Bing tracking

Racialized Musical (His)tories

Dr. Philip Ewell
Dr. Philip Ewell

Guest Lecture by Dr. Philip Ewell on Thursday, 3/21, 2-3:30pm, Sateren Auditorium

In certain languages the words for “history” and “story” are the same, as in French (histoire) or Russian (история). “History” usually implies an accurate account of past events, while “story” usually refers to events that may or may not accurately reflect on the past, embellished as necessary by a “storyteller.” But in this distinction, race is rarely mentioned. Anyone, irrespective of race, can write histories or tell stories, yet with remarkable consistency in the academic study of music in the U.S., our histories have been written by white persons, usually men, passing from generation to generation with little divergence from narratives of “great works” of the “western canon.” And when a nonwhite voice challenges the white narrative, efforts to stifle that voice are swift and severe. In this talk I’ll expand on music’s histories and stories, and explain why the common American music curriculum is still segregated along racial lines. I’ll then suggest that we need to desegregate it and foreground race in our discussions so that all racial musics, and musical races, have a seat at the table and a voice in the conversation.

 

Name That Tune! Augsburg Hosts Music Listening Contest Finals

 

 

On Friday, February 3, 2023, Augsburg University will host the championship round of the Music Listening Contest, co-sponsored by Minnesota Public Radio. 

Now in its 35th year, and back in person for the first time since the pandemic, the Music Listening Contest trains students in grades 9–12 in active listening and critical analysis through a time-honored format: a quiz bowl-style tournament. The goal of the competition is to promote music literacy among high schoolers and inspire them to become lifelong participants in the musical experience. 

Nearly 200 high school teams participated in regional contests in Minnesota and neighboring states on January 20. The highest-ranked teams will meet in Hoversten Chapel on Augsburg’s campus—a beautiful setting with great acoustics that also allows the student participants a taste of what it’s like to study music on a college campus. 

The teams will go head-to-head in five rounds of increasing complexity, testing their musical recall and knowledge of the composers, styles, cultures, and periods represented in this year’s Music Listening Study Guide, hosted by MPR. Mindy Ratner, weekend host on Your Classical MPR, will serve as one of this year’s judges. 

In addition to selections from medieval, Renaissance, baroque, classical, and music from the last century, each year’s study guide highlights a specific composer, genre, and spotlight. This year’s features are composer Caroline Shaw, concert band, and music inspired by nature.

For more information on this year’s contest, visit the Music Listening Contest website.

9th–12th Grade Augsburg Honor Orchestra

Thank you to students and directors for participating in this year’s honor orchestra festival. Check out the concert recordings and we hope to see you next year!


Welcome students, parents, and directors! We are looking forward to an exciting day of music-making featuring string students from across the state. This year, we welcome guest conductor Dr. Jean Gómez, director of orchestral activities and mariachi director at the University of Texas Permian Basin.

About The Festival

Date: Saturday, April 1, 2023
Location: Hoversten Chapel in Foss Center
Cost: $25 per selected student
Students: Festival includes rehearsals, lunch, and an afternoon concert
Parents: Join for the free concert in Hoversten Chapel at 3:15 p.m.
Directors: Sit in on rehearsals, join for lunch, and attend your students’ concert

Overview & Important Dates

***We are extending our registration deadlines. See new dates below.***

Current high school students who play an orchestral string instrument (violin, viola, cello, double bass) are eligible to be nominated for the festival by their director. Directors must complete and submit the Director Nomination Form by March 8. Once nominations are reviewed, Augsburg will notify directors of selected participants and send digital copies of music and additional information about the festival.

Deadlines

  • March 8 — Nominations due
  • March 17 — Notifications sent to directors

Schedule

8:00 a.m. — Check-in, Foss Center Atrium
8:30 a.m. — Rehearsal, Hoversten Chapel
10:00 a.m. — Break
10:30 a.m. — Rehearsal, Hoversten Chapel
12:00 p.m. — Lunch (provided), The Commons in Christensen Center
1:00 p.m. — Rehearsal, Hoversten Chapel
3:00 p.m. — Break and prepare for the concert
3:15 p.m. — Concert, Hoversten Chapel

Guest Conductor

Jean Gómez is known for his energy and passion as a conductor and performer and his devotion to music education. From his early steps at the Escuela Munici pal de Música de Paraíso and the Sistema Nacional de Educación Musical in his native Costa Rica, he developed an interest in learning different instruments, playing in various ensembles, and teaching private lessons. These opportunities shaped his love for conducting and took him to the U.S. in 2015 to pursue his master’s degree in conducting and viola performance at Truman State University in Missouri and continue with his doctoral degree in conducting with a piano minor from theUniversity of Georgia.

