Latest News

Oct 7, 2024

The UCSB Department of Music is currently undergoing some major construction to make it a safer and more accessible space for students, faculty, and visitors. The upgrades focus on seismic strengthening, improving accessibility, and fixing up some older parts of the building that just need a little TLC.

• Read more about UCSB Music Department Glow-Up: Big Renovations in Progress!

Sep 30, 2024

• Read more about UCSB Graduate Students Colin Ramsey and Christina Pezzarossi-Ramsey Star in Carmen Productions

Jul 9, 2024

• Read more about In Memoriam Dr. Emma Lou Diemer

Jun 3, 2024

Recognizing excellence in music composition

• Read more about Announcing the 2024 Dorothy and Sherrill C. Corwin Awards Winners

May 10, 2024

• Read more about Opera Gala combines song, dance, multimedia and a live orchestra

Dec 5, 2023

• Read more about UCSB Music Faculty Ben Levy Extends International Dialogue on Music Theory

Apr 19, 2023

Inspiring students to pursue their passion for music composition...

• Read more about UCSB Professor João Pedro Oliveira Named 2023 Guggenheim Fellow for Music Composition

Jan 25, 2023

• Read more about Alvise Pascucci, DMA piano student awarded 1st Prize and Dr. Alan Walker Special Prize at the Los Angeles International Liszt Competition

Nov 8, 2022

• Read more about Doctoral Student Raphael Radna named winner of The Sunbeam Project Composition Competition, premiers new piece Fantasy, for flute and electronics

Oct 20, 2022

Kami Calderon '07 received her B.A. in Music at UCSB and continues to use her talents in her role as Chief Operating Officer of Clean Energy Counsel.

• Read more about Striking a Chord in Environmental Law

Oct 14, 2022

UCSB Composition shines at MA/IN International Festival

• Read more about MA/IN 2022 Awards to Department of Music Composers

Aug 15, 2022

The Department of Music, in association with the Center for Research in Electronic Art Technology (CREATE), has released Space Control, a new software application for sound spatialization.

• Read more about The Department of Music & Center for Research in Electronic Art Technology (CREATE) release Space Control : Spatial Composition Workstation

May 26, 2022

UCSB Music Department faculty recording hits the Top 20 of Billboard’s Classical Chart

• Read more about Kloetzel and Koenig’s Beethoven Conquers Papers and Airwaves

Apr 15, 2022

Alvise Pascucci wins the prestigious Franz Liszt Center Great Master Award with a perfect score.

• Read more about DMA Graduate Student Alvise Pascucci Wins Franz Liszt Center Great Master Award

Dec 9, 2021

Violinist Ertan Torgul, UC Santa Barbara Lecturer of Violin and Chamber Music, joined SOLI Chamber Ensemble for the world premiere performance of internationally acclaimed Syrian-American composer Kinan Azmeh’s Four Essays on Solitude and other Ambiguous Emotions on October 18 at the San Antonio Botanical Garden in San Antonio, Texas.

• Read more about Lecturer Ertan Torgul joins SOLI Chamber Ensemble for world premiere of work by Kinan Azmeh

Nov 24, 2021

We spoke with Dr. Sarah Gibson about the upcoming concert she will be directing for the Ensemble for Contemporary Music, titled “Stay on It.” In this video interview, she discusses her inspiration for the concert’s program, her philosophy for directing the ensemble, and what she loves most about her ensemble members.

• Read more about Dr. Sarah Gibson on the upcoming Ensemble for Contemporary Music Concert

Nov 24, 2021

We sat down with Dr. Nicole Lamartine, UCSB’s Sorensen Director of Choral Music, and asked her about her upcoming concert, UCSB Choirs by Candlelight: CLARITY. In this video interview, she discusses the concert’s venue, the inspiration behind its program and themes, and its three performing choirs.

• Read more about Dr. Nicole Lamartine discusses her upcoming concert, UCSB Choirs by Candlelight: CLARITY

Nov 23, 2021

UC Santa Barbara Lecturer Dr. Maxim Kuzin conducted two concerts, titled “Opus 57,” with the Thousand Oaks Philharmonic as one of two finalists for the position of the Music Director of the organization.

• Read more about Lecturer Dr. Maxim Kuzin conducts Thousand Oaks Philharmonic “Opus 57” Concerts

Nov 18, 2021

Professor Isabel Bayrakdarian’s most recent album, Armenian Songs for Children, has been put up for consideration for a Grammy Award nomination for “Best Classical Solo Vocal Album.” If awarded an official nomination on November 23, Armenian Songs for Children will appear in the “Best Classical Solo Vocal Album” category at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, which will take place on January 31, 2022 at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

• Read more about Professor Isabel Bayrakdarian’s album Armenian Songs for Children to be considered for Grammy Award nomination

Nov 1, 2021

Alumnus Max Jack ‘19 was appointed as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development at the Center for the History of Emotions for the 21-22 and 22-23 academic years.

