at the spring 2024 university commencement ceremony!

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College of Music hosts drumming legend + clinician Chad Wackerman

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0000

College of Music hosts drumming legend + clinician Chad Wackerman Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 03/14/2024 - 00:00

Marc Shulgold + Sabine Kortals Stein

On March 19 and 20, rock/jazz drumming giant Chad Wackerman will hold a rare residency at the ��ɫ��Ƶ College of Music, thanks to support from a Roser Visiting Artists Grant and DW Drums. “We’re grateful to Becky Roser and her late husband Jim who have been wonderful benefactors to CU for quite a while,” says Mike Barnett, associate teaching professor in composition and music theory. “This is going to be such an amazing opportunity for students to spend time with Chad.”

Barnett’s past life in rock is paying off. “I was in a metal band when I saw Chad back in ’88 in Pittsburgh when he was drumming with [Frank] Zappa—it was life-changing,” he recalls. “He’s a phenomenal musician.

“We met up recently and he reached out about coming here. On March 19, he’ll talk with my songwriters and that night he’ll do a drumming technique master class that’s open to the public. On March 20, he’ll work with student composers on improvising.”

While the residency lasts only two days, the experience can resonate much longer for young students, Barnett suggests—just as Wackerman’s drumming with Zappa influenced him. That thought brings him to the College of Music’s universal musician mission.

“A musician these days needs as many skills as possible,” explains Barnett, himself an artist-composer-songwriter-educator. “As an artist, you can grow throughout your entire life. And what we’re accomplishing here at the College of Music can be an example to inspire students. If they branch out while they’re here, they will be ahead of the game when they graduate.

“It’s about more than getting good grades. It’s about making your inner self larger. College is just the beginning of your life in learning.”

Barnett’s experience in the music business still fires his imagination—and is key to the College of Music’s new degree emphasis in music production. He also calls up his vast experience and connections in the world of rock ‘n’ roll to bring his students up close to musicians from the outside world.

Barnett’s impressive résumé further includes songwriting and drumming work for 30 years with numerous rock, heavy metal and classical fusion bands with such exotic names as Tainted Saint, Phantom Crew, Terminal Degree and Throttle.

Barnett’s compositions include chamber works, concertos for piano and violin, pieces for wind ensemble, solo works and songs—music that has been performed by various orchestras and ensembles around the world. Closer to home, he’s collaborated with College of Music colleagues Erika Eckert, David Korevaar, David Requiro, Michael Thornton and particularly the late Charles Wetherbee.

All that said, one of his first loves is teaching and his commitment to one-on-one mentoring. “I enjoy creating a welcoming environment for all my students,” he says. “I teach the history of rock music. I also teach a songwriting class for non-music majors. I believe that music belongs to everybody.”

Rock/jazz drumming giant Chad Wackerman will hold a rare residency at our College of Music next week. Mike Barnett, associate teaching professor in composition and music theory, shares how the residency demonstrates the college’s universal musician mission. “As an artist, you can grow throughout your entire life,” he says.

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College of Music mourns passing of alumnus Ben Pollack

Anonymous — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 07:00:00 +0000

College of Music mourns passing of alumnus Ben Pollack Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 01/24/2024 - 00:00

Sabine Kortals Stein

The ��ɫ��Ƶ College of Music community mourns the loss of alumnus Ben Pollack (BME ’14) who unexpectedly passed away of natural causes on Dec. 14, 2023, in his home near Denver, Colorado. He was 31.

“While I am deeply saddened by the news of Ben’s passing, I fondly remember his passion for music and his love for teaching,” says Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies + Enrollment Management and Associate Professor of Conducting + Music Education Matthew Roeder.

“Ben’s dedication to music students and music education was recognized by his being named the Colorado Music Educators Association’s Young Teacher of the Year in 2019. His commitment to his students was rightly acknowledged early on in his teaching career by being honored as the first-ever recipient of this award.”

“Teaching music is the most important thing I do,” said Pollack five years ago in an interview celebrating his CMEA award. “It has to matter every day.”

Pollack was the recipient of a full out-of-state tuition scholarship from the ��ɫ��Ƶ where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education. As an undergrad, he was principal chair of the ��ɫ��Ƶ Symphonic Band euphonium section and tuba/euphonium ensemble. Pollack was also a member of our Golden Buffalo Marching Band and the CU Buffoons, one of the state’s premiere a cappella groups.

