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Exterior view of the USF School of Music
From the Chair
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Greetings from the School of Music

Happy Holiday Season to Everyone!

We are all aware of how quickly the world changes. It seems there is something new every day. Change has become a consistent part of life, and so it is with the School of Music at USF. We changed at the start of this academic year with the addition of new faculty and staff. We anticipate significant changes next year with the launch of new curriculum. And now we are faced with additional change because of two retirements.

Bill Wiedrich and Jack Wilkins have both announced they will retire at the end of this academic year. This means we will no longer be able to benefit from their almost sixty years of combined experience at USF. I am personally saddened by this, and perhaps a bit envious. I wish both these exceptional musicians the best as they experience life changes.

And, of course, this means more will change in the School of Music. We have already opened a search to hire a new coordinator of Orchestras. The successful candidate will be charged with broadening the concept of what an orchestra can be. My hope is that we will no longer speak of “The” orchestra at USF, but instead help our students engage in a variety of orchestra ensemble experiences over the course of their time with us.

We are in the beginning stages of figuring out how we will reimagine the USF jazz program. I’m sure we will be able to share details of our plans in future editions of Hitting the High Notes. I expect we will be looking to expand our jazz offerings to include more Latin and vocal jazz experiences, as well as a deeper integration with our Commercial Music program.

We are also planning celebrations, for both Bill and Jack, that will be held during our Spring semester. Bill will be honored at the April 14, 2024 Wind Ensemble concert, and Jack will be honored at the April 17, 2024 Jazz Ensemble I concert. More info to come…
What's New in the
School of Music?
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News & Initiatives
Don Owen
We were saddened to learn that Don Owen, longtime USF Professor of Trumpet, passed away on September 14, 2023. Don earned degrees at Stetson University and the University of North Texas. He taught at North Texas State University, Arkansas Tech University, and Kileen High School before arriving at USF in 1964. In addition to teaching at USF, he played in the Florida Orchestra from 1964-2011 where he served as Principal Trumpet from 1964 -1988. Professor Owen influenced thousands of USF musicians and his legacy will remain for years to come.
USF School of Music

Last summer, the USF School of Music showcased the talents of nine voice students in Europe under the guidance of Dr. Kyoung Cho. Dr. Cho’s students participated in the Assisi International Music Festival and the Lunigiana International Music Festival, both in Italy. Dr. Cho served as the Artist-Faculty at the Assisi Festival, sharing her expertise with the voice students through lessons and master classes and showcasing her own vocal talents by performing solo Korean Art Song with the Assisi Festival Chamber Orchestra. You can find more information about these festivals below.

In addition, two students, Krysten Richards and Robert Sherman, were invited to perform in various French Mélodie and German Lieder concerts, as well as assuming major roles in opera productions presented by The Franco-American Vocal Academy (FAVA Opera) in France and Austria.
The Voice Studio of Stephanie Sager performed a moving recital on November 9th entitled “Death and Remembrance”. The program was produced, directed and performed by the students. The first half of the evening featured art songs by Debussy, Schumann, Schubert and others. The second half was entirely student choice. From musical theatre to Cold Play to an original composition, it was thrilling to hear what students select when all the rules are suspended. This format has become a tradition in the Sager Voice Studio. Keep your eyes and ears open for next semester’s performance.
Apply Today

The Fifth USF-Performing Arts Medicine Conference promises to be a super-charged event with three national Keynote Speakers, and five international Special Invited Guest Speakers. The topics range from occupational health to mental health issues to arts as healing agent for public health.

We are accepting abstracts until December 18, 5:00 PM. There will be opportunities to interact and network with inter-professional professionals in arts and medical fields, plenty of food, fantastic and creative Festival Concert (Saturday evening), and Sunday luncheon banquet panel.Tuition for alumni are at a discount rate. Please join us. Send us abstract of your good work and join the healthy musician movement.
The USF Popular Music Ensemble, The Holly Drive Collective, and our World Music Fusion Group, The Sparkles, performed on the Cypress Creek Seminole Reservation on November 13 to a receptive community of music lovers. One of our Music Education alumni, Cesar Taveras, started a modern band program in 2018 that has blossomed into one of the prides of the reservation. The two ensembles recruited for the School of Music and look forward to welcoming graduates of the Ahfachkee School in the near future.
A Brief History: The Birth of the Commercial Music Concentration Degree

The Commercial and Contemporary Music Degree(CCM) at USF CoTA SoM was conceived with the vision of providing students with a comprehensive education that combines artistic creativity with the technical skills necessary for success in the dynamic field of commercial music. The journey began 2 years ago when Professor Kenrick Wagner with the support of Dr. Clint Randles came together to design a program that would empower students to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry.