• Read more about Alumnus Max Jack ‘19 named Postdoctoral Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development at the Center for the History of Emotions ^

Oct 29, 2021

Professor Benjamin Brecher, Continuing Lecturer Jon Nathan, and Lecturer Dustin McKinney will be featured in Opera Santa Barbara’s double-bill production of Giacomo Puccini’s Il Tabarro (The Cloak) and Manuel de Falla’s El Amor Brujo (Love, the Magician) on Friday, October 29 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, October 31, 2021 at 2:30 pm at the Lobero Theatre in downtown Santa Barbara.

• Read more about Professor Benjamin Brecher, Continuing Lecturer Jon Nathan, and Lecturer Dustin McKinney featured in Opera Santa Barbara’s Il Tabarro and El Amor Brujo

Oct 27, 2021

Doctoral Student Valdis Jansons was featured in Giacomo Puccini’s three-act opera La Fanciulla del West (The Girl of the West) at Teatro Grande in Brescia, Italy from September 22-26, 2021.

• Read more about Doctoral Student Valdis Jansons featured in Giacomo Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West at Teatro Grande in Brescia, Italy

Oct 12, 2021

Dr. Nicole Lamartine, UC Santa Barbara’s Sorensen Director of Choral Music, was featured in a recent story in the Santa Barbara Independent spotlighting the Santa Barbara Gay Men’s Chorus (SBGMC).

• Read more about Dr. Nicole Lamartine featured in Santa Barbara Independent story as Artistic Director of the Santa Barbara Gay Men's Chorus

Oct 5, 2021

Brandon J. Rolle is a composer and conductor who lives in Los Angeles.

• Read more about Q&A with Alumnus Brandon J. Rolle ‘19, Composer and Founder of the Impulse New Music Festival

Oct 5, 2021

Dr. Steven Gross, Professor of Horn and Head of the Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion Area at UC Santa Barbara, was on the faculty and performed at the Crescendo Summer Institute in Tokaj, Hungary from July 21-August 2, 2021.

• Read more about Professor Steven Gross joined by alumnus Azeem Ward ‘15 at Crescendo Summer Institute in Hungary

Oct 5, 2021

Professor Jennifer Kloetzel and Lecturer Ertan Torgul had a few months full of performances, master classes, chamber music coachings, and educational workshops.

• Read more about Chamber music mentorship and residencies for string faculty members Jennifer Kloetzel and Ertan Torgul

Oct 4, 2021

Professor Jennifer Kloetzel was featured on September 13 on the Houston-based arts podcast, Creative Peacemeal, which marked her second appearance for the series this year.

• Read more about Professor Jennifer Kloetzel featured in second interview for Creative Peacemeal Podcast

Sep 29, 2021

A review of Faculty Emeritus Jeremy Haladyna’s latest album, Pok-ta-Pok: Sky Games from the Mayan Cycle, is featured in the October 2021 issue of The Absolute Sound, a recognized source of expert reviews, features, and commentary on high-performance audio and music.

• Read more about The Absolute Sound reviews Professor Emeritus Jeremy Haladyna’s latest album

Sep 27, 2021

UC Santa Barbara alumna Noelle Barr ‘21 was recently appointed as Assistant Principal Second Violin for the New York Youth Symphony’s 2021-2022 Season, the organization’s 59th Season.

• Read more about Alumna Noelle Barr ‘21 appointed Principal Violin for New York Youth Symphony’s 2021-2022 Season

Sep 21, 2021

UC Santa Barbara alumna Dr. Kelly Guerra ‘21 and Doctoral Candidate Luvi Avendano will be featured in Opera Santa Barbara’s production of José “Pepe” Martinez’s 75-minute Mariachi operetta, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna (“To Cross the Face of the Moon”).

• Read more about Alumna Dr. Kelly Guerra ‘21 and Doctoral Candidate Luvi Avendano featured in Opera Santa Barbara’s Cruzar la Cara de la Luna

Sep 15, 2021

Dr. Benjamin Levy, Associate Professor of Music Theory at UC Santa Barbara, recently co-curated a collection of essays with UC Santa Barbara alumna Dr. Laura Emmery ‘14.

• Read more about Associate Professor Benjamin Levy publishes article with Alumna Laura Emmery ‘14 in Music Theory Online journal

Aug 4, 2021

Alumna Dr. Kelly Guerra ‘21 was selected for the Cleveland Institute of Music’s inaugural Future of Music Faculty Fellowship. Supported by a grant awarded by the Sphinx Venture Fund, this unique program is designed to prepare Black and Latinx professionals in the music field for a successful and fulfilling career in academia.

• Read more about Alumna Dr. Kelly Guerra ‘21 selected for Cleveland Institute of Music’s inaugural Future of Music Faculty Fellowship

Jul 27, 2021

Members of the UC Santa Barbara Composition Program are being featured at the International Computer Music Conference (ICMC) in Santiago, Chile from July 25-31, 2021.

• Read more about Composition Faculty and Doctoral Candidates featured at International Computer Music Conference

Jul 22, 2021

Doctoral candidate Stewart Engart will have his work, Usynlig, featured on Friday, July 23 at 12 pm ET on the second-annual Compose Carolina summer music series, hosted by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Music and Carolina Performing Arts. The live stream event will feature Engart in conversation with a faculty moderator, the premiere of his work, and a casual “program notes” conversation and Q&A.