“Suffering the loss of a student—current or former—is in many ways akin to losing a child,” reflects Associate Professor of Tuba + Euphonium Michael Dunn with whom Pollack studied. “When I heard about Ben’s passing, my first reaction was shock followed closely by gratitude—he was by all measures an extraordinary student.

“Ben was truly born to teach. Our lessons often revolved around how to deliver a view of the ‘bigger picture’ to students. He wanted his students to have a sense of their place in the world and for each of them to understand that they are capable of changing the world for the better. Ben happened to use music as his vehicle to deliver this message.”

Pollack continued his pursuit of excellence by earning a master’s degree in music education from the Jacobs School of Music at the University of Indiana, Bloomington, where he was principal chair of the IU Concert Band euphonium section.

As a band and choral music educator with a track record of success, Pollack sought to influence large-scale changes in education through music and community. Upon graduating from our College of Music, Pollack taught choir music at Carmel Middle School in Colorado Springs and later embraced the challenge of building up a music program in Walsenburg, Colorado, leaving an indelible mark on the students and community whose lives he touched and transformed. Last summer, he began a new chapter teaching instrumental music at Ponderosa High School in Parker, Colorado.

“We in the College of Music’s tuba and euphonium studio are grateful to have had Ben in our fold and know his star will continue to burn brightly,” says Dunn.

Benjamin Michael Pollack obituary (Legacy.com)

The ��ɫ��Ƶ College of Music community mourns the recent passing of alumnus Ben Pollack (BME ’14). As a band and choral music educator with a track record of success, Pollack sought to influence large-scale changes in education through music and community.

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2023 Sher Distinguished Musician Scholars announced

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 06:00:00 +0000

2023 Sher Distinguished Musician Scholars announced Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 09/20/2023 - 00:00

Kathryn Bistodeau

Nate Bonin and Danny Kaminski are our 2023 Sher Distinguished Musician Scholars! These students will receive full scholarships funded by John and Anna Sie who established the award in 2014.

“I’m delighted that both Nathan and Daniel have been named our next Sher Distinguished Musician Scholars, and I'm pleased that we’re able to support two exceptional music students from Colorado,” says Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies + Enrollment Management Matthew Roeder. “Nathan and Daniel are not only outstanding individuals but also exemplary musicians who will undoubtedly represent the College of Music extremely well.”

Nate Bonin

Bonin—a Longmont native—is studying French horn performance with Professor of Horn Mike Thornton. “I chose ��ɫ��Ƶ because I’ve worked with Professor Thornton in the past,” he says. “My teacher in high school would take me to master classes and things that were happening at the studio here—I got to see everything and really wanted to be a part of it.”

Bonin has chosen to pursue music because it makes him feel “completely fulfilled.”

"I’ve played in a number of ensembles and not only being a part of those groups and playing, but also being in the audience is a good experience for me—and I think it honestly is for everybody,” says Bonin who’s excited to be at the College of Music.

“This scholarship is absolutely life changing,” he adds.

Danny Kaminski

Kaminski grew up in Colorado Springs and is studying jazz bass with Jazz Studies Lecturer Bijoux Barbosa. He chose the College of Music because he loves the faculty and the students here. “My main goal in looking at music schools was to follow where the good players are going,” Kaminski says. “Because that’s where the future of music is and that’s what I want to be a part of.

“I just can’t necessarily imagine myself being happy doing anything else. I feel like, when I play music, it’s the only time that my thoughts feel more cohesive and more streamlined and purposeful. And most importantly, why we pretty much do anything, it’s really fun.”

Kaminski’s goals for the future are to continue to push jazz music forward and bring it into the modern age. More than anything, though, Kaminski says, “I just want to help give back. I’ve had too many teachers to count, my parents, so many students, that helped me in immeasurable ways. I feel like I owe it to them and to everyone else, including the next generation, to give that back and to be a helping force.”

The Sher Distinguished Musician Scholarship will help Kaminski along that path and allows him to fully engage in his College of Music education. “I’m eternally thankful for that and I don’t think it will ever truly set in that I got a full ride. I truly don’t have the words, I’m so deeply thankful.”

Nate Bonin and Danny Kaminski are the 2023 Sher Distinguished Musician Scholars! Learn more about these students and their dreams for the future.