Here are a few highlights from the past year:

January 2023
Kenrick Wagner partners with Dr. Arnone's Community Music Project offering free classes on music production to the community "BEAT MAKERS CLUB"

February 2023
Kenrick Wagner visits St. Petersburg Community College to create a pipeline for transfer students to USF SoM

April 2023
Kenrick Wagner's guest lecture at Eckerd College on Afrobeats Music techniques

May 2023
“Sound Waves” an Intercollegiate Concert Series with Eckerd College: Commercial Music Ensemble performed alongside Eckerd College’s Music program students in St. Petersburg

May 2023
Student Marina Coutinho - Released her first album under direction of the CCM program entitled “Dusk” on all streaming platforms and currently has over 30,000 streams on Spotify. Check out the album here: DUSK EP

July 2023
Student Truman Hoang - Released the first single "Snowstorm” from his debut album entitled “Into The Deep” now available on all streaming platforms:

December 2023
Commercial Music Ensemble will be performing and recruiting at Hillsborough High School
As we stand on the shoulders of our past achievements, we are thrilled to announce some current highlights and upcoming events:

January 2024 - April 2024 Pipeline to CoTA SoM Tour - Commercial Music is currently booking performance and recruiting dates in FL, NY, NJ, PA at both schools and Community Centers to engage prospective students
From the Faculty
Francesca Arnone (Flute) has recently become a member of the Powell Artist family and as such was granted a Powell Flute Showcase and Performance in Boston in October. Powell Flutes recognize Dr. Arnone as “A versatile flutist and piccoloist, who is equally at home in orchestral, solo, chamber music, and college teaching settings. She performs with the Sarasota Opera and Palm Beach Opera orchestras and other orchestras across Florida. Learn more about Francesca on our website:
Jennifer Bugos (Music Education) received a Fulbright Research Chair award in Psychology to York University in Toronto, Canada. During November 2023, she completed a series of research presentations supported by a Fulbright Canada Faculty Speaker Award. Her work examining music education programs as cognitive interventions was featured at the Neuromusic Conference at McMaster University (Toronto), with separate presentations at York University, McGill University and the International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research (Montreal). In December 2023, she will present her research and recommendations for music programs in aging at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)- Music as Medicine Workshop in Washington D.C.


Kyoung Cho (Voice) has been honored with a Global Music Award Silver Medal for her Outstanding achievement in music. This recognition comes in light of her latest album, titled "Korean Tapestry: Korean Art Songs by Leading Korean Women Composers," which was released in May 2023 under the renowned Naxos Records label. Dr. Cho's album is of special significance as it marks the first Korean art song and folk song CD ever released by Naxos.You can read the full review at https://www.classicalmusicdaily.com/2023/08/korea.htm.
Calvin Falwell (Clarinet) has had a busy semester. In October he went on a masterclass/lecture tour of England where he gave classes and talks at The Guildhall School of Music and Dance, Trinity Leban Conservatory and the University of Sheffield. In addition to working with their students he talked about orchestral auditions and how to build a freelance career in both the US and Europe.


If that wasn’t enough, in November he was a guest at Marywood University in Scranton, PA, and was a featured artist with the Northeast Pennsylvania Chamber Music Society where he performed the Somervell and Mozart Clarinet Quintets with their resident string quartet. This culminated in two sold-out performances in Montrose and Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Allyssa Jones (Director of Vocal Ensembles) conducted the Pinellas All-County SSAA Chorus on November 6th and has been invited to conduct Morten Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna at Carnegie Hall on May 31, 2025. The Carnegie Hall performance is part of MidAmerican Productions spring concert series. School of Music alumni and students are invited to participate. For more information, email Prof. Jones at allyssaj@usf.edu.

