Creative Expressions

Grant makes some ‘Nois’ in the College of Music

Megan Maneval — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 19:19:03 +0000

Grant makes some ‘Nois’ in the College of Music Megan Maneval Tue, 11/19/2024 - 12:19

College of Music

With support from a Center for Humanities & the Arts grant, the Chicago-based Nois Saxophone Quartet returned to the College of Music as part of the Faculty Tuesdays and SoundWorks series, increasing the learning horizon “tenfold.”

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CU Boulder’s Takács Quartet celebrates 50 years

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 14:58:50 +0000

CU Boulder’s Takács Quartet celebrates 50 years Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 09/11/2024 - 08:58

College of Music

The Grammy Award-winning Takács Quartet is reflecting on a remarkable journey and the group’s founding a half-century ago.

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Angel Mollel wins regional Student Emmy Award

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 20:46:01 +0000

Angel Mollel wins regional Student Emmy Award Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/13/2024 - 14:46

College of Media, Communication and Information

When Angel Mollel enrolled in her capstone documentary class, she wanted to make a film she was proud of. She fulfilled the goal, with the added bonus of winning a regional Student Emmy Award.

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CU Boulder author Erin Block earns Colorado Book Award for poetry

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 13:58:01 +0000

CU Boulder author Erin Block earns Colorado Book Award for poetry Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 07/23/2024 - 07:58

Erin Block, e-resources metadata and reporting manager at the University Libraries, shares her thoughts on winning the 2024 Colorado Book Award for poetry and process for writing her debut poetry collection “How You Walk Alone in the Dark.”

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Nurturing young singers with new opera

Anonymous — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 19:15:10 +0000

Nurturing young singers with new opera Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 06/04/2024 - 13:15

The College of Music’s 2024 New Opera Workshop is underway, leading up to performances of Gene Scheer’s “Polly Peachum,” as well as performances of opera scenes presented by the Composer Fellows’ Initiative in June.

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Jazz program reimagines classic graduation tune

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 18:32:57 +0000

Jazz program reimagines classic graduation tune Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/23/2024 - 12:32

Ally Dever , Nicholas Goda

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WouGCI6ARI4&feature=youtu.be]

As students and families prepare for the 2024 commencement ceremony at CU Boulder on May 9, there’s a buzz of excitement surrounding a unique musical endeavor set to take center stage.

The College of Music’s Thompson Jazz Studies Program is providing this year’s graduates with new takes on the timeless rendition of Sir Edward Elgar’s "Pomp & Circumstance" theme (1901). The traditional graduation march has been reimagined in three distinct, captivating styles: Latin jazz, New Orleans funk, and big band swing.

Alongside alumni and faculty, jazz students performed and professionally recorded the three styles of the tune at Mighty Fine Productions in Denver, which are slated to make their debut during the 2024 commencement ceremony.

“The Chancellor's Office invited us to update the original version of ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ into something that would be more exciting for audiences and that acknowledges the diversity not only within CU Boulder, but also American music and culture today,” said College of Music Dean John Davis.

Dean Davis immediately reached out to John Gunther, director of the Thompson Jazz Studies Program, who in turn connected the office with Paul Mckee, an associate professor of jazz studies whose arrangements and compositions have been performed and recorded by professional and academic jazz ensembles worldwide.

“I’ve always loved a challenge,” said McKee. “It was a lot of fun trying to figure out how to take this fairly conservative piece, ‘hip it up’ a little and turn it into something that students and families might better connect with.”

In just three weeks, McKee managed to arrange all three styles. He aimed to pay respect to the original tune by making the melody recognizable, while also creating distinct variations based on musical styles that have shaped the sound of American music.

McKee’s Latin jazz arrangement draws from Cuban and Afro-Cuban styles like mambo and rumba; the New Orleans funk version will give audiences a street-beat, marching-band feel; and the final big band swing style will feature varying rhythms and solo sections for players to improvise.

“This is one of those traditions that we’ve done the same way forever; but as musicians, we never want to get stuck regurgitating the same old stuff,” McKee said. “This project teaches our students how to make music in their own way, while also giving audiences in Folsom a little more fun.”

Developing the universal musician

The reimagining of "Pomp & Circumstance" not only breathes new life into a cherished tradition but also underscores the College of Music's mission to develop universal musicians—that is, multiskilled, multifaceted musicians who are equipped for success in today's ever-evolving music industry.

At the heart of this philosophy lies the integration of real-world experiences into the music curriculum. Projects such as this offer students the chance to record in professional studio settings, while also collaborating with esteemed alumni and faculty.

Jazz Studies Director John Gunther said these experiences mirror the real-world music industry and provide students with invaluable insights into professional environments.

"When a musician goes into a studio to record, it's a different mindset than if they’re performing on stage," Gunther explained. "It requires a different kind of concentration and synchronicity with fellow musicians, so it's really great training for the students to have, especially if they choose to enter that career path upon graduation."

For the students involved, the project offered a glimpse into the careers they aspire to have. Grayson Stewart, a graduating jazz studies major who performed in the big band swing arrangement, reflected on his journey at CU:

"I think a lot about everything I've learned here at the College of Music, and everything that I'm going to use when I go into my professional career," Stewart said. “This was a great way to get that kind of experience in a setting where you have to be professional and expectations are high."

As Stewart and his fellow CU Boulder graduates prepare to take their final strides across the stage, they’ll do so to the beat of innovation and creativity exemplified by the College of Music's transformative influence on music education and beyond.

“I'm really excited to walk that stage and graduate to music that I was a part of making,” said Stewart. “It’s something I’ll always remember.”

The College of Music’s Thompson Jazz Studies Program will be shaking up this year’s commencement ceremony with new takes on the timeless “Pomp and Circumstance,” reimagined in the styles of Latin jazz, New Orleans funk and big band swing.

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Mentorship reflections and a new take on ‘Pomp and Circumstance’

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 15:51:36 +0000

Mentorship reflections and a new take on ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 03/27/2024 - 09:51

College of Music

Associate Professor of Jazz Studies Paul McKee reflects on the impact of mentorship and shares the spirit of his new, three-part arrangement of “Pomp and Circumstance” to premiere at commencement on May 9.

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Grad student brings first statewide Jamaican Choral Music Symposium to Boulder

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 18:04:11 +0000

Grad student brings first statewide Jamaican Choral Music Symposium to Boulder Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 02/12/2024 - 11:04

Mention Jamaican music to most Americans, and the pop sounds of reggae usually come to mind. But there’s much more—the wonderfully rich harmonies of choral music, hundreds of rarely heard sacred songs and folk songs that deserve more exposure. Doctoral student O’Neil Jones is about to make that happen.

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Upholding the impact and legacy of composer George Crumb

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 17:49:23 +0000

Upholding the impact and legacy of composer George Crumb Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 02/12/2024 - 10:49

College of Music

Associate Professor of Music Theory Steven Bruns and the late renowned composer George Crumb shared a close, long-lasting professional relationship and deep friendship. As Bruns nears retirement this spring, he reflects on his role as Crumb’s archivist and biographer.

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Alumni launch the Scheherazade Music Festival

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 16:25:43 +0000

Alumni launch the Scheherazade Music Festival Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 12/13/2023 - 09:25

Three College of Music alumni recently started the Scheherazade Music Festival—an incubator for innovation and connection through chamber music, pushing the art form forward and bringing performers, composers and audiences together.

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Creative Expressions

Grant makes some ‘Nois’ in the College of Music

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