https://iml.esm.rochester.edu Leadership with Music at the Core Tue, 02 Jul 2024 18:03:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/cropped-web-app-manifest-512x512-1-32x32.png https://iml.esm.rochester.edu 32 32 https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/pastwinner/william-pyle-south-by-southwest/ Wed, 03 Nov 2021 23:09:00 +0000 https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/pastwinner/william-pyle-south-by-southwest/ William Pyle was pleased to be able to attend the South by Southwest (SXSW) 2022 Conference as part of their Special Opportunity Grant experience. Composed of panels, discussions, meetups, and keynote speakers, Pyle was eager to explore the intersection of popular music with the “classical” world. While in attendance at the conference, William attended sessions on mental health, maintaining authenticity,

]]> William Pyle was pleased to be able to attend the South by Southwest (SXSW) 2022 Conference as part of their Special Opportunity Grant experience. Composed of panels, discussions, meetups, and keynote speakers, Pyle was eager to explore the intersection of popular music with the “classical” world. While in attendance at the conference, William attended sessions on mental health, maintaining authenticity, touring alternative venue spaces, and more. In addition to attending sessions and paneling events centered around various topics in the arts leadership industry, Pyle also made certain to connect with professionals, all of whom were either rising in their respective fields or who already had some extensive background in research and arts administration. Pyle reflects that his experience was “eye-opening”, and one that he will never forget.

]]> https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/pastwinner/raffi-wright-armenian-genocide-and-culture-research-visit/ Wed, 03 Nov 2021 23:09:00 +0000 https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/pastwinner/raffi-wright-armenian-genocide-and-culture-research-visit/ Raffi Wright, with the support of the Special Opportunity Grant funding, created a Musical Arts project to narrate the story of their great-grandmother’s survival during the Armenian Genocide, in which over 1.5 million Armenians were killed. This project featured five song compositions using their great-grandmother’s unpublished memoir. The project required extensive research of Wright, which sought to not only expand

]]> Raffi Wright, with the support of the Special Opportunity Grant funding, created a Musical Arts project to narrate the story of their great-grandmother’s survival during the Armenian Genocide, in which over 1.5 million Armenians were killed. This project featured five song compositions using their great-grandmother’s unpublished memoir. The project required extensive research of Wright, which sought to not only expand the borders of this powerful project, but also highlighted new and important skills which Wright felt lucky to have experienced. To conduct this research, they used the Special Opportunities grant to visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. which has archival resources that were essential to the authenticity of Wright’s work; photos, testimonials, artifacts, and more are currently on display at the museum. These resources helped enrich their understanding of the Armenian Genocide, and subsequently their great-grandmother’s difficult experience.  Wright’s final presentation occurred in Spring 2022 but to learn more, you can visit their website here: (https://raffiwright.wixsite.com/vocalarts).

]]> https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/pastwinner/ayden-adler-innovation-and-research/ Sun, 03 Oct 2021 23:09:00 +0000 https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/pastwinner/ayden-adler-innovation-and-research/ While developments are being made, the classical music industry still holds a tradition of operation and support that is predominantly white. Historically, classical music was approached as a means to status, hierarchy, and social class; the industry, as a result, has been slow to acknowledge how these forces have shaped the racial landscape of classical music. Ayden Adler used the

]]> While developments are being made, the classical music industry still holds a tradition of operation and support that is predominantly white. Historically, classical music was approached as a means to status, hierarchy, and social class; the industry, as a result, has been slow to acknowledge how these forces have shaped the racial landscape of classical music. Ayden Adler used the PRJC grant to conduct archival research in Boston to use in their book titled Orchestrating Whiteness: Arthur Fiedler, Serge Koussevitzky, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. This research will enhance Adler’s understanding of the history of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. With this knowledge, Adler can contextualize the thinking of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and how it has supported systemic racial favortism in orchestral settings up and through the 20^th century.

