News @ the Peck School of the Arts

UWM Professor featured in Journal of the American Violist

UWM Music alumna wins the 2nd Clarinet audition with Phoenix Symphony

Clarinetist and UWM Music alumna Katherine Kohler on winning the 2nd Clarinet audition with the prestigious Phoenix Symphony!

Katherine had been performing with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (even subbing while an undergraduate student) and the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra.

"Sounding Off" Q&A with Master of Music candidate in Orchestral Conducting Jared Judge

"Sounding Off" Q&A with Jared Judge
Master of Music candidate in Orchestral Conducting (May 2017)

Jared Judge is headed to Washington D.C. on March 21 to compete in the United States Air Force band officer/conductor final audition round.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How did you learn of the competition, what was the application process?
I learned about the competition through the Air Force Band’s website, and by speaking with representatives of the Air Force Band at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago last December. I submitted a resume, video portfolio including footage of me conducting the UWM Wind Ensemble, college transcripts, and several letters of recommendation from previous teachers and supervisors. I was then contacted by Lieutenant Wise of the Air Force Band of Mid-America for a phone interview over winter break. We discussed many aspects of the job including the music and administrative sides, as well as possible deployment abroad. After learning about my experiences directing the Princeton Opera Alliance (Princeton, NJ), Lt. Wise was confident my administrative skills would be a good fit for the Air Force.

When were you notified of your acceptance to compete?
Since the phone interview, I was informed that I was selected as one of the top 10 candidates, and was asked to meet with an Air Force recruiter down in Oak Creek, WI. This brief meeting assessed my ability to serve as a member of the Air Force. After the results of this screening occurred, I was informed that I had been selected to be among 6 candidates to audition in front of the US Air Force Band in Washington DC. I was ecstatic and when I received the news--to conduct the Air Force Band in DC is truly a great honor! As is the prospect of earning a full time conducting job.

What have you been doing the past few weeks to prepare?
For this upcoming audition I have been preparing to conduct four musical selections: "Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral" by Richard Wagner, "Profanation" from Leonard Bernstein’s Jeremiah Symphony, "The Toreador Song" from Bizet’s Carmen, and "Fascinating Rhythm" from George Gershwin’s Nice Work if You Can Get It. Additionally, I have been honing my music theory and aural skills with Assistant Dean and Music Lecturer, Dr. Jim Burmeister, in preparation for a written examination that is part of the audition process. A lot of time has also been spent studying the audition scores and practicing conducting. Music Professor and Director of Bands, Dr. John Climer, graciously allowed me time to conduct the UWM Wind Ensemble as part of my preparations. Associate Director of Bands, Dr. Mark Norman, and Director of Orchestral Activity, Dr. Jun Kim, have also provided mentorship and coaching.

What's next?
If the audition goes well, then I will be a proud soldier in the USAF. Otherwise, I will continue my studies and pursue further degrees to work towards becoming a conductor of both collegiate and professional musical ensembles.

"Sounding Off" with UWM trumpet graduate student Keaton Viavattine

"Sounding Off" with Keaton Viavattine

UWM Music Graduate Student

MM Trumpet Performance 2017

 

UWM trumpeter on his way to national competition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What brought you to Peck School of the Arts?

First and foremost, its incredible faculty. My primary instructor, Trumpet Professor Kevin Hartman, has been a constant inspiration, and wealth of knowledge on all aspects of practice, performance, and professional practices. His input has been invaluable, especially in combination with the other faculty with whom I am able to study. 

 

How has the experience been different here compared to your undergraduate alma matter, Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY?

I believe most of the difference that I feel is related to my new role as a graduate student. I'm called upon more often to perform in principal roles and be a leader in the studio as best as I can, both musically and professionally. As an undergraduate, I learned so much from the graduate students. It has been an honor to be able to pass on what I have learned to my classmates in the trumpet studio.

 

Have you been competing for a while? 

This is actually the first competition that I have entered as a soloist. The National Trumpet Competition (NTC) also has an ensemble division which I participated in during my sophomore year. I can say that it was certainly one of the most important and rewarding experiences that I have had musically. I found that that experience, as well as my preparation for the upcoming competition as a soloist, have encouraged and inspired growth both musically and professionally. 

 

Tell me a little bit about the piece you will be playing. Why did you chose it for the competition?

