Origins of the Experimental Music Studios at Illinois: the Urbana School from the Dean
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WINTER 2009 The News Magazine of the University of Illinois School of Music origins of the experimental music studios at illinois: the urbana school From the Dean The School of Music is one of the most respected and visible units in the College of Fine and WINTER 2009 Applied Arts at the University of Illinois, and it is Published for alumni and friends of the School of Music also a vital component of what we are calling the at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign new arts at Illinois, our vision of the college as a The School of Music is a unit of the College of Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Illinois at Urbana- leader in the arts of the future. Champaign and has been an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music Throughout the college, we are exploring new since 1933. disciplinary combinations, new definitions of art, and new ways of thinking Karl Kramer, director Edward Rath, associate director and creating. At the same time, we maintain a profound commitment to the Paul Redman, assistant director, business Joyce Griggs, assistant director, enrollment management historical traditions of our art forms. We embrace the notion that the knowl- and public engagement Marlah Bonner-McDuffie, director, development edge arising from the study, interpretation, and creation of art is central to Philip Yampolsky, director, Robert E. Brown Center for World Music the intellectual enterprise of a great university and to the advancement of a David Allen, coordinator, outreach and public engagement great society. Michael Cameron, coordinator, graduate studies B. Suzanne Hassler, coordinator, alumni relations and The arts at Illinois exist in a diverse and dynamic environment where col- development Daniel Hassler, coordinator, enrollment management and laborations among performing artists, visual artists, and environmental design- student services Ruth Stoltzfus, coordinator, music events ers are encouraged, and where their connections spur creativity and inspire B. Suzanne Hassler, editor-in-chief new synergies. We are a community of artists in a major research institution Brendan Frank, student news editor where teaching, research, and service often cross the boundaries of our college, John Wagstaff, book news and reviews editor Contributing Writers: David Allen, Emanuele Battisti, weaving science, technology, the humanities, and the arts into a vibrant cross- Kathleen Foody, Brendan Frank, Joyce Griggs, Suzanne Hassler, Jeffrey Kimpton, Melissa Merli, Melissa Mitchell, disciplinary network. In training individual artists, composers, performers, and Bruno Nettl, Edward Rath, Philip Yampolsky scholars, we also work to create new forms of art, to understand the arts of the Special thanks to Christina Bashford, Shelli Drummond- Stine, Bruno Nettl, Edward Rath, Matthew Thibeault, past and present, and to pursue excellence in all our activities. John Wagstaff, and Philip Yampolsky Graphic Design: Bonadies Creative Inc. Above all, we aspire to be a college that contributes significantly to the future Feature Photos: Chris Brown Photography of culture, and a college that boldly shapes the evolution of the arts we practice UI School of Music on the Internet: http://www.music.uiuc.edu by embracing the primacy of the creative process. As you read of the many mu- Share your good news! Send photos and submissions to: sical accomplishments of the school in this edition of sonorities, please celebrate Sonorities, UI School of Music 1114 W. Nevada, Urbana, IL 61801 with us the school’s leadership in achieving this college-wide mission. or [email protected], by September 8, 2009. Robert Graves Dean, College of Fine and Applied Arts in this issue From the Director Winter 2009 CAMPUS NEWS 2 Hadley Memorial Concert We have much to celebrate about the School of Music in this edition of sonorities. We are in receipt of 3 Black Chorus Celebrates the largest gift in the school’s history, given by Sheila C. Johnson (B.S. ’70); new faculty have joined us 40 Years this year, enriching the school and the community; and our students in performance, education, musicol- 4 Music Barn Festival Grows ogy, and composition are blazing new paths in the profession. But first I must pause to report some sad and Evolves news. For those of you who may not already know, on September 12, the School of Music lost a long-time friend and colleague, Dr. Michael Ewald, who passed away after a sudden illness. Not only was Mike 5 Michael Ewald (1948- admired and respected for his trumpet playing and teaching, we also gained much from the strength of 2008): A Reminiscence his character and leadership. A memorial service is planned on campus on March 20, 2009, at 6 Jim Pugh in Germany 7:30 p.m. We all miss him terribly! 