Dr. Emily Threinen Appointed Paul W. Frenzel Land Grant Chair in Liberal Arts

The University of Minnesota School of Music is thrilled to announce that Director of Bands, Dr. Emily Threinen, has been simultaneously promoted to the rank of Professor within the School of Music and named the College of Liberal Arts' Paul W. Frenzel Land Grant Chair. Dr. Threinen will hold the chair appointment from January 2027 through June 2029. 

The Paul W. Frenzel Chair in Liberal Arts, an endowed chair of the College of Liberal Arts, is intended to support and encourage innovative and distinctive scholarship and teaching in the liberal arts. The chairholder represents unique intellectual vitality in a balance of distinguished teaching, research, and scholarly writing. The award comes with an annual funding allocation of $50,000 for a total of $150,000 in support of scholarly research or creative work, teaching and advising, and other professional activities, including support to advance the mission and initiatives of the University Band Program. 

Dr. Threinen has built a strong and internationally recognized graduate and doctoral Wind Band Conducting program. Conducting students under her tutelage have received notable national and international conducting awards and have won prominent directorship positions in the field. Recently, Threinen published commercial recordings of the University Wind Ensemble featuring SOM faculty soloist Dean Sorenson on trombone and Marissa Benedict on trumpet (Fire and Ice) and Preston Duncan on saxophone and Steven Campbell on tuba (Alpenglow), both are available on streaming platforms, including Apple Music and Amazon Music. Dr. Threinen has been incredibly engaged in the national and international band community with contributions as a guest conductor, clinician, conference presenter, author, and in various leadership roles outside of the School of Music.

”All of us in the School of Music are proud to call Emily Threinen a colleague,” writes Patrick Warfield, Director of the School of Music. “Through her teaching, artistry, and service, Dr. Threinen exemplifies the excellence found in the School of Music. This promotion in rank and naming to an endowed chair recognizes Dr. Threinen for the leadership she has shown here at the University, across our state, and indeed, around the world.”