The Eastman School of Music, of the University of Rochester, officially began its Centennial Celebration July 1, 2021. Eastman’s 100 years of history and 18-month-long celebration has included more than 50 new compositions, world premieres, and centennial fanfares written specifically for Eastman’s ensembles, Eastman’s illustrious faculty, and more.
As part of Eastman’s centennial celebrations, the Eastman School of Music has announced the creation of the “Eastman Centennial Award”. Throughout the 18-month celebration, Eastman is presenting Centennial Awards to 100 select individuals who exemplify the school’s mission and legacy through their commitment to artistry, scholarship, leadership, community engagement, and philanthropy.
Several individuals were presented with awards during the 2021-2022 academic year, in conjunction with a special appearance, world-premiere or other noted performance or appearance as part of Eastman’s Centennial. They included: Gene Bertoncini, Julia Bullock ‘09E, Roy Ernst, Lance Reddick ‘22E (Honorary Degree), Maria Schneider ‘85E (MM), Joseph Schwantner, Leigh Howard Stevens ‘75E, Augusta Read Thomas, Jeff Tyzik ‘73E, ‘77E (MM).
The remaining individuals will be celebrated throughout Meliora Weekend 2022, taking place September 29-October 2nd.
For a full list of the awardees, please visit the centennial website.
The three-semester-long Eastman Centennial celebration began in Fall 2021 and continues throughout 2022. Highlights include acclaimed guest artists performing alongside Eastman’s ensembles; national academic and music conferences; alumni events throughout the country; “100 Years of Eastman: WXXI Documentary Preview and Conversation” and more.
For up-to-date information on the Eastman Centennial, including feature stories, future events, videos, testimonials, ways to engage and support, and more, please visit our Centennial website at https://www.esm.rochester.edu/100.
Media only: Jessica Kaufman, Director of Communications,
(585)278-4743, jkaufman@esm.rochester.edu
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About Eastman School of Music:
The Eastman School of Music was founded in 1921 by industrialist and philanthropist George Eastman (1854-1932), founder of Eastman Kodak Company. It was the first professional school of the University of Rochester. Mr. Eastman’s dream was that his school would provide a broad education in the liberal arts as well as superb musical training.
More than 900 students are enrolled in the Collegiate Division of the Eastman School of Music—about 500 undergraduates and 400 graduate students. They come from almost every state, and approximately 23 percent are from other countries. They are taught by a faculty comprised of more than 130 highly regarded performers, composers, conductors, scholars, and educators. They are Pulitzer Prize winners, Grammy winners, Emmy winners, Guggenheim fellows, ASCAP Award recipients, published authors, recording artists, and acclaimed musicians who have performed in the world’s greatest concert halls. Each year, Eastman’s students, faculty members, and guest artists present more than 900 concerts to the Rochester community. Additionally, more than 1,700 members of the Rochester community, from young children through senior citizens, are enrolled in the Eastman Community Music School.
About the University of Rochester:
The University of Rochester is one of the nation’s leading private research universities, one of only 62-member institutions in the Association of American Universities. Located in Rochester, N.Y., the University gives undergraduates exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty through its unique cluster-based curriculum. Its College, School of Arts and Sciences, and Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are complemented by the Eastman School of Music, Simon School of Business, Warner School of Education, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, School of Nursing, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, and the Memorial Art Gallery.