Clint Randles (Music Education) released this edited book with Pamela Bernard of the University of Cambridge (UK) through Routledge (New York) with 70 colleagues in 14 countries. The book will go a long way to lay the course of creativity research in music education for the foreseeable future.
John O. Robison (Musicology) has had a busy fall. His research presentations on Renaissance through Contemporary topics have been enthusiastically received at multiple venues in China, Taiwan, and the United States. His detailed lecture-recitals on Renaissance through Baroque lute music have been heard at Shaanxi Normal University in Xi’an, China and at Henan University in Kaifeng, China. While at Shaanxi Normal University and at Henan University, he also gave presentations to musicology faculty about his research on contemporary Asian composers from China, South Korea, India, and the Middle East.

In addition, his paper on “Zhu Jianer’s Final Contribution to the Symphony: Ethics, Responsibility, and Humanity in Symphony no. 9” was presented at the Contrasts and Convergence in Chinese Music: Third International Conference on Contemporary Studies of Chinese Music in a Global Perspective, which was held at the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. His other conference presentation on Chinese composer Zhu Jianer, entitled “Zhu Jianer’s Symphony no. 5: Chinese Percussion, the Yellow River, and Faith in Humanity,” was given at the International Musicological Society East Asia Seventh Biennial Conference, held at the Tainan Art Museum in Tainan, Taiwan.
Jack Wilkins (Jazz) presented an evening of original music inspired by Appalachian mountain arts and culture, at his alma mater, Appalachian State University on Sept 29, 2023. An all-star group of musicians including prominent App State alumni and current students were assembled for this special concert. Music from Wilkins’ acclaimed Blue and Green Project CD featured Wilkins on saxophone with special guest artists Sara Caswell, violin; Per Danielsson,piano; Rick Simerly, trombone; Michael W. Davis, drums; Matt Vance, saxophones (App State Alumni); and our own Dr. Jay Coble, trumpet (App State Alumni). Jazz saxophonist and composer Jack Wilkins has created a series of compositions based in American roots music (including jazz, blues, gospel, mountain music, etc.). These works were influenced by Blue Ridge Mountain arts and culture (including mountain artists, craftsmen, culture, history and scenery). This project includes a recorded component, a CD released on Summit Jazz Records and a multimedia concert presentation, with projected images of the inspirational elements for many of the compositions. Also, in November Jack performed with Chuck Owen's Resurgence group at the Blue Llama, well known jazz club in Ann Arbor. While on tour he gave clinics and performances at the University of Michigan,. Indiana University, Western Michigan, Kent State, Drake, and Wisconsin Whitewater.
From the Alumni
USF Music Education Alumni are well represented in leadership positions within the Florida Music Education Association. Kathy Sanz (CEO) and Jason Locker (President) are both on the Executive Committee, Chris Burns (FMSA President) and Cheri Sleeper (FOA President) are Board Members, and Dre Graham (Emerging Leaders) is a Committee Chair. In addition, current Music Education Faculty member Clint Randles, is chair of the Contemporary Media committee.
USF is well-represented in the Venice Symphony Orchestra
From left to right:
Joseph Alvarez, Tuba professor
Tom McNair, trombone. ‘03 and ‘05
Angel De Armas, tuba ‘21
Joe Offner, trombone, ‘14
Javi Rodriquez, bassoon, ‘19
Amy Collins, ‘84 and ‘06, Oboe Professor
Laura Miranda, bass, ‘19, current grad student
Julia Tretyakova, cello, ‘19
Hellen Lewis, cello, ‘22
Oliver Cole, cello, current student
Cancan Cui (PhD in Music Education, 2021) continues in her Post-doc position at Guangzhou University, China. In addition to pursuing her research agenda, she is teaching a variety of classes for undergraduate and graduate students. The picture shows her in the middle of the first row with her general music method course for undergraduate education majors.
Tim Groulx (Ph.D. Music Education, 2010) is Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of North Florida where he directs the undergraduate music education program. He received the Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award in the fall of 2022. In 2018, he established the Master of Music Education degree program which, in a short time, has produced a body of successful alumni with state, national, and international research presentations, and three higher education faculty appointments. His manuscript entitled “Creating the Canon of Wind Band Literature – A History of the National Contest Literature Lists, 1924-1943” was just accepted for publication in the Journal of Research in Music Education.
