News

Greg Barz, associate professor of musicology (ethnomusicology), was named Alexander Heard Distinguished Service Professor at Vanderbilt for 2013–14. He also published three articles in 2013 in the South Africa Journal of Humanities, the Cambridge Guide to World Music, and a special issue of Acta Academica. He serves on… Read More

  Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet member Andreas Wittman works with oboe students during a master class in the instrumental rehearsal hall. master class (‘ma:str klas) A class taught by an accomplished musician who individually instructs advanced students in performance and technique, often before… Read More

In June, the Blair School welcomed Roger Vignoles, a world-class collaborative pianist and vocal coach, to mentor four young professional vocal coaches as they worked with four Blair students. The goal of this workshop was to help coaches in the middle stage of their careers, when they… Read More

  A combination of precollege, collegiate, and alumni singers and musicians performed John Rutter’s “Mass of the Children” on March 16 at the Blair School of Music 50th Anniversary Gala Concert. For more information on future 50th anniversary concerts, visit “Blair Events” on… Read More

Madeline Myers, BMus'11 (Photo by Elena Olivo) Madeline Myers, BMus’11, won the first annual Davenport Songwriting Contest sponsored by Tony Award-winning producer Ken Davenport (The Bridges of Madison County, Kinky Boots, Macbeth starring Alan Cumming, Godspell) with her song “I Could Be a Hero.” The… Read More

Photo courtesy of Tucker Biddlecombe The Vanderbilt Chorale, under the direction of Tucker Biddlecombe, associate professor of choral activities and choral director, embarked on a tour of Florida in March. This newly formed ensemble serves as the core of the Vanderbilt Symphonic Choir and is made up… Read More

Thomas Verrier, associate professor and director of wind studies The Blair School will host the biennial conference of the College Band Directors National Association in March 2015. Seven of the finest wind orchestras from throughout the United States are expected to perform. In addition, leading scholars, conductors,… Read More

Chris Teal, Joseph Joachim Professor of Violin and member of the Blair String Quartet (photo by John Russell) As the Blair School of Music celebrates its 50th anniversary, one who has been a steady presence since Blair’s days on 18th Avenue South will be saying goodbye. Christian… Read More

Vanderbilt Orchestra Director Robin Fountain with BMI Composer-in-Residence Kevin Puts and Associate Professor of Clarinet Bil Jackson rehearsing for a January concert that featured Puts' Clarinet Concerto written for Jackson (Photo by Anne Rayner) The relationship between the Blair School of Music and music licensing organization BMI… Read More

Olivia Palazzolo, age 17, and Blair alumna Dana Kelley, B.Mus. ’12, depart for the Primrose International Viola Competition on Saturday June 7. They are two of just 30 violists ages 15-29 selected to compete in the live rounds of the competition. Their fellow quarter-finalists are from Australia, Canada, China, France,… Read More