
Wells Award winners excel in engineering and humanities
They major in optical engineering and minor in Italian. Or work toward dual degrees in music and computer science. Or pursue two minors while majoring in audio and music engineering. Meet the graduating seniors from the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences honored for pursuing dual degrees or minors in the humanities.

Telling ‘Sekuru’s Stories’ through music, digital scholarship
Rochester ethnomusicologist Jennifer Kyker has embarked on a research project focused on the musical life of one of her earliest mbira teachers, renowned performer of the Zimbabwean mbira, Sekuru Tute Chigamba.

‘Fringe allows me to push myself to do things I don’t normally get to do’
Rochester Fringe Festival is one of the fastest growing in the United States, with performances from many University students, faculty, and staff. Six of those performers share what makes Fringe special.

Symphony Orchestra, dancers to explore theme of immigration
In her new role in the Department of Music, Rachel Waddell encourages people to “listen to classical music in a different way,” connecting an upcoming performance of Antonin Dvořák’s New World Symphony to issues of immigration, and the meaning of “home.”

Remembering Tom Petty: ‘A new traditionalist’
John Covach, director of the University’s Institute for Popular Music, remembers the pop and rock values of Tom Petty. “Petty was not a new waver after all, but rather someone moving forward by looking back.”

Carillon bells restored after 40 years of service
The familiar sound of the bells in tower of Rush Rhees Library will be silenced for the next few weeks, while parts of the Hopeman Memorial Carillon are under restoration.

Fanfare for the Common Student
Rachel Waddell, director of orchestral activities, conducts a brass and percussion ensemble composed of Department of Music students as they perform Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man to mark the beginning of classes. (University photo / J. Adam Fenster)

5 questions: Meet new conductor Rachel Waddell
Waddell joins the faculty of the Department of Music as the director of orchestral activities. She will teach and also conduct both the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras.

In the summer of 1967: Sgt. Pepper altered pop music industry
In an op-ed for Newsweek, Professor John Covach marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic album, noting that only the Beatles could have released such a musically adventurous and experimental work.

Sgt. Pepper’s lasting impact, 50 years later
“Ironically, an album that might not strictly speaking have been a concept album ended up being the most influential concept album in the history of rock music,” says John Covach, professor of music and director of the University’s Institute for Popular Music.