Birdsongs of a Necromancer is a digital-only album recorded during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. It is an attempt to create presence through absence, in spite of absence, to spite absence. The eight tracks are fully improvised, each featuring a different quartet of NC-based improvisers, with everyone recording their parts in their own homes. In a review in Indyweek, writer Chris Vitiello asserts "Quarantine itself can be said to be a fifth member of the… read more about Dan Ruccia's (Ph.D. composition, 2013) group Cyanotype releases its second album »
Invisible Ritual, released by New Focus Recordings, celebrates the ongoing collaboration of violinist/composer Jennifer Curtis and multi-instrumentalist/composer Tyshawn Sorey. Curtis and Sorey have been performing as a duo for several years, as an outgrowth of a collaboration that initiated from their work together in the International Contemporary Ensemble. The album consists of eight contrasting, improvised tracks. Masterful and expressive, they demonstrate the artists' unique… read more about Invisible Ritual: Jennifer Curtis and Tyshawn Sorey »
The string quartet of French pianist/composer Marie Jaëll was written in 1875, but was never performed or published in her lifetime. In 2009, Sébastien Troester discovered her unpublished manuscript in the archives of the National and University Library of Strasbourg. The Ciompi Quartet gave the North American premiere in February of 2019 in Baldwin Auditorium, 144 years after it was written. The video (left), created by filmmaker Rodrigo Dorfman, features the Ciompi Quartet presenting the first movement of Jaëll's… read more about Ciompi Quartet Performs Marie Jaëll's String Quartet »
Budinich writes: "I had the great pleasure of working again with the choreographer Gabrielle Lamb on a virtual commission from Works & Process at the Guggenheim. As a response to the pandemic, W&P has been commissioning these short works that exist virtually on their social media and YouTube pages. Gabrielle had been dancing on a 5x8 Persian rug in her Hamilton Heights apartment during New York’s quarantine this spring, and for our piece she took the rug outside as restrictions in the city eased — with the rug… read more about "5 x 8": Newly commissioned work by composer James Budinich »
Published in 1950 after his death, the German composer Richard Strauss's composition Vier letzte Lieder ("Four Last Songs") is scored for soprano and orchestra. By 2017, University Organist and Professor of the Practice of Music Dr. Robert Parkins had transcribed for organ the fourth of the four pieces—"Im Abendrot" ("In the Twilight"). In this Sounds of Faith video produced by Duke Chapel, Dr. Parkins explains his approach to this major musical project and his… read more about Robert Parkins's organ transcription of "Im Abendrot" from Strauss's "Four Last Songs" »
Composition Fellow Brittany Green was a panelist on the Collaborative Relationships in Creating Mixed-Media Panel at the 2020 Splice Institute. As a panelist she shared her experiences and reflections and on the creative process of interdisciplinary collaborations. In response to COVID-19 restrictions, the event was held via livestream on Facebook and received over 700 views. Brittany is a North Carolina-based composer, creative, and educator. Described as “cinematic in the best sense” and “searing” (Chicago Classical… read more about Brittany Green serves as a guest panelist at the 2020 Splice Institute »
On July 10, 2020 the world lost one of its great musicians, mentors, and cultural ambassadors, and a friend of Duke University, Zimbabwean mbira master Cosmas Magaya. In North America, Europe, and Africa where he performed, he was universally loved by his following not only for his inspired virtuosity and expressivity, but for his generosity of spirit. The cause of death was the novel coronavirus.A virtuoso from an early age, Cosmas Magaya was a key player in the renowned mbira ensemble, Mhuri yekwaRwizi, led by… read more about Duke Music mourns the loss of Zimbabwean mbira master Cosmas Magaya »
Dr. Wang holds the Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from the University of Toronto, having previously earned the M.M. degree in Viola Performance (UNC Greensboro) and the M.A. in Humanities and Social Thought (New York University). The recipient of numerous grants and prizes, including the Charles Seeger Prize, Martin Hatch Prize, Wong Tolbert Prize, and Clara Henderson Prize from the Society for Ethnomusicology, she served on the SEM council as well as the Society’s Diversity Action Committee, and co-chaired the Sound Studies… read more about Ethnomusicologist Dr. Yun Emily Wang joins the Duke Music faculty »
John Brown, director of the Duke University Jazz Program and professor of the practice of music, has been named vice provost for the arts, Duke University Provost Sally Kornbluth announced today. Brown will be Duke’s first fulltime vice provost for the arts, demonstrating the university’s commitment to the arts, and building on the work led by his predecessor Scott Lindroth, who has held the position since 2007. In 2019, an arts planning group convened by Duke University President Vincent E. Price recommended the position… read more about John Brown Named Vice Provost for the Arts »
