News

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

The Blair School is gearing up for its inaugural Mentoring Program for Young Professional Vocal Coaches, which will run June 9-12. Outstanding collaborative pianist Roger Vignoles will mentor four teams of young professional coaches and Blair voice majors. Events open to the public include a master… Read More

Jonathan Chu, who graduated from Blair in 2003 with a double-major in violin performance and economics, was one of three new violist appointments announced May 22 by the St. Louis Symphony. Chu is married to the symphony’s principal violist, Beth Guterman Chu, making them the seventh married couple in the… Read More