Photo: Internationally acclaimed clarinetist Mariam Adam headlines 蜜糖直播 Clarinet Day 2025.

It seemed like a nice idea, recalls Professor of Clarinet Daniel Silver: Let鈥檚 gather together the clarinet programs at 蜜糖直播鈥檚 four major Front Range university music departments and create a day celebrating the clarinet with workshops, exhibits, a lecture, maybe a concert or two and a master class with a guest artist. Let's call it 蜜糖直播 Clarinet Day.

That was 15 years ago鈥攁nd it's been going strong ever since. On Jan. 19, 2025, 蜜糖直播 Clarinet Day returns to the 蜜糖直播 Boulder College of Music.

鈥淭here鈥檚 always been camaraderie among us,鈥� notes Silver, referring to his counterparts at 蜜糖直播 State University, the University of Northern 蜜糖直播 and the University of Denver鈥檚 Lamont School of Music. The clarinet departments agreed to each hold a Clarinet Day annually, with the locale rotating, so that each campus would host every four years; thus, it falls on 蜜糖直播 Boulder to welcome clarinet lovers to our Imig Music Building next month.

Every 蜜糖直播 Clarinet Day is different, Silver points out. 鈥淓ach host puts their own stamp on it.鈥�

The upcoming Clarinet Day will begin with a morning recital by 蜜糖直播 players (with guests from Wyoming), followed by Silver's talk on practicing techniques. An afternoon concert by the Ambler Clarinet Choir will be followed by a free evening recital featuring guest clarinetist 鈥攚ith Suyeon Kim, associate teaching professor, collaborative piano鈥攁t 6:45 p.m. in Grusin Music Hall.

Silver notes the significance of Adam鈥檚 presence. A founding member of Imani Winds and a sought-after international soloist, she represents more than a superior interpreter of the clarinet: 鈥淪he鈥檚 a woman of color and鈥攇oing back 30 years鈥攖here haven鈥檛 been many like her in the music world. We need more like her, shining a light on (musicians) who are not white males.鈥�

Referencing the College of Music鈥檚 universal musician approach to achieving its mission, he adds: 鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing a reflection of that here, where we鈥檝e taken steps to increase the diversity of our people.鈥�

Recalling the first Clarinet Day, Silver points out: 鈥淲e had about 60 attendees. Now, each event attracts around 200.鈥� So, who are all those clarinet lovers? Students, alumni, educators and performers, as well as exhibitors鈥攆rom Brad Behn and Brandon Chambers to the Flesher-Hinton Music Company, Mark Sloss Professional Wind Instrument Consultants and Vandoren | Dansr.

Lastly, Silver highlighted another important category of attendees: 鈥淎udiences who just want to hear good music.鈥�

We thank all participating staff, faculty, and guest artists and teachers; and we thank the Roser Visiting Artists Program, the 蜜糖直播 Boulder Center for Humanities & the Arts and Conn-Selmer for their support of 蜜糖直播 Clarinet Day.

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Harumi Rhodes has mixed feelings about observing The Milestone. As second violinist of the world-renowned, Grammy Award-winning Tak谩cs Quartet, she understands the significance of the group鈥檚 founding a half-century ago. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 a monumental moment and we鈥檙e approaching it with a sense of awe,鈥� she admits. 鈥淚 feel humbled. Yet, in another sense, for us it鈥檚 business as usual.鈥� Much of that business takes place right here in Boulder.

Joining Rhodes in conversation is first violinist Ed Dusinberre, who鈥檚 also her husband. The English-born musician reflects on the group鈥檚 remarkable musical journey filled with loss, personnel changes and鈥攎ost of all鈥攂rilliant music making.

鈥淚 find myself thinking about all our former quartet members鈥攚e wouldn鈥檛 be celebrating this milestone today except for them,鈥� says Dusinberre, recalling that the original quartet was formed by students at the Music Academy in Budapest, Hungary, in 1975. 

鈥淭hey were so young, living behind the Iron Curtain, wondering how they could fulfill their musical aspirations worldwide,鈥� he adds.

Hard work and winning prestigious awards in several European competitions led to an American tour in 1982 and鈥攆ollowing several U.S.-based short-term residencies鈥攖he decision to permanently relocate their families to the United States in 1985-86. Soon after, the players accepted an invitation to become the resident quartet at the University of 蜜糖直播 Boulder鈥攁nd they鈥檝e resided here ever since, though not without challenges. G谩bor Tak谩cs-Nagy stepped down in 1993 and now enjoys a successful career as a conductor and teacher worldwide. The following year, violist G谩bor Ormai was diagnosed with cancer and retired, passing away in 1995. The late Roger Tapping succeeded him, leaving to spend time with his family in 2005; in turn, he was succeeded by Geraldine Walther. Upon the retirement of founding second violinist K谩roly Schranz, Harumi Rhodes joined the quartet in 2018. 