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The Cleveland Orchestra residency—“A great partnership” resumes

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 06:00:00 +0000

The Cleveland Orchestra residency—“A great partnership” resumes Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 09/08/2023 - 00:00

Marc Shulgold

It’s been a while, thanks to COVID’s unwelcome interruption, but beginning Sept. 11, The Cleveland Orchestra residency at the ��ɫ��Ƶ’s College of Music returns. For three days packed with sectionals, rehearsals, mock auditions, master classes, a Q&A and a Faculty Tuesdays concert, 14 members of the renowned Ohio orchestra will work side-by-side (literally) with ��ɫ��Ƶ student musicians eager to learn.

“It’s been a great partnership,” observes Steve Rose of this every-other-year collaboration that began a decade ago—until 2020 when the pandemic “got in the way,” as The Cleveland Orchestra’s principal second violinist puts it. This program, he says, “serves as a testament to ��ɫ��Ƶ to have the foresight to support the wonderful College of Music faculty and to have our orchestra lend our talents.”

Rose has been more than a cheerleader and faculty member since the birth of the residency. By pure luck, he was instrumental (pardon the pun) in its birth. The story begins with College of Music Dean-Emeritus Daniel Sher’s son Martin, who was a close friend of Rose’s back when Sher was dean at Louisiana State University (where Rose and Martin were students). The two friends would then continue their studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Later, the saga shifts to Boulder where the elder Sher was about to retire as dean. “Dan called me and told me of this dream of his (to have a Cleveland residency),” Rose recalls. “He asked, ‘Could this be possible?’” Yes, it could, thanks to Sher’s commitment and the financial assistance of The Clinton Family Fund led by Bruce Clinton.

Daniel Silver is another longtime participant in the Cleveland residency, but he’s locally based (albeit with Ohio roots). “I grew up in Cleveland,” says the College of Music professor of clarinet. “I grew up with that orchestra. I’ve known a lot of the players.” More than that, he learned to understand what makes them more than merely members of a world-class ensemble. “They bring to Boulder their wisdom—their realization of what it’s like to engage in a collaboration with others, to be a part of a team. Szell [longtime Cleveland music director George Szell] talked about players needing to listen to each other.” That spirit, he says, will be imparted to College of Music students—along with so many other extra-musical qualities.

Rose stresses the value of students getting close to musicians living daily lives as full-time orchestra members, to learn what that’s really like. “The experience of this residency comes in addition to their studies at ��ɫ��Ƶ, of course,” he says. “These students are so fortunate in getting a great music education. What we’re doing is contributing to that.”

One can imagine that participating students will be soaking up every minute of those three intense September days and evenings. Fact is, the same enthusiasm exists among the Cleveland contingent, Rose says. “I reached out to my colleagues to see who might be interested and available, concentrating on principal players in each of the sections.” He had no trouble getting takers. “We have some tremendous performers, ones who have the desire and the ability to teach,” the violinist adds.

Silver seconds that view. “They all look forward to coming here,” he observes. And yes, the students will be thrilled to participate in the three-day program ... but these aren’t a bunch of wide-eyed youngsters, he cautions. “We have highly motivated students with a range of sophistication.” While it’s a shame that the residency is only three days, Silver acknowledges, “it’s still possible for them to be sparked to a deeper awareness. Our goal is for the experience to leave them with something to work on. Maybe they’ll come away with a patience they didn’t have before.”

Members of The Cleveland Orchestra residency will join College of Music faculty and students in a free Faculty Tuesdays concert on Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m. in Grusin Music Hall. Preview, download or print the program.

The Cleveland Orchestra’s biennial residency at our College of Music returns for three days packed with sectionals, rehearsals, mock auditions, master classes, a Q&A and a Faculty Tuesdays concert.

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Passing the baton: Celebrating faculty retirements

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Passing the baton: Celebrating faculty retirements Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/27/2023 - 00:00

MarieFaith Lane

Photo (left to right): James Austin, Paul Erhard, William Stanley and Daniel Sher

For most of us, retirement is a major milestone. And for these esteemed faculty members—Professor of Music Education and CMEA Hall of Fame inductee James Austin, Professor of Double Bass Paul Erhard, Associate Professor of Trombone William Stanley, and Professor of Piano and former Dean Daniel Sher—their retirements this spring represent a tireless commitment and dedication to inspiring up-and-coming musicians and educators.

Austin, Erhard, Sher and Stanley have deeply influenced and helped shape the futures of countless students’ lives through their unique teaching methods and shared expertise. As we bid them farewell and look back on their contributions, achievements and legacy at the College of Music, we’re pleased to pass along some of their reflections:

What experience are you most proud of, during your career at ��ɫ��Ƶ?
SHER: My relationships with people come first. I was gratified by the number of faculty I became privileged to appoint and to come to know, the many students whose acquaintances I made, and the wonderful staff upon whom I relied every day for their work and support of our programs and people. It has been an added bonus that my wife Boyce and I now enjoy so many enriching and rewarding friendships to this day among Music Advisory Board members and former members, and the many patrons who chose to invest in our college.

