Like other courses across the University of Minnesota, Fernando Meza’s Percussion Studio Class had to adapt to an online format when COVID-19 interrupted the semester. Meza is adjusting to the absence of being in the same place by giving students a unique experience: creating international connections for his students in the new virtual environment.

PhD Candidate (music education) Roque Diaz currently serves as the Director of School Partnerships at MacPhail Center for Music, a state leader in virtual Music Education. We had a discussion with him to learn more about how his role plays into the quickly-expanding alternative learning environment that we are experiencing today. We also learned how his role has changed to adapt to the new learning situation. 

Jerry Luckhardt, Associate Professor and Associate Director of Bands, took a Spring 20 sabbatical to partner with SOM alumnus and high school band director, Bradley Mariska to create a podcast series for band directors. We caught up with him to find out how his project, “Band in Minnesota,” is going. 

School of Music COVID-19 Preparedness and Response

This weekend, students will get the chance to perform alongside professional jazz saxophonist Dave Pietro in the annual University of Minnesota Jazz Festival. Student Varun Chandrasekhar, (music theory and guitar) sat down with us to discuss the upcoming performance and more about his day to day life at the School of Music.

Musicology Professor Peter Mercer-Taylor has won a NEH-Mellon Fellowship for Digital Publication. This grant will allow him to take a Fall 2020 leave to finish up the website associated with his forthcoming book, "Gems of Exquisite Beauty: How Hymnody Carried Classical Music to America."

Associate Professor of Voice Adriana Zabala, soprano to star as Nadia Boulanger in upcoming "Nadia" tour, featured on Classical MPR.

Through building community with his music program at Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis and reviving the gospel choir at the University of Minnesota, Davis is showing everyone if they can see it, they can be it.

"Music connections are fantastic ways to keep our community strong and vibrant." —Margaret Bracken, board chair, Minnesota Orchestra