December

Jennings Presents Virtual Master Class for Cello Students in Wisconsin and Thailand

Linda Jennings, professor of Cello in the Department of Music, was invited to present two master classes on December 4, 2020, for young cellists at UW–Whitewater in Wisconsin and in the Chiang Rai Youth Orchestra, one of the leading youth orchestra programs in Thailand.

Music Students Meet With Jazz Vibraphonist Miceli

Members of the IUP Jazz Ensemble and the IUP Percussion Studio participated recently in a Zoom clinic with Tony Miceli. Miceli is an internationally renowned jazz vibraphonist.

Jazz Ensemble Meets with Jazz Trombonist Fedchock

Members of the IUP Jazz Ensemble met recently with jazz trombonist John Fedchock on Zoom. Fedchock is acquainted with IUP, having served as the guest artist for the 2002 IUP Jazz Festival.

November

Wong Doe Presents for Pittsburgh Piano Teachers Association

IUP piano professor Henry Wong Doe gave an online presentation “Kiwis and the Keyboard” for the Pittsburgh Piano Teachers Association on Wednesday, November 18.

Voice Students Win Big at National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition

Voice students from IUP competed in the National Association of Teachers of Singing annual competition November 10–14, 2020. Listed here with their respective voice professors are this year’s winners from IUP.

Trumpet Ensemble Recital Online Nov. 19

The IUP Trumpet Ensemble will present its annual fall recital on Thursday, November 19, at 7:00 p.m. The performance was prerecorded and will air at this time on the Department of Music YouTube channel.

IUP Jazz Ensemble Presents Fall Concert

The IUP Jazz Ensemble will present its annual fall concert on Tuesday, November 17. The performance will be held in Fisher Auditorium in the Performing Arts Center on the IUP campus, and will begin at 7:00 p.m. Watch the live stream of this performance on the Department of Music YouTube channel.

October

Voice Faculty Performs Live-Streamed Concert, Nov. 1

IUP Department of Music faculty member, Raquel Winnica Young, will perform a concert as a member of  Alabaster Trio this Sunday, November 1, at 2 30 p.m. The concert will be held at the historic Mishler Theatre in Altoona,

Music Alumnus Receives Award from US Marines

Congratulations are in order for Anthony Achille (BFA ’16) for receiving an award as a member of “The Commandant’s Own,” the United State Marine Drum and Bugle Corps. Anthony was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for the arrangements he has contributed to the ensemble, which have been performed across the United States.

Music Department Presents Social Distanced Live Performance of “Trial by Jury”

Three live performances will be presented on October 23, 24, and 25 in Fisher Auditorium. Limited social-distance seating is available for IUP students, faculty, and staff only. The show will also be livestreamed on the IUP Music YouTube channel.

Music Faculty and Student Visit with Gateway High School Band

Zach Collins and sophomore music education and music performance major Kayla Holsopple presented a clinic via Google Classroom for members of the Gateway High School Wind Ensemble on October 9, 2020, sharing strategies on how to stay creative while completing school in a virtual setting.

September

Music Alumna Highlighted in National Education Magazine

Sadie Spencer (BS, Music Education, 2016) was recently interviewed by the National Association for Music Education’s Teaching Music magazine about best practices for adjudication and assessment contest opportunities.

August

IUP String Project Accepting Applications for Fall 2020 Semester

The IUP String Project, a community music education outreach program for children ages 5–18 in Indiana and the surrounding area, is now accepting applications for private lesson instruction on violin, viola, cello, and bass. Applications are due on September 1.

May

Wind Ensemble’s Performance of Omar Thomas’ “Of Our New Day Begun”

Last October, the IUP Wind Ensemble performed Of Our New Day Begun, with the composer, Omar Thomas, as guest conductor. This powerful piece, which incorporates the poignant anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” is sonically colorful, provocative, and emotional, both for the performers and the listeners. We hope our performance touches you, challenges you, and also gives you hope.

Jennings Presents Virtual Master Class for Chiang Rai Youth Orchestra Oversea Online Class Project

Linda Jennings, professor of cello in the Department of Music, was invited to present an online cello class as part of a pilot project of the Chiang Rai Youth Orchestra, one of the leading youth orchestra programs in Thailand.

String Project Students Featured in Virtual Recital

On May 16, the IUP String Project featured solo and ensemble performances by community string students for the annual Spring Student Recital. Students and teachers worked to create audio and video recordings that were presented in an online recital for String Project families and students.

Virtual Wind Ensemble Records Amazing Grace

Members of the IUP Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Timothy A. Paul, recently recorded William Himes’ arrangement of Amazing Grace.Each member recorded their own part at home, and Paul stitched the individual recordings together to create a virtual ensemble.

Collins Presents Virtual Master Class to North Hills High School Music Students

Zach Collins, professor of Tuba and Euphonium in the Department of Music, gave a master class to brass students at North Hills High School. Collins was invited by the NHHS band director, Len Lavelle, to teach flexibility studies to the students.

IUP String Project Accepting Applications for Summer Lessons

The IUP String Project, a community music education outreach program for children ages 5–18 in Indiana and the surrounding area, is now accepting applications for private lesson instruction on violin, viola, cello, and bass.

