As part of the hybrid course offerings with the large instrumental ensembles this semester, the Bands and Orchestras have organized a series of panel discussions on current issues in music with compelling guests from around the country. These sessions are intended to stimulate meaningful reflection and dialogue within the School of Music.
The first in our three-part series on Music and Social Justice took place on the evening of Thursday, August 27, and was attended by more than 240 students and faculty. The panelists for our first webinar were:
Andre Dowell – Chief of Artist Engagement, The Sphinx Organization
William Lake, Jr. – Associate Director of Bands, Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam (DMA ’18)
Albert Lee – Assistant Professor of Voice and Director of Nevada Chamber Opera, University of Nevada, Reno
Upcoming Fall 2020 Panels
Issues in Music Education 1: September 8
Cecil Adderley – Chair of Music Education, Berklee School of Music (UNCG alumnus)
Sommer Forrester – Assistant Professor of Music Education, University of Massachusetts–Boston
Scott Laird – Orchestra Director, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
The Performer’s Experience (UNCG Alumni): September 21
Samantha Frenduto – clarinet, United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own”
Andy Hall – saxophone, The Moanin’ Frogs
Ian Mayton – horn, Houston Symphony Orchestra
Laura Poe – music assistant, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, Dusseldorf, Germany, and San Francisco Opera
Kit Polen – double bass, Quad City Symphony, regular performer with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Music and Social Justice 2: October 6
William Lake, Jr. – Associate Director of Bands, Crane School of Music
Eugene Rogers – Director of Choral Activities, University of Michigan
Joel Thompson – composer, Seven Last Words of the Unarmed
Issues in Music Education 2: October 19
Kiyoshi Carter – Band Director, Northern Guilford High School and Governor’s School of North Carolina (UNCG alumnus)
Colleen Conway – Professor of Music Education, University of Michigan
David Eccles – Orchestra Director, The Lovett School, former Director of String Music Education, VanderCook College of Music
Scott Rush – Author, Habits series (GIA Publication) former Fine Arts Chair, Dorchester District 2 (SC), former Band Director, Wando High School
Teaching at the University Level (UNCG Alumni): October 22
Andrea Brown – Associate Director of Bands, University of Maryland
Justin Bunting – Assistant Professor of Percussion, University of Arkansas–Little Rock
Shawn Copeland – Associate Professor of Clarinet, University of Idaho
Xin Gao – Assistant Professor of Saxophone, Truman State University
Melody Causby – Assistant Professor of Music Education, University of Southern Mississippi
Perspectives on Arts Administration: November 4
Sara Gibson – Operations Manager, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
Carrie Graham – Manager of Artistic Planning, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
Armand Hall – ROCmusic Collaborative (Eastman School of Music); Vice-Chair, El Sistema USA; Education Director, Archipelago Project
Anna Justice – Director of Development, Oregon State University Foundation
Harry Mullins – Manager of Orchestra Operations, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Paul Pietrowski – Director of Orchestra Personnel, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Music and Social Justice 3: November 18
Damien Crutcher – Founder, Crescendo Detroit; music faculty, Wayne State University
Tonya Mitchell-Spradlin – Director of Bands, Pennsylvania State University
William Lake, Jr. – Associate Director of Bands, Crane School of Music (UNCG alumnus)
Bethany Uhler – former director, Chatham Youth Detention Center String Program (UNCG alumnus)