Morgan Jolley (PhD in Music Education, 2020) has been appointed as Assistant Professor at the Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College, City University of New York, starting Fall 2023. She will conduct the Treble Chorus and teach choral and secondary music education courses. She continues to be a sought-after choral clinician and adjudicator and provide professional development to music educators globally.
James Lindroth (PhD in Music Education, 2012) continues to teach at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. He earned a promotion to the rank of Full Professor about a year ago. He is also Coordinator of Music Education and the Percussion Studio. See https://www.nsuok.edu/directory/profiles/lindrotj.aspx for more.
Tim Flores (BM Piano Performance 2019) has recently been offered a faculty position at Southern New Hampshire University where he will teach applied lessons. After graduating from USF Tim and his wife, Katie Pyne (Music Studies, 2018) moved to Boston where Tim earned a MM in Piano Performance. Since leaving USF, Tim has held faculty and collaborative positions with Longy School of Music of Bard College, The Hartt School of Music - Community Division and the Groton Hill Music Center. Tim and Katie currently reside in Acton, MA with their son Calvin.
Ray Hojilla (Music Educational Studies 2022) is the Director of Bands at Carwise Middle School in Pinellas county as a first year teacher. He is also playing in the Pinellas Park Civic Orchestra on tenor and alto trombone as well as the Bones South Trombone Choir.
Katherine Kerschner (Music Education, 2023) got married in April and now owns a house that she remodeled for 3 years! In addition, she also started her new job teaching music at Toledo Blade Elementary School.
Leon Novembre Jr. (Music Studies, 2008) moved back to Broward County, FL after graduating and currently performs as a freelance entertainer. Leon credits much of his success to his late voice professor, Jerald Reynolds, who once suggested that Leon should work in piano bars. He always enjoys running into fellow USF alumni and staying informed on what’s happening in Bulls nation. GEAUX BULLS!
George Shannon (Phd in Music Education, 2021) is in his third year of teaching at Belmont University in Nashville, TN.
He writes, “Transitioning from a Fellow to an Assistant Professor has been smooth, teaching similar courses and having the opportunity to engage more with local teachers in the area. With the return of my colleague from sabbatical, together we are working towards some ambitious goals but are certainly attainable. Outside of the music area, I have been afforded many opportunities to engage with people in other departments and upper administration, some of whom have taken me under their wing as I aspire to conclude my career in higher education as a Provost.”
Bradley Shoemaker Webster (Music Studies, 2014) started working with The Sarasota Ballet Education Department in May, as the School Administrative Assistant. He helps execute promotion, student registration, and data/financial recordkeeping of The Sarasota Ballet School. You can find him as one of the education representatives around the Sarasota community, helping run a variety of community events and performances for the school. He also works closely with other faculty members to help plan and run the Ballet School's Holiday Festival and Nutcracker production. In addition, he is in his second year of his second Master's Degree in Arts Administration through the University of Kentucky.
Brittany Wood (Music Ed, 2012) taught music and theatre in Florida, until teaching during Covid became untenable. She applied for teaching jobs abroad, worked in the United Arab Emirates for a couple of years, and now works for a professional orchestra in Dubai. The Firdaus Orchestra, an initiative of Expo City Dubai, is an all-female ensemble with almost 60 women from over 25 nationalities that is mentored and supported by Grammy winning AR Rahman. The world of music and music education in the Middle East is drastically different than in the western world, but the Firdaus Orchestra is doing amazing things and is working to build and support growth in the region. Not only are they striving to bring the world of classical music to this part of the world, but they are also embracing all of the diverse cultures that reside here. Brittany is thrilled to be heading the Firdaus Academy, leading the charge and hoping to ignite some passion for arts advocacy and music education. To see the orchestra in action click here or here.
Do you have important life information you would like to share (advanced degrees, new jobs, exciting performances, awards or recognitions, marriages, births, etc.)? If so, we want to populate this section with information about you. Please submit your name, USF degree earned/graduation year, and one or two sentences to mccutchen@usf.edu.