• Read more about Doctoral Candidate Stewart Engart featured on UNC Compose Carolina Series

Jul 16, 2021

The Daily Nexus recently interviewed UC Santa Barbara faculty and staff members on UC Santa Barbara’s Out List about their experiences within the field of higher education as members of the LGBTQ+ community. For the article, the Department of Music’s Production and Events Manager and alumnus, Dr. Anthony Garcia ‘16, spoke about how his decision to join the Out List and publicly come out came from the importance of representation for his identity as a bisexual man.

• Read more about Production and Events Manager Dr. Anthony Garcia ‘16 shares his experience as an LGBTQ+ Employee with Daily Nexus

Jul 15, 2021

UC Santa Barbara faculty member Dr. Martha Sprigge was awarded tenure and was promoted to Associate Professor of Musicology on July 1, 2021, having joined the Department of Music faculty in Fall 2015 as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Sprigge holds a PhD in music history and theory from the University of Chicago (2013) and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Toronto (2006).

• Read more about Associate Professor of Musicology Dr. Martha Sprigge awarded tenure

Jul 13, 2021

UC Santa Barbara Professor Emeritus of Music Composition, Dr. Joel Feigin, released his latest album, Joel Feigin: Music for Chamber Orchestra, on Friday, July 2 with Toccata Classics.

• Read more about Professor Emeritus Dr. Joel Feigin releases New Album of Music for Chamber Orchestra with Toccata Classics

Jul 12, 2021

Preparing for four competitions, three recitals, individual weekly lessons, and a publication submission of an arrangement of Katherine Hoover’s Kokopeli for flute duet, flute majors managed to stay engaged, motivated, and inspired by peers and guests from all over the nation during COVID-19 pandemic virtual learning.

• Read more about Professor Jill Felber hosts Virtual Masterclasses and Seminars featuring National Guest Artists during Pandemic

Jul 6, 2021

UC Santa Barbara Associate Professor Dr. Isabel Bayrakdarian’s latest album, Armenian Songs for Children, was released on Avie Records on June 18, 2021. The 29-track album includes works by Armenian composers Gomidas Vartabed, Parsegh Ganatchian, Mihran Toumajan, and traditional songs from various sources, with arrangements by Artur Avanesov, John Hodian, Ellie Choate, and Isabel Bayrakdarian.

• Read more about Associate Professor Dr. Isabel Bayrakdarian releases Armenian Songs for Children on Avie Records

Jul 6, 2021

UC Santa Barbara Assistant Teaching Professor Dr. Sarah Gibson’s work for orchestra, warp & weft, will be performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 8 pm PT.

• Read more about Assistant Teaching Professor Dr. Sarah Gibson’s warp & weft to be performed by Los Angeles Philharmonic at Hollywood Bowl

Jul 6, 2021

UC Santa Barbara undergraduate students Nina Lim and Adrian Cunningham released their first single, Fever Dream, as the band Lotte Lemon on June 11.

• Read more about Undergraduate Students Nina Lim and Adrian Cunningham release “Fever Dream” single as duo Lotte Lemon

Jul 2, 2021

UC Santa Barbara faculty members cellist Jennifer Kloetzel, violinist Ertan Torgul, and composer Dr. Sarah Gibson were featured in the virtual Uncertainty of Fate Festival from May 1-5, 2021, sponsored by the Hartt School at the University of Hartford.

• Read more about Faculty Members Jennifer Kloetzel, Ertan Torgul, and Dr. Sarah Gibson featured in Hartt School's Uncertainty of Fate Festival

Jul 1, 2021

Alumna Dr. Emily Vanchella ‘21 was recently appointed as visiting music faculty in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas, where she teaches courses in American popular music.

• Read more about Alumna Dr. Emily Vanchella ‘21 appointed Visiting Music Faculty in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at Texas A&M International University

Jun 30, 2021

During her last year as an undergraduate student at UC Santa Barbara, alumna Noelle Barr ‘21 received the 2021 Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research and was named the First Prize Winner of the 2021 Library Award for Undergraduate Research in the Humanities and Fine Arts category.

• Read more about Alumna Noelle Barr ‘21 receives top University Honors for Undergraduate Research

Jun 29, 2021

This spring, Professor Jennifer Kloetzel was featured in the Creative Peacemeal podcast series and the Cello Bello CelloChats series. Both interviews focused on Kloetzel as a performer and educator.

• Read more about Professor Jennifer Kloetzel featured in Creative Peacemeal and CelloBello CelloChats Interviews

Jun 25, 2021

UC Santa Barbara alumnus William Geiler ‘20 was awarded First Prize in the Choral Division II (Ages 18 – 24) of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York’s 2020-2021 Emerging Composers Competition for his work The House of Dreams.

• Read more about Alumnus William Geiler ‘20 wins First Prize in Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York

Jun 24, 2021

UC Santa Barbara doctoral candidate Ching-Yun Chen and alumna Dr. Naomi Merer took top prizes in the annual Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation (PASF) Competition.

• Read more about PASF Competition Performance Winners

Jun 23, 2021

Professor Jennifer Kloetzel hosted the Third Annual “Etude Challenge” for the UC Santa Barbara Cello Studio on April 6, 2021.

