Fall 2018 Quarter Notes

A new academic year is in full swing at the University of Washington School of Music, with faculty, students, and programs reporting progress in research activities, creative projects, and performance practice, all yielding skills and experiences necessary to accomplish envisioned—or unexpected—results. In this issue of Quarter Notes, learn a little about what our students, faculty, and alumni have been engaged with in recent months and some plans incubating for the weeks and months ahead.

A special class section offered this fall at the School of Music is a learning experience for both teacher and students, a convergence of roles for one musician whose life is divided between his life as a performer and life as a teacher. University of Washington student Elias Hampton signed up for a special section of MUSAP 389/589 at the School of Music this quarter not really knowing what to expect, but drawn by the fact that it would give him an extra opportunity to study closely with… Read more
Cristina Valdés has a lot on her plate, this year and every year. The faculty pianist maintains a rigorous teaching and performance schedule that leaves little time for dallying, or even a proper lunch. On a recent afternoon at the Music Building she is heating leftovers for a quick bite before an appointment with one of her UW piano students and reflecting on all that lies ahead, both in the very immediate future and many months from now. She has twenty minutes and a lot of ground to cover,… Read more
Bassist Steve Rodby and composer Yiğit Kolat join the School of Music faculty in Fall 2018, bringing internationally recognized expertise and talent to the Jazz Studies and Composition programs.  Steve Rodby, Jazz Studies Bassist Steve Rodby joins the School of Music Jazz Studies faculty in Fall 2018. A 15-time Grammy winner known for his work as a studio musician, record producer… Read more
A fall colloquium at the School of Music convenes faculty and students from Music Theory, History, Ethnomusicology, and Music Education (THEME), along with visiting scholars in those areas of study.  The fall quarter THEME lecture series runs select Friday afternoons through late November in the School of Music Fishbowl. The series kicked off Friday, Oct. 5 with a presentation by Neil Lerner of… Read more
School of Music faculty report news of recent travels, festival appearances,  publications, recordings and distinctions in recent months on campus and in parts beyond, and note the passing of a valued former colleague.   Michael Brockman, Saxophone  The artist-in-residence performed lead saxophone for the entire run of  Seattle Opera's Porgy and Bess production this past summer at McCaw Hall. He also performed as part of the Centrum all-star big band at the… Read more
School of Music students and alumni report awards, publications, promotions, and summer travels among recent activities on campus and around the world. School of Music students and alumni were among top prize winners of the 2017-18 American Prize, announced recently by the nonprofit Hat City Music Theater in Danbury Connecticut.  Shayna Stahl, DMA student in the Wind Conducting program, was first-place winner in the Conducting, Community Band Wind Band/Wind Ensemble Division for her work… Read more
Violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan returns to the UW School of Music in 2018 as the Fall Quarter Ethnomusicology Visiting Artist.  Fans of this virtuosic musician recall his Nov 2017 performance at the University's Meany Hall with visiting artist Zakir Hussain, a longtime musical collaborator. A master violinist and vocalist of Carnatic music, Rajagopalan is known in India and worldwide for his virtuosity as a violinist and for his innovative approach to music-making, in which he combines his… Read more
Of all the professors Joan Catoni Conlon studied with while a student at the University of Washington School of Music—years before she launched a successful career as a choral conductor, author, and professor— two of them—Gerald Kechley and Miriam Terry—were especially important and formative. Conlon, whose career included her longtime service as a professor of choral music and conducting at the UW School of Music, recalls the profound influence of Miriam Terry, a professor on the School of… Read more

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