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In this edition of the Dean’s Downbeat, Dean John Davis doubles down on the College of Music’s commitment to championing diversity, equity and inclusion. “I’m convinced that by embracing DEI as integral to our universal musician mission, we not only achieve flexible, interdisciplinary career options for our graduates, but also expand the artistic landscape and cultivate a community of curious, continuous learners who challenge biases, question assumptions and engage with diverse perspectives—and who navigate nuance and complexity with openness, understanding and empathy.”

Associate Professor of Jazz Studies Paul McKee reflects on the impact of mentorship and shares the spirit of his new, three-part arrangement of “Pomp & Circumstance” to be premiered at the spring 2024 university commencement ceremony!

Louis Saxton (BM ’24) has been named the College of Music’s 2024 Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award recipient. Discover Saxton’s inspiration, journey and experience at CU Boulder!

Join us on March 7 for student performances celebrating women-identifying composers.

Mention Jamaican music to most Americans and the pop sounds of reggae usually come to mind. But there’s much more—the wonderfully rich harmonies of choral music, hundreds of rarely heard sacred songs and folk songs that deserve more exposure. Doctoral student O’Neil Jones is about to make that happen.

The Entrepreneurship Center for Music (ECM) introduced a new face this academic year: While Professor of Composition and ECM Director Jeffrey Nytch is on sabbatical until fall 2024, Marilyn Brock fulfills the role of interim director.

Adriana Ripley—a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor’s in musical theatre at the College of Music—shares her favorite aspects of the College of Music and reveals the ways in which her music education is preparing her for a promising career.

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The Sphinx Performance Academy has changed the lives of thousands of underrepresented young musicians, offering a curriculum that includes lessons, master classes, recitals, career enrichment sessions and mentorship.

In this edition of the Dean’s Downbeat, Dean John Davis offers reflections and a vision for the future as he shares highlights from our newly revamped annual digital magazine—Colorado Music. “...our mission matters more than ever. Because what we do as musicians requires not only skill, but humanity—that is, the simultaneous conveyance of emotion, connection and understanding. Colorado Music takes stock of how far we’ve come.”