Two longtime School of Music professors reach the retirement finish line; others report recent residencies, projects, performances, honors, and other notable activities.
Pianists Robin McCabe and Rachelle McCabe were special guests last month at the Jacobs Academy, the summer program in the arts offered by Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. The McCabes were featured artists for the Summer Piano Academy, a two-week intensive for serious young pianists (ages 12-19). While in residence, they performed a duo piano recital and led master classes, private lessons, and coaching sessions for participants. The Summer Piano Academy is co-directed by Robin McCabe’s former student,Elizabeth Yao (’21 DMA, Piano; ’13 BM, Piano; BA, Chinese), lecturer in music in piano at IU who coordinates its secondary piano program and codirects the Young Pianists program in addition to leading the Summer Piano Academy.
Two longtime UW Music professors reached the finish line and retired in June after nearly 40 years of UW service. Jazz Studies Professor Marc Seales concluded his 37-year UW career with a final UW big band performance on May 27, leading the UW Studio Jazz Ensemble and joining some returning alumni in sets in honor of former longtime ensemble director Roy Cummings. His final UW performance was on May 30 with the UW Chamber Singers, who presented a set of gospel and jazz settings with Seales at the piano.
Professor Timothy Salzman wrapped up 38 years as director of UW concert Bands on June 5 with “Finale,” a concert by the Wind Ensemble and an Alumni Band of some 130 of Salzman’s former students formed especially for the occasion. Prior to the concert, which was attended by more than 800 appreciative audience members, a UW Music Homecoming reception co-hosted by the UW Alumni Association and the School of Music gathered former band members, friends, special guests, and colleagues from far and wide for remarks and refreshments.
Special guests in attendance included former longtime School of Music professor Steven Morrison, now on the Music Education faculty at Northwestern University. Morrison led the UW Symphonic Band and worked closely with Salzman during his years at the UW.
Salzman's affiliation with the Wind Ensemble did not end there, however. In early July, 34 members and alumni of the UW Wind Ensemble performed under Salzman's baton at Seattle's McCaw Hall for 'An Evening with Ken Burns,' an event sponsored by Cascade Public Broadcast Service. The famed director previewed his newest documentary film project, The American Revolution, for an audience of about 2,500. "Big props to soprano Lauren Corpus (Kulesa) who sang William Schuman's 'Chester' and Carmen Dragon's arrangement of 'America the Beautiful' with such commitment," Salzman says. "(I'm) very grateful/blessed to work with such wonderful folks at PBS and, once again, very proud of our students and graduates. A great night for the UWSOM!"
Timothy Salzman leads members and alumni of the Wind Ensemble at McCaw Hall during "An Evening with Ken Burns."
The UW Alumni Association awarded its 2025 Distinguished Service Award to Brad McDavid, longtime director of the Husky Marching Band who retired last year after 30 years of service. Presented to UWAA members and volunteers who have had a significant impact on the UWAA, the Distinguished Service Award (DSA) recognizes outstanding service or devotion to the Alumni Association, the University of Washington and the alumni community. According to an article in UW Magazine, McDavid was the fourth and longest-serving director in the Husky Marching Band's 96-year history. Read more here.
Professors Seales and Salzman, a few days after retiring (Photo: Joanne DePue).