������ý����

In 2024, Er-Hsuan Li (DMA ‘24) received a project grant from our Entrepreneurship Center of Music in support of the world premiere of a piano concerto composed by John Clay Allen (DMA ’19) who’s also a College of Music lecturer in music technology + composition. “The Stone Harp” album was released on streaming platforms in March featuring both Allen’s piano concerto with Li as soloist, as well as Allen’s concerto for oboe and string orchestra featuring Ingrid Anderson (BM ’08) as soloist. Congratulations to all involved!

Set to graduate next month with a Bachelor of Music degree in composition and a Certificate in Music Technology, McMahon is the College of Music’s 2025-26 recipient of a Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award in recognition of her high level of musical and academic excellence, demonstrated leadership and service, and contributions to an inclusive community. Congratulations to McMahon who’s graduating with highest honors—and to all of our winter 2025 and spring 2026 graduates!

College of Music faculty name Luka Vezmar the 2026 Outstanding Graduating Senior: Selection is based on a strong record of scholarship, musicianship and an emerging record of service and/or leadership. Congratulations!

The CU ������ý���� Diverse Musicians’ Alliance presents its annual Persevering Legacy event celebrating women composers including those from historically marginalized groups. Meet some of the student performers, learn about their chosen works and join us on March 26!

For composer and arranger��Ilan Blanck (MM ’23), collaboration is integral to his creative identity and career success. His College of Music experience encouraged curiosity, openness and a willingness to learn alongside others—an approach that continues to guide his work across genres including a community concert on Feb. 21 featuring several fellow alumni and students.

Associate Professor of Composition Annika Socolofsky and Associate Teaching Professor of Composition Mike Barnett are actively engaged composers and singer-songwriter artists who practice what they preach to their students when it comes to self-expression and creativity through music.

Aspiring career musicians need to prepare for a constantly shifting scene, one that bears little resemblance to the music industry of even a decade ago. It’s a reality that Stratøs knows well, and one that the incoming assistant teaching professor of composition at the CU ������ý���� College of Music is eager to impart to his students.

Dean Davis shares reflections “from the road” where he’s been engaged in a trio of October conferences as well as two accreditation site reviews for the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Each spring, our Entrepreneurship Center for Music awards project grants to support students in their professional and artistic endeavors. This year’s adjudicator panel awarded 16 grants—meet some of the amazing student recipients and learn about their projects!

This summer, Professor of Composition Jeffrey Nytch—who’s directed the College of Music’s Entrepreneurship Center for Music (ECM) for the past 16 years—will step down from that role. We reflect on his impact and influence on the center—and what’s next for him and the ECM.