December

The Return of Keystone Wind Ensemble

What would bring 60 musicians back to the IUP campus for a weekend of rehearsals and a culminating performance in Fisher Auditorium? The return of Jack Stamp (BS’76), director of Bands at IUP from 1990 until 2015, and the first performance of the Keystone Wind Ensemble in almost eight years!

November

Wong Doe Releases “Perspectives” Recording on Rattle Records

IUP piano professor Henry Wong Doe recently released “Perspectives,” an album of six newly commissioned piano works by New Zealand composers on the Rattle Records label.

Wong Doe Performs at Princeton University

IUP piano professor Henry Wong Doe performed on the Princeton Sound Kitchen series at Princeton University on Tuesday, November 14.

IUP Community Music School Instructors Present Recitals

Two IUP Community Music School instructors, Leo Prezioso, saxophone, and Laura Hopf, also saxophone, will present senior recitals in November.

October

Collins Tours TN and AR with Brass Mammoth

Zach Collins, professor of tuba and euphonium, completed a tour of Tennessee and Arkansas with professional tuba-euphonium quartet, Brass Mammoth in October 2023.

Trumpet Professor Emeritus and Students Attend Italian Trumpet Festival

Kevin Eisensmith, retired professor of trumpet at IUP, and seven members of the IUP trumpet studio recently returned from a one-week trumpet festival held in Orvieto, Italy.

September

New Zealand Pianist Wooding Performs Guest Piano Recital

Liam Wooding, a doctoral candidate at the University of Waikato, New Zealand, and a Fulbright Scholar at the University of California–San Diego, will perform a solo piano recital on Monday, October 2, at 7:30 p.m. in Gorell Recital Hall (second floor of Sutton Hall). Admission is free.

August

IUP String Project Accepting Applications for Fall 2023 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. 

Two Music Alumni Appointed to University Faculty Positions

The IUP Department of Music congratulates alumni Sarah Hetrick and Wilson Poffenberger on their new university positions.

Music Department Hosts 2023 Summer Camps

The Department of Music hosted two successful camps in June 2023. The second annual IUP Summer Music Camp was held June 12–16, and the Drum Major and Leadership Academy, which rebooted in 2022, was held June 26–30.

July

Emeritus Professor Bird Receives Lifetime Honor

Gary Bird, emeritus professor of Music at IUP, was recently given the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Tuba and Euphonium Association. The award was presented at the 2023 International Tuba and Euphonium Conference, held at Arizona State University.

April

Area Musical Features IUP Musicians

Bishop McCort Catholic High School recently presented Stephen Sondheim's musical "Anyone Can Whistle." Several people, including the assistant dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, a current student, and numerous alumni, served as members of the pit orchestra.

IUP Community Music School Spring Performances

The IUP Community Music School is pleased to announce its end-of-semester/year performances for all ensembles, as well as two recitals of private lesson students.

March

Local Musical Production Features IUP Alumni Talent

The IUP Department of Music was well represented in the pit orchestra for Conemaugh Township's recent production of "Footloose."

February

IUP Alumnus Sicheng He to Perform Solo Recital

IUP Masters of Arts in Performance graduate SIcheng He will give a solo recital this Friday, March 3, 7:00 p.m., Gorell Recital Hall (2nd floor of Sutton). The program will include works by Scarlatti, Haydn, Liszt, Guarnieri, and Stockhausen. Admission is free.

Symphony Orchestra to Perform at Calvary Presbyterian Church

The IUP Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Rebekah K. O'Brien, offers an evening of music at Calvary Presbyterian Church on Friday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m. The concert will feature works by Verdi, Elgar, Franck, and Saint-Saens, with the world premiere of "Refuge(e) for Organ and Orchestra" by Roger Zare and performed by IUP organist Christine Clewell. The performance is free and open to the public.

Accepting Applications for IUP Honor Orchestra Festival, Mar. 25

The IUP Symphony Orchestra and String Area is hosting an IUP Honor Orchestra Festival on Saturday, March 25, directed by our new IUP Symphony Orchestra director, Professor Rebekah O’Brien.

Department of Music Thankful for Opportunity to Celebrate Black History Month

Wednesday evening, under the direction of Moses Phillips, the IUP Chorale and the IUP Chorus had the opportunity to perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” with words by James Weldon Johnson and music by John Rosamond Johnson, at the IUP basketball game. As a prelude to the “Star-Spangled Banner,” the performance of “Lift Every Voice” was intended to recognize and celebrate the contributions of African Americans during Black History Month.

January

Denison Presents at District 6 Music Educators Event

In January 2023, Craig Denison presented his lecture, "Finding Meaning in Boys’ Singing," at the PMEA District 6 Professional Development Day.

Music Faculty to Perform in Pittsburgh January 22

Laura Ferguson, professor of Music Education, will perform with her jazz combo, Laura Ferguson and Friends, on Sunday, January 22, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Con Alma Jazz Club at 6th St. and Penn Ave. in Pittsburgh.

Music Alumnus Honored by United States Navy

2016 Department of Music graduate, Petty Officer 2nd Class Brenden Goff, was recently recognized by the United States Navy with the Blue Jacket of the Year award. Goff is a flutist in the US Fleet Forces Band in Norfolk, Virginia.