• Read more about Professor Jennifer Kloetzel hosts Third Annual “Etude Challenge” with Guest Adjudicator Anthony Arnone of University of Iowa

Jun 22, 2021

UC Santa Barbara Alumna Dr. Kelly Guerra ‘21 will sing the role of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Derrick Wang's Scalia vs Ginsburg with the Chautauqua Opera Company this summer.

• Read more about Alumna Dr. Kelly Guerra '21 to sing role of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Derrick Wang's Scalia vs Ginsburg with Chautauqua Opera Company

Jun 21, 2021

The UC Santa Barbara Department of Music regretfully shares the news that Hugo Macario, a UC Santa Barbara Lecturer and Director of the UCSB Son Jarocho Ensemble, passed away on May 9, 2021 at the age of 55.

• Read more about Department of Music remembers UCSB Son Jarocho Ensemble Director Hugo Macario

Jun 11, 2021

Congratulations to our 2021 graduating undergraduate students!

• Read more about Congratulations to our graduates!

May 4, 2021

UC Santa Barbara Assistant Professor of Musicology Dr. Martha Sprigge released her first book, Socialist Laments: Musical Mourning in the German Democratic Republic, with Oxford University Press in April 2021.

• Read more about Dr. Martha Sprigge Releases First Book with Oxford University Press

Apr 14, 2021

UC Santa Barbara Faculty Emeritus Dr. Jeremy Haladyna announced the release of his third album, Pok-ta-Pok: Sky Games from the Mayan Cycle, via Centaur Records in early April 2021.

• Read more about Faculty Emeritus Dr. Jeremy Haladyna features UC Santa Barbara Collaborators on New Centaur Album Release

Apr 8, 2021

The UC Santa Barbara Department of Music regretfully shares the news of the passing of Wallace Umber (1924-January 28, 2021), an accomplished UC Santa Barbara graduate.

• Read more about Remembering a Dedicated Performer and Music Educator: Wallace Umber (1924-2021)

Apr 2, 2021

Hosted annually by the UC Santa Barbara Department of Music, the Dorothy and Sherrill C. Corwin Awards recognize excellence in Music Composition, and are open to all UC Santa Barbara undergraduate and graduate student music majors in the Department of Music, the College of Creative Studies, and the Media Arts and Technology Program.

• Read more about Announcing the 2021 Dorothy and Sherrill C. Corwin Awards Winners

Apr 1, 2021

UC Santa Barbara Professor of Cello Jennifer Kloetzel has been invited to serve as the American adjudicator for the 2nd World Cello E-Competition, organized by the Napolinova music association.

• Read more about Professor of Cello Jennifer Kloetzel named Guest Adjudicator for Napolinova 2nd World Cello E-Competition

Mar 31, 2021

UC Santa Barbara Corwin Chair of Composition João Pedro Oliveira received a €40,000 grant from the Portuguese Ministry of Culture to compose and produce an electroacoustic/visual-music opera based on the Book of Daniel in the Bible.

• Read more about Corwin Chair of Composition João Pedro Oliveira receives grant to compose Electroacoustic/Visual Music Opera

Mar 30, 2021

UC Santa Barbara Composition alumnus Dr. Brandon J. Rolle’s debut album, Glitch Portraiture, will be released by Arpaviva Recordings in November 2021.

• Read more about Composition Alumnus Dr. Brandon J. Rolle ‘19 to release debut album on Arpaviva Recordings

Mar 29, 2021

UC Santa Barbara Professor of Horn Dr. Steven Gross has been awarded a contract by Naxos Records to release the premiere recording of William Bolcom’s Trio for Horn, Violin and Piano.

• Read more about Professor of Horn Dr. Steven Gross Awarded Contract with Naxos Records

Mar 25, 2021

UC Santa Barbara alumna Dr. Elizabeth Hambleton ‘20 was recently appointed as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

• Read more about Alumna Dr. Elizabeth Hambleton ‘20 appointed Visiting Assistant Professor at Colby College

Mar 24, 2021

UC Santa Barbara Continuing Lecturer and alumnus Dr. Jon Nathan (Doctor of Musical Arts, 1998) and alumna Sio Tepper ‘14 received recognition during the 2020 BroadwayWorld Theatre Awards of the Decade Santa Barbara Regional Awards for their work with the Santa Barbara High School Theatre Program.

• Read more about Continuing Lecturer Dr. Jon Nathan and Alumna Sio Tepper receive recognition during the 2020 BroadwayWorld Theatre Awards of the Decade

Mar 23, 2021

Latvian baritone Valdis Jansons, a Doctor of Musical Arts student in Voice at UC Santa Barbara, was featured in Opera Oviedo’s production of Georges Bizet’s three-act opera Les pêcheurs de perles (The Pearl Fishers) in Oviedo, Spain earlier this year. The production premiered on January 25, 2021 and ran through February 6, 2021, and featured Jansons in the role of Zurga.

• Read more about Doctoral Voice Student Valdis Jansons featured in Opera Oviedo’s production of Georges Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers

Mar 22, 2021

UC Santa Barbara Doctor of Musical Arts student Gulia Gurevich led the Classical Concerts on the Hill Concert Series into a new virtual format in 2021.

