Composition Professor Joël-François Durand will serve as Acting Director of the School of Music through June 2024.
Durand was appointed interim director in early February in the wake of the death of former School of Music director JoAnn Taricani. A member of the School of Music Composition faculty since 1991, Durand had served as associate director of the School since 2002, supervising the advising office and helping students resolve issues regarding grading or other academic issues.
The extension of his term (originally set through June 2022) and change of title to Acting Director was announced by Arts and Sciences Dean Dianne Harris in a recent email to School of Music faculty and staff.
“In our discussions with Joël, we reviewed the important issues facing the School now and in the future,” she wrote. “We are confident that Joël will provide excellent leadership and ask that you join us in supporting his efforts.”
More about Durand's background as composer, inventor, and longtime School of Music faculty member and details about his initial appointment as interim director in early February may be found here.