NEWS & UPDATES
April 11, 2025
| | |
In Princeton Alumni Weekly: On How Oliver Strunk Helped Found the Field of Musicology at Princeton | Oliver Strunk (1901-1980), Daniel Hertzberg | |
For the Princeton Alumni Weekly, Harrison Blackman '17 writes about Oliver Strunk's role in establishing the field of Musicology at Princeton University during the early 1900s. Oliver Strunk was the son of William Strunk Jr., an English professor at Cornell who famously wrote The Elements of Style. An excerpt appears below:
"Born in 1901, Oliver entered Cornell at age 16 but dropped out to pursue music independently, supporting himself by playing the piano for silent movies. Gaunt, tall, and precise in his thinking and words, Strunk had a “Sherlock Holmes quality to his person and his mind,” according to Kenneth Levy *55, his eventual protégé in musicology."
—Harrison Blackman
| |
UPCOMING AT
THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT
| |
Princeton Preview | April 15 & 22, 2025
WHEN: Tuesday, April 15 & April 22, 2025 from 1:30- 3:00 PM
WHERE: McCosh Courtyard
WHAT: All admitted undergraduate students are invited to attend Princeton Preview, a one-day, on-campus program in April designed as an in-depth introduction to the many dimensions of academic and extracurricular life at Princeton. Be sure to stop at the Music Department's table to learn more about our offerings!
| |
Senior Spotlight Questionnaire
To our Graduating Seniors,
Please use the link below to share some information about yourself and your studies while here at Princeton. Your responses will be used to create a slideshow highlighting your accomplishments that will be shown on a screen at the music department’s class day celebration on Monday, May 26.
Deadline: Monday, May 19
Link to Senior Spotlight
Questionnaire
| | |
Darcy James Argue Arranging Debut at Carnegie Hall Featured in the New York Times
Last month, Darcy James Argue—who directs the Jazz Creative Large Ensemble at Princeton—had his arranging debut at Carnegie Hall featuring Cécile McLorin Salvant with The Knights. The concert is included in a roundup of recent classical music highlights by New York Times music critics, Seth Colter Walls, who writes with high praise, "hopefully a studio recording session is in the works."
| |
Simon Morrison Appointed to Behrman Professorship
Beginning academic year 2026-27, Professor Simon Morrison, who teaches classes on 20th-century Russian and Soviet music at Princeton, will began a three-year appointment as a Behrman Professor in the Humanities. The Behrman Professors are intended to enhance the appeal and continuity of the year-long interdisciplinary sequences and to raise the profile of the Program in Humanistic Studies.
The Humanities Council Executive Committee selected Professor Morrison due to his "strong record of teaching, commitment to the ethos of the course, and fresh contributions to advancing the humanities at Princeton and beyond."
Congratulations!
| |
Brittany Haas '09 Wins Swedish Grammis and is Recipient of the Eisenson Family Prize
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, March 27 — Princeton University alumna, Brittany Haas (2009), wins Best Folk Album 2025 with her band, Väsen & Hawktail at the Swedish Grammis MMXXV.
Haas is also the recipient of the Eisenson Family Prize for American Roots Music, an endowed fund that allows an outstanding roots musician to visit Berklee each year. The award was established by Bill Haney in 2016 in honor of former Berklee trustee Michael Eisenson, and its selection criteria are determined by Matt Glaser, artistic director of Berklee’s American Roots Music Program. Past winners include multi-Grammy winner Molly Tuttle ’14, Steve Martin Banjo Prize recipient Allison De Groot BM ’16, Sierra Hull ’11, Rhiannon Giddens, Jontavious Willis, Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton, and Laura Orshaw.