]]> https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/pastwinner/kasia-bielak-hoops-v%c2%97%c3%a1ce-vel%c2%8ata-2021-22/ Sun, 03 Oct 2021 23:09:00 +0000 https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/pastwinner/kasia-bielak-hoops-v%c2%97%c3%a1ce-vel%c2%8ata-2021-22/ Vó·ce Veläta (“veiled voice”) was founded in Fall 2020 to address systemic racism within the music education. Currently, the youth ensemble of Vó·ce Veläta is focused on the exploration of the music of BIPOC and women composers. They aim to use anti-oppressive approaches and principles that recognize the hierarchies based on power and privilege. Some of these specific activities include

]]> Vó·ce Veläta (“veiled voice”) was founded in Fall 2020 to address systemic racism within the music education. Currently, the youth ensemble of Vó·ce Veläta is focused on the exploration of the music of BIPOC and women composers. They aim to use anti-oppressive approaches and principles that recognize the hierarchies based on power and privilege. Some of these specific activities include researching composers, student-led rehearsals, performance, and arts leadership development. Additionally, they developed music educator resources which will help will shaping the musical curriculum so that educators can consistently work towards unlearning unconscious biases.

]]> https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/pastwinner/lisa-caravan-expanding-the-curriculum-commissioning-diverse-repertoire-for-intermediate-band-and-orchestra/ Sun, 03 Oct 2021 23:09:00 +0000 https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/pastwinner/lisa-caravan-expanding-the-curriculum-commissioning-diverse-repertoire-for-intermediate-band-and-orchestra/ While diverse music resources are being increasingly acknowledged as an essential part of music curriculum, there remains a strong emphasis to teach Western classical music, primarily in beginning and intermediate instruction. Lisa Caravan and colleagues have worked to enhance a cultural understanding within the American music industry by increasing repertoire that celebrates the diverse ethnic, cultural, and gender identities. Currently

]]> While diverse music resources are being increasingly acknowledged as an essential part of music curriculum, there remains a strong emphasis to teach Western classical music, primarily in beginning and intermediate instruction. Lisa Caravan and colleagues have worked to enhance a cultural understanding within the American music industry by increasing repertoire that celebrates the diverse ethnic, cultural, and gender identities. Currently P-12 music education standards focus on the processes of creating, performing, responding, and connecting. Through pilot studies on both Western classical music and diverse classical music, students focused on each of these steps equally, instead of solely focusing on performing. The PRJC has allowed Caravan and colleagues to commission new pieces to generate a more diverse collection of repertoire and enrich music education.

]]> https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/pastwinner/kara-lamoure-two-steppin%c3%b5-a-collaborative-concert-of-professional-chamber-musicians-beginning-youth-orchestra-and-composer-mason-bynes/ Sun, 03 Oct 2021 23:09:00 +0000 https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/pastwinner/kara-lamoure-two-steppin%c3%b5-a-collaborative-concert-of-professional-chamber-musicians-beginning-youth-orchestra-and-composer-mason-bynes/ WindSync used their PRJC grant to host a multigenerational concert to motivate and retain beginning music students, encourage families to feel welcome to attending, and to begin students’ musical lives with a feeling of representation. To make this concert happen, WindSync partnered with Houston Youth Symphony, elementary schools, and programs promoting youth music education. Additionally, WindSync visited schools during their

]]> WindSync used their PRJC grant to host a multigenerational concert to motivate and retain beginning music students, encourage families to feel welcome to attending, and to begin students’ musical lives with a feeling of representation. To make this concert happen, WindSync partnered with Houston Youth Symphony, elementary schools, and programs promoting youth music education. Additionally, WindSync visited schools during their after-school programs to rehearse, provided free transportation, and presented the program in both English and Spanish to increase accessibility. Finally, their concert included a commissioned work, Two Steppin’ by Mason Bynes, who is an emerging Black composer from Houston. With all these components, WindSync hopes to draw future musicians to the stage and connect the dots for young people and provides racial equity through their artistic representation.