The piece I have chosen is the first movement from Eino Tamberg's first trumpet concerto. I chose this piece for several reasons, the first of which being that I found it musically intriguing. Pieces written in the Twentieth Century can be difficult to musically approach. I have enjoyed the challenge of dissecting this work and mentally reformatting it in a way that is more meaningful for myself as the performer and the audience. There is plenty of important repertoire to choose from and eventually become familiar with so a lot of the time, repertoire selections within a scholastic setting are derived from what the student needs to work on. Competition selections are different in the way that the performer tries to exhibit their strengths and ability within a very short amount of time. NTC allows eight minutes to walk on stage, tune, perform, bow and walk off. It certainly operates as a well-oiled machine! I think a successful competition piece selection will take that into consideration, and I really believe the Tamberg accomplishes those things. And not to mention it's just a really fun piece to play!

 

How you are preparing for the semi-finals? 

My preparation for this competition has mostly come in the form of very slow and repetitive practice. The goal for me is to have the technique mentally and physically ingrained so that competition day can be about emoting with sound. Besides practicing the technique of the instrument, preparation has included making musical choices about what best serves the music as well as the mental aspect of performing in a public setting. 

 

When is the finals round? 

The finals round will take place the next day. The top six performers in each category will advance.

 

What does a competition like this mean to you, and advancing in it?

A competition like this is very exciting as a performer. Preparing for an event like this has been an invaluable experience. It will be a fantastic experience to hear, meet and reconnect with so many aspiring players. 

 

What's next for you?

The next step for me will be auditioning for professional orchestras, and certainly preparing for any upcoming competitions in the coming months.

 

UWM ranks among nation’s top research institutions

Ben Stanley

February 5, 2016

Biz Times Milwaukee

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has joined the ranks of the nation’s most active research universities.

UWM’s Innovator Accelerator campus in Wauwatosa.

UWM was re-classified as a Tier 1 Research University in theCarnegie Foundation’s most recent Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, which was published Feb. 1.

The foundation releases classifications once every five years.

There are 115 Tier 1 research institutions, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Yale, Duke and Johns Hopkins.

Read more: Biz Times

Music - The American Prize announces five HONORED ARTISTS for 2015

1/6/16

The American Prize

Five American musicians have been chosen as Honored Artists of The American Prize, 2015, by the national nonprofit competitions in the performing arts.  Honored Artists are individuals who have proven themselves to be musicians of “sustained excellence" over a number of seasons as contestants in the competitions.

Read more: The American Prize

Guitar teacher opens up college course (for free!) to veterans

Makenzie Boettcher

11/30/15

88Nine Radio Milwaukee

After 39 years, Beverly Belfer has taught almost 20,000 students how to play guitar... and she's still going strong! And thanks to the nonprofit organization Guitars for Vets, Beverly is now using her perfected teaching skills as a way to give back.

Guitars for Vets is a nonprofit started in Milwaukee that works music therapy for veterans with PTSD. Providing free guitars and lessons to veterans, after hearing about the program, Beverly knew she had to get involved.

Read more: Radio Milwaukee

Arts+Tech Night, where technology combines with creativity

Kathy Quirk

12/9/15

UWM Report

Light, sound, illusion and artistic vision will illuminate four floors of an industrial artist space owned by Peck School of the Arts on Wednesday, Dec. 16.

The public is encouraged to explore the exhibits at Arts+Tech Night from 6 to 9 p.m. at Kenilworth Square East, 1925 E. Kenilworth Place.

Arts+Tech Night is a technology-centered interdisciplinary art showcase featuring projects by 30 juniors and seniors working toward a bachelor’s degree in the Interdisciplinary Arts & Technology program, as well as students enrolled in arts courses that address technology in other ways.

Read more: UWM Report

CONDUCTOR FINALISTS: opera, music theater, 2015

The American Prize

11/23/15

The American Prize is pleased to announce 2015 FINALIST conductors in the opera/music theater division. Congratulations!

To know the exact date when winners will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.

Read more at The American Prize

Milwaukee Symphony, Kathryn Henry deliver a riveting performance

Elaine Schmidt

November 16, 2015

Tap Milwaukee

Music speaks when words fail.

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra played to a packed Basilica of St. Josaphat on Friday evening, dedicating a heart-wrenching performance of Henryk Gorecki's Symphony No. 3 ("Symphony of Sorrowful Songs") to victims of the Paris terrorist attacks, which had occurred hours earlier.

Conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong led a deeply moving performance of the piece, allowing its meditatively repetitious lines to build slowly. He used gradual dynamic changes to lead the audience to what proved to be deeply poignant harmonic shifts within the piece.

Kathryn Henry, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee voice student whose career was launched with her selection in March as a national finalist in Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, joined Lecce-Chong and the orchestra with a riveting performance that dispelled any notions of studenthood.

Read more: Tap Milwaukee