“Brittany is the voice of what fiddling has become and where it’s going, an artist who floats seamlessly and naturally and humbly between styles, while embracing and amplifying everything that’s beautiful about the instrument,” said Bruce Molsky, visiting scholar of the American Roots Music Program and a mentor for Haas since her early years as an artist. “We’re thrilled to welcome her to Berklee!”
| | |
Certificate Recital: Aaron Dantzler, Cello
WHEN: Friday, April 11, 2025, 7:00 pm
WHERE: Taplin Auditorium, Fine Hall
Click here for more info about Aaron Dantzler
| | |
Jazz Festival 2025
WHEN: Saturday, April 12, 2025, beginning 1:00 pm
WHERE: Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall
Click here more info about Jazz Fest 2025
| | |
Trenton Arts at Princeton Annual Spring Showcase
WHEN: Saturday, April 12, 2025, 2:00 pm
WHERE: Forum, Lewis Arts Complex
Click here for more info about TAP Showcase
| | |
Jazz Creative Large Ensemble Concert
WHEN: Saturday, April 12, 2025, 8:00 pm
WHERE: Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall
Click here for more info about Creative Large Ensemble concert
| | |
Certificate Recital: Kasey Shao, Piano
WHEN: Sunday, April 13, 2025, 3:00 pm
WHERE: Taplin Auditorium, Fine Hall
Click here for more info about Kasey Shao
| | |
Certificate Recital: Brandon Cheng, Cello
WHEN: Sunday, April 13, 2025, 7:00 pm
WHERE: Taplin Auditorium, Fine Hall
Click here for more info about Brandon Cheng
| | |
Princeton Sound Kitchen presents Generals Concert
WHEN: Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 8:00 pm
WHERE: Taplin Auditorium, Fine Hall
Click here to learn more about PSK Generals Concert
| | |
Composition Colloquium: Sean Malikides
WHEN: Thursday, April 17, 2025, 4:30 pm
WHERE: Woolworth Music Center, 102
Click here for more info about Sean Malikides colloquium
| | |
The Stuart B. Mindlin Concerts: Princeton University Orchestra & Glee Club
WHEN: Friday, April 18 & Saturday, April 19, 2025, 7:30 pm
WHERE: Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall
Click here for more info about the Stuart B. Mindlin Concerts
| | |
Junior Recital: Talia Czuchlewski
WHEN: Saturday, April 19, 2025, 1:00 pm
WHERE: McAlpin Rehearsal Room, Woolworth Center
Click here for more info about Talia Czuchlewski
| | |
Certificate Recital: Pranav Vadapalli, Jazz Trombone
WHEN: Saturday, April 19, 2025, 3:00 pm
WHERE: Taplin Auditorium, Fine Hall
Click here for more info about Pranav Vadapalli
| | |
Princeton Sound Kitchen presents a Dance Collaboration
WHEN: Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 8:00 pm
WHERE: Taplin Auditorium, Fine Hall
Click here for more info about the collaboration
| | |
MPP Minor Recital: Jenia Marquez, Choral Conducting
WHEN: Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 7:00 pm
WHERE: McAlpin Rehearsal Room, Woolworth Center
Click here for more info about Jenia Marquez
| | |
Early Music Princeton Spring Concert
WHEN: Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 7:30 pm
WHERE: Princeton University Chapel
Click here for more info about EMP Spring Concert
| | |
Jazz Vocal Collective Concert
WHEN: Thursday, April 24, 2025, 7:30 pm
WHERE: Taplin Auditorium, Fine Hall
Click here for more info about the JVE Concert
| |
Trenton Arts at Princeton in Search of Program Manager
Trenton Arts at Princeton (TAP) seeks a Program Manager who will oversee all aspects of the TAP program. Working closely with an advisory group comprised of leadership from Community and Regional Affairs, the Department of Music, Lewis Center for the Arts, and Pace Center for Civic Engagement, the TAP Program Manager provides strategic vision and operational oversight for the program including but not limited to artistic direction, fiscal responsibility, mission-centric programming, and collaboration across departments. Relationship building with partners in Trenton will also be an essential facet of the job, as the Program Manager works closely with teachers and leadership in the Trenton Public School District to develop and align programs which complement and support the pedagogical objectives of the faculty in Trenton.
