This past year more than 700 student musicians embodied Learn by Doing through performances, academic pursuits, ensemble tours and collaborations with guest artists.
Our undergraduate focus promotes direct mentorship that often results in working and performing side-by-side with faculty and achieving personal success, like having a composition published (see next page)! Students also worked with renowned guest artists like Boston Brass, Marcus Shelby and Patrice Rushen during residencies we hosted. Our partnerships with the San Luis Obispo Symphony, Ethnic Studies Department and other campus groups help make these musical opportunities available to students from all majors.
Alumni engagement has been strong this year, with two major events bringing together musicians from decades past. It was deeply moving for me to meet our alumni, and to hear how much our choral and bands alumni valued their time performing in our ensembles.
As you will read, our dedicated faculty members are active scholars, composers and performers. Their ongoing artistic and scholarly work directly informs their teaching, leading to innovative methods that help ensure our students’ success.
Our musical commitment resonates on campus and around the globe, as shown in photos from events in the new Expressive Technology Studio, student awards, our choir and orchestra tour in France and Cantabile’s performance at the ACDA Conference in Pasadena, to name but a few.
We’re looking forward to a busy year ahead and I warmly invite you to attend one — or more — of our events!
Alicia M. Doyle