ABOUT UMKC | ACADEMICS | ADMISSIONS | ATHLETICS | DEPARTMENTS | LIBRARIES | RESEARCH

conservatory

Sounds of the Conservatory

Conservatory students Hermon Mehari, John Merlitz, Ryan Sharp, and Aaron Linscheid pose with Salisbury Jazz Festival 2010 Guest Artist Sean Jones who gave excellent performances and clinics.

Stanislav Tuksar, University of Zagreb, gave a musicology lecture titled "The Cataloging and Elaboration of Music Sources in Croatia, 1992–2009," Feb. 5, 2010.

Guest artist Sean Jones performs with the Conservatory Concert Jazz Band during the Salisbury Jazz Festival,February 5, 2010.

UMKC Conservatory composer Zhou Long's new opera Madame White Snake (Cerise Lim Jacobs, Librettist), has its world premiere, Friday, Feb. 26, 2010, at Opera Boston. MORE...

Conservatory student Sarah Holmes was invited to participate in a January 2010 master class with Gil Shaham,who performed with the Kansas City Symphony. (photo by Eric Williams, KC Symphony).

Stefon Harris (who gave a Signature Series performance with Blackout Jan. 27, 2010) gave an amazing masterclass February 1 in White Recital Hall.

Charlie Geyer, professor of trumpet, Northwestern University, gave a master class Jan. 24, 2010.

Sean Jones is the featured guest artist at the George Salisbury Jazz Festival, February 5–6, 2010. MORE...

Conservatory jazz faculty member Michael Pagán is on the Dec 2009/Jan 2010 cover of Kansas City’s Jazz Ambassador Magazine with a feature article inside.

Stefon Harris and Blackout receive Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. See them perform live January 30, 2010 in our Signature Series. MORE...

Associate professor Joseph Parisi is conductor of Fountain City Brass Band, the first American band to win a top level brass band competition on UK soil at the Scottish Open Brass Band Championships. MORE...

Grammy-nominated jazz faculty saxophonist Bobby Watson is working hard in his jazz class.

Drummer Jeff Hamilton of the famed Jeff Hamilton Jazz Trio talks to students during his Nov. 19, 2009 performance/clinic.

Debra Taylor, principal trombonist with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, works with Conservatory student Janne Silfverberg in her November 9, 2009 master class.

Karrie Pierson, Associate Prof. of Bassoon, The Ohio State University gives a master class Monday, Dec. 7, 5:30 p.m., Grant Hall, Room 122. Free.

Guest lecturer Kevin Kissinger demonstrates the theremin during his Nov. 19th presentation.

The Conservatory's opera Hänsel und Gretel, Nov. 19–21, 7:30 p.m., Nov. 22, 2:30 p.m.

Internationally known composer and Visiting Professor of Composition Zhou Long at work in the Composition studio.

The Conservatory Orchestra, conducted by Robert Olson, performed at Crescendo 2009, the Conservatory’s annual gala fundraiser for scholarships. To see all the photos, go to the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/44630938@N08/

Zhou Long's new CD Spirit of Chimes, Chamber Music of Zhou Long is out on Delos. More Info...

Don't miss Humperdinck's gorgeous opera Hänsel und Gretel, Nov. 19-21, 7:30 p.m., Nov. 22, 2:30 p.m. Sung in German. Tickets: 816-235-6222 or click here for Online Tickets

Conservatory dance students are always outstanding.

Madeleine Shapiro works with Conservatory student Stamos Martin in her cello master class Nov. 9. She is in concert with ArtSounds Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m., Kansas City Art Institute

Shannon Finney, associate principal flutist of the Kansas City Symphony, discusses audition strategies in her Nov. 4 master class

Our excellent music therapy students are hard at work

Vocal doctoral student Kristin Griffeath and MM student Laura Suduth were selected to sing in a master class with Dame Emma Kirkby at Johnson County Community College Oct. 29, 2009. Both women study with Rebecca Sherburn.

Butler University's David Murray works with a student in his Oct. 15 double bass master class.

Cypress String Quartet members work with quartet students Huai-En Lin, Chu-Han Yang, violins; Yuan-Yu Weng, viola; and James Mitchell, cello; in an October 10, 2009 master class.

Kauffman Artist in Residence Benita Valente works with graduate student Lauren Onsrud during her September residency.

Composer Christopher Rouse gives a master class on September 25, 2009.

Young violinist Benjamin Beilman will perform the Sibelius Violin Concerto at the October 16 Conservatory Orchestra Concert. MORE...

Assistant Professor of Voice Dr. Aidan Soder Wins ARSC Certificate of Merit Award. MORE...

Kauffman Artist in Residence soprano Benita Valente demonstrates during her Sept. 23 master class.

Signature Series opens season with Cypress String Quartet, Oct. 10, 2009, 7:30 p.m., White Recital Hall. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS...

The Mystery of Edwin Drood, directed by Tony Humrichouser, September 29–October 3. MORE...

Xiao-ou Hu's Sound of Meditation III for voice and full orchestra is premiered by the Transilvania Philharmonic Orchestra at the George Enescu International Music Festival in Bucharest, Romania. MORE...

