As part of the 150th anniversary of Temple Emanu-El in Dallas, Texas, the temple collaborated with AURORA in producing “Light Years - An Innovative Art and Technology Experience.” The Temple commission by David Stout, UNT Professor of Composition Studies, is titled “In Their Arms We Hold the Sky,” a panoramic film and music work.

The 2023 Presser Foundation Graduate Award winner is Colin Stokes. He is a UNT College of Music PhD student in the Division of Composition Studies. His proposal was titled “Otherness Together, a collaborative intermedia piece exploring issues of racial identity, transnationality, and otherness.” The piece will be created in collaboration with United Arab Emirates-born Palestinian visual artist Qais Assali. According to the Presser Foundation, "The program is designed to encourage and support, in a special way, the advanced education and career of truly exceptional graduate music students who have the potential to make a distinguished contribution to the field of music."

Kirsten Soriano is welcomed in her new position as Associate Dean for Operations. Dr. Soriano has more than twenty years of experience in academic and arts administration for organizations, including the Chicago Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, International Contemporary Ensemble, and Ensemble Dal Niente, for which she is the founder and served as Executive Director. During this time, Ensemble Dal Niente produced over one hundred concerts in Chicago and New York and received the Kranichsteiner Stipendium Preise during the 45th Summer Course for New Music in Darmstadt, Germany.

Elizabeth McNutt, UNT flute faculty member and director of the New Music Ensemble, is showcased in SHOUTOUT DFW.