|
Reminders About Finances and Reimbursements
Please note the following reminders about reimbursement processes:
- All out of pocket expenses must be submitted through Concur within 60 days of transaction date
- Expenses on Princeton credit cards must be submitted every 30 days through Concur
- Important dates: Final Concur submission of expense reports for this Fiscal Year is May 15, 2025. Please complete purchases on or before May 1, 2025, and submit expense reports by May 15, 2025. This step allows Beth Schupsky, the Department's Business Manager, to focus on closing the books by June 30, 2025
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
| Princeton University Concerts Announces 2025-26 Season | Princeton University Concerts (PUC) announced their 2025-26 season! Subscriptions and Student Early Bird Tickets to the 2025-26 Season are now on sale. Make-Your-Own package sales begin May 12. Single tickets will go on sale online only on Monday, August 5; and by phone on Monday, September 8. |
Minor in Music Enrollment Requests Open for Classes of 2026 & 2027
Modeled on our major, students in this program pursue work in two areas: topics usually explored in hands-on ways, such as composition, improvisation, theory, analysis, and electronic music; and the scholarly study of music, from music history and theory to cognitive science and ethnography.
There are no prerequisites for entering the program. Students who wish to pursue the minor in music simply need to complete a brief request form (found here) to declare their intention and share some information for review by our Director of Undergraduate Studies.
If you need any assistance to request enrollment, meet with the DUS, or have other questions about the Minor in Music, please contact Katie Baltrush (KBaltrush@princeton.edu).
|
Spring 2025 Course Evaluations | Students will receive online evaluations for all their Spring courses on Monday, April 21, at 12:00 pm, and they’ll have until Monday, May 19, at 5:00 pm. We thank you in advance for taking the time to share more about your experience with our faculty and TAs this semester! | Apply to the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance by April 25, 2025 | |
Trinity Laban is the UK's first conservatoire of music and dance. Formed in 2005, Trinity Laban combines the tradition of two leading music and dance centers: Trinity College of Music and Laban. Trinity Laban offers a unique and intense experience incorporating innovative education and training in performing arts. This program fosters a collaborative environment and a thriving community of musicians with ample opportunity to perform. Students attending the fall program will enroll in Trinity Laban's Jazz program and take the third year curriculum consisting of Principle Studies (one-on one music lessons or small ensemble projects), Academic Studies (practical classes on improvisation and composition or music history) and Electives. During the semester students will have three performance weeks as well as other opportunities to perform in various venues in London.
Apply with audition tape ASAP, and no later than April 25, 2025 to be considered for Fall 2025.
|
Regarding Instruments and Lockers
A friendly reminder that all instrument lockers are to be vacated and/or department instruments returned by May 6, 2025 (Spring Dean's Date).
If you would like a locker and/or instrument lease extension, please email mus-instruments@princeton.edu by April 29, 2025 for consideration. Please include the reason for the extension and expected clear out date (ex. Performing in the reunion's fireworks concert, will vacate by Class day etc.).
A $100.00 NON-REFUNDABLE FEE will be charged to student accounts not cleaned and cleared out by the date above.
|
Mendel Library is Offering New Resources for Trial Access
Lisa Read, your Music Librarian, is considering two new databases for subscription, and wants your opinions! Look at the databases below and fill out this short survey or chat with any Mendel full-time staff member. Both databases are open for trial access until April 30.
RILM Music Encyclopedias (RME)
Index to Printed Music
- Tool for locating musical works in collections, sets, and series. Primarily useful for works published only in collections, especially when content lists are not in library catalog records.
-
Access through EBSCO.
|
Mendel Resources for Upcoming Events
Jazz Festival Headliner Concert featuring Etienne Charles - Saturday April 12th
Jazz Festival 2025 concludes on Saturday with a performance by the Creative Large Ensemble, directed by Darcy James Argue, with special guest Etienne Charles. Trinidad-born trumpeter and composer, Etienne Charles, is known for his colorful performance and compositional approach that highlights and engages with marginalized communities and seeks to share these cultures with audiences. Ensemble director Darcy James Argue is considered one of the top big band composers and bandleaders in the current jazz world, with multiple grammy nominations and collaborations.
