The School of Music and Marching Band partnered with local business Torpedo Bags to create a PPE solution for woodwind and brass instrumentalists, enabling in-person rehearsals and chamber ensemble performances.

COVID-19 updates and resources, virtual offices, and more

Emily Threinen, Director of Bands, faced a challenge when COVID-19 prevented an in-person event this year. How could a workshop which traditionally depends on the nuance of personal instruction, focused on something as delicate as baton movement, adapt to a virtual format? 

Roque (pronounced Rocky) Diaz talks a mile a minute and exudes optimism. A trumpeter, educator and scholar with two master’s degrees, ABD for his Ph.D. (ABD means “all but dissertation,” and he’s working on that now), he wants to change how music is taught.

To all members of the School of Music community, There are simply no words to describe the events of the past week. The barbaric and horrific killing of George Floyd has left indescribable pain in its wake as our nation struggles to understand and confront its deeply ingrained systemic racial inequities, injustices, and hypocrisies.

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 discusses 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. 

After a nationwide search, the University of Minnesota School of Music announces that violinist Stephanie Arado will be appointed to the role of Assistant Professor of Violin. Our community is excited to welcome this outstanding performer and teacher to our school this fall. 

Mary Trotter (DMA, collaborative piano) will be unable to perform her scheduled recital, “I, Too, Sing America,” at the School of Music due to recent event restrictions. Passionate about her subject, Trotter instead will present the lecture portion of the recital over Zoom on April 5 at 2 pm. Read more about the development of her project and the upcoming lecture below.