What’s New–Faculty

Meconi Awarded Prestigious NEH Grant

Professor Honey Meconi will have the opportunity to research and write a book about the history of 16th Century illustrated musical manuscripts known as chansonniers. The recipient of a $50,400 National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship, Meconi will spend July 2008 through June 2009 studying manuscripts in Europe, namely Paris, and in the United States. Click here to read the full story from Currents.

Harman Named "Musician of the Year"

Professor David Harman, director of orchestral activities in the College Music Department, has been named the 2007 "Musician of the Year" by the Rochester chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon. Harman will be honored at a special concert March 2nd in the Eastman School's Kilbourne Hall. The concert begins at 7:30pm, and is free and open to the public.

Covach Featured in Rochester Revue Article

Professor John Covach, chair of the College Music Department, was featured in the 2007 summer edition of Rochester Review. In author Ryan Whirty's article, Covach is described as "the University's reigning rock 'n' roll professor," and a profile of Covach's Analysis of Rock Music course (MUR 214B) is presented. Follow this link to the full article.

Meconi Receives 2006 Noah Greenberg Award

At a recent meeting of the American Musicological Society in Los Angeles, professor Honey Meconi was named a co-winner of the 2006 Noah Greenberg Award. The award is given "to stimulate active cooperation between scholars and performers by recognizing and fostering outstanding contributions to historical performing practices." Prof. Meconi's project is called "Extreme Singing," and it will result in a CD by Vox Early Music Ensemble, a professional group and the co-winner of the award.  The CD features very low vocal works of the Renaissance (down to A below the staff), including La Rue's Requiem; the other component of the project is an article that Prof. Meconi is writing outlining the evidence for performance of such works at written pitch.

BaileyShea Wins Prestigious Award

Matthew BaileyShea, assistant professor of music, received the G. Graydon '58 and Jane W. Curtis Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Nontenured Member of the Faculty at the College commencement ceremony. BaileyShea joined the faculty in 2003. Besides teaching, he serves as a freshman advisor, supervises the undergraduate musicianship sequence, and holds a secondary appointment as assistant professor of music theory at the Eastman School. Kim Kowalke, chair of the College Music Department and the Richard L. Turner Professor of Humanities, describes BaileyShea as "simply a star." Many students agree, awarding him some of the highest possible overall instructor ratings and praising him for his openness, enthusiasm, and depth of knowledge.

Harman Receives Award from Monroe County School Music Association

David Harman, Music Director of the UR Symphony Orchestra and the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, has been chosen by the Monroe Country School Music Association as the 2005 recipient of the Richard H. Snook Award. This award recognizes musicians who have made significant contributions to music education in the community. Past recipients of this award include Fred Sturm, Jeff Tyzik, Jeanne Gray, and Donna Brink Fox. Dr. Harman is honored for his many community involvements in music education over the past twelve years. These include music leadership of the RPYO, the Penfield Symphony, and the University of Rochester's student and community Symphony Orchestra; his collaborations with high school orchestras and choruses; and educational programs for elementary, middle, and high school students he conducted with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Dr. Harman will be presented with the award on April 2 at the Elementary All-County Music Festival.

Scott Tapped to Lead Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus

Following a national search, the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus has announced the appointment of Dr. L. Brett Scott as Music Director. BPC Board President Jane Mathias, in announcing his appointment, said Scott "accepted our offer with excitement...He is looking forward to leading the chorus to new levels of achievement, and to being a part of the ongoing growth of the BPC." Scott received his Doctorate in Choral Conducting at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. He is currently on the faculty at the University of Rochester where he directs both the University Choir and the Chamber Singers and is an assistant professor of music. He is also an assistant professor within the Eastman School of Music where he teaches at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In addition to his new title, Scott is the recipient of the Cameron Baird conducting chair. This position was established in 1986 through an endowment named to honor Baird, who guided the Chorus to prominence during its developming years.

Pianist Enriches College Music Program

Internationally acclaimed pianist Zora Mihailovich would rather not discuss her accomplishments or her remarkable talent. Instead, the College Department of Music artist-in-residence–a first for the program–would much rather let her music and the music of her students speak for itself. http://www.rochester.edu/pr/Currents/V32/V32N12/story09.html