The University of Akron School of Music

12/23/2023

Merry TubaChristmas from over 500 tuba players and a full house at E.J. Thomas Hall!

12/20/2023

Congratulations to Dr. Marie Bucoy-Calavan on her work this month at the Kennedy Center! Dr. Bucoy-Calavan conducted her debut performance in the Kennedy Center with the Choral Arts Society of Washington in their Christmas concerts “O Night Divine." She received a well-deserved standing ovation after working with players from the National Symphony Orchestra and various US military bands. She has one more performance on Christmas Eve if you happen to find yourself in the DC area!

12/16/2023

The School of Music is proud of this group of newly minted music education graduates. We cannot wait to witness the amazing things ahead and wish you well in your next chapter. Go Zips! 💙💛

12/16/2023

We're just one week away from TubaChristmas! We want all the tuba players in northeast Ohio to join us at 9 a.m. for registration and rehearsal, and the rest of Akron to join us for the free concert at 12 p.m., all in E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall!

12/13/2023

BassoonaRoo had a busy week! They were at Medina County Library, Hower House, and Concordia Retirement Center spreading all the Christmas cheer!

12/11/2023

Our hearts are broken as we remember one of our Tuba/Euphonium studio’s accomplished alumni. Lance LaDuke was a performer and teacher of the highest caliber who inspired and entertained so many.
Rest in peace, dear friend. Forever, Go Zips!

12/09/2023

School of music student pianists Faith Collins and Susan Groggs, along with Dr. Mayumi Kikuchi, were fortunate to travel yesterday to New York City with President Dr. Gary Miller, Mrs. Georgia Miller, SOM Director Dr. Marc Reed, and members of the UA Arts Advancement Council where they toured Steinway & Sons factory before giving a stellar performance at Steinway’s midtown NYC showroom. Collins, Groggs, and Kikuchi played beautifully and we are incredibly proud!

12/09/2023

We're just two weeks away from the biggest tuba holiday of the year - TubaChristmas! Tuba players of all ages and abilities are invited to join the ensemble on December 23 at 9 a.m. for registration ($10) and rehearsal. The FREE concert will be in E.J. Thomas Hall at 12 p.m.! Be sure to bring your jingle bells!

12/08/2023

Saxophone students of Dr. Todd Gaffke will present a recital tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. in Guzzetta Recital Hall, free and open to the public.

12/06/2023

We're still reeling after this past weekend's Ohio Band Directors Conference and were blown away not only by the talent displayed by participating high school band students but by the educators who made the weekend possible. We send our heartfelt gratitude to UA's assoicate professor of music education, Dr. Christine Russell; OBDC All-Star Band conductor, Dr. Scott Lubaroff, OBDC Honor Band Conductor; and William Owens, OBDC Guest Composer. The UA bands also presented stellar performances by the UA Concert Band and Wind Symphony, conducted by director of bands Dr. Galen S. Karriker, and the UA Symphony Band, conducted by assistant director of bands, Dr. Gretchen Pohlman-Bassett.

12/05/2023

Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach (ORMACO) and the Medina County District Library present Akron-based bassoonist Cynthia Cioffari and the University of Akron BassoonaRoos on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at the Medina County District Library, 210 South Broadway Street, Medina, OH 44256, in a lively performance of holiday favorites, including selections from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and jazz-inspired arrangements.

The program is free, but registration is recommended at www.ormaco.org.
For more information call 419-853-6016

12/05/2023

The UA School of Music kicked off the holiday season with the UA Choirs and Brass Choir in 'Tis the Season last night! Joined by jazz professor Theron Brown, dance chair Colleen Barnes, and string professor Nora Willauer, students had so much cheer that Santa even made a visit!

12/04/2023

Thank you to all who attended the Ohio Band Directors Conference this weekend! We were privileged to hear young musicians showcase their work and honor some well-deserving music educators along the way. Congratulations to OBDC guest composer William Owens, OBDC guest conductor Scott Lubaroff, and Hall of Fame recipient Laurie Lafferty.

12/04/2023

Students of Dr. James Wilding and Dr. Robert Brownlow will present a concert of original works tomorrow evening at 7:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (50 N. Prospect St.). Join them to hear their compositions!

12/03/2023

It's December, and that means TubaChristmas is almost here! Plan to join us for a free holiday extravaganza with low brass of all kinds on December 23 at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall at 12 p.m.! Tuba players of all abilities and ages are welcome to join the ensemble at 9 a.m. for a $10 registration fee. Happy TubaChristmas!

12/02/2023

Join the UA Choirs and Brass Choir tomorrow, December 3, at 5 p.m. for 'Tis the Season! This Kulas Concert Series performance is free and will be at First Congregational Church (292 E Market St.). We look forward to celebrating the holidays with you!

12/01/2023

We are hiring! The UA School of Music is in search of an Assistant Professor of music education. See the job listing and apply here: https://uakron.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UACareers?q=music

12/01/2023

The Ohio Band Directors Conference is here! It kicks off tonight with a UA Faculty Recital, followed by a plethora of UA and high school bands tomorrow. All performances are free. Find the full schedule at www.uakron.edu/bands/obdc.