• Read more about Graduate Violinist Gulia Gurevich leads Classical Concerts on the Hill into New Virtual Format as Artistic Director

Mar 19, 2021

Cloe Gentile Reyes, a PhD Candidate in Musicology at UC Santa Barbara, will be featured as a panelist for the Innovation in Art Song Virtual Summit, which will be hosted by Indiana University on March 26 and 27, 2021.

• Read more about Doctoral Candidate Cloe Gentile Reyes featured as panelist for Indiana University’s Innovation in Art Song Virtual Summit

Feb 3, 2021

Third-year undergraduate student Daniel Marella organized and completed a 10-mile ocean swim on August 15, 2020 in support of COVID-19 relief for Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, raising over $12,000.

• Read more about Undergraduate Student Daniel Marella Raises $12,000 for COVID-19 Relief with 10-Mile Ocean Swim

Jan 29, 2021

UC Santa Barbara Continuing Lecturer Dr. Jon Nathan performed in Opera Santa Barbara and the Lobero Theatre’s “Staying Home for Christmas” Holiday Concert, which was recorded live on the Lobero Theatre Stage and made available to view online from December 23-26, 2020.

• Read more about Continuing Lecturer Jon Nathan featured in Opera Santa Barbara and Lobero Theatre's "Staying Home for Christmas"

Jan 29, 2021

The UC Santa Barbara Department of Music hosted a special quarantine edition of the department’s new podcast, Through My Ears, as an Instagram Live via the department’s Instagram account on December 3, 2020.

• Read more about Department of Music releases fourth episode of new podcast, Through My Ears

Jan 28, 2021

The UC Santa Barbara Department of Music regretfully shares the news of the passing of D. Stephen Sorensen (April 6, 1960-January 17, 2021), a beloved member of our UC Santa Barbara community.

• Read more about Remembering a Champion of the Choral Arts: D. Stephen Sorensen (1960-2021)

Jan 26, 2021

Peruvian-American mezzo-soprano and UC Santa Barbara Voice Program doctoral candidate Kelly Guerra will be featured in a masterclass hosted by the Metropolitan Opera Guild on Sunday, January 31, 2021 from 3-4:30 pm ET.

• Read more about Doctoral Candidate Kelly Guerra to be featured in Metropolitan Opera Guild Master Class

Jan 25, 2021

UC Santa Barbara Assistant Teaching Professor of Music Composition Sarah Gibson will have her work, warp & weft, performed by the Seattle Symphony on Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 7:30 pm PST.

• Read more about Assistant Teaching Professor of Music Composition Sarah Gibson to receive performance of work “warp & weft” by Seattle Symphony

Jan 22, 2021

UC Santa Barbara Associate Professor of Musicology Dr. Derek Katz will give a talk, titled “Mary Lou Williams: From The Lady Who Swung the Band to The Zodiac Suite,” for the Goleta Valley Library on Sunday, January 24, 2021 at 2 pm PST.

• Read more about Associate Professor Dr. Derek Katz to give lecture on life of Jazz Pianist, Composer, and Arranger Mary Lou Williams for Goleta Valley Library

Jan 22, 2021

UC Santa Barbara undergraduate student Noelle Barr was named one of six winners of the Pacific Bridge Arts Foundation’s 2020 Musical Arts Scholarship.

• Read more about Undergraduate Student Noelle Barr named a winner of the Pacific Bridge Arts Foundation’s 2020 Musical Arts Scholarship

Jan 15, 2021

UC Santa Barbara Professor Emeritus Joel Feigin’s opera, Outcast at the Gate, is now available to view online via the composer’s YouTube channel. The video, which premiered on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at 7:45 pm EST, was a pre-recorded performance from a presentation by the Center for Contemporary Opera on June 14, 2019 at Symphony Space's Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre in New York, NY.

• Read more about Professor Emeritus Joel Feigin’s Opera "Outcast at the Gate" Now Available Online

Jan 6, 2021

Five of UC Santa Barbara Corwin Chair of Composition João Pedro Oliveira’s works have recently been recognized internationally in competitions such as the Chicago Composers' Consortium Composition Competition, Sound Silence Thought International Composition Competition, She Lives Budapest Prize International Composition Competition, "New Vision" Composition Competition, and the Thomas Edison Black Maria Film Festival.

• Read more about Works by UC Santa Barbara Corwin Chair of Composition João Pedro Oliveira recognized in International Composition Competitions

Dec 21, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Ethnomusicology alumna Dr. Stephanie Choi ‘20 was featured as a panelist for The New Yorker's "Expert Perspectives: K-pop In America" video, which was released on YouTube on December 8, 2020 and has received over 16,000 views to date.

• Read more about Ethnomusicology Alumna Dr. Stephanie Choi ‘20 featured as panelist for The New Yorker's "Expert Perspectives: K-pop In America"

Dec 17, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Doctoral Composition Candidate Rodney DuPlessis was selected as a finalist for the Musica Nova International Electroacoustic Competition for his work De Rerum Natura. The concert of finalists will be streamed live on Friday, December 18, 2020 at 10 am Pacific Standard Time (7 pm in Prague, Czech Republic) on the Musica Nova YouTube channel. 