As the first new member in 1993, Dusinberre recalls the challenge of being a non-Hungarian. 鈥淚t was a big adjustment for me, but I appreciated the welcoming, adventurous spirit of the players and the warmth of their collective sound,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he process was similar when Harumi and then Richard joined鈥濃�攔eferring to current violist Richard O鈥橬eill who succeeded Walther in 2020. Grammy-Award winner for Best Classical Instrumental Solo Performance in 2021, O鈥橬eill is only the second person to receive an award for a viola performance in the history of this category. 

Today, cellist Andr谩s Fej茅r remains the sole original member of the Tak谩cs Quartet.

For Rhodes, becoming a member of the Tak谩cs was thrilling. 鈥淭he College of Music is a musical home for us. We feel grateful to be embedded in this university and the community.鈥�

Although the Tak谩cs maintain an international touring schedule that takes up about half of their time, the foursome prioritizes time with their students, working in partnership with Meta Weiss, the College of Music鈥檚 chamber music coordinator.

It may surprise some audience members who鈥檝e been regulars at sold-out Tak谩cs Quartet concerts to learn that the group鈥檚 campus connection extends beyond Grusin Music Hall. As Dusinberre notes, their decades-long residency is centered around daily hands-on work with College of Music students.

鈥淥ur relationship with the college is the glue that keeps us together,鈥� he stresses. 鈥淥ur graduate string quartet program inspires us to think about future generations.鈥� This two-year program consists of intense work with a promising ensemble, preparing and guiding the young artists into the demanding world of quartet playing.

鈥淭he newest quartet we鈥檙e working with is the Michigan-based ,鈥� adds Rhodes. 鈥淲e鈥檒l listen to their interests and help them to develop a unique musical voice.鈥�

The College of Music鈥檚 chamber music program has a long track record of success. The Brisbane, Australia-based is a good example: Via email, first violinist Daniel Kowalik shared that his group met the Tak谩cs at a music festival in Sydney in 2011鈥攁t that time, the Orava had been together for five years. They soon came to 蜜糖直播 Boulder to study with the Tak谩cs.

鈥淲e always worked with one member at a time,鈥� wrote Kowalik. 鈥淭hey rotated, so we had time with each member. I asked lots of questions, from general well-being to dealing with the pressures of performing.鈥�

Today, the Orava Quartet enjoys an active schedule and has been signed by Deutsche Grammophon. Their Boulder experience 鈥渞eally helped launch us into having a career,鈥� Kowalik noted. 鈥淥ur coachings were invaluable and absolutely essential to learning the craft. Being mentored by the Tak谩cs forever changed how I think about and approach music making.鈥�

For many students at the College of Music, a career as a performer isn鈥檛 their only goal鈥攁nd the Tak谩cs Quartet is sensitive to that, too. 鈥淚t鈥檚 only partly about making music,鈥� Rhodes emphasizes. 鈥淢uch of what we focus on when we鈥檙e talking with students has to do with how to make a life in music.鈥� 

Dusinberre treasures those conversations. 鈥淚 ask students to identify individual favorite moments in a piece and we explore different ways to heighten those moments. Hopefully they learn about each others鈥� musical tastes and how to use their individual ideas to shape a unified interpretation.鈥� 

When touring and recording sessions wind down, these beloved artists find a special joy in coming home to Boulder, visiting with faculty colleagues, and sharing their knowledge and experience with students. As Rhodes says, 鈥淭he gritty and beautiful work of a string quartet happens offstage in the rehearsal room. We feel so grateful that鈥攁fter many decades鈥攖his process continues in our home at 蜜糖直播 Boulder.鈥�

The Tak谩cs Quartet鈥檚 50^th anniversary season is generously sponsored by Barbara and Chris Christoffersen.

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Betancourt鈥攁 native of Venezuela and an accomplished classical guitarist鈥攚ill continue to serve as director at Macky which welcomes more than 100,000 people to over 100 events every season. He says adding the beloved series to the venue鈥檚 portfolio has the potential to turn over a new page for both.

