At the onset of the pandemic, performers around the world had to come to terms with what safe music making would look like for the foreseeable future. Many instrumentalists hoping to perform had to play solo or utilize music with electronics to accompany them. “When I think of performing, I immediately envision playing with other […]
An talented singer and pianist, and an active adjudicator and clinician, Associate Professor Julie Anne Wieck leads by example to motivate her vocal students. She is director of opera and musical theatre and voice area coordinator for the School of Music, and presently serves on the National Advisory Board on Auditions for the National Association […]
Award-winning WSU saxophonist Greg Yasinitsky takes a little time each year to sit down at his computer and digitally mix a birthday song for his daughter. His nearly 20 years of experience integrating self-recoded vocal and instrument tracks into an ever more seamless rendition of ‘Happy Birthday to You’ paid off big last March when […]
An advocate for new and diverse music, Troy Bennefield is an associate professor of music, director of athletic bands, and associate director of bands in the School of Music. He is active as a guest-conductor, adjudicator, clinician, and percussionist, and has commissioned or joined consortia for projects, including a collaboration for wind band and wind […]
An active chamber musician and a celebrated piano soloist with philharmonic and symphony orchestras from New York to Saint Petersburg to Seoul, Yoon-Wha (Yuna) Roh is a recent addition to the WSU School of Music. She has presented solo and chamber recitals at venues around the world and appeared in major music festivals such as the […]
Almost nothing went as planned for senior Joel Roeber going into this semester, but that hasn’t stopped him from working toward earning his degree. Roeber, who will receive his Bachelor of Music in Music Education next semester, recently completed his senior recital in a non-traditional way because of limitations caused by the pandemic. The senior […]
A hush falls over the crowd as symphony orchestra conductor Danh Pham takes the podium and slowly lifts his baton. With the down stroke, he leads the performers through a seemingly effortless musical journey that enchants the audience and clearly brings Pham great joy. A native of Honolulu’s “ethnic mixing pot,” Pham delights in sharing music […]
A self-described “band kid” growing up in Kennewick, Washington, Jacqueline Wilson has always found music to be a respite from the stresses of life. Wilson, a new assistant professor in the School of Music, specializes in the bassoon, a double-reed woodwind instrument that she cherishes for its versatility and rich
A combination of innovative technology and careful use of practice and performance spaces will enable Washington State University musicians to play together virtually this fall. The University’s music groups, including jazz bands, choir, orchestra and of course, the Cougar Marching Band, all plan on recording and sharing virtual performances with the Cougar community in place […]
The WSU Jazz Big Band isn’t letting the global pandemic get in the way of delivering excellent big band entertainment. The award-winning group, directed by Regents Professor Greg Yasinitsky, put technology to the test to produce a video of the aptly titled composition, “Flatten That Curve.” In addition to the quality of the music, what […]