Listen to recordings of Etienne Charles
Listen to recordings of Darcy James Argue's Secret Society big band
| | |
SMArts Annual Showcase
Join Trenton Arts at Princeton for a joyous celebration of our Trenton and Princeton University students participating in the Saturday Morning Arts program, featuring performances by Trenton Youth Dancers, Orchestra, Singers, and Theater! This event is free and unticketed.
WHEN: Sat, April 12, 2025, 2:00-3:30 PM
WHERE: Lewis Arts Complex Forum
Click here for more info about the SMArts Showcase
| |  |
Princeton Porchfest 2025
The fourth annual Princeton Porchfest will be held Saturday, April 26 from 12-6 pm. Porchfest is a free, walkable music festival where neighbors offer up their front porches as DIY concert venues. Talented performers play 45-minute sets throughout the neighborhood during this day-long celebration of music, art, and our wonderful community. Stroll from porch to porch to enjoy live, local talent!
Click here for more info about Princeton Porchfest
| |
Carl E. Schorske Memorial Lecture: Gustav Mahler and Arnold Schoenberg as Buddhists of the End-Times
The Program in European Cultural Studies is pleased to announce that Peter Sellars (UCLA) will deliver this year’s annual Carl E. Schorske Memorial Lecture on Tuesday, April 15. In honor of Carl Schorske, one of the preeminent scholars of fin-de-siècle Viennese culture, this talk will recontextualize the Orientalisms and Expressionisms of both Mahler and Schoenberg in the light of contemporary global struggles, contradictions, setbacks, and cross-cultural creative initiatives. Open to the public.
WHEN: Tues, April 15, 4:30 PM
WHERE: 101 Friend Center
For more information and to RSVP, please visit the European Cultural Studies website.
| | |
After Noon Concert Series
The After Noon Concert Series is a weekly opportunity for the Princeton Community to enjoy performances at the Princeton University Chapel by various local, national, and international organists. These half-hour concerts showcase the flexibility of the magnificent Skinner/Mander Chapel organ. Each visiting organist rehearses and performs, bringing forth a different voice and character from the organ.
WHEN: Thur, April 24, 2025, 12:30-1:00 PM
WHERE: Princeton University Chapel
Bruce Barber, Christ Church Christiana Hundred, Wilmington, DE
Click here for more info about the After Noon concert series
| |
Experience J. S. Bach’s Manuscript Come to Life
Join Early Music Princeton for a unique and immersive performance of J. S. Bach’s Cantata BWV 33 on Wednesday, April 23 at 7:30 PM in the University Chapel. In a rare opportunity, the original handwritten manuscript—part of the renowned Scheide Collection at Firestone Library—will be projected during the performance, offering audiences a visual connection to Bach’s own notation. This marks the first time this 300+ year-old score will be presented in such a way.
The evening will also feature additional works by Bach, as well as music by Hildegard von Bingen, Dieterich Buxtehude, Robert Ward, Tielman Susato and more.
Admission is free and no tickets are required. We hope to see you there for this extraordinary event!
Click here for more info about EMP's concert
| |
University Organist Eric Plutz to play at Reunions
Eric Plutz, University Organist, plays the Reunions Organ Concert, 3:00 pm, Friday May 23, 2025, at the University Chapel.
As part of the many varied offerings during Reunions, Eric will offer a less-formal, yet enjoyable and entertaining concert for Princeton Alumni and the general public alike. All are welcome. No ticket required.
| | | Please submit any event or news you would like to share with the Department of Music students, faculty, and staff in future iterations of the Synthesizer. | | |
Our Company | Contact Us | FAQs | Privacy Policy |
| | | |