That summer, Courtney had just finished her first year at Duke. Courtney graduated in 2013 and returned to Duke in 2019 as a student in the MFA program in the Dance Department. Professor Ku said she proposed the music (the second movement of Dvořák's American Quartet) to Courtney, and "she pretty much improvised her dance for the video on the spot... moving, heartfelt and dynamic!" Ku says, "What makes Courtney special is her passion for what she does.... I know many Duke Engage students actually benefited more… read more about Music/Dance collaboration: Courtney Liu and Ciompi Quartet »
John is one of the top 14 singers in the 2nd year College Classical category in the nationwide contest. A talented composer and singer majoring in Music at Duke, he studies voice with Elizabeth Linnartz and composition with Stephen Jaffe and Scott Lindroth. read more about John Dreyer advances to the final rounds of the National Association of Teachers of Singing National Student Auditions »
The full version of this article is available at DukeStories. Scott Lindroth’s 13-year tenure as Duke’s first vice provost for the arts will soon conclude, which means the classically trained composer will have more time to bang on motorcycle engine cooling fins and other scrap metals to see what sounds they make. Yes, you read that right. A Duke faculty member for 30 years now, Lindroth has long had unusual and undefined musical ideas bouncing around in his head and little time to extract them. When… read more about A Career in the Arts »
Jokubaviciute comes to Duke from the Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA, where she has served on the faculty since 2015. She is also on the faculty at the Kneisel Hall Chamber Music School and Festival in Blue Hill, ME and is a mentoring artist at the Marlboro Music Festival in Marlboro, VT. Called “an artist of commanding technique, refined temperament and persuasive insight” by The New York Times, Jokubaviciute earned critical acclaim throughout North America and Europe when her 2010 debut recording, … read more about Pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute joins the Duke Music faculty »
Sakamoto's Rondo Americano for flute, viola, and cello won First Place in 8SW (8 Strings & Whistle) Composer Competition. 8 Strings & Whistle will premiere the piece in New York City in Fall 2020 and perform it several times throughout the next season.Minato Sakamoto is a Japanese composer from Osaka. His compositions practice the unserious seriously, fuse spontaneous and organic qualities, and demonstrate a clear connection to the past… read more about Minato Sakamoto wins 8SW Composer Competition 2020 »
Duke faculty teaching visual arts, music, and theater share how they navigated the move to online teaching. It wasn’t easy. Supplies were mailed, collaborative projects were reinvented. Transformations and solutions discovered this spring have expanded the teaching repertoire—even as we look forward to safely returning to studio and stage. Sending the Art Studio Home to Students To really see a painting, print, or drawing is to notice its details—the quality of a particular brushstroke, the subtle distinctions in hue, the… read more about How Do You Teach Art & Collaborate Remotely? »
Thandolwethu Mamba ’20 is the winner of the 2020 Louis Sudler Prize, Duke’s highest award in the arts, given every year to single out a senior with an outstanding record of achievement in the creative and performing arts. Mamba is also a Benenson Prize winner this year. He had hoped to return to Italy for “Si parla, si canta,” a summer program in opera and Italian language and culture that was transformative for him last year. Sadly for him and all the other Benenson winners, the prize had to be awarded this year… read more about Falling in Love with Opera: Thandolwethu Mamba ’20 »
The video on the left features excerpts from three students' virtual recitals. First, Angel Shi performs part of Mvt. II (Scherzo) from Widor's Suite for Flute and Piano, Op. 34; then Matt Feder plays all four parts of Pierre-Max Dubois' Quartet for four flutes (with four different personas); and finally Sarah Tan performs the multi-sectional Ballade for flute and piano by Frank Martin, with outfit changes for each section. Sarah Tan recently found… read more about Flute students get creative with online recitals »
Haoyang Yu (violin), Peter Nam (cello), and Crystal Chiu (piano) each performed their parts separately from their homes. The separate recordings were then edited together by Rick Nelson. The video on the left is an excerpt from the 4th movement of Mendelssohn's Piano Trio in D Minor. The students are taught by Professor Hsiao-mei Ku. She writes, "Through Zoom coaching sessions during the last month and a half, my chamber music… read more about Chamber Music virtual recital - Mendelssohn Piano Trio »
Congratulations to the following student award winners from Duke University units in 2020. African & African American Studies John Hope Franklin Award for Academic Excellence: Elizabeth DuBard GrantlandKarla FC Holloway Award for University Service: Beza GebremariamMary McLeod Bethune Writing Award: Jenna ClaybornWalter C. Burford Award for Community Service: Kayla Lynn Corredera-Wells Art, Art History & Visual Studies … read more about Student Honors and Laurels for 2020 »