]]> https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/pastwinner/laura-metcalf-the-overlook-presents-if-the-stars-align/ Sun, 03 Oct 2021 23:09:00 +0000 https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/pastwinner/laura-metcalf-the-overlook-presents-if-the-stars-align/ The Overlook is a string quartet that uses chamber music to amplify the music of Black composers historically and in the modern era via commission. Their hope is to expand the classical music canon to better represent the accomplishments of all. “If the Stars Align” was the second of a three-part free concert series. This three-concert festival represented four centuries

]]> The Overlook is a string quartet that uses chamber music to amplify the music of Black composers historically and in the modern era via commission. Their hope is to expand the classical music canon to better represent the accomplishments of all. “If the Stars Align” was the second of a three-part free concert series. This three-concert festival represented four centuries of string quartet music by Black composers, with a spotlight on a living composer. Additionally, each concert featured a guest composer, historian, or storyteller, allowing the audience to experience a deeper connection with each piece, each performance, and the community at large. Finally, each of the quartet’s members spoke about the pieces presented by offering information about each composer’s inspirations and influences, and creating a more personalized experience between the audience and the performance.

]]> https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/pastwinner/pallas-catenella-working-phds-podcast-project/ Sun, 03 Oct 2021 23:09:00 +0000 https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/pastwinner/pallas-catenella-working-phds-podcast-project/ In the past 10 years the musical academic job market has been on a decline. There are many graduates who are unable to find work and are forced to pivot at the last minute leaving them feeling stressed and unprepared for their next steps. To address this issue, Pallas and her colleagues have created a podcast, “Working PhDs,” to be

]]> In the past 10 years the musical academic job market has been on a decline. There are many graduates who are unable to find work and are forced to pivot at the last minute leaving them feeling stressed and unprepared for their next steps. To address this issue, Pallas and her colleagues have created a podcast, “Working PhDs,” to be a resource and provide pathways for those with humanities degrees. Each episode is interview style with different humanities PhD holders that discuss paths outside academia. The podcast highlights the skills and training developed in academia and how that is widely applicable for many different fields and study. Additionally, the podcast engages the community with the humanities and ties into a large effort to reconstruct graduate school for non-academic careers.

]]> https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/pastwinner/megan-alyssa-hendrix-resource-for-band-teachers/ Sun, 03 Oct 2021 23:09:00 +0000 https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/pastwinner/megan-alyssa-hendrix-resource-for-band-teachers/ Megan worked with Professor Alden Snell to develop a resource for band teachers that helps them effectively work with students to develop their musicianship. For example, some strategies include teaching songs by rote, using solfege and beat function to develop tonality and meter, developing improvisation, using movement, and then connecting these activities to playing in ensembles and working on personal

]]> Megan worked with Professor Alden Snell to develop a resource for band teachers that helps them effectively work with students to develop their musicianship. For example, some strategies include teaching songs by rote, using solfege and beat function to develop tonality and meter, developing improvisation, using movement, and then connecting these activities to playing in ensembles and working on personal repertoire. These skills and resources are important because they are widely applicable and strengthen the player’s connection to the music. Megan tested these resources out with a piece called “Joy Revisited” in which she wrote out her teaching strategies as well as creating YouTube links. Finally, she plans to share these techniques at state music educators’ association conferences in the future.

]]> https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/pastwinner/dustin-seo-messiah-project/ Sat, 03 Apr 2021 23:09:00 +0000 https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/pastwinner/dustin-seo-messiah-project/ The Street Symphony (SS) in conjunction with The Midnight Mission (TMM) hosts the annual “Messiah Project” to celebrate the resilience of the Skid Row and how it is a lifeline to the community and humanity. In 2021, the project was expanded into a festival where 12 outdoor workshop events were present in addition to the Messiah Project. Some of the

]]> The Street Symphony (SS) in conjunction with The Midnight Mission (TMM) hosts the annual “Messiah Project” to celebrate the resilience of the Skid Row and how it is a lifeline to the community and humanity. In 2021, the project was expanded into a festival where 12 outdoor workshop events were present in addition to the Messiah Project. Some of the ensembles and events included a reggae ensemble, a West-African drumming group, a community choir, an all-female Mariachi ensemble, and more. This festival and project aligned with the SS mission to uplift the stories of resilience and community through music and relay everything that was overcome.

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