Most of all, I am proud of the collaborative spirit that grew during my tenure. It has been a joy to see faculty leadership and a robust participation in shared governance—and to observe, since I stepped away from the Dean position, that this trajectory continues its upward path.

STANLEY: Hosting the 1998 International Trombone Festival with 750 participants and 60-plus artists and teachers from all over the globe was big. As was the graduate brass quintet winning a bronze medal at the 2009 Fischoff Competition.

But the experience of working with the wide array of students who have come through the studio is what I’m most proud of. Many of them went on to outstanding graduate programs, to teaching and performing positions, and to other successful careers that include music in their lives. Seeing each student grow and learn about themselves as musicians, trombonists and humans is what kept me going.

AUSTIN: I’m most proud of my over two decades’ leadership provided to the College of Music as Music Education Chair and then as Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies. As chair, I advocated for the music education faculty to make their own admissions decisions and scholarship recommendations through a formal interview and evaluation process; instituted sophomore interviews as a gateway to upper-division licensure coursework; increased enrollment in both the undergraduate and graduate programs; and improved the placement record of program graduates into K-12 and higher education positions.

As associate dean, I established an early alert system to provide at-risk students with timely academic counseling and other forms of support; established a system for tracking budgetary implications of merit scholarship awards; expanded the student recognition program to include outstanding freshman and sophomore awards; and oversaw a major revision of the undergraduate curriculum.

What trends or culture shifts did you observe over the course of your career? What’s your career advice to students today?
STANLEY: It would probably be easier to list what hasn’t changed. Technological advances have had a huge impact on how students learn and how teachers teach. In 1985, when I started at CU, personal computers were pretty new, compact discs were new, the library had a card catalog, there was no internet, no email—even the copy machine was terrible. The enormity and speed of technological change over that period of time has been amazing to watch.

As well, an emphasis on offering a diverse cultural experience at CU has been under discussion for many years—it’s wonderful that these efforts are becoming actualized with increased diversity in repertoire selections, guest artists and speakers … and a genuine level of awareness throughout the college and across campus. Moving forward, I hope there can be continued efforts supporting the recruitment of diverse faculty and students.

Finally, my career advice is to go all in. A half-hearted effort during the college experience rarely leads to success. Students who can enjoy the process of preparation and improvement, and who are persistent and who have patience, will be better positioned for a life in music. But no one can say what that will look like. Given the rate of change in our society, flexibility and creativity will become not just catch phrases, but a way of life.

Oh, and go vote.

AUSTIN: One of the biggest cultural shifts I’ve observed is a broadening and rethinking of career paths open to music majors and, in a related sense, a steady increase in the number of undergraduate students pursuing dual degrees within music—or double majors in music and a second field outside of music. At the same time, unfortunately, it has been more difficult to attract students to a career in music education, largely because of the misperception of music teaching being a high-demand, low-status occupation.

SHER: The trends that I’ve watched and tried to nurture include the establishment of our Entrepreneurship Center for Music, the first of its kind when it was established back in the mid-90s; as well as the establishment of our collaborative piano program and jazz studies program; the growth of our scholarly/research programs which now boast a blossoming ethnomusicology division; and a music theory master’s degree. Also of note are our Soundworks series, and I’ve been especially pleased to observe the chamber music program which is thriving and has grown to new heights.

As I look back on my 20-year tenure as dean, I think of it as a dream position during which time I tried my best “to do no harm” (borrowing from the physicians’ oath) and to enable a gifted, talented and perceptive faculty to work together—which has, in turn, enabled their students to be the best that they can be.

Join us on May 5 from 3-5 p.m. (E160) in honor of our retiring faculty members and in celebration of their many years’ dedicated service to the college and the university. They will be greatly missed by their colleagues and students. RSVP to Lauren Petersen by May 1.

Professor of Music Education and CMEA Hall of Fame inductee James Austin, Professor of Double Bass Paul Erhard, Associate Professor of Trombone William Stanley, and Professor of Piano and former Dean Daniel Sher have dedicated their careers to inspiring up-and-coming musicians and educators. We reflect on their contributions, achievements and legacy with gratitude.

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