Here are some select clippings from the past week 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.)
Some joy for the Ciesinski sisters
(Slipped Disc 08/28/2018)
Today we learn that Katherine has been named inaugural professor of voice and opera at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music. (Also reported by Monroe County Post)
Coming up on Connections: Monday, September 3
(WXXI News 09/02/2018)
Remembering the life and legacy of Paul Burgett
In this special broadcast of Connections, we remember the life and legacy of Paul Burgett. The late University of Rochester dean and vice president died August 22 at the age of 72. Burgett served the institution and the Rochester community with his whole heart for more than half a century. We had the privilege of sitting down with him many times on Connections, and this hour, we’ll revisit conversations we had on race, history, music, the value of travel, and more. Then, you’ll hear several of Burgett’s colleagues share their memories and why they say he embodied the university’s motto, “ever better.” Our guests:
•Jamal Rossi, Joan and Martin Messinger Dean of the Eastman School of Music
•Jessica Guzman-Rea, director of the Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center at the University of Rochester
•Jamal Holtz, junior at the University of Rochester and vice president of the Students’ Association (Also reported by City Newspaper, The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education)
George Walker, Barrier-Breaking Composer, Is Dead at 96
(New York Times 08/27/2018)
Dr. Walker, who was also a music professor at several institutions, … He then enrolled at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he at first … then entered the doctoral program at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester. In 1956 he became the school’s first black recipient of a doctoral degree. (Also reported by San Francisco Chronicle, Crain’s Cleveland Business (blog), San Francisco Classical Voice, Montclair Local, New Jersey Stage)
Churchville native Renee Fleming performs at McCain funeral
(WHhttps://www.whec.com/news/churchville-native-renee-fleming-mccain-funeral/5054003/EC 09/01/2018)
One voice was ringing out for Senator John McCain Saturday comes from the Rochester area.
Opera singer Renee Fleming brought out tears when she sang the beloved Irish classic “Danny boy.”
She graduated from The Eastman School of Music and she’s performed on Broadway.
Her manager says that before he died, McCain asked that she sing, and that she sing “Danny boy.” (Also reported by WXXI, Classic FM, Democrat and Chronicle, 13WHAM-TV, WSKG.org, RochesterFirst)
A star is born: Brianna Robinson
BayStateBanner 08/29/2018)
African American singer Brianna Robinson didn’t take a formal music lesson until she was in college. Now she’s joining the Boston Lyric Opera. Robinson earned a bachelor of music degree from Ohio Wesleyan University in Vocal Music Performance and Black Studies, and a Master of Music in Performance and Literature with a certificate in Arts Leadership from Eastman School of Music. After an impressive walk-in audition, the BLO’s artistic staff immediately signed Robinson up for the Emerging Artists apprenticeship program, where she’ll receive training, vocal coaching and onstage performance opportunities. …
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