Last fall, Assistant Professor of Music History K. Dawn Grapes had her annotated bibliography/research guide to "John Dowland" recently published online by Oxford University Press in Oxford Bibliographies. In her introduction, Dr. Grapes describes Dowland (b. 1563–d. 1623) as an internationally known English musician of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. As the most renowned lutenists of his time, in modern scholarship, he is often listed second in importance only to William Byrd. Read more here. Additionally, Dr. Grapes presented a paper at the 2015 College Music Society national conference held Nov. 4-7 in Indianapolis, Ind. According to the organization’s website, CMS strives to assist in career development, putting individuals “in the center of the dialogue concerning the music field, and enable you to share your work with the world.” Dr. Grapes’ presentation focused on incorporating program notes into music curriculum across all areas – academic classrooms, studios, and ensembles – as an alternate approach to writing and research.
Master Class at OSU
Colorado State University faculty members John McGuire, Brass Area coordinator and assistant professor of horn, and Chris Van Hof, assistant professor of trombone, recently travelled to Okla., giving recitals and master classes at Oklahoma State University and Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Their recital program included pieces by Oliver Messiaen, Sammy Nestico, Franz Strauss, and a new piece for trombone titled Partiels 2, written by CSU Composition Professor James David. Additionally, Dr. Van Hof kicks off International Trombone Week, celebrated world-wide since 2003, by joining the Eastern Colorado Trombone Choir as a soloist and conductor. The concert, in Limon, Colo. on April 3, includes many arrangements and original compositions by Dr. Van Hof. In mid-April, Dr. McGuire is soloing with the CSU Wind Symphony on James Beckel’s Glass Bead Game, based on Herman Hesse’s novel; he will travel with the ensemble on their Southwest Tour on April 13-15.
Coordinator of Percussion and Associate Professor of Percussion Eric Hollenbeck performed a clinic and recital at New Mexico State University in Los Cruces on March 28 and a recital/clinic at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque on March 29. The events were sponsored by Pearl/Adams, Zidjian, Innovative Percussion, and Remo.
James David, Kevin Olson, Peter Sommer, and Shilo Stroman at NASA
Professor Peter Sommer, coordinator of Jazz Studies and associate professor of saxophone, gave a Professional Classical Chamber Music Performance at the 2016 North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference, held at Texas Tech University on March 11-13. He was joined by Shilo Stroman, special assistant professor of percussion, for a performance of “The Phantom Ride,” a new work by CSU Composition Professor James David, and “Surveillance State” by CSU alum Kevin Olson (B.M. Music, 2015).
Les Hicken, director of Bands at Furman University, Rebecca Phillips, and James David
CSU Director of Bands Rebecca Phillips was invited to be a guest conductor, adjudicator, and/or clinician for nearly a dozen events this school year, including the 35th annual Florida State University Tri-State Honor Band Festival in Tallahassee, Fla., Dec. 3-6; Colorado Springs All-City Honor Band on Jan. 9-10, where she was joined by CSU Music Education Professor Dr. Erik Johnson; the Combined League Honor Band in Greeley, Colo. on Jan. 11; Jefferson County Honor Band in SW Denver on Jan. 21-22; the Cherry Creek District Honor Band in Denver on Feb. 5-6,where she was joined by Dr. Erik Johnson; the Georgia Music Educators Association District VII Honor Band in Ringgold, Ga. on Feb. 12-13; the Kiwanis Music Festival of Greater Toronto, Canada, held Feb. 22 - March 2; and the All-State Band of the South Carolina Band Directors Association, held at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina on March 11-13. The concert included a premier of CSU Composition Professor James David’s piece The Mooreland’s, which was commissioned for the event. Additionally, Dr. Phillips will be a clinician for the Colorado Bandmasters Association State Concert Band Festival, held at Colorado State University on April 11-12; the guest conductor for the North Carolina All-State Honors Band, April 29 - May 1, held at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; and the guest clinician and conductor for Pacific University's Music in May Festival Concert, held in Portland on May 26-28.