Chen Yi’s CD “Sound of The Five” favorably reviewed in the San Francisco Chronicle. MORE...

Opera stars Benita Valente (left) and Roberta Alexander (right) are 2009-10 Kauffman Foundation Visiting Artists. MORE...

Lindsey Williams, assistant professor of music education, conducted the world premiere of “Shades of Mediterranean” by Turkish composer Tolga Olzdemir at the 15th World Saxophone Congress in Bangkok, Thailand. MORE...

UMKC students and alumni will perform with Nenad Bach in an August 29, 2009 Concert for World Peace copresented by the International Visitors Council of Kansas City. MORE...

Naxos will release a new CD featuring the works of Zhou Long and Chen Yi performed by the Beijing New Music Ensemble. BUY NOW

The Conservatory 2 O'Clock Jazz Combo performs for the Kansas City Spirit Awards banquet at KC’s Marriott. L to R: Cory Griffin, saxophone; Dominique Sanders, bass; Anna Garcia, trumpet; Matt Leifer, drums and Clayton DeLong, guitar. Not pictured: Paul Shinn, piano.

Composition DMA candidate Narong Prangcharoen’s new CD, Phenomenon, will be released June 1, 2009 by Albany Records. The disc also features Christopher Janwong McKiggan, BM, on piano. BUY NOW

Barbara Cook will work with Conservatory Musical Theatre students in her master class Tues., May 12, 2009, Copaken Stage (inside the H&R Block building), 13th & Main Streets, 7 p.m., $10 suggested donation. RSVP to Kate Haugan 816-235-6106 by Friday, May 8, 2009. More...

Jonathan Borja, DMA, Wilfredo Pasamba, AC, Nicholas Omiccioli, MM, Brendan Kinsella, DMA alum, with George Crumb after their performance of Crumb’s works at the Heidelberg New Music Festival. UMKC will host a George Crumb festival Oct. 30–31, 2009.

Senior Karen Anton presents her research in Jefferson City, MO. More...

Associate professor of guitar Doug Niedt performs with the Kansas City Civic Orchestra, conducted by Christopher Kelts, 2 p.m. Sunday, April 19, 2009, The Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th St. KCMO. The program includes Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 "From the New World."

Composer Claude Baker works with composition student Peiying Yuan during his April 10, 2009 master class.

Barr Laureate and Composer-in-Residence Stephen Hartke conducts a composition master class with Richard Johnson on April 3, 2009

UMKC students and Music Theatre Director Tony Humrichouser are featured in BARE at the Unicorn Theatre. For tickets call 816-531-PLAY or www.unicorntheatre.org..

Signature Series artist Hung-Kuan Chen works with DMA student Frederic Chen during his March 20, 2009 master class.

The Wylliams-Henry Contemporary Dance Company (company in residence at the Conservatory) was spotlighted within the pages of the NEA 2007 Annual Report as a recipient of NEA support, 1 of 2 organizations from Missouri. More...

Jan Gippo, former piccolo player of the St. Louis Symphony conducts a March 18, 2009 master class with student Tara Byrdsong, who is relatively new to the piccolo.

Conservatory oboe student Dane Philipsen wins prestigious Principal Oboe seat with the Atlanta Opera More...

Don't miss the world premiere of faculty member Michael Pagán's piece "12 Preludes and Fugues for Saxophone Quartet" Monday, March 30, 7:30 p.m., White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry, Kansas City, MO. More...

Kansas City Ballet and UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance Partner on Benefit Performances for The Salvation Army and Kansas City Free Health Clinic, March 24 and 25, 2009. More...

Kansas City Symphony, UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, and area libraries join in national food drive with drop off locations across the metro March 23-29. The drive coincides with the April release of the film "The Soloist," from Steve Lopez's bestseller, which has been selected as the 2009 United We Read community-wide reading selection. More...

Composer Stephen Hartke, Distinguished Professor of Composition at University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, will be in residence at the Conservatory April 1–5, 2009. Hartke is recognized as one of the leading composers of his generation. More...

Faculty Marita Abner, bassoon, plays Stravinsky's Octet for Winds with KC Symphony members Michael Gordon, flute, Raymond Santos, clarinet, Ann Bilderback, bassoon, Philip Clark & Brian Rood, trumpet, Roger Oyster, trombone, and Graeme Mutchler, bass trombone on the KC Symphony Chamber Players concert Feb. 3, 2009.

Faculty member Barbara Bishop, oboe, with Kansas City Symphony members Raymond Santos, clarinet, Sunho Kim, violin, Christine Grossman, viola, and Edward Paulsen, double bass, play Prokofiev's Quintet in G. Minor, Op. 39 on the KC Symphony Chamber Players Community Connections concert, Feb. 3, 2009.

Raymond Feener, baritone, Jane Carl, clarinet, (faculty members), with Jessica Nance, viola and Natalia Rivera, piano, perform Magritte Variations by J. Mark Scearce on the Kansas City Symphony Chamber Players Community Connections concert, February 3, 2009.