• Read more about Doctoral Composition Candidate Rodney DuPlessis selected as Finalist for Musica Nova International Electroacoustic Competition

Dec 16, 2020

UC Santa Barbara doctoral student Alvise Pascucci will give a virtual solo piano recital from the Teatro degli Industri of Grosseto, Italy as part of the Scriabin Concert Series on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 starting at 6 pm local time (9 am Pacific Time).

• Read more about Graduate Student Alvise Pascucci to give Virtual Solo Piano Recital from Teatro degli Industri of Grosseto, Italy as part of Scriabin Concert Series

Dec 11, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Lecturer of Violin Ertan Torgul was featured as a Guest Teaching Artist for The REALLY Big Class, an online masterclass series, on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at 11 am PST. Torgul worked virtually with students from Austria, the UK, North Carolina, and Texas, playing music of Bach, Mendelssohn, and Lalo.

• Read more about Lecturer of Violin Ertan Torgul featured as Guest Teaching Artist for The REALLY Big Class

Dec 3, 2020

The Department of Music hosted a special edition of the Through My Ears podcast via Instagram Live on Thursday, December 3, 2020 from 12-1 pm on the UC Santa Barbara Department of Music's Instagram account (@ucsbmusicdept).

• Read more about Through My Ears Podcast Instagram Live Q&A with Dr. Sarah Gibson and Kelly Guerra

Nov 20, 2020

Robert Koenig, UC Santa Barbara’s Department of Music Chair and Professor of Keyboard, will be featured on the Santa Barbara Symphony’s Beethoven @ 250 Concert on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 7 pm.

• Read more about Department of Music Chair Robert Koenig featured on Santa Barbara Symphony’s Beethoven @ 250 Concert

Nov 20, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Assistant Teaching Professor of Music Composition Dr. Sarah Gibson and fellow pianist and composer Thomas Kotcheff, members of the new music piano duo HOCKET, wrapped their #What2020SoundsLike project at the end of October.

• Read more about Assistant Teaching Professor of Music Composition Sarah Gibson featured on I Care If You Listen for HOCKET’s #What2020SoundsLike

Nov 12, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Lecturer Maxim Kuzin is serving as Chair of the Instrumental Division for the 13th edition of the Colibri International Arts Competition for Young Performers, which is organized by the Unity in Diversity Arts Foundation (UIDARTS) with the support of the City of West Hollywood. The competition is held annually and consists of four individual competitions—Instrumental, Vocal, Dance, and Visual Art—and runs from September to December.

• Read more about Lecturer Maxim Kuzin serves as Chair of Instrumental Division for 13th Annual Colibri International Arts Competition for Young Performers

Nov 9, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Associate Professor of Voice Isabel Bayrakdarian collaborated with the Canadian rock band Glass Tiger on the band’s first-ever Christmas album, Songs For A Winter’s Night. For the release, Bayrakdarian joined fellow Canadian guest artists singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, violinist Natalie MacMaster, and pop vocalist Roch Voisine, as well as the Steve Sidwell Orchestra.

• Read more about Associate Professor Isabel Bayrakdarian releases recording with Canadian rock band Glass Tiger

Nov 3, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Lecturer Andrew Tholl was named the winner of the 2020 Luigi Nono International Composition Award for his piece every moment is another opportunity to shine.

• Read more about Lecturer Andrew Tholl wins 2020 Luigi Nono International Composition Award

Oct 29, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Teaching Professor Emeritus Jeremy Haladyna contributed an essay, titled “Villa-Lobos Vindicated (At Last): A Pan-American Prescription,” to the October 2020 issue of the Brazilian music journal, ORFEU.

• Read more about Teaching Professor Emeritus Jeremy Haladyna contributes essay to Brazilian music journal ORFEU

Oct 23, 2020

UC Santa Barbara alumna Rachel Short ‘16 (PhD Music Theory) contributed to an Institute for Creativity article on public music theory, titled “Music Theory, Professional Conferences, and Community Engagement.”

• Read more about Alumna Rachel Short ‘16 contributes to Institute for Creativity article on Public Music Theory

Oct 22, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Assistant Professor of Cello Jennifer Kloetzel was featured on the Performance Today radio program on Monday, September 28, 2020. Hosted by Fred Child, Performance Today is one of the most popular classical music radio programs in the country, broadcast on over 280 public radio stations with roughly 1.2 million listeners each week.

• Read more about Assistant Professor of Cello Jennifer Kloetzel featured on Performance Today Radio Program and Gold Coast Chamber Players Series

Oct 14, 2020

The Center for Research in Electronic Art Technology (CREATE) at UC Santa Barbara has released a new software app for sound granulation: EmissionControl2 for MacOSX, Linux, and Windows.

• Read more about The Center for Research in Electronic Art Technology (CREATE) releases EmissionControl2: “The ultimate granulator”

Oct 13, 2020

Dr. Charles Asche, Senior Lecturer in Piano at UC Santa Barbara, was awarded the California Association of Professional Music Teachers’ Lifetime Achievement Award for 2020.

