Posts Tagged Arthur Satz Department of Music

Rochester Fringe Festival is one of the fastest growing in the United States, with performances from many University students, faculty, and staff. Six of those performers share what makes Fringe special.

In her new role in the Department of Music, Rachel Waddell encourages people to “listen to classical music in a different way,” connecting an upcoming performance of Antonin Dvořák’s New World Symphony to issues of immigration, and the meaning of “home.”

John Covach, director of the University’s Institute for Popular Music, remembers the pop and rock values of Tom Petty. “Petty was not a new waver after all, but rather someone moving forward by looking back.”

The familiar sound of the bells in tower of Rush Rhees Library will be silenced for the next few weeks, while parts of the Hopeman Memorial Carillon are under restoration.

Rachel Waddell, director of orchestral activities, conducts a brass and percussion ensemble composed of Department of Music students as they perform Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man to mark the beginning of classes. (University photo / J. Adam Fenster)

Waddell joins the faculty of the Department of Music as the director of orchestral activities. She will teach and also conduct both the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras.

In an op-ed for Newsweek, Professor John Covach marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic album, noting that only the Beatles could have released such a musically adventurous and experimental work.

“Ironically, an album that might not strictly speaking have been a concept album ended up being the most influential concept album in the history of rock music,” says John Covach, professor of music and director of the University’s Institute for Popular Music.

How do you learn to play an instrument comprised of 50 bells that lives at the top of a library tower? Practice, practice, practice. A student team has finished building a new digital carillon that will allow students to learn to play tough pieces while hearing real carillon sounds.

Students on River Campus celebrate the last day of classes with a performance by the chamber orchestra, conducted by David Harman, of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture on the steps of Rush Rhees Library. The performance marked the final conducting appearance by Harman, who is retiring this semester. Richard Feldman, who is also retiring this year as dean of the college, performed the cannon solo.