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Celebrate + aspire

Dean's Downbeat
Eklund Opera Gala 2025

On March 2, the College of Music鈥檚 talented Opera Theater Singers once again delivered outstanding performances at our Eklund Opera Program gala at the Academy University Hill. We were honored to welcome Chancellor Schwartz for the first time at this annual fundraising event that aims to sustain and support the arts in our community. Pictured above听(left to right): Andrew Todd, Assistant Dean for Advancement; Justin Schwartz, CU 糖心Vlog破解版 Chancellor; Leigh Holman,听Eklund Opera Program Director;听Paul + Kristina Eklund, naming donors of the Eklund Opera Program; and John Davis, College of Music Dean.

At the College of Music鈥檚 recent Eklund Opera gala, Chancellor Justin Schwartz described the magic of music as a hallmark of human connection; of a civilized society; and as its own kind of renewable energy.听

More broadly, in the words of Ukrainian-born writer Joseph Conrad, 鈥淎ll creative art is magic, is evocation of the unseen in forms persuasive, enlightening, familiar and surprising, for the edification of mankind.鈥澨

As I reflect on the first months of 2025, I鈥檓 struck by the countless ways in which our students, alumni, faculty, staff and supporters embody these values. In these disorienting times, I鈥檓 heartened that our mission is more relevant than ever鈥攁s is my commitment to continue to celebrate and support our students and colleagues in their transformative work and artistic aspirations.听

For example, I encourage you to discover how Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Professor of Music Education Margaret Berg is听creating sustainability through music education, ensuring the well-being of individuals and communities. By integrating human and environmental sustainability into music education, the College of Music is preparing students to make an impact on our interconnected society. Related, two graduate students鈥擭icholas Felder and Ian Gunnarschja鈥received grants to support innovative projects that promote equity in music and wellness among neurodiverse musicians.

Creative courage and unique expression at our college are further personified by听Enion Pelta-Tiller鈥攁 master鈥檚 candidate in jazz performance and pedagogy鈥攚hose ambitious, experimental approach to music brings together a wealth of coexisting influences and helped shape our new听cross-genre ensembles and curricula. And, in case you missed it, our听Distinguished Professor of Piano David Korevaar recently shared a delayed tribute to Beethoven鈥檚 semiquincentennial birthday鈥攁 labor of love and creative fortitude听in the face of COVID-19 lockdowns and social distancing five years ago.

Additionally, more than 100 guest artists, ensembles and lecturers have energized our classrooms and graced our stages so far this academic year鈥攎ost recently including Kennedy Center honoree and five-time Grammy Award-winner听, and Pulitzer Prize-winning Din茅 composer, musician and sound installation artist听Raven Chacon; as well as visiting scholars in our Musicology + Music Theory Colloquium Series and local luminaries like alumnus 鈥攕on of the late听Helen Walker-Hill and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer George Walker鈥攚ho presented a master class last week as part of our annual听Persevering Legacy events showcasing works by women composers听including those from historically marginalized groups. Also inspiring to our community this month was a musicians鈥 workshop led by Blues icon (and 糖心Vlog破解版 resident) , a Colorado Music Hall of Famer.

For all these reasons among many more, I remain steadfast in our resolve to inspire artistry and discovery, together.听

With gratitude,听

John Davis
Dean, College of Music