6 Sinfonia da Camera’s “Good pitching will always beat good hitting…and visa versa.” — Noted baseball analyst Silver Anniversary The great American pastime is a metaphor for music. Both already share some parlance—score, pitch, runs, coaching, and warming up. Have you ever noticed how baseball announcers love to ob- COVER STORY serve how the game’s not over till the fat lady sings? And if it’s October, it’s time for both the World 10 Origins of the Series and the National Association of Music Executives of State Universities (NAMESU) annual meeting. Experimental Music Serendipitously, they both crossed paths this year in my hometown of Philadelphia from October 1 to 4. Studios at Illinois: While many of the delegates went to see the Philadelphia Orchestra on Thursday evening, I opted to hop the Urbana School the subway and take in the second game of the Phillies/Brewers National League Playoff Series. Then on Saturday afternoon, about 50,000 people and I gathered on the Ben Franklin Parkway at a “Get out the vote” rally where Bruce Springsteen gave a free acoustic concert. I can’t remember a more productive FEATURES administrators’ conference. 18 Contemplating Musicology One of my most fascinating activities as director this year occurred when I had the privilege and at Illinois and in the World pleasure to accompany 27 students and faculty to Bali, Indonesia. In the spring of 2007, I sat down 27 Jeffrey S. Kimpton: with Professors William Moersch, I Ketut Gede Asnawa, Chip McNeill, and Stephen Taylor to propose Reflections on People, a year-long performance and composition project that would involve percussion, jazz, and composition Rocks, and Time students with the Center for World Music’s gamelan program. As a result, the East/West Ensemble (East for gamelan; West for jazz quartet and computer-generated sound) was formed. The culmination of the 30 Still Young at Heart: project was a sold-out performance at the Bali Arts Festival in June. I was struck at how easily and quickly ISYM at 60 the Balinese, who practice an ancient culture, took to the newness of the fusion of gamelan, jazz, and 46 Going Global: Ramping Up computer-generated sound. The students and faculty performed beautifully and were great ambassadors World Music at New Center for the University. I was incredibly proud of all of them. While my job does involve a fair amount of traveling, this past summer for pleasure my wife and I em- FACULTY FEATURE barked on a 5,600-mile two-lane road trip to the Southwest and West Coast. I found on that trip further proof that the reach of the School of Music is far and wide. On one afternoon in San Francisco at the 34 Bill Heiles: Like a Rock famed City Lights bookstore, I saw displayed prominently on the “Best of Jazz” table Professor Gabriel Solis’s book on Thelonious Monk and Professor Jeffrey Magee’s book on Fletcher Henderson. Little do they DEPARTMENTS know, both Gabriel and Jeff are now honorary beatniks. I’m sure there’s not one of you out there who 7 Development Update has not been affected in one way or another by 9 Upcoming Events the financial crisis that emerged in September. I 24 New Appointments can tell you that we are preparing for significant budget challenges during the spring semester and 36 Faculty News for several years to come. I want to thank you all w 43 Student News i for your generous support in the past and hope n Book News & Reviews that I can count on your continued interest in the 50 t e School of Music. 52 Alumni Notes r 54 Band Notes 2 Karl Kramer 0 Director, School of Music 55 Alumni News 0 62 Partners in Tempo 9 1 Campus News Memorial Concert for Late Tenor Exceeds All Expectations Melissa Merli, Arts Reporter, The News-Gazette The following article originally appeared in the Sunday, once. Still, I wept silently when the concert better, as I noticed that Lanza’s emotional sing- February 3, 2008 issue of The News-Gazette. opened with a recording of him singing “Bring ing is not unlike Hadley’s. Him Home.” “He has that Lanza sob in his voice,” If you weren’t at the Jerry Hadley Memorial I admit that my tears were prompted not agreed director Jerold Siena, also a tenor. “It’s Concert at Krannert Center, you likely missed just by the great loss but also because Hadley very Italian. It’s heartthrob.” one of the best cultural events of the year. And at his death in July was the same age as I Siena had worked with Hadley at the I say that knowing that am now. He was half-Italian, Metropolitan Opera and with the singers 2008 has just gotten like me, and we both grew up who agreed, when he asked, to perform in underway. with that Old World heritage in the Hadley memorial.