Department of Music

News

Greetings of the summer from the Department of Music at Towson University.

The year ahead promises an exciting mix of concerts, master classes, lectures, and demonstrations with something for everyone from eager beginning students to seasoned connoisseurs of music. The 2013-14 academic year will mark a number of important events in the life of the department: the Baltimore Symphony premiere of the Guitar Concerto by the American composer, Jonathan Leshnoff, an evening of music by the TU Faculty Woodwind Quintet, Quintegre, Music for the Stage’s production of Marriage of Figaro through a format provocatively entitled Class Acts, and the Baltimore Trio’s celebratory moment programmed on the occasion of piano professor Reynaldo Reyes' 80th birthday.

On a personal note, I extend my appreciation to colleagues, students, donors, and friends for helping to make my first year at Towson a rewarding one indeed. Please visit us often and send us your feedback about our programs and programming; I look forward to hearing from you.

- Eileen M. Hayes, Chair

News

This spring the Handel Choir of Baltimore welcomed Dr. Arian Khaefi as its new conductor and artistic director. Khaefi assumes the post upon the retirement of the ensemble's previous director, Melinda O'Neal. Visit http://www.handelchoir.org for details about the 2013-2014 season.

In June, 20 students traveled to Oldenburg, Germany for an international exchange project called "Love Through Time." In September, students from Oldenburg University will be visiting Towson for two highly-anticipated performances in a unique combination of dancing, singing, and percussion. To claim your tickets for two limited shows, click "Events Calendar" above!

On October 12, 2013, the Department of Music will observe the 30th anniversary of Dr. Dana Rothlisberger’s tenure at Towson University. Please plan to join us for the commemorative event. Lunch tickets are $20.00 followed by the reunion concert of the Symphonic Band at 3:00 p.m., Kaplan Hall.

Professors Jeffery Howard, Cecilia Barczyk and Reynaldo Reyes regaled audiences with a performance of works by Mozart and Smetana in April, 2013. Reyes and Barczyk congratulate Dr. Howard on his promotion to Associate Professor.

Dr. Jonathan Leshnoff, professor of Music Theory, was joined by President Marvene Loeschke, Dean Susan Picinich and Dr. Eileen Hayes for the Spring awards event recognizing all Regent's Faculty awardees in the University system. The department anticipates the premiere of Leshnoff's Monica's Songs at Carnegie Hall in October. The song cycle is dedicated to soprano Jessica Rivera.

Senior Kellen McKay, was recognized in Spring 2013 at a special reception hosted by Dean Picinich for finalists in the Beullah Price Scholarship Competition. Congratulations, Kellen!

Senior Julie Houtz, was the 2013 recipient of the William A. Humbert Memorial Scholarship. As part of this award, she gave a solo performance of Strauss' 1st Horn Concerto (movement 1) alongside the Bel Air Community Band in June 2013.

Alumnus James Regan, former student of Dr. Kleinsasser will be attending USC's Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television graduate program this coming fall.

Alumna Corinne Winters will be featured in Wolf Trap's production of La Traviata, Summer 2013. Read more about her role in the Washington Times. (Photo from Washington Times.)

TU Foundation Scholars Luncheon
Department Tigers were honored at a special luncheon held on April 26, 2013.

Pictured left to right, front: Sarah Eastman, Kaitlyn Ferrell, Lindsay Spiegel, Ashley Ashman, donors Professor Barczyk and Frances Borowski; Professor Hayes;
Left to right, back: Kellen McKay, Christy Senita, Sarah Koogan, Mellonee Early, Scott Winter.

More than 50 music majors received scholarships during the academic year. Congratulations, all!

The Department of Music congratulates Professors Lonnie Hevia who recently received his DMA in Composition from the Peabody Conservatory, N. Scott Robinson who received his Ph.D. from Kent State University and Doug Buchanan who received his doctorate from the Peabody Conservatory.

Dr. Buchanan was recently awarded Honorable Mention in the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer's Competition. He was also selected as one of the composers to participate in the St. Magnus International Festival in Orkney, Scotland, where he will work with Sally Beamish and Peter Maxwell Davies.

Kudos to Dr. Patrick Roulet whose collection Christmas Carols for the Marimba was recently published by Hal Leonard. Congratulations to Phillip Collister, musical director, Young Vic. In July, the community musical theatre company performed HMS Pinafore, a classic in the repertoire of Gilbert & Sullivan.

Staff member Debbie Walker, received her University Business Certificate in the spring. John Spivey represented the department this summer at the InfoComm 2013 Conference in Orlando, Florida.
In July, Michael Decker represented Baltimore at the Conference of Professional Musicians as well as the Triennial International Conference of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada.

Department of Music
Center for the Arts, Room # 3095 (map)
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Phone: 410-704-2839
Fax: 410-704-2841