Michelle Crowell, freshman performance major, works with Benjamin Coelho in his March 1, 2009 bassoon master class.

Kauffman Visiting Artist and opera star Carol Vaness works with student Vigthor Zophoniasson, tenor, in her Feb. 23, 2009 master class.

Pianist Simone Dinnerstein works with Jiyun Chung, first year DMA student of Jane Solose, in her February 13, 2009 master class.

Steven Jarvi, Assistant Conductor for the Kansas City Symphony, conducts a master class with the Conservatory Orchestra, Feb. 9, 2009.

Jaleel Shaw plays with the Conservatory Concert Jazz Band during the George Salisbury Jazz Festival, Feb. 6, 2009.

Helen Sung performs with (from L to R) Blake Deibel, Michael Shults, Ryan Lee and Ben Leifer during her Jan. 31 master class.

Formosa Quartet members watch the UMKC Graduate Fellowship String Quartet during their Jan. 30 master class. Formosa performs in the Signature Series Jan. 31

Darren Keith Woods, General Director, Fort Worth Opera and Artistic Director, Seagle Music Colony works with vocal student Katelyn Mattson-Levy in his master class Jan. 27, 2009.

Brian Chen, violist with the Formosa Quartet, a Signature Series group, works with DMA viola student Yuan-yu Weng in his Januaury 23, 2009 master class.

UMKC Trombone Ensemble under the direction of JoDee Davis will be performing at the 71st Annual Conference of MMEA on January 31, 2009 at 9:00 am at the Tan-Tar-a Resort in Osage Beach, MO. More...

Dr. Aidan Soder, Assistant Professor of Voice, releases Schoenberg book. More...

Pianist/composer Helen Sung will give a master class Saturday, Jan. 31, in Room 128, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, noon–3 p.m., free and open to the public.

The Conservatory’s Musica Nova has been accepted to perform at The Heidelberg College New Music Festival in Tiffin, Ohio April 17–19, 2009 with guest composer and American musical legend, George Crumb. More...

Chanticleer member and alumnus Gabe Lewis-O'Connor gives talk to Conservatory students in advance of the Friends of Chamber Music featuring Shanghai String Quartet and world premiere of work by Chen Yi. More...

Saxophonist Jaleel Shaw is featured at the Conservatory's George Salisbury Jazz Festival weekend, February 6–7. More...

The UMKC MIDWEST HONOR BAND FESTIVAL AND SYMPOSIUM begins January 15 and continues through late Saturday afternoon, January 17. 300 students and 50 directors will be attending from a six-state region. More...

Conservatory student and tenor Ben Gulley is among other Conservatory student winners at the Kansas City District Auditions of the Metropolitan Opera. He is pictured with judges Joyce DiDonato, Richard Best, Metropolitan Opera and Richard Boldrey, Chicago Lyric Opera. More...

Composition student Ryan Jesperson wins British Trombone Society Composition Contest with his piece "Fragments and Memories. More...

Pianist Simone Dinnerstein will present a master class, Friday February 13, 2009, 6–9 p.m., Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes Road, free and open to the public in conjunction with her Feb. 14 Friends of Chamber Music Folly Theater performance. Tickets at www.chambermusic.org

Conservatory professors Chen Yi and Steven Davis appear at prestigious music festival at China’s Central Conservatory of Music. More...

The Formosa String Quartet will present a Master Class, free and open to the public, Jan. 30, 2009, 4–6 p.m., PAC Room 128. Enjoy their Signature Series performance Sat. Jan. 31, 7:30 p.m. White Recital Hall. For tickets: www.umkc.edu/cto

Conservatory alum Charles Bruffy(MM vocal performance) and the Kansas City Chorale get Grammy nominations with "Chandos" recording. More...

Conservatory associate professor William Everett's "Rudolf Friml" has been newly published by University of Illinois Press. It is the first book-length study devoted to Friml. More...

Pianist Konstantin Lifschitz works with piano student Christopher McKiggan in his November 22 master class.

Jazz musician Stefon Harris works with Conservatory students in his November 22 master class.

The 2009 Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) annual commissioned composer has been awarded to Narong Prangcharoen, DMA candidate at UMKC’s Conservatory of Music and Dance, and Academy faculty member. More...

Conservatory composition student Lauren Wells took second prize for her sonata for cello and piano at the 2008 Young Composer's Competition at The Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, Austin Peay State University.

Kauffman Visiting Artist and opera super star Carol Vaness gave October master classes to Conservatory vocal students. Vaness will return in February.

The Conservatory Wind Symphony has been accepted to perform at the 2009 College Band Directors National Association Conference in Austin, Texas under the direction of Steven D. Davis. Numerous UMKC faculty will also make the trip as part of the event!

The internationally renowned Dr. Chen Yi is the first woman and first Asian composer to take center stage in the 24-year history of FOCUS Contemporary Music Festival at Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea, OH. More...

Composer, writer, and ArtsJournal blogger Kyle Gann favorably reviews his experience in Kansas City, and with the Conservatory of Music and Dance in his blog PostClassic. Read his blog here. Here he appears at his talk with faculty member Andrew Granade.

UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance