Rochester Review
July–August 2010
Vol. 72, No. 6
Story as a PDF
Departments
Class Notes
The Eastman School of Music
1963
Composer Vincent Frohne (PhD) completed his first work for solo classical guitar, Peireus, op. 52. Vincent writes that the work came about at the suggestion of Brad DeRoche ’05 (DMA), who asked him to write a work for guitar that could have its premiere at the Western Illinois Guitar Festival. Vincent completed the composition in January, and Brad performed it at the April festival. Vincent was also invited to take part as an American ambassador to the World Forum in August at St. John’s College of the University of Cambridge. The forum, sponsored by the American Biographical Institute, began five years ago to bring together people from around the globe, representing a variety of professions, for discussion and learning.
1970
Geary Larrick (MM) has published an article, “Significant Recent Scholarship,” in the spring 2010 issue of the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors Journal.
1975
Janet Graves-Wright (MM) has been named director of outpatient services at the Treatment and Learning Centers, a nonprofit in Rockville, Md., that offers programs for people with learning disabilities.
1978
Steven Smith (DMA), a pianist and professor of piano at Penn State, writes: “I have immersed myself in a Beethoven project, resulting in the first five recitals of a series of 11 called Piano Masterworks of Beethoven, performed at the University Park campus. The more-or-less chronological series explores all 32 sonatas and, for each program, one major non-sonata (variation, rondos, bagatelles) work.” Steven adds that he performed Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto with the Nittany Valley Symphony last September; Schumann’s Liederkreis, op. 24 with tenor Richard Kennedy last December; and César Franck’s Sonata in A Major with violinist and Eastman professor of violin Charles Castleman in a March guest recital at University Park. Steven also delivered a lecture recital on “Beethoven and the High School Student” for the Pittsburgh Piano Teachers Association and the Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association last November.
1979
Diane Abrahamian ’86 (MM), the vocal music teacher and choral director at Penfield High School, near Rochester, presented “Music Literacy Through Effective Sight-Singing Practices” at the annual Rochester Area Council Administrators of Music Education Music Workshop Day in January. Diane was also the guest conductor for the 2010 Finger Lakes All-County Vocal Jazz Ensemble. . . . Trumpeter Pam Fleming performed at the Rochester International Jazz Festival in June with the blues and roots ensemble Hazmat Modine. Pam performed on the group’s debut CD, Bahamut (Barbes), released in 2006, and adds that she has been working with the group on a new CD, Cicada (Barbes), that will be released later this year and features Natalie Merchant, the Kronos String Quartet, and the Gangbe Brass from Benin in West Africa.
1981
Steven Smith ’83 (MM) has been named music director of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra in Richmond, Va. Steven was the director of the Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.
1986
Diane Abrahamian (MM) (see ’79).
1999
Lukas Hurwitz has been named sales and marketing manager at Inovonics, a manufacturer of radio broadcast equipment based in Felton, Calif., near Santa Cruz.
2001
Penny Johnson ’03 (MM) writes: “I am happy to report that I have been admitted to the College Examiners for the Royal Conservatory of Music. I live in Toronto, where I teach piano, and am a contributing author for the Glenn Gould Foundation.” . . . Jennifer Pascual (DMA) sends a photo and an update. She married Robert Evers in August 2009 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Jennifer has been the director of music and Robert has been the music administrator at St. Patrick’s since 2003. Eastman organ professor David Higgs performed at the wedding.
2002
Brian Hermanson has accepted the position of executive director of the San Luis Obispo Symphony Orchestra in California. He was executive director of the Cobb Symphony Orchestra in Kennesaw, Ga.
2003
Liana Koteva Kirvan (MM), a violinist with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, writes: “I am one of the founding members of the Argos piano trio, along with my husband, Lars Kirvan, a cellist with the RPO. After many months of auditioning for a new pianist, we are happy to announce the newest member of our group, pianist Chiao-Wen Cheng—a fantastic, award-winning musician and doctoral student at the Eastman School, where she is the teaching assistant of Barry Snyder ’66, ’68 (MM).”
2005
Brad DeRoche (DMA) (see ’63).
2006
Jeffrey Stephenson, who has been playing English horn with the Florida Symphony Orchestra in St. Petersburg this year, has been selected as the permanent horn player, beginning with the 2010–11 season.
