ROCHESTER, N.Y.—For the typical orchestra, commissioning, acquiring, rehearsing and performing contemporary concert music is a complex process—it’s more expensive to produce, requires longer rehearsal time and is harder to sell to established audiences, which leads to a disconnect between professional orchestral musicians and composers. Why does this disconnect exist? Does it have to be this…
Rochester, NY — One of the most intriguing friendships in music history existed between composers Dmitri Shostakovich and Mieczyslaw Weinberg. What began as a teacher-pupil relationship blossomed into 30 years of deep friendship, mutual respect, and rich exchange of ideas. In honor of the 10th anniversary of the death of Weinberg and the 100th anniversary…
The following address was delivered by Alan "Buz" Kohan (BM ’55, MM ’56), after he was presented with Eastman’s Alumni Achievement Award. Thank you very much for this honor. Many years ago, I wrote a line for George Burns in a television special. He was 95 years old at the time and the line went,…
The Eastman School of Music 81st annual commencement ceremony for undergraduate and master’s degree students will begin at 11:15 a.m., Sunday, May 21 at the Eastman Theatre, 60 Gibbs St. (The doctoral commencement ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 20.) More than 200 students will receive their degrees. Commencement Speaker Alan…
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-Winning a position within a professional orchestra is the goal of many instrumental music performance majors. But what happens after they win? Are expectations among today’s students comparable to expectations from five, 10, or 20 years ago? Do today’s professionals feel they were adequately prepared to deal with the realities of working as a…
Rochester, N.Y. — The ViM Saxophone Quartet — composed of Eastman juniors Kristin Rarick, Michael Matlock, Dimitrios Kostaras, and Richard Miserendino — has recently won two major chamber music competitions of national repute: the Fischoff National Chamber Music Association Competition in Notre Dame, Indiana, and the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Competition in Austin, Texas.…
ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Many of the students in the Rochester City School District (RCSD) with the potential, interest and motivation to pursue advanced musical studies have limited financial means for private music lessons. Since 1997, Eastman Pathways—a collaborative partnership between the RCSD and the Eastman School of Music—has helped to fill this community need by offering quality…
ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Dr. Donna Brink Fox, Eisenhart Professor of Music Education at the Eastman School of Music, has been named interim Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. An acclaimed music educator, as well as a highly respected musician, scholar, and administrator, Fox will work closely with the School’s faculty and administration in areas such as curriculum,…
ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Two select Eastman School of Music students will represent the School in the prestigious Conservatory Project of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The talents of pianist Xi Zhang and violinist Bin Huang will be showcased on Tuesday, May 2 at 6 p.m. in the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theatre as part…