2023-24 Colorado Music home

Students working with Director of the Musicians' Wellness Program Jim Brody
Musicians’ Wellness Program Director James Brody leads a class demonstration.

 

Vintage microphone Thompson Jazz Studies Program introduces new vocal jazz degree, new ensemble and more

Among several exciting developments, the College of Music’s Thompson Jazz Studies Program is set to launch a new Bachelor of Music in Vocal Jazz degree this fall! Professor of Jazz Studies John Gunther shares details of the long-anticipated program: “Thanks to the generous support of Jack and Jeannie Thompson, this program is finally coming to fruition. [...] The program is not only for aspiring jazz vocalists, as we hope it will serve the College of Music more broadly. Jazz improvisation is such an important part of the history of performance of American music and the skill sets that our musicians need to have in the 21st century.” 
 

Tom Cipullo working with students in the CU New Opera Workshop (CU NOW) CU NOW connects student singers with professional composers on new operas (CPR)

Contemporary American opera has made such great artistic strides in the past 15 to 20 years that many call our present time the Golden Age of American Opera. But developing new work requires experimentation, collaboration and time. New operas are getting just that: The CU New Opera Workshop (CU NOW) pairs a well-known opera composer working on a new piece with singers from the College of Music’s Eklund Opera Program for three weeks. 

Director of the Musicians' Wellness Program Jim Brody working with student Musicians’ Wellness Program promotes peak performance, mental health

As part of the College of Music’s approach to developing multiskilled, multifaceted universal musicians, the Musicians Wellness Program provides students with a variety of techniques and information to help them achieve peak performance, prevent injury and cultivate robust mental health throughout their careers … and their overall lives. 
More: A conversation about musicians’ wellness
In this video, MWP Director James Brody and Artist in Residence Edward Dusinberre, first violinist of our Takács Quartet, discuss the impact and benefits of somatic approaches to musicians’ physical functioning and overall wellness—including valuable insights into posture, flexibility and injury prevention through mind-body practices.
 
 

CU Boulder Golden Buffalo Marching Band in formation Embracing the Prime Era: How the Golden Buffalo Marching Band is thriving beyond the field

“The marching band impacts the lives of students from across campus—that’s part of our mission to develop universal, multifaceted, multi-skilled graduates,” says Dean John Davis. “Whether students are majoring in music or another field, the integration of music into their lives and potentially into parts of their careers is what we’re all about.” 

 Noteworthy media mentions