DURHAM, N.C. -- Eighteen Duke students and alumni have been awarded Fulbright placements to teach English, study and do research abroad during the 2020-2021 academic year.The Fulbright US Student Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program, offering opportunities in over 140 countries. The Fulbright award is designed to facilitate cultural exchange and increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and those of other countries.The awards are announced on a… read more about Eighteen Duke Students And Alumni Awarded Fulbright Scholarships »
Graduate Degrees Conferred Elizabeth Anne Crisenbery, Ph.D. (Musicology) Dissertation: “Performing Fascism: Opera, Politics, and Masculinities in Fascist Italy, 1935-1941” Committee Chair: Bryan Gilliam Sarah A Curzi, Ph.D. (Composition) Dissertation piece: Lilacs: Digital Songs and Poems for Voice, Clarinet, Percussion, Electric Guitar, and Electronics Dissertation article: "Ethical Guidelines for the Design and Documentation of Wearable Technologies, Responsive Textiles,… read more about Congratulations to our 2020 Ph.D. Graduates »
Edel analyzed each section with program notes, both written and spoken. In the French section, she compared French songs by Fauré, Debussy, and Poulenc to American jazz music. The video for the Spanish set is provided on the left. Edel is a Public Policy major with minors in Music (focus in voice) and Spanish. She studies voice at Duke with Professor Elizabeth Linnartz and jazz with Professor John Brown. She plans to apply to law school after graduation.View Elizabeth Edel's recital program read more about Senior voice student Elizabeth Edel's virtual recital for Graduation with Distinction »
Majors Adam Beskind: "Views from a Music Director: Four Years of Collaborative Music-Making at Duke" (Project advisor: Pei-fen Liu)Richard Clayton Delp: "Gun Requiem" (Composition; Project advisor: Anthony Kelley)Thandolwethu Mamba: "The Musical Exploration of Nature, Romance, and Unrequited Love in Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen by Gustav Mahler and Don Quichotte a Dulcinèe by Maurice Ravel" (Project advisor: Anthony… read more about Congratulations to Our Seniors Graduating with Distinction 2020 »
Duke Music Librarian Laura Williams and Public Services Coordinator Sarah Griffin held a Zoom session for Professor Hsiao-mei Ku's violin and chamber music students on April 20, 2020. The session Listening to Music, Finding Scores, and Research Resources for Music presented new perspectives and resources for student performers. The students gained the knowledge to dig deeper into the musical works they are learning to play, honing online… read more about Virtual library resources class for student performers promotes flexible learning »
John Brown, the director of Duke University’s Jazz Program and a professor of the practice of music in the Department of Music, calls on the university art community to lead during this incredibly challenging moment. His words below, shared on March 15, inspired a broad invitation to artists in and around the Duke community to remind us why art and artists are essential. “I want Duke to be first in acknowledging the human need for art during these difficult times, and to show how we as a university are resilient. We can… read more about John Brown: “The Human Need for Art” »
Professor Ku writes: At 5:00 pm on April 15, nine students in my violin studio performed from their homes for the Duke Music Department's first virtual end-of-semester recital. We even had an audience, as parents, siblings, friends and even a couple Duke peers “showed up” to view the live performances. It was quite a moving experience for all of us. I could tell that, despite all the disadvantages of the current circumstances, my students… read more about Students in Professor Hsiao-mei Ku's violin studio share music-making in a live, virtual recital »
Music Department Awards The Julia Wilkinson Mueller Prize for Excellence in Music Robert Meese and Amber Wolf This award is named in honor of a former chair of the Department of Music and member of the Ciompi Quartet and is presented "to a graduating senior for achievement in musical performance."The William Klenz Prize in Music CompositionEren Gümrükçüoğlu, for his composition “Pareidolia” Awarded to a graduate or undergraduate student for… read more about Music Department Awards 2020 »
Thandolwethu Mamba performed Gustav Mahler’s Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Songs of a Wayfarer), a song cycle for baritone and orchestra, with the Raleigh Symphony on Saturday, March 7, at 8:00 pm in Jones Auditorium, on the campus of Meredith College. (View video of the performance to the left.) Mamba studies voice with Professor Susan Dunn at Duke, where he also participates in Opera Theater and sings in the Duke Chorale. A Music Major with a Concentration in Performance, Mamba will… read more about Senior Thandolwethu Mamba is the 2020 winner of the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra Rising Stars competition »
On April 9, members of the Duke University Wind Symphony logged into Zoom to celebrate the ensemble's graduating seniors and to share stories and memories of the 2019-2020 season. April 9 was to have been the group's final concert of the year, where seniors are typically recognized and thanked for their contributions to the group. Director Verena Mösenbichler-Bryant called the students to gather virtually to honor graduating PH.D. student (mechanical engineering) Matthew Tedesco and seniors… read more about Duke Wind Symphony celebrates its graduating seniors and the 2019-20 season »