Fall 2017 Interlude
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Fall 2017 Calendar Interlude and Newsletter NOTES FROM THE CHAIR Norah Duncan IV uring the 2018-2019 the quality of life. Our Declaration of been the recipients of unimaginable academic year, the Independence refers to our inalienable opportunities, such as performing Department of Music will rights, “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit at international festivals, presenting celebrate its centennial. Its of Happiness.” which make our nation original works at international Droots originate in the Detroit Junior great. We cannot be indifferent, composers’ forums, and performing College, which offered a two-year docile, passive or silent while those with summer opera companies program in general education. It who are responsible for throughout Europe. was located in Detroit’s Central High protecting and improving Recently, we have School, now known as Old Main. In the quality of life consider been the recipients of 1918 David Mackenzie, the first head cutting one of its lifelines. two generous gifts, of the Detroit Junior College decided Music is an essential The Harold and Ruth that the junior college needed a music element of education, Laudenslager Endowed department, so the search began for and like all arts, unlock Support Fund, and a department “head.” Louise Conklin, human understanding the David DiChiera a recent graduate from the University and achievement. Scholarship in Vocal of Michigan with college teaching Coming from a lower Performance. The experience, became the college’s first middle class family, I am Laudenslager Support music department head. It was during a recipient of funding Fund will support the 1918-1919 academic year that the sources like the NEA, which allowed scholarships for music students as well music program began. me the chance to learn to play an as student travel. We are planning several events to instrument and to develop a passion Early in May 2017, I received an celebrate this milestone. 100 years is for music, which makes us civilized email from Wayne Brown, President a long time. The accomplishments of and human. I ask that you be vigilant and CEO of the Michigan Opera the students, alumni and faculty are and defensive. All that we value is Theatre informing me of the too many to discuss in this newsletter, worth protecting. establishment of the David DiChiera but they have had a profound impact On the departmental level, we are scholarship, supported by the Ford on world. They are worth celebrating, developing a strategic plan, which Motor Company Fund. Dr. DiChiera and we are preparing now for next will give us direction for the future. was founder and artistic director year’s festivities. We hope to begin by developing a of the Michigan Opera Theatre. Anniversaries provide opportunities vision, which all of our stakeholders, This scholarship honors his long- to celebrate. First, it is a chance to re- alumni, students, faculty and friends standing commitment to the Detroit connect with your alma mater and its can articulate. We are responsible for community by recognizing both alumni. Secondly, it is a time to reflect developing ways for our department talent and academic achievement of on what we have been doing, our and alumni to thrive in the musical students pursuing vocal performance importance to the musical community, world in which we are living. We are and related music programs. and our successes and failures. Thirdly, reviewing our curriculum with the This issue of Interlude celebrates it provides the opportunity to consider plan to provide the training and skills, accomplishments of our students, where we are going. which will better prepare our students alumni and faculty. New to this The present national political to be successful. summer newsletter is the inclusion of climate should give us all a reason to the fall semester calendar of events. question the priorities of our country. t was not until my appointment as There are many opportunities to There has been much discussion Ichair of the music department that reconnect to WSU. It is a fine school, in Washington, DC about cutting I became aware of the generosity that has kept its mission for nearly 100 the National Endowment of the of alumni, past and present faculty years, to provide a quality education Arts (NEA) funding. We know the members and friends over the in music, which plays no small part importance and value of the musical nearly 100 years of our existence. in improving our quality of life in arts in our society, which is vital to Consequently, our students have Southeast Michigan. 