Here are some select recent clippings showing the variety of hits/mentions identifying musicians and scholars as Eastman School of Music alumni, faculty or students. (Note: Some links may have expired.)
Soprano Renée Fleming Taking Post at New York Music School
(New York Times 09/11/2015)
Opera star Renee Fleming is returning to her western New York roots to conduct master classes and lessons at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester. Eastman officials announced Thursday that the renowned soprano has been appointed distinguished visiting artist. Fleming received a master of music degree at Eastman. (Reported by numerous outlets, including Associated Press, New Zealand Herald, Washington Post, Fox News, San Jose Mercury News, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Denver Post, Washington Times, KWTX, Wichita Eagle, Gulfport Sun Herald, Hilton Head Island Packet, Albany Times Union, Rochester City Newspaper, Rochester Business Journal, 13WHAM-TV, WROC-TV, Batavia Daily News, WXXI, News10NBC, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.
Atlanta Symphony taps Cleveland Orchestra GM as executive director
(Atlanta Journal-Constitution 09/10/2015)
Jennifer Barlament, general manager of the Cleveland Orchestra since 2013, will assume her leadership role at the ASO in January. Cleveland is generally considered one of the nation’s top five orchestras.
As a member of Cleveland’s senior management team, Barlament, 42, has been responsible for all facilities, orchestra operations, touring, media, front of house operations and collective bargaining. She also served as executive director of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra (2009-13) and general manager of the Omaha Symphony (2002-09).
The ASO position brings her back to Atlanta, where she received a bachelor’s degree in music from Emory University. She has a master’s in clarinet performance from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in New York. (Also reported by Cleveland Business, NeighborNewspapers.com)
(Helena Independent Record 09/06/2015)
Music Makers Conservatory is pleased to announce the addition of Kihana Van Diest to its premier faculty of private music teachers. She comes with excellent credentials to offer to the Helena community in the study of piano.
Van Diest received her bachelor of music degree in music education at Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in New York. She has teaching experience at Yamaha music school outside of Portland, Oregon, teaching music classes for ages 3-12 and private piano instructions. She has also made public performances in Cincinnati, as well as in Kobe and Osaka, Japan. She has worked as an accompanist for local musicians, string students and for elementary school orchestras in Cincinnati and the northern Kentucky area.
Good News: Sul Ross new faculty, staff
(Odessa American 09/09/2015)
Jeffrey Meyer, assistant professor of Music (director of bands). Meyer previously taught at El Paso Community College and the University of Guam as an assistant professor of Music, as well as in the El Paso Conservatory of Music, Highland (KS) Community College, Instituto Superior de Musica, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, and the Cleveland (OH) Conservatory of Music. He received a B.M. (2004) in tuba performance from the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY; M.M. (2006) in conducting from Kent (OH) State University; and D.M.A. (2010) in tuba performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Hip-Hop Violinist SVET Coming to State Theatre, 10/3
(Broadway World 09/03/2015)
You would never expect the violin to be heard in such a way. Neither did the judges on Season 7 of America’s Got Talent. The man hailed as “the best I’ve ever heard” – SVET – comes brings his sound to the State Theatre on Saturday, October 3rd.
Bulgarian native SVET is an Eastman School of Music classically-trained violinist; but as soon as he discovered the fascinating world of hip hop, he began doing something extraordinary. Combining his finely tuned ear for classical music and his passion for Hip-Hop, SVET has introduced a new, captivating sound into the mainstream realm that fuses classical training with elements of Hip Hop, House and even Reggae.
Whitworth professor makes music his lifelong pursuit
(The Spokesman-Review 09/06/2015)
Brent Edstrom’s job description sounds exhausting: college professor, author, transcriber, composer, performer. One of the things I always tell my students is that the music business requires an entrepreneurial spirit,” says Edstrom, who coordinates Whitworth University’s music theory and composition program and teaches jazz.
Edstrom: I worked for two years as a freelance musician, then earned my master’s in jazz studies and contemporary media at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.
Gifts Roundup: $13.5 Million for the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Calif.
(Chronicle of Philanthropy © 09/08/2015)
A roundup of notable gifts compiled by The Chronicle:
Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester
Emmy-winning television and film music composer Jeff Beal and his wife, Joan, a singer, pledged $2 million to establish the Beal Institute for Film Music and Contemporary Media.
Organist Christopher Wallace to Open 2015-2016 Rieth Chamber Series at Goshen College
(Goshen News 09/12/2015)
Noted organist Christopher Wallace will open the Goshen College Music Center’s 2015-16 Rieth Chamber Series with a recital on Rieth Recital Hall’s Taylor & Boody pipe organ on Sept. 20. The recital begins at 7:30 p.m.
Wallace has performed throughout the United States, Europe and Central America as a soloist, chamber musician and accompanist, and has recorded with choral ensemble Cecilia Chamber Singers. Currently music director and organist for Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church of Edina, Minnesota, Wallace received degrees in organ and piano from the University of Minnesota and the Eastman School of Music, earning Eastman’s distinguished Performer’s Certificate.