DMA Graduate Joins FSU Faculty
McKenna Stenson (DMA ’23 – Choral Conducting) has joined the choral conducting faculty at Florida State University.
McKenna Stenson (DMA ’23 – Choral Conducting) has joined the choral conducting faculty at Florida State University.
Students Serim Kim and Natalie Wagner have been selected for the Women In Jazz Organization Mentors program. Natalie will be studying with saxophonist, Erica Von Kleist while Serim will be working with pianist, Dawn Clement Music. The mentorship is “designed to connect and enrich the community of women and non-binary people in Jazz. The program provides strong role models to up-and-coming jazz musicians and composers in a safe and supportive environment and offers a way for established jazz musicians and composers on the scene to actively participate in and help shape the future of their art form.”
Cyriel Aerts announced his retirement from the University of North Texas. See the retirement announcement and thank you message from Steven Harlos, Chair of the Division of Keyboard Studies here.
The College of Music announced that Mark Tempesta will join the faculty as Assistant Professor of Voice and Vocal Pedagogy.
Cody Thomas Myre (BM ’19, Composition) will have his work titled, “Broken Glass” for concert band, premiered at Carnegie Hall June 2024 by Switzerland’s Das Blasorchester Stadtmusik Luzern at the New York Sounds of Summer Music Festival. The piece was selected as the winner of the 2023 World Projects Composition Competition.
Trumpeter Jacquelyn Lankford, (DMA ’19), announced one of Yamaha Music USA’s 40 Under 40 Music Educators for 2024. She created and lead Women Composing for Trumpet Competition and the Powerful Women in Music Concert Series. She is Assistant Professor of Trumpet at Mississippi State University.
UNT percussion alumnus (BM '99) performed on the album "Some Like it Hot" winning a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album during the 66th Edition of the Grammy awards.
University of North Texas musicology PhD student studying Iberian and Latin American music and who is also artistic director of the Austin Baroque Orchestra, Billy Traylor, conducted “Terremoto!,” a retelling of the story of the 1755 Lisbon, Portugal earthquake through Baroque orchestra and choir. Concerts were performed in Austin and San Antonio.
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra won a Grammy Award for Best Regional Roots Music album for "Live: Orpheum Theater Nola," a collaboration with Lost Bayou Ramblers. Flutist alumna Sarah Schettler (MM ’98 and MM ’99) and alumnus William Schettler (BM ’99), double bass, are both musicians in the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and are included on the recording.
UNT College of Music Assistant Dean for Scholarships and External Affairs, Raymond Rowell, appeared on Arts Engines with Aaron Dworkin. The show “highlights the perspectives of the thought leaders and game-changers who are creating significant impact in the field of the arts.” Arts Engines reaches more than 100,000 weekly making it one of the most widely viewed arts shows in the United States.
Trumpeter and University of North Texas alumnus, Frank Greene, was part of the The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra Recording of, “Basie Swings the Blues,” which won Best Large Jazz Ensemble at the 66th Recording Academy GRAMMY Awards.
Associate Chair of the Division of Instrumental Studies and Professor of Clarinet, Kimberly Cole Luevano, received the 2024 Creative Impact Award from the University of North Texas Division of Research and Innovation. The award is granted to a member of the faculty, “whose research accomplishments or creative endeavors have been truly outstanding.”
UNT alumnus Lecrae (BAAS ʼ02) and Tasha Cobbs Leonard won a Grammy for “Your Power” in the Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song category.
Two-time Grammy-winning University of North Texas alumnus LECRAE (’02) became a four-time winner. He won for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for “Church Clothes 4.” He studied sociology and electronic media as a UNT student and was influenced by the College of Music.
UNT alumnus Thann Scoggin, bass-baritone, (BM '04, MS '07) won in the Recording Academy category of Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance as an ensemble member of Roomful of Teeth for the album “Rough Magic.”
UNT Alumnus Cameron Beauchamp, bass, won in the Recording Academy Category of Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance as an ensemble member of Roomful of Teeth for the album “Rough Magic.”
The Recording Academy announced that UNT College of Music alumna and principal soloist, soprano Latonia Moore, as winner in the Best Opera Recording category for “Blanchard: Champion.” Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducted the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and the Metropolitan Opera Chorus.
Horn music education major, Ben Ruiz, won the horn position with the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Concert Band. He begins basic training following his graduation in May.
The College of Music announced that Miguel Garcia was joining the faculty as Assistant Professor of String Music Education beginning Fall 2024. Mr. Garcia’s research interests include musical identity, string pedagogy, gender and music education, and the relationships between music participation and identity development. He is also a professional violinist and violist.
CBS Mornings announced that UNT alumna Annie Ray (BM ’17) was named recipient of the 2024 Music Educator Award™ presented by the Recording Academy™ and GRAMMY Museum™
College of Music Dean John W. Richmond announced that Brian Walker will be joining the UNT faculty as Associate Professor of Trumpet beginning Fall 2024. Dr. Walker came to UNT from Tarleton State University. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the International Trumpet Guild and is an alumnus of UNT receiving his DMA in 2011.
After serving UNT and its College of Music students since 1986, Jesse Eschbach, Professor of Organ, announced his intent to retire at the close of the 2023-2024 academic year. Dr. Eschbach is University of Michigan, Indiana University and Conservatoire de Rueil-Malmaison educated, a published author, performer, lecturer and pedagogue. Among others, he studied organ with Marie-Madeleine Duruflé-Chevalier and piano with Christiane Devos. His students sit on important organ appointments throughout the world. In 2023 he oversaw major expansion and renovation of the 100-year-old 1949 Möller IV/78 in UNT's Main Auditorium originally built in 1924.
UNT alumna Colleen Clark (DMA ’19, drum set) appeared as guest drummer with the 8G Band on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers.
UNT alum Kristopher Carter (BM ’93) and his two partners Lolita Ritmanis and fellow UNT alum Michael McCuistion (BM ’87), were nominated for “Best Music-TV/Media” in the 51st Annie Awards™ for their composing of the music for the Warner Brothers animated movie, “Babylon 5: The Road Home!” The award honors excellence in the field of animation.
Dave Richards (BM ’05 and MM ‘09) joins the funk and soul band Tower of Power as trumpeter and trombonist.