11/30/2023

'Tis the Season is coming on Sunday, and we're excited to kick off our holiday season with you! Join the UA Choirs and Brass Choir for a free Kulas Concert Series performance on December 3 at 5 p.m. at First Congregational Church (292 E Market St.).

11/30/2023

As we welcome musicians and band directors on campus for the Ohio Band Directors Conference, we want to share a few parking details.

On Friday, Lot 27 (surface lot across from Guzzetta Hall) and Lot 26 (North Parking Deck) will be available for guests coming to campus.

On Saturday for the OBDC Conference concerts, patrons are instructed to park in either Shrank Deck (Lot 37) or the South Campus Deck (Lot 36).

We are excited to see you and share some wonderful music!

11/30/2023

Thankful for Dr. Snider and all our dedicated applied faculty!

11/29/2023

We are hiring! The UA School of Music is in search of an Assistant Director of Bands/Director of Athletic Bands. See the job description and apply here:
https://uakron.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UACareers?q=music

11/29/2023

The Ohio Band Directors Conference is almost upon us! The UA Concert Band and Symphony Band present a preview of their OBDC concert on Wednesday, November 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Guzzetta Recital Hall. This concert is free and open to the public. Can’t make it in person? Catch the livestream here: https://youtube.com/live/llFClBwn45o?feature=share

11/29/2023

The OBDC guest conductor has arrived! William Owens is a seasoned music educator and very active as a composer, clinician and conductor throughout the United States and Canada. His compositional style for young ensembles displays a keen, practical approach which has firmly established him as a leader in the field. We're honored to be able to work with him this weekend during the Ohio Band Directors Conference.

11/28/2023

OBDC guest composer has arrived! William Owens is currently working with the Jackson students on site and the high school. We’re excited to get him back on campus!

11/28/2023

As we prepare for the Ohio Band Directors Conference this weekend, we would like to offer heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Laurie Lafferty, the 2023 OBDC Hall of Fame Recipient.

Dr. Lafferty is Professor Emeritus at The University of Akron. She has served in Ohio schools for over 20 years and as an adjudicator for OMEA events for over 30 years. This award is well-deserved and we are pleased to present her with this honor.

11/28/2023

We're hiring! Check out this job post:

https://uakron.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UACareers/job/Akron-Campus/Music-Instructor-Arts-Academy_JR100781

11/27/2023

Our holiday concerts start with a Kulas Concert Series performance: 'Tis the Season! Join us for this free concert on Sunday, December 3 at 5 p.m. at First Congregational Church (292 E Market St.) with the UA Brass Choir and vocal Choirs!

11/27/2023

UA's New Music Ensemble presents their fall concert tomorrow evening at 7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public!

11/26/2023

We're back on campus tomorrow with our woodwind students! Tomorrow evening at 7:30 p.m., Woodwind Night kicks off the rest of the semester in Guzzetta Recital Hall. Free and open to the public!

11/24/2023

We have an exciting Monday coming up! Assistant principal bassoon of The Cleveland Orchestra will lead a masterclass with UA's BassoonaRoo at 3:30 p.m., open to all high school bassoonists! The masterclass will be followed by a concert at 7:30 p.m. in Guzzetta Recital Hall featuring the UA woodwind area. All free!

11/23/2023

Happy Thanksgiving! Today, we're thankful for all the students, staff, faculty, and alumni who have made music in Guzzetta Hall and beyond.

11/22/2023

And with that, we're on Thanksgiving break! We wish everyone safe travels and a restful holiday!

11/21/2023

The UA percussion ensemble presents their fall recital tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Guzzetta Recital Hall. Free and open to the public!

11/20/2023

Students of Dr. Christopher Blaha present a recital on Monday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church ( 50 N. Prospect St.). Free and open to the public.

11/19/2023

Tonight! Students of Dr. Todd Gaffke present a recital of saxophone music on Sunday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Guzzetta Recital Hall. Free and open to the public.

11/17/2023

Students of Dr. Lauren Rudzinskas present a recital of trombone music at 7:30 p.m. on November 18 in Guzzetta Recital Hall. Free and open to the public!

11/16/2023

Kick off your holiday season with opera! UA Opera/Lyric Theatre presents Amahl and the Night Visitors, a story of a young boy who meets the three wise kings looking for a very special baby. You can see the show on Friday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m. or Saturday, November 18 at 3 p.m. Both performances are free and will be held in Sandefur Theatre in Guzzetta Hall.

11/15/2023

It's not too late to register for UA Clarinet day on Sunday, November 19! Free concerts, workshops, and guest artists all day for all high school clarinet players!

11/15/2023

We are deeply saddened and are keeping the Tusky Valley community in our thoughts.

The thoughts and prayers of our entire music education community are with the Tusky Valley Trojan Community today.
Valley Band