Wes Kenney pictured conducting

University Symphony Orchestra heads out on tour

The Colorado State University Symphony will hit the road Feb. 13 – Feb. 19 to visit four cities west of the Front Range; Glenwood Springs, Aspen, Breckenridge and Grand Junction, Colo. The orchestra, directed by Wes Kenney, will perform one of the most intense symphonies ever written on this tour: Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in […]


Michelle Stanley Promotional Photo

Music: Playing Your Best: College Music Auditions by Dr. Michelle Stanley

For high school seniors who are interested in becoming college music majors, this is the time of year that’s filled with musical preparation for upcoming auditions. Much excitement accompanies this process, and many students find themselves full of worry and trepidation. I would like to share some helpful audition advice to support you as you […]


Charles and Reta Ralph 2009 Announcement Photo

Music: Announcing the Charles and Reta Ralph Opera Center

The Department of Music, Theatre and Dance is thrilled to announce the creation of the Charles and Reta Ralph Opera Center, a program named in honor of Charles and Reta Ralph in recognition of their lengthy, generous and continuing support of opera at Colorado State University. The Ralph’s benevolence establishes two endowments for both operational […]


James McCray Promotional Photo

Larimer Choral Anniversary Concert Features Piece by Emeritus Professor James McCray

This weekend the Larimer Choral performs their annual holiday concert, entitled for 2012 “A Candlelight Christmas.” The popular event features a commissioned piece composed by emeritus professor and local composer James McCray, “Rejoice Ye Tenants of the Earth.” The ambitious work for choir, pipe organ, brass ensemble and percussion is the Chorale’s first commissioned work, […]



Sweeney Todd 2011 Performance Photo

CSU wows crowd with opera performances

From the Coloradoan Newspaper, 9:51 PM, Nov. 2, 2011 We arrived in Fort Collins just three years ago and were instantly transformed into yet more of those tiresome boosters who never shut up about the assets of their wonderful town. But we can’t understand why we don’t hear a lot more about the CSU Opera […]


Jazz Ensemble 2005 Performance Photo, Bass

Music, Theatre and Dance Fund Spotlight: Jazz Program Support

The Jazz Studies Program at Colorado State University is rising to prominence through the leadership of Director Peter Sommer and Jazz enthusiasts Jim and Wendy Franzen. Consisting of two large jazz ensembles and two small jazz combos, the students have had the opportunity to perform at Dazzle Restaurant and Lounge in Denver, named one of […]


Linda Hall Promotional Photo

Linda Hall ’76 takes on new position as Music Education Coordinator

“I remember all of these people,”  says Linda Hall as she scans the Class Notes in Noteworthy, Colorado State University’s music alumni newsletter. Linda Hall ’76 joins the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance faculty at CSU in a new position – Music Education Coordinator. Linda, who received her Bachelor’s of Music in music education from […]


Combining Sound and Engineering at the Capitol: Bill Lowe ’81

Like many music alumni Bill Lowe ′81 pursued a music degree in addition to studying in another area at Colorado State University. With combined degrees in electrical engineering, music and a minor in math, Lowe lived in two academic environments. “Going back and forth between the two worlds that I lived in is what I remember most […]


Mountain West Conference Logo

Music: CSU Band Named Best in the Mountain West

The Colorado State University Band and Spirit Squads won the first annual Mountain West Conference High Five Award. The award was presented at the 2011 Conoco Mountain West Conference Basketball Championships held in Las Vegas, Nev. Mar. 9 – 12, 2011. “I want to congratulate the spirit squads and band at Colorado State University for […]