As a conductor, he has been honored to work with Diego Piedra, Sam McClure, Mark Cedel, Carl St. Clair, Robert Gifford, Mario Lamberto, Vittorio Parisi, Paulo Ferrara, Osmo Vänskä, Benjamin Zander and others. He won first place in the International Conductors Workshop and Competition in Atlanta, GA, in 2019. In 2020 and 2021, he was appointed a finalist for the American Prize Award in Orchestral Conducting, college division.

Dr. Gómez serves as the director of orchestral activities and mariachi director at the University of Texas Permian Basin and performs actively with orchestras and ensembles around Texas as the West Texas Symphony Orchestra and the Big Spring Symphony Orchestra. Music has brought him to step on stages in Panama, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Italy, and the United States.

FAQs

Do you need to be vaccinated to participate or attend this event?
No, vaccination is not a requirement for this event.

Do I need a permit to park on campus?
There is ample street parking located around campus. Please follow the posted signs and note that street parking is monitored by the City of Minneapolis. Additionally, permits are not required for campus Lots D or L on weekends.

Contacts

Festival Host and Director:
Rafael Rodriguez, DMA, Orchestra Director
rodrigra@augsburg.edu | 612-330-1099

Festival Coordinator:
Ryan Borden, Fine Arts Coordinator
borden@augsburg.edu | 612-330-1279

Resources

Augsburg 9th–10th Grade Honor Band

Thank you to students and directors for participating in the 2023 honor band festival. Check out the concert recordings and we’ll see you again in February!


Augsburg Bold image outside of the new Science Building

About the Festival

Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024
Cost: $40 per selected student
Parents: Join us for the free concert at 3 p.m. in Hoversten Chapel
Directors: Sit in on rehearsals, attend sectionals, and join us for lunch
Highlights include:

  • Honor Band Rehearsals
  • Sectionals with Augsburg faculty
  • Lunch for students and directors
  • Free afternoon concert

Overview & Important Dates

The Augsburg University Music Department is excited to welcome another group of young musicians back to campus for a day of music-making. Any current 9th or 10th grade musician who has skill in performing on a band instrument (woodwind, brass, percussion, or double bass) is eligible to be nominated for the festival by their band director. After nomination forms are reviewed, the Augsburg faculty will notify directors of selected participants and send digital music files and additional information about the festival.

  • Nominations due: December 11, 2023
  • Notifications: December 20, 2023

Nominate Your Students

Festival Host and Honor Band Director:

Dr. Charles Weise

weisec@augsburg.edu

Festival Schedule (approximate)

8:30 a.m.   –  Registration, Hoversten Chapel Atrium, Foss Center (entrance on 22nd Ave. S)
8:45 a.m.   –  Percussion sectional
9:15 a.m.   –  Rehearsal
10:45 a.m. –  Sectionals with Augsburg faculty
11:30 a.m. –  Lunch
12:15 p.m. –  Rehearsal
1:15 p.m.   –  “What is college?” chat
1:45 p.m.   –  Rehearsal
3:00 p.m.   –  Concert Begins, Hoversten Chapel in Foss Center

Additional Information & Requirements

Where does the honor band take place?
All festival activities will be in either Foss Center or Anderson Music Hall on Augsburg University’s campus. Lunch will be provided to students at The Commons, our campus dining hall.

Do I need a permit to park on campus?
Permits are not required to park in Lot L on the day of the festival. All other lots are unavailable for guest parking. Campus maps have been included below, and more Parking Information for music events can be found with the music department’s events calendar. Street parking is also available around campus and is monitored by the city of Minneapolis.

Where should I drop my student off for the day?
The best student drop off location is the intersection of 22nd Ave and S 7th St, on the east side of 22nd. Registration will be located in the Foss Center atrium.

Resources

Celebrating Music Scholarship Recipients and Music Donors

Image taken from within the pit orchestraThe Augsburg University Music Department is pleased to celebrate our outstanding music students and generous donors at the 2022-23 Donor Appreciation Event on Wednesday, April 27 at 5:30 p.m. This online gathering of the Augsburg music community will recognize the accomplishments of this year’s music scholarship recipients.

