NEWSLETTER fo~ALUMNI & F February, 2000 voi. XII, xo. 1 is the official newsletter of the University of Oregon School of Music and Department of Dance, he Cornmisslon [of the National and is published twice a year for Association of Schools of Music] alumni, faculty, and friends of the xvishes to commend the School of Music school. Your letters, photos, and at the University of Oregon for its flex- contributions are always tvelcome. ibility and creativity in meeting the chal- lenges of severe financial problems." Address all correspondence to: This is hoxc the concluding para- LEDGER LINES graph of the NASM's letter read, giving School of Music us re-accreditation ~chenwe received it 1225 University of Oregon in late December. As a charter member Eugene, OR 97403-1225 of the NASM since 1928, the UO School or call (541) 346-3761 of Music is happily re-accredited for another ten years. Flexibility and creativity are cer- tainly key qualities here, as we continue through the professional and intellectual DEAN: Anne Dhu McLucas to cope with our shortage of space, re- development of artists, teachers, and quiring sometimes literal flexibility-as scholars in a supportive and challenging ASSOCIATE DEANS: Ire dodge instruments, video players, environment." Gary Martin-Graduate Studies u . , I and groups of students coming down Our creativity is also at work in ~obkrtHurwitz-Undergraduate Studies the l~allsat the beginning of the term- devising new methods of reaching DEVELOPMENT STAFF: and infinite creativity as-we figure out promisi~gstudents in the high schools Joan Gardner-School of Music new places to house new faculty mem- of Oregon and elsewhere. Our faculty- Peggy Renkert-Oregon Bach Festival bers and graduate teaching fellows. staff recruitment committee has been But it is creativity of a more funda- hard at work with many initiatives, EDITOR: Scott Barklwrst mental and artistic sort that was on dis- including getting our beautiful Beall play here as the 1990s drew to a close. Hall posters out to Oregon high schools, ASSISTANT: Lesley Sario being present at the music educators' B.A., B.S.in Music The first of our two "Festivals of the B.Mus. in Performance Millennium" (hedging our bets, we will conferences in nearby states as well as CONTRIBUTORS: us. in Coinposition also celebrate 2001) amazed, amused, our own, and maintaining an advertis- B.hIus, in Music Education Jenifer Craig, George Evano, Joan and overwhelmed us with riches of new ing presence in select programs so that B.Mus. in Music Theory Gardner, Anne Dhu McLucas and old music of the 20th century. Spear- the most talented students in the region headed by Robert Kyr of our composi- will be aware of us and our quality. COVER PHOTO by Scott Barkhurst tion faculty, the 19-day festival featured That, of course, is something that our Oregon Marchmg Band piccolo player our faculty students, and guest artists in alumni and friends can do for us as well: MA., M.Mus. in Music History Miclzelle Ford poses with the Duck nt n more than 30 premieres (see article on send us your recommendations of out- us. in Music Theory Sun Boi~71pep rally. See story, pnge 3. standing students so that we can be in \LMus. in Composition page 2). M.Mus. in Music Education The faculty as a whole also dis- touch with them! M.Mus. in Performance played its creativity in a two-day plan- We continue to be grateful for the M.Llus. in Conducting ning retreat that took place before many donations that come in during the M.Mus. in Piano Pedagogy classes started this fall. Intensive discus- year, which enable us to be both creative hI.Ml-IS.in Tazz Studies February 23 & 26,2000 sion of our interactions with one an- and flexible, despite a low base budget. Eugene, Oregoll other, between the dance and music Without our donors, whom we proudly D.41.X., P11.D. in Music Ed departments, and of our needs and list at the end of this issue of Ledger D.M.X.,P1i.D. ill Composition Scl-tolarshipsand graduate wishes, both short and long term, led to Llnes, we would literally not be able to D.M.A. in Performance PI1.D. in Music History teaching felioxt-ships are some definitive actions. Among those keep the school afloat, much less at the PL1.D. in Music Theory a\-ailable, based on were deciding how to use the matching level of excellence that we have now application and audition. The University of Oregon is nn eqiinl endo~cmentmoney from the Knight achieved. opportilnity, affirnzative acfion instif~itio~z Chair (see page 21, how to reinvigorate For informahon, contact corrlrnitted to culfural ditlersity our systems of communication, and a nnd compliance with the general radidation of the basic values Americans ivith Disabilities Act. of this school articulated in our mission This pliblicatioi~id1 be iilncle imilable in statement: ". dedicated to the enrich- acccssil~lrforr~zat~zipon rrqiiest. ment of the human mind and spirit or call: (541)346-1164 ~~ ~ - its top performances of the season. ESTIVAL OF TH Zimbleman praised the effort of the band, saying: "From mv perspective, it ILLENNIU ETS svas the best performalice of our Classic Rock show. \.