Caulder Presented with Distinguished Faculty Senate Award for Creative Arts

Stephanie Caulder, professor of oboe and chair of the Department of Music from 2014 to 2020,  recently  received  the 2019–20 Distinguished Faculty Senate Award for Creative Arts. IUP has presented the Distinguished Faculty Awards since 1969 to honor faculty members who make significant contributions to the university.

Sloan Accepts Assistantship to Study Arts Administration at Drexel University

Elizabeth Sloan has accepted a graduate assistantship at  Drexel University Westphal College of Media Arts and Design, where she will pursue a master of science in arts administration. The program at Drexel is one of the top five programs in the country for arts administration.

Shoaf to Complete Doctorate of Musical Arts at University of Utah

Countertenor Michael Shoaf has decided to pursue his doctor of musical arts in vocal performance at the University of Utah. While in Utah, Michael will focus on music from the Baroque and Renaissance eras from opera to chamber music.

Strong Selected for Master of Music Program at Jacobs School of Music

Benjamin Strong has been offered an assistantship with full tuition waiver at the prestigious Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. Benjamin will be pursuing a master of music in vocal performance studying under Metropolitan Opera and international bass, Peter Volpe.

April

Jazz Bands Meet With Alumnus Jim Self via Zoom

Members of the IUP Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble concluded their series of Zoom meetings with various guest artists by speaking with IUP alumnus James Self.

Jazz Bands Meet With Alan Baylock via Zoom

Members of the IUP Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble continued their series of Zoom meetings with various guest artists by speaking with composer/arranger Alan Baylock.

Richter to West Virginia University for DMA in Horn Performance

Bill Richter, an MA candidate in Horn Performance in the IUP Department of Music, will be attending West Virginia University in the fall to pursue a doctor of musical arts degree in horn performance. 

Chamber Singers Meet with Solo and Choral Singer

The IUP Chamber Singers, conducted by Craig Denison, met via Zoom with Luthien Brackett, who shared her path to a full-time solo and choral singing career in early and contemporary musics.

Boyle Accepted Into DMA Program at University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

Brendan Boyle, an MA in music performance candidate in the Department of Music, has been accepted into the University of Cincinnati/College–Conservatory of Music beginning in fall 2020, where he will pursue the doctor of musical arts degree with a focus in wind conducting.

Jazz Festival Guest Artist Meets with IUP Jazz Bands via Zoom

The IUP Jazz Festival had to be canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak. That didn’t prevent this year’s guest artist, trumpeter Scotty Barnhart, from meeting and interacting with the members of the IUP Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble.

March

Musicians with IUP Ties Participate in Area High School Musical

Alumni, students, and faculty of IUP Department of Music participated in Conemaugh Township High School's recent production of Guys and Dolls on March 12, 13, and 14 in the high school’s auditorium.

Celebrating the 20th Annual IUP Jazz Festival

The Department of Music presents the 20th annual IUP Jazz Festival on April 18, 2020. The Festival will be held in Fisher Auditorium in the Performing Arts Center on the IUP campus and will feature the IUP Jazz Band and the IUP Jazz Ensemble. The featured guest artist is trumpeter Scotty Barnhart, the leader of the Count Basie Orchestra. 

February

Johnstown Symphony Orchestra Concert Features Wealth of IUP Talent

The Johnstown Symphony Orchestra performed a concert titled “JSO Pops: Movies from Johnstown + Open Mic Night at the Symphony” on Saturday, February 8, 2020. The orchestra included faculty members, Kevin Eisensmith and Ronald Horner, and alumni Dennis Emert and Michael Vatavuk.

Indiana Musicale Hosts Sixth Monster Piano Concert

Indiana Musicale hosted its sixth Monster Piano Concert February 8, 2020. The concert featured 18 pianos played by 24 pre-college pianists from Indiana and neighboring counties.

Music Alumnus Named Choral Teacher of the Year in North Carolina

Congratulations are in order for IUP Department of Music alumnus Ed Yasick, Jr. who was named 2019 High School Choral Teacher of the Year by the North Carolina Music Educator’s Association High School Choral Section.

January

Recital Celebrates Clara Schumann, Pianist, Teacher, Composer

Pianist and music historian Matt Baumer will present a lecture-recital celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Clara Schumann, one of the greatest pianists of the 19th century. The recital will take place on Monday, February 10, 2020, at 7:30 p.m. in Gorell Recital Hall.

Jammin' in the Gym Invites Area Music Students to Join IUP Pep Band

The IUP Department of Music and IUP Athletics hosted the event on January 25, 2020, bringing selected high school musicians to IUP for a day-long musical event centered around Pep Band and experiencing the thrill of the combination of IUP music and basketball. 

Department of Music to Host Celebration of Women's Voting Rights

A Suffragist Soirée: Celebrating 100 Years of Voting Rights through Music and Dramatic Readings takes place on Sunday, February 2, at 3:00 p.m. in Gorell Recital Hall. Come hear the words and music of suffrage-era women, along with classical, blues, and jazz selections by courageous women composers of the suffrage era.

Music Alumnus to Present on Modern Band Techniques at National Conference

Cody Kelly (music education, M’19) will present his thesis research at the 2020 New Directions in Music Education Conference at Michigan State University this February.