• Read more about Senior Lecturer in Piano Dr. Charles Asche awarded Lifetime Achievement Award by California Association of Professional Music Teachers

Oct 7, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Doctor of Musical Arts candidate and mezzo-soprano Kelly Guerra has been named a finalist in the team-based Catapult Opera Accelerate Competition, which was created to inspire innovation and creativity during this time of socially-distanced performances.

• Read more about Doctor of Musical Arts candidate Kelly Guerra named finalist in Catapult Opera Accelerate Competition

Oct 6, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Doctor of Musical Arts student Valdis Jansons will perform as the baritone soloist in Gustav Mahler’s Songs of the Wayfarer (arr. Arnold Schoenberg) with conductor Nir Kabaretti and the Santa Barbara Symphony on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 7 pm.

• Read more about Doctor of Musical Arts student Valdis Jansons featured as soloist during Santa Barbara Symphony's 2020/2021 Season

Oct 1, 2020

During the summer, Dr. Steven Gross was interviewed on Zoom as part of a public Celebrity Hornist Series featuring internationally prominent horn players. The interview was hosted by Director Charles “Skip” Snead of the School of Music at the University of Alabama.

• Read more about Professor Steven Gross interviewed on Celebrity Hornist Series

Sep 23, 2020

Dr. Nicole Lamartine, UC Santa Barbara’s newly appointed Sorensen Director of Choral Music, has been awarded a Collaborations in the Virtual Classroom grant from UC Santa Barbara’s Interdisciplinary Humanities Center (IHC) for Fall 2020.

• Read more about Sorensen Director of Choral Music Dr. Nicole Lamartine awarded Interdisciplinary Humanities Center Collaborations in the Virtual Classroom Grant

Sep 16, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Corwin Chair of Composition João Pedro Oliveira was awarded Grand Prize in the Double Bass and Electronic Media category for the 2020 International Society of Bassists David Walter Composition Competition for his piece, Bass on Fire.

• Read more about Corwin Chair of Composition João Pedro Oliveira awarded Grand Prize in the 2020 International Society of Bassists David Walter Composition Competition

Sep 10, 2020

UC Santa Barbara musicology alumnus Vincent E. Rone ‘14 recently joined the faculty of Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, where he teaches courses in music history and music theory.

• Read more about Alumnus Vincent E. Rone ‘14 joins faculty of Franciscan University of Steubenville and publishes new book, Mythopoeic Narrative in The Legend of Zelda

Sep 8, 2020

UC Santa Barbara alumna Dr. Leslie Cain was recently appointed to a faculty position in the Classical Instrumental division of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), where she will serve as an Artist-Teacher of music theory, musicianship, chamber music, and accompanying.

• Read more about Alumna Leslie Cain ‘17 appointed as Classical Instrumental Artist-Teacher at New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA)

Sep 3, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Corwin Chair of Composition João Pedro Oliveira recently received First Prize in the 13th International Foundation Destellos Competition of Electroacoustic Composition with his piece, La Mer Émeraude. Graduate Composition student Rodney DuPlessis was also awarded Honorable Mention for his piece, De Rerum Natura.

• Read more about Corwin Chair of Composition João Pedro Oliveira receives First Prize in Destellos Competition (Graduate Composition student Rodney DuPlessis awarded Honorable Mention)

Aug 10, 2020

UC Santa Barbara doctoral candidate Byron Mayes was recently named a winner in the Vocal Category of the Music Academy of the West’s Digital Challenge, which took place as part of the 2020 Music Academy Remote Learning Institute.

• Read more about Doctoral Candidate Byron Mayes named a winner of the Music Academy of the West’s Digital Challenge

Aug 5, 2020

The UC Santa Barbara Department of Music announces the release of the third episode in its new podcast series, Through My Ears. The episode stars Stefanie Tcharos, Associate Professor of Musicology, and is hosted by Timothy Bausch, a PhD candidate in theory.

• Read more about Department of Music announces third episode of new podcast, Through My Ears

Jul 27, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Assistant Teaching Professor of Music Composition Sarah Gibson recently announced a new project, #What2020SoundsLike, with her Los Angeles-based new music piano duo, HOCKET.

• Read more about Assistant Teaching Professor of Music Composition Sarah Gibson announces new #What2020SoundsLike project with piano duo HOCKET

Jul 22, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Corwin Chair of Composition João Pedro Oliveira recently received First Prize in the Citta di Udine Competition in the Electroacoustic Music category with his piece, La Mer Émeraude. Oliveira was also named a finalist in the Audiovisual category with his piece, Things I Have Seen in My Dreams.

• Read more about Corwin Chair of Composition João Pedro Oliveira receives First Prize in Citta di Udine Competition

Jul 15, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Ethnomusicology PhD Candidate Eugenia Siegel Conte will participate in a TalkBack with The Choral Commons on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 at 1 pm PT.

• Read more about Ethnomusicology PhD Candidate Eugenia Siegel Conte will be a discussant in The Choral Commons TalkBack on Empowering Song approach in Prison Contexts

Jul 14, 2020

The UC Santa Barbara Department of Music has appointed Dr. Nicole Lamartine as Teaching Professor and Sorensen Director of Choral Music, beginning Fall 2020. As the Sorensen Director of Choral Music, Dr. Lamartine will conduct the flagship choir, the UCSB Chamber Choir, integrate relevancy into graduate choral studies for 21st century conductors, and teach studio conducting and voice.