\%at a great Tvay to end the ARTISTRY trip and the season." T~venty-tsvoconcerts in nineteen The Ducks, of course, beat the 12th- days, including premieres of more than ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers 21- thirty nelv ~vorks:a full plate by any 20. One of the rising stars for the team is Bassoon/theory search also underway standard, and a veritable banquet for sophomore quarterback Joev Harring- contemporary music lovers, as the ton, ~vhois also an excellent jazz pianist it11 the announcement last year that has been featured in articles in the School of Music's Festival of the Millen- at the School of Music. UO Assistant of a S1 million gift to endo~vthe Chronicle of Higher Education and in nium presented a rich assortment of Professor Gary Versace, in fact, xvas a Robert Trotter faculty chair, the School of Electronic Musician. music and artists November 1-22. Corn- factor in Harrington's decision to attend Music also qualified for a matching Electronic music is an increasingly poser George Crumb xvas in residence Oregon, where he could pursue his in- grant for a Knight Endowed Chair, important part of the music curriculum the third xveek of the festival, ~vhich terest in jazz. funded by a university-wide grant from at the School of Music, according to featured music by him and son David Praise for the Oregon Marching Philip Knight. Stolet. "In contrast to the traditional Crumb, including some premieres. Band came from many quarters. Robert Dean Anne Dhu McLucas held a concert hall performance, we are living Director Robert Kyr said "the festi- Tile Oregon 12/lnrciii~zgBmzd rnllles the crosud m the filznl rnoiileizts offhe Surz BOW/ Gonzalez, the OMB's liaison/host in El number of meetings and discussions in a time when music is experienced val couldn't have gone better; the music- Paso, spoke highly of the band's polite with the faculty to explore the various principally with other arts or ~vithex7- making lvas world class, the audiences and professional behavior (not always in ways the Knight Chair might best be eryday life events," says Stolet. "Most were large and enthusiastic, and the evidence from previous bands at the Sun used. The deci- notably, sound level of creativity was inspiring!" Bo~vl).Minnesota's director of public sion was made and sight have Media coverage of the festival rvas he Oregon Marching Band, under bowl, if one should come. relations went out of his way to compli- this fall to split been brought strong, and the quality of the music its neTv director Todd Zimbelman Due to a scarcity of charter planes, ment the fine, tight sound of Oregon's the funds into together into a drew raves from patrons and media. (UO 1992), continued its legacy of excel- the OMB didn't leave Eugene until two band. And late in the football game, an two Knight pro- more complete Assistant Dean Janet Stewart, ~vho lence on and off the field this year, cul- days before the Sun Bo~vlgame-and El Paso band director and band booster fessorships: one experiential attended the majority of the concerts, minating in a crisp, professional job at were two hours late out of Eugene due took microphone in hand and told the enables Assis- continuum. To said "I have never felt so encouraged the Sun Bowl in El Paso. It was the to fog at the airport. Consequently, the OMB that they rvere "the best Pac-10 tant Professor confirm this, about the future of music . there were eighth bowl appearance for the Ducks in band had virtually no free time for sight- band to play in El Paso in many years." Jeffrey Stolet, one needs only some absolutely spellbinding moments." the past eleven years, including trips to seeing and recreation in El Paso. The UO Athletic Director Bill Moos ech- who heads our to consider how And some of those spellbinding the Rose Bo~vl,Cotton Bowl, Las Vegas Minnesota Marching Band shared a oed those sentiments: "The Oregon electronic music often Jve par- moments ~vererecorded by Joel Gordon Bo~vl,and last year's Aloha Bowl. Wednesday evening dinner with the Marching Band is a big part of the color program, to go take of music of WGBH to be featured on "Art of the Bowl appearances have become OMB at the Cattleman's Steak House, and pageantry that has become synony- from half time to through televi- States," an a~vard-~vinningprogram that such a regular event in recent years that and performed with the Ducks at a mous ~vithOregon football.