FAREWELL TO SUMMER
This issue of Quarter Notes is dedicated to the University of Washington School of Music Class of 2022—60 students who completed their degree studies during uniquely challenging times. We also pay tribute to a departing longtime faculty member, welcome new faces in the UW Music Library, and share recent updates from our faculty, students, and alumni.
The University of Washington School of Music celebrates its Class of 2022, 60 students strong, divided evenly between undergraduate and graduate students completing bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in 2022.
An in-person Grand Finale celebration at the Music Building on Friday, June 10 for graduates and their invited guests marks the first non-virtual Commencement celebration for School of Music grads since 2019. In addition to recognition of graduating students, the program... Read more
That was School of Music graduate Alexander Nam Nguyễn (’22 BM, Music Education) at the UW’s 2022 Commencement ceremony, leading College of Arts and Sciences undergraduates into Husky Stadium as one of six banner carriers, or gonfalonieres, representing the College. Nguyễn was recognized for exemplifying the College’s core values of excellence, inquiry, community, accountability, integrity, and citizenship.
The Music Education graduate was nominated for the honor by his teacher, Professor... Read more
University of Washington Libraries has appointed Kathryn Miller as interim Music and Arts Librarian following the departure in June of Erin Conor, former Head of the Music, Art, and Drama Libraries (see story here). In collaboration with Arts and Humanities Librarian Dylan Burns (who also serves as a liaison to The School of Music and Department of Cinema Studies), Miller's primary... Read more
Accolades, academic appointments, scholarships, awards, fellowships and other accomplishments of School of Music students and alumni.
School of Music Class of 2021 graduate Caitlin Beare (’21 DMA Woodwinds) begins a new position this fall as Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, where she will direct the clarinet studio, teach undergraduate music courses, and perform with the music department faculty locally and nationally.
Professor Timothy Salzman... Read more
Honors, appointments, research endeavors, and other recent news from School of Music faculty.
Jonathan Bernard, Music Theory
Former students of the longtime Music Theory professor organized a symposium in his honor this past June at the Music Building to celebrate his retirement after 35 years on the School of Music faculty. Organizers Bradley Osborn ('10 PhD, Music Theory), Brian Cobb ('06 DMA, Composition) and Christopher Stover ('09 PhD, Music Theory) coordinated a concert of music by... Read more
Music Theory Professor Jonathan Bernard retired in June 2022 after 35 years on the UW School of Music Faculty. In this email interview with School of Music publicist Joanne DePue, Professor Bernard reflects on a fulfilling and challenging career and looks ahead to a full schedule of post-retirement activity.
SOM: What is the first thing you look forward to doing once you are retired?
JB: My course is set for the first month or so, with a symposium cooked up by two of my former students to... Read more
School of Music alumnus James Philip Sifferman died on May 11, 2022, in Gaffney, SC, after several years of declining health. Born June 20, 1951, he was the son of Earl and Betty Sifferman of West Seattle. He attended Seattle Prep where he graduated Valedictorian of the Class of 1969. He attended Seattle University before entering the University of Washington (Seattle) where, in 1975, he received a Bachelor of Music (BM) in Piano Performance (Phi Beta Kappa). He earned a Master of Music (MM –... Read more
by Professor Thomas Harper
We are heartbroken to report the passing of Cécile Casali (née Cécile Farmer) on April 29, 2022 after a battle with cancer.
Cécile was a 2010 UW recipient of the Bachelor of Music degree in voice, student of Tom Harper, and a favorite student of former SOM Director JoAnn Taricani, in whose Rennaissance Ensemble Cécile sang regularly. As an undergraduate, Cécile performed the role of Lisetta in the UW Opera mainstage production of Haydn’s “Il Mondo della Luna”... Read more