• Read more about Department of Music welcomes Nicole Lamartine as Teaching Professor and Sorensen Director of Choral Music

Jul 9, 2020

UC Santa Barbara undergraduate student Clara Pitsker has been inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest academic honor society. Founded in 1776, the invitation-only society recognizes exceptional academic achievement in the arts and sciences and maintains 290 chapters at American colleges and universities.

• Read more about Undergraduate Student Clara Pitsker inducted into Phi Beta Kappa Academic Honor Society

Jul 8, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Theory alumnus Michael Vitalino ‘14 was awarded tenure and promoted to Associate Professor at the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Potsdam, where he teaches courses in Music Theory, Aural Skills, Counterpoint, and Tonal Analysis.

• Read more about Theory Alumnus Michael Vitalino ‘14 awarded tenure and promoted to Associate Professor at Crane School of Music (SUNY Potsdam)

Jul 6, 2020

The UC Santa Barbara Department of Music announces undergraduate student William Geiler and graduate student Raphael Radna as the 2020 Dorothy and Sherrill C. Corwin Award recipients. The annual awards recognize excellence in music composition at UC Santa Barbara, and are open to all UC Santa Barbara undergraduate and graduate student music majors in the Department of Music, the College of Creative Studies, and the Media Arts and Technology Program.

• Read more about Department of Music announces Undergraduate Student William Geiler and Graduate Student Raphael Radna as 2020 Dorothy and Sherrill C. Corwin Award Recipients

Jun 29, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Assistant Teaching Professor of Music Composition Sarah Gibson was awarded a UC Santa Barbara Faculty Research Grant for the 2020-2021 academic year. Gibson, co-founder of the Los Angeles-based new music piano duo HOCKET, was awarded the funding to record HOCKET’s debut album, And the River, with her duo partner, pianist and composer Thomas Kotcheff.

• Read more about Assistant Teaching Professor of Music Composition Sarah Gibson awarded Faculty Research Grant to record debut album with piano duo HOCKET

Jun 26, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Composition Alumnus Nick Norton ‘18 recently released a new album, Lake Village Inn West, to benefit the Equal Sound Coronavirus Relief Fund. Described by Norton as “a collection of B-sides and rarities, gems mined under medical house arrest, and a stunningly subpar MIDI realization of a deeply beloved John Cage piece,” the album is now available on all platforms.

• Read more about Composition Alumnus Nick Norton ‘18 releases new album to benefit Equal Sound Coronavirus Relief Fund

Jun 25, 2020

The UC Santa Barbara Department of Music announces the release of the second episode in its new podcast series, Through My Ears. The episode stars Derek Katz, Associate Professor of Musicology, and is hosted by Timothy Bausch, a PhD candidate in theory.

• Read more about Department of Music announces second episode of new podcast, Through My Ears

Jun 24, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Lecturer and violist Jonathan Moerschel was recently featured as a member of the Calder Quartet during the 2020 Ojai Music Festival, which took place virtually from Thursday, June 11th to Sunday, June 14th.

• Read more about Lecturer Jonathan Moerschel featured as member of Calder Quartet during virtual edition of Ojai Music Festival

Jun 23, 2020

UC Santa Barbara graduate students Valdis Jansons (baritone) and Erik Lawrence (piano) will present a virtual concert in partnership with Quarantine Concerts and the Verbier Festival on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at 9 am PST. The program will include works by Modest Mussorgsky, Henri Duparc, Roger Quilter, Ernesto De Curtis, Salvatore Cardillo, and Enrico Cannio.

• Read more about Graduate Students Valdis Jansons and Erik Lawrence to present virtual concert in partnership with Quarantine Concerts and Verbier Festival

Jun 23, 2020

UC Santa Barbara undergraduate student Noelle Barr was recently named Second Prize Winner of the 2020 Library Award for Undergraduate Research in the Humanities and Fine Arts category.

• Read more about Undergraduate Student Noelle Barr named Second Prize Winner of the 2020 Library Award for Undergraduate Research in the Humanities and Fine Arts Category

Jun 22, 2020

UC Santa Barbara alumna Sara Aronson has been performing wind chamber music during the COVID-19 event as a horn player in the Royal Swedish military band, Livgardets Dragonmusikkår. An elite brass-only ensemble, the group serves as one of three full-time bands in the Swedish armed forces.

• Read more about Alumna Sara Aronson (MM ‘18) performs Chamber Music in Sweden with Royal Swedish Military Band during Coronavirus

Jun 18, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Assistant Professor of Cello Jennifer Kloetzel has been invited to serve as the American adjudicator for the 1st World Cello E-Competition 2020, organized by the Napolinova music association.

• Read more about Assistant Professor of Cello Jennifer Kloetzel named Guest Adjudicator for Napolinova 1st World Cello E-Competition

Jun 16, 2020

UC Santa Barbara Composition alumnus Tristan Perez '18 recently composed an original work, titled And Spring Still Comes, for a virtual “socially distanced” wind ensemble inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Read more about Composition Alumnus Tristan Perez '18 presents a Socially Distanced Wind Ensemble