1 FACULTY UPDATES: Composition faculty Dr. Jon new textbook published by Rowman jazz festival in Anderson’s work, Scatter for and Littlefield: Berton Coffin, IPA Japan. Additionally, saxophone and motion capture Kinect, and Phonetic Readings of Songs and Prof. Collins was a commissioned by Arias. She also contributed an article featured soloist and saxophonist and and several columns from her online workshop presenter WSU faculty, Dr. column “Ask Frances”, which will be at the Cremona Matthew Younglove, included in the first of a two volume International was adjudicated vocal resource entitled, “A Cantor’s Exhibition Center and selected for Handbook”, published by GIA in Cremona, Italy, and performed performance at Publishers. with the Arrigo Pedrollo Big Band in the 2017 National Vincenze, Italy. Conference of the Society for Electro Dr. Abigail Butler, Acoustic Music in the United States at Associate Professor of Vocal Music Dr. Robert St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Education, presented at the Conway, Associate Minnesota in April. Other events this International Professor of Piano, past year included a performance of Conference on was engaged in “Juliet” with the Dearborn Symphony Cultural Diversity numerous solo, Orchestra, along with presentations and Music chamber and and performances at the Music Hall Education, held in orchestra, including Center for Performing Arts, the Elaine Kathmandu, Nepal with the DSO, Jacobs Gallery, and the 2017 Michigan in March 2017. Her performances in the Metropolitan Music Conference. research explores area. Of special note were the how music teachers working with performances with cellist Stefan Koch, Ms. Frances Brockington, Associate students from diverse backgrounds of Richard Stohr’s complete works for Professor of Voice, recently served as successfully employ principles of cello and piano. the soprano soloist culturally relevant teaching in their in John Rutter’s classrooms. Dr. Joshua “Feel the Spirit” Duchan, Associate with Community Professor and Director of Jazz Studies Professor of Music Chorus and Mr. Chris Collins composed for and History, continues to Orchestra of Detroit. lead performances at the Yokohama do groundbreaking She has reviewed a Jazz Festival, the oldest and largest research on Nearly 300 music majors 7 Undergraduate and 5 Graduate Concentrations Over 100 yearly lectures and performances open to the public More than 10,000 audience members yearly ACCREDITED institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music 75 Kawai pianos, distributed by Evola Music Located WITHIN the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts in the heart of DETROIT 2 (Duchan cont’d) American popular music icon, Billy Psychology of Music, the Journal of which consists of all original music was Joel. Last October 2016, he co-chaired Research in Music Education, the released by No Remixes Records. the first ever academic conference on International Journal of Education Billy Joel’s music. Josh’s book, Billy Joel: and the Arts, the Research and Issues Lecturer of Music Business Dr. Hal America’s Piano Man was released to in Music Education journal and the Weary’s paper, Lean Six Sigma: An rave reviews June 2017. International Journal of Teaching innovative problem-solving management and Learning in Higher Education. methodology that can Dr. Noah Horn, Additionally, she presented at several be used to develop Lecturer and international, national and state careers of emerging Director of conferences. performing artists, Choral Programs, was presented at completed his Associate Professor of Jazz Studies the 2017 Music doctorate from Yale Mr. Russell Miller’s recently released and Entertainment University during new album, You Industry Educators this academic year and the Night and Association Summit in Chicago, IL. and conducted the first ever historical the Music, earned a performance in the State of Michigan great review in the Music Lecturer of Bach’s Mass in b minor as well September issue of Dr. Matthew as Jephtha, Handel’s last oratorio. the L.A. Jazz Scene. Younglove Additionally, Dr. Horn was a featured Additionally, Prof. completed his performer singing the National Miller is the newly doctorate from Anthem on Opening Day for the appointed Interim Associate Chair of Bowling Green Detroit Tigers at Ford Field. the Department of Music at Wayne State University. State University. Dr. Younglove’s Dr. Wendy saxophone ensemble Assembly Matthews, In December Quartet also released their album, In Assistant Professor 2016, Associate Search of Stillness, in February of this of Instrumental Professor of Music year. Music Education, Technology Dr. had several peer Joo Won Park’s reviewed articles new solo album, published in Modulationist, JOIN FRIENDS OF MUSIC Friends of Music is a campaign to assist with student scholarships, performances, travel expenses, faculty research, and creative activity. For as little as a $25 annual membership, you can The Department of Music Currently enrolls over support our renowned programs and receive free admission 300 students in seven undergraduate and five graduate for you and a guest to all Department of Music campus concentrations. Our students, faculty, and guest artists concerts for one year. Members also get half off when present over 100 performances yearly. All performances purchasing tickets to “Mondays at The Max” performances are open to the public and many are free. at the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center. To join Friends of Music, find the Friends of Music Donations above $25 are tax deductible and will be Registration Form at music.wayne.edu.