The event will include performances by some of our award winners, as well as student statements of gratitude for our generous donors, and a visit by music alumnus Dr. Bill Halverson ‘51–Augsburg music education alum and professor, former dean at The Ohio State University, leading expert on Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, and generous supporter of Augsburg Music.

We hope you will share in our celebration and continued growth of the Augsburg music community by joining us on April 27. Please register by April 25, 2022. Thank you in advance for your interest in, and support of, Augsburg Music!

Congratulations to all of the 2022-23 Music Named Scholarship Recipients!

Jeff Gilbertson, Orville and Gertrude Hognander Scholarship

Ashley Litzinger, Orville and Gertrude Hognander Scholarship (current), Mabeth Saure Gyllstrom Scholarship  (2019-2023)

Charlotte Taddeo, Susan H. and Dean C. Kopperud Scholarship (current), Mayo Savold Memorial Scholarship (2021-2025), Arthur Carl Mammen Scholarship (2021-2025)

Bernadette Spray, Rev. Clement A. Gisselquist Church Music Scholarship

Tess Zastrow, Jerome & Winifred Formo Scholarship, Professor Roberta Stewart Kagin Scholarship

Emily Larson, Jerome & Winifred Formo Scholarship, John and Vera Thut Scholarship, Ruth Krohn Kislingbury Choral Music Scholarship

Maria Kratz, Presser Foundation Scholarship

Haidyn Battle, Robert Karlén Chamber Music Scholarship, St. John’s Lutheran Church – John Norris Memorial Scholarship, Edwin W. and Edith B. Norberg Scholarship

Michelle L. Hofeldt, David R. Winsor Scholarship

Madison Edens, Albert and Solveig Birkeland Scholarship, Hanwick Thanksgiving Scholarship

Jacky Thao, Max David Bassinson Music Scholarship

Chriz Aguilar-Dominguez, Lingen Johnson Scholarship for Education, Marjorie and James R. Gronseth Jr. Memorial Music Scholarship

Vincent Rosa-Chavez, Henry P. Opseth Scholarship, Sam Coltvet Memorial  Music Scholarship, I. Hertsgaard Scholarship, Marilyn Solberg Voice Scholarship

Jadyn Kincaid, Kenneth O. Lower-Nordkap Scholarship, Catha Jones Scholarship

Emma Kirkpatrick, Grace Carlsen Nelson Scholarship, Lois Oberhamer Nye Scholarship

Carson Vincent, Edwin W. and Edith B. Norberg Scholarship

Charity Timm, Curtis and Marian Sampson Music Scholarship

Joe Ramlet, Leonard and Anabelle Dalberg Scholarship

Emma Scherrer, Leonard and Sylvia Kuschel Scholarship

Race to the Finish Line!

Running Ensemble Cartoon

As student & faculty return from Spring Break, the Music Department is gearing up for a music-filled sprint to the finish line! We look forward to you joining us for these many wonderful performances and events in March & April. (Complete Calendar and Parking Details)

March

March 23    LIVE Music Visit Day, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Register online)
March 24    Music Department Convocation, 3-4 p.m., Sateren Auditorium
March 24    Tommy Bieganek, Saxophone Recital, 6:30 p.m., Sateren Auditorium
March 26    Choral Performance, 7:30 p.m., Hoversten Chapel
March 27    Faculty Recital: Patricia Kent, Voice, 7 p.m., Hoversten Chapel
March 28    Paul McCoyer, Percussion Recital, 8 p.m., Sateren Auditorium
March 31    Jarabe Mexicano, Music Business Class Visit, 9:40 a.m.
March 31    Jarabe Mexicano, Morning Chapel Worship, 11:30 a.m.
March 31    Jarabe Mexicano, Voice Masterclass, 1:15 p.m., Sateren Auditorium

