Composition
On March 20, Thompson Jazz Big Bands will celebrate the impact and influence of Associate Professor of Jazz Studies Paul McKee who retires this year. In this tribute, Professor of Jazz Studies John Gunther—who directs our Thompson Jazz Studies Program—reflects on the remarkable career and contributions of the world-renowned jazz trombonist, arranger, composer and educator.
A wealth of influences coexist in Pelta-Tiller’s ambitious, experimental approach to music. A master’s candidate in jazz performance + pedagogy at our College of Music, her creative evolution to date will culminate in a show at Dazzle Denver on March 11.
Since 2019, the 91´«Ă˝ College of Music’s annual Persevering Legacy events have showcased works by women composers, including those from historically marginalized groups. This year's concert and master class are no different: Join us on March 4 and 6!
On Feb. 26 and 27, the College of Music’s annual Genevieve McVey Wisner Lectureship will feature trailblazing composer, musician and sound installation artist Raven Chacon. Even as he tackles weighty questions in his work, Chacon also finds power and joy in the ability to create—a boon he looks forward to sharing during his residency. “No matter what our occupation or how we spend our daily lives, we should be conscious of the work we can do to improve upon justice and the way we treat each other,” says Chacon, the first Native American to win the Pulitzer Prize for music.
Graduate students Nicholas Felder and Ian Gunnarschja recently received grants to support innovative projects that advance equity in music and wellness among neurodiverse musicians.
With support from a 91´«Ă˝ Center for Humanities & the Arts grant, the Chicago-based ~Nois Saxophone Quartet returned to the College of Music as guest artists in our Faculty Tuesdays series and SoundWorks series. Says Composition Chair Carter Pann, “These guys increase the learning horizon tenfold.”
College of Music Jazz Studies Lecturer Matt Smiley has been awarded a MacDowell Fellowship enabling him to advance his compositional goals by exploring the intersection of jazz and contemporary classical music, and embracing improvisation and innovative composition techniques that challenge the boundaries of both genres.
At the 91´«Ă˝ Entrepreneurship Center for Music, students can find the skills and tools they need for their music careers. This spring, the ECM awarded $5,820 in grants to support eight student-led professional development and community engagement projects.
The College of Music’s 2024 New Opera Workshop (CU NOW) is underway, leading up to performances of Gene Scheer’s “Polly Peachum”—as well as performances of opera scenes presented by our Composer Fellows’ Initiative—in June.
Join us on March 7 for student performances celebrating women-identifying composers.