PLU’s Director of Jazz Studies, Cassio Vianna, receives grant from the City of Tacoma to write and perform genre-bending composition
Pacific Lutheran University’s own Cassio Vianna , Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies , has been awarded a grant from the City of Tacoma. This grant, part of the Tacoma Artists Initiative Program (TAIP) , encourages artistic engagement in the city by…
PLU Music Announces Inaugural Paul Fritts Endowed Chair in Organ Studies and Performance
Beginning in Fall 2024, PLU will be welcoming Dr. Justin Murphy-Mancini as the Inaugural Paul Fritts Endowed Chair in Organ Studies and Performance . Murphy-Mancini began organ study at age 10, beginning his journey in church, “quite literally as soon as I was tall enough…
Dr. Gina Gillie Recognized for Composition
The International Women’s Brass Conference (IWBC) announced that Dr. Gina Gillie, Pacific Lutheran University Professor of French Horn, is the winner of the 2022 Composition Competition. Submissions for the competition were received from around the globe and selections were made by a committee of IWBC…
PLU Represented at Jazz Education Network Conference
The Jazz Education Network Conference hosts thousands or people from around the globe every year, connecting jazz beginners, professionals, scholars and educators, and industry experts. In 2022, following safety guidelines, the conference was held in Dallas, Texas in early January. Dr. Cassio Vianna was invited…
A Magical PLU Collaboration: Songs for the Spring of Waiting
What do you get when you mix a poet, a composer, three musicians, and two editors? A fabulous collaboration between multiple School of Arts and Communication departments and faculty with South Sound poet and PLU alumna Josie Emmons Turner ! These artists came together as…
Rhapsody in Zoom: Recap of Fall Master Classes
Online learning during the pandemic has presented multiple challenges to professors and students alike. But one of the shining diamonds to grow out of this pressured environment has been the creation of new opportunities for virtual master classes. Guest artists from around the state and…
Introducing New Music Faculty Kate Olson
Saxophonist Kate Olson is the newest member of the Music faculty in PLU’s Jazz program . A talented improviser and dedicated educator, Kate has lived in Washington since 2010. She has collaborated with many jazz groups and also performs with her own projects, KO SOLO…
Faculty Feature: Dr. Jeffrey Bell-Hanson, Professor of Music and Director of Orchestral Activities
Why did you decide to study music? What sparked your interest in music and how did your academic path and career develop from there? It was a family business for me, so to speak. My father was my first teacher in both piano and trombone,…
Faculty Feature: Meet Dr. Edwin Powell, Professor of Music and Director of Bands
What is your educational background? Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Pacific Master of Music Education from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from the University of North Texas Why did you want to teach at…
Faculty Feature: Meet Dr. Richard Nance, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies
What is your educational background? I received my Bachelors of Music Education (1977) and Master of Arts in Choral Conducting (1982) from West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M ) in Canyon, Texas. I received the Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from…
Brass Music & Book Review!
PLU Music was featured twice in the most recent edition of the International Trumpet Guild Journal , an industry publication for trumpet players, teachers, manufactures, and music publishers. With thousands of members in over 60 countries, the Journal is an important resource for anyone interested…
PLU Lecturer wins Seattle competition
Erik Steighner, who teaches applied saxophone at PLU, was one of four solo winners in the 26th annual Frances Walton Competition. In addition to prize money, Steighner will go on a six-day winner’s tour September 13-18, 2015. When Erik Steighner was preparing to compete in…
Ron Gerhardstein joins PLU music education faculty after extensive career
Ron Gerhardstein joins PLU music education faculty after extensive career As a music educator for the past 18 years, Ron Gerhardstein has taught instrumental and vocal music in both public and private settings in Washington, Idaho, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Now, as a new PLU faculty…
Q&A: Meet John Paul, PLU’s new Department of Music Chair
Meet John F. Paul, the new Chair of the Department of Music and Associate Professor at Pacific Lutheran University. Before joining the PLU family at the start of the 2014-15 school year, Dr. Paul served for 13 years as Chair of the Department of Music…
The End of an Era
Dave Robbins Steps Down after 33 Years as Chair of the Department of Music Greg Youtz’s first glimpse of Dave Robbins was him strolling down a hallway in Eastvold, while his two-year-old daughter toddled along at his side, clutching his finger. “I remember thinking that…
Professor Emeritus David Dahl releases new CD: “The Organ Sings”
Professor Emeritus and former University Organist David Dahl released a new CD titled The Organ Sings , which features compositions drawn from publications of his organ music over the past 25 years. The recording features organist Mark Brombaugh playing the renowned John Brombaugh pipe organ…
PLU choral conductor winner of The American Prize for 2013
Pacific Lutheran University’s professor and choral conductor, Richard Nance, was named the winner of The American Prize for 2013. Richard Nance is the Director of Choral Activities at Pacific Lutheran University where he has worked since 1992. At PLU, Nance conducts the Choir of the…
Greg Youtz: Composing for the cannery – of boxcars, rhinos, and grapes
1973, a 17-year-old Gregory Youtz departed from Sea-Tac International Airport and landed in France. Meritoriously skipping the third grade, the young composer had afforded himself the luxury of a year in limbo – graduating high school a year early and giving himself time to explore…
President’s Inaugural Concert features our world-class faculty musicians
The Department of Music and School of Arts and Communication honor the inauguration of President Thomas W. Krise in a special concert featuring 31 of our world-class music faculty on Tuesday, September 25 at 8pm in Lagerquist Concert Hall. Performances will feature all the faculty resident ensembles…
WATCH: Drum Taps: Nine Poems on Themes of War
Join us for the closing event in the 2012 SOAC Focus Series. Enjoy a small gallery in Lagerquist lobby with ceramics and printmaking works. These pieces are inspired by the themes around Drum Taps. May 15, 2012 7:00 Attend a pre-concert panel with Composer Greg…
Social Media