music
December 23, 2024
Cozy up with UW alumni
Need a reason to stay inside this winter? Check out our media recommendations for books, games, music and TV by UW alumni.
December 9, 2024
The right direction
Ryan Dakota Farris, an up-and-coming conductor, used the Campus Philharmonia Orchestras as a “training ground” for his conducting career.
November 24, 2023
Forest chorus
Byron Au Yong, ’96, went to the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island to sing with the trees at an outdoor, participatory research event.
September 2, 2023
He can dig it
David R. Montgomery has a MacArthur “genius grant,” a handful of popular science books, and six albums with the local band Big Dirt under his belt.
August 13, 2020
The historian of Seattle hip-hop
Daudi Abe, author of an upcoming book on Northwest rap, tells us what makes the local scene so special.
December 27, 2019
Born in rhythm
We asked percussionist Paul Hansen, ’83, about his life on the drums. Here's what he had to say.
March 7, 2019
Editor’s Eye: Unease
I fear that part of the University is in peril—the humanities, arts, social sciences, museums, libraries.
November 30, 2018
Gratefully remastered
A 1974 concert at Hec Ed Pavilion, long a favorite of Dead Heads, is one of six historic concerts being released in a beautiful new boxed set,
April 5, 2018
Jamming through Japan
Jazz drummer Adam "Von" Baron, '97, is headed to Japan to tour his latest albums.
December 1, 2013
Platinum grad
For Ryan Lewis, ’09, the whirlwind of fame is only a few years removed from days ensconced in Suzzallo Library and the Parnassus cafe in the basement of the Art Building.
September 1, 2013
The inspiration inquiry
Expanding the boundaries of knowledge in dance, theater and other performing arts requires research of a different stripe.
March 1, 2012
Taming the saxophone
The Broctave Key—the first U.S. patented invention from one of the UW Arts divisions—is now on its way to being manufactured.
June 1, 2011
Maestro steps aside
Matt Krashan, the UW’s maestro of music, dance and more, will retire in September from his position as director of the UW World Series, a program that is recognized nationally for its excellence and innovation in the performing arts.
March 1, 2011
Iceberg's tune
We love the enchanting songs of whales, the clicks and squeals from porpoises. And now, a University of Washington oceanographer has brought us more melodies from the deep.
March 1, 2010
Mary Curtis-Verna, 1921-2009
Mary Curtis-Verna, an international opera soprano who spent 20 years as Head of the Voice Department in the University of Washington School of Music, died Dec. 4. She was 88.
June 1, 2008
All that jazz
Over the past few years, Gene Aitken, '65, has become one of the world's leading ambassadors for jazz.
March 1, 2006
Winning chord
Grant Alden, '82, knew there was a market for the kind of country music Nashville wasn't producing. To appeal to that audience, he co-founded the magazine No Depression.
March 1, 2005
Mystery mansion
Once upon a time, the UW president lived right on the campus grounds. The president’s house sat at the end of what would become the University’s quadrangle, the site of today’s Music Building.
June 1, 2003
Rag to riches
From ragtime ditties to grand opera, alumnus of the year William Bolcom has mixed pop tunes with classical music to become one of America's greatest living composers.
September 1, 2001
Inspiration on a whim
On a whim, Lester J. Wilson, who enrolled at the University of Washington in 1909, wrote "Bow Down to Washington."
December 1, 2000
Stepping out
It isn't just her personality that makes Hannah Wiley ideally suited to run the UW's summer arts festival. It's her choices in the earlier chapters of her life.
June 1, 2000
Roy Cummings dies at 59
Roy Cummings, '61, was a trumpet and jazz-studies instructor at the UW School of Music.
December 1, 1996
Where musical minds met
In the 1980s, the UW brought together many individuals who would go on to music stardom.
When Seattle’s grunge scene exploded, you had to be in the know
Many UW students were part of the grunge music scene from its beginning, and the campus radio station KCMU played a crucial role in its formation.
December 1, 1995
Don Pierce, ’39, is one of country music’s founding fathers
Don Pierce has owned several record companies and produced the first recordings of stars such as George Jones and Willie Nelson.
June 1, 1995
The real McCabe
She made her Carnegie Hall debut in her 20s, but UW alumna Robin McCabe faces her greatest challenge today—running the School of Music.
September 1, 1994
Bolcom returns
Bolcom, '58, returned to the UW for a two-week residency with his wife, noted mezzo-soprano Joan Morris.
March 1, 1992
Song for the roses
Jack Gladstone, '82 includes "Pasadena Free For All" among 15 songs in his second album entitled "In the Shadow of Mt. Lassen."
September 1, 1990
Maestro from the majors
A respected European conductor says goodbye to the concert hall to join the UW School of Music.