April

April 2        Jarabe Mexicano with the Augsburg Orchestra & Choir, 2 p.m., Hoversten Chapel
April 7        Chris Watkins, Electric Bass Recital, 6:30 p.m., Sateren Auditorium
April 7        Bernadette Spray, Voice Recital, 8 p.m., Sateren Auditorium
April 9        Augsburg Honor Orchestra Festival
April 11      Adam Lietzau, Violin Recital, 6:30 p.m., Sateren Auditorium
April 11      Casey Johnson, Viola Recital, 8 p.m., Sateren Auditorium
April 12      String Quartets by Women Composers, Jamison Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. (pre-concert chat), 8 p.m. (performance), Sateren Auditorium
April 14      Augsburg Orchestra Performance, 7 p.m., Hoversten Chapel
April 18      Augsburg & NHCC Band Concert, 7:30 p.m., Hoversten Chapel
April 19      Augsburg Jazz & Augsburg Vocal Jazz Concert, 7 p.m., Sateren Auditorium
April 20      Chamber Music Recital, 4 p.m., Sateren Auditorium
April 21      String Studio Recital, 4 p.m., Gundale Chapel
April 21      Ana Ortiz, Piano Recital, 5:30 p.m., Sateren Auditorium
April 21      Lukas Thomas, Piano Recital, 6:30 p.m., Sateren Auditorium
April 21      Kaitlin Cook, Piano Recital, 8 p.m., Sateren Auditorium
April 22      Choral Performance, 7:30 p.m., Hoversten Chapel
April 23-24 Music Therapy Workshop
April 27      Donor Appreciation Event, 5:30 p.m., virtual

May

May 4         Commencement, 6 p.m., US Bank Stadium

Augsburg Faculty at MMEA, February 2022

Congratulations to Augsburg Music Faculty members presenting their research and talent at this year’s Minnesota Music Educator’s Association Conference at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Don’t forget to check out the Augsburg University Music Exhibitor Booth at this year’s MMEA too!

Erika Svanoe, D.M.A. – Director, Augsburg Concert Band

Conductor:
Minnesota All-State Symphonic Band

Session:
Friday, February 18, 2022 – 8:45 a.m. (Room: L100DG)
Top 10 things you didn’t know about the music of Erika Svanoe 

More About:
Erika Svanoe
Augsburg Concert Band


Rafael Rodriguez, D.M.A. – Director, Augsburg Orchestra, Augsburg Jazz

Rafael Rodriguez
Session:
Friday, February 18, 2022 – 2:15 p.m. (Room: M101ABC)
The Music of Latin America and the Black Atlantic in your Orchestra 

More About:
Rafael Rodriguez
Augsburg Orchestra
Augsburg Jazz

9th-12th Grade Augsburg Honor Orchestra

Image of an Augsburg Student Cello performerAbout the Festival

Welcome students, parents and directors! We are looking forward to an exciting day of music making featuring string students from across the state.

Overview & Important Dates

Date: Saturday, April 9, 2022 – Augsburg University
Cost: $20 per selected student
Students: festival includes rehearsals, lunch and late afternoon concert
Parents: join us for the free concert at 3:15 p.m. in Hoversten Chapel
Directors: sit in on rehearsals, attend sectionals, join us for lunch

Deadlines

  • Nominations due, February 25
  • Notifications & music sent, week of March 7

Nominate any current 9-12th grade musician who has skill in performing on a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, or double bass). Directors must complete and send the Director Nomination Form by February 25. After nomination forms are reviewed, Augsburg faculty will notify directors, and selected participants will receive music and additional information about the festival.

Festival Host/Director:
Rafael Rodriguez, DMA
rodrigra@augsburg.edu

Festival Schedule (estimated)

Saturday, April 9, 2022

8:00 a.m., Check in at Foss Center Atrium (entrance on 22nd Ave. S)
8:30 a.m., Rehearsal
10:00 a.m., Break
10:30 a.m.,Rehearsal
12 p.m., Lunch (provided) – Christensen Center Commons
1 p.m., Rehearsal
3 p.m., Break/Prep for concert
3:15 p.m., Concert Begins, Hoversten Chapel in the Foss Center

Festival Repertoire

To be announced soon!

Resources

2nd Annual Bassoon All-State Workshop at Augsburg University

Update: Event postponed

This event has been postponed until May 2022, due to COVID19. Additional details will be posted once the date if finalized.

———————–

Welcome students, parents and directors! We are looking forward to an exciting day of music making for bassoon students from the surrounding area. Continue reading “2nd Annual Bassoon All-State Workshop at Augsburg University”

42nd Annual Advent Vespers Festivities

Advent Vespers Header

42nd Annual ADVENT VESPERS
A Free, Virtual Service | Friday, December 3, 2021 – 7 p.m. CST

Advent Vespers, Virtual Premiere Link - CLICK HERE

ABOUT

For more than four decades, Augsburg University has ushered in the Advent and Christmas seasons with Advent Vespers, a magnificent experience of music and liturgy, focusing on the theme of preparation and building up to the joyful celebration of the Incarnation. Continue reading “42nd Annual Advent Vespers Festivities”