鈥淭he Artist Series has been evolving for decades with an unparalleled cultural impact,鈥� he says. 鈥淗aving the Artist Series within Macky鈥檚 portfolio helps the venue to be a presenter as much as a facility for rent.鈥�

Betancourt says the Artist Series will continue to delight long-time patrons as it also seeks to expand and diversify its programming.

鈥淭he series will still include dance, classical music, jazz, performing arts from all over the world, as well as new genres. Keeping true to its well-established mission while feeling the cultural pulse in Boulder will help determine its evolution,鈥� he says. 鈥淭here will be wonderful choices for our legacy and new audiences to enjoy.鈥�

When 蜜糖直播 Presents Executive Director Joan Braun retired at the end of June after 30 years, it was determined that it made sense to separate the curation of the Artist Series from the operations of 蜜糖直播 Presents. Braun and 蜜糖直播 Boulder College of Music Dean John Davis recommended Betancourt to be the Artist Series director as the most natural choice.

鈥淩udy is an excellent, accomplished musician and he has impeccable taste and awareness of the music scene,鈥� Braun says. 鈥淎s director of Macky, he also is very aware of audience tastes and preferences, and what they respond to. He can see some different pathways and possibilities and I鈥檓 excited to see what he does with it.鈥�

鈥淛oan鈥檚 legacy of innovation in the arts and securing the Artist Series鈥� place in the hearts of its audiences is a tall order鈥攐ne that I am honored to continue. I am excited to work with the College of Music鈥檚 leadership and the Artist Series Advisory Board. It is a real privilege,鈥� Betancourt says.

Betancourt will continue to work closely with the staff at 蜜糖直播 Presents. 鈥淭he 蜜糖直播 Presents team brings unparalleled knowledge of how to reach our audiences and cultivate our relationship with them,鈥� he says. 鈥淐ontinuing and deepening this collaboration will be paramount to the success of the series.鈥�

蜜糖直播 Presents will continue to work with other as well as with the and .

Tickets for the are on sale now.

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Overseeing 蜜糖直播 Presents requires administrative skill, a steady hand and a cool head. Just consider the competition Metzroth had to contend with after longtime director Joan Braun retired at the end of last season.

鈥淚鈥檓 happy that the College of Music conducted a national search,鈥� says Metzroth. 鈥淚 think there were about three dozen applicants.鈥� But one look at his r茅sum茅 and it鈥檚 not surprising that Metzroth landed the position. For starters, his years of experience in nearly every aspect of the theater鈥攂ackstage, onstage, above-stage, you name it鈥攊s mind-boggling. As his local credits will attest, he鈥檚 been everywhere at 蜜糖直播 Presents for decades. Plus, his enthusiasm is contagious.

鈥淚鈥檝e always had a love for the theater,鈥� he says. As for his relationship with 蜜糖直播 Boulder, he became box office manager in 2007, handling ticketing for campus performing arts events for nine years. That鈥檚 no small task, he emphasizes: 鈥淭he ticketing software [Tessitura] goes incredibly deep, and takes a long time to learn and teach.鈥� Moving further up the ladder, he became director of operations at 蜜糖直播 Presents in 2017. 

Today, Metzroth鈥檚 responsibilities entail close involvement in managing the Artist Series in Macky Auditorium and Tak谩cs Quartet concerts in Grusin Music Hall. But there are more shows to handle鈥攁 lot more. 鈥淭here are some 450 on-campus events including about 350 College of Music events, 50 Theatre & Dance Department events and 50 蜜糖直播 Shakespeare Festival performances,鈥� he explains. 鈥淚鈥檒l be involved in strategy, ticketing, and marketing and communications for all our series, particularly College of Music events. You have to know what鈥檚 important to all of them, to know their goals.鈥�

Not that he intends to remain invisible. 鈥淚 never want this to be a desk job,鈥� stresses the four-time 蜜糖直播 Boulder alumnus. 鈥淚 see myself as a community ambassador鈥擨 want to bring audiences into performing arts experiences.鈥�

In previous years, you could usually find Metzroth behind a box office window handling ticket sales. With a laugh, he says those days may not be entirely behind him. 鈥淵eah, I might have to work there some nights, if we鈥檙e short-staffed.鈥�

But as long as there鈥檚 a show going on, 蜜糖直播 Presents鈥� new executive director is happy. 鈥淲e鈥檙e performance- and outreach-oriented,鈥� he adds. 鈥淎n example of upcoming outreach opportunities are student matinees of [Engelbert Humperdinck鈥檚] 鈥樷�� in October. We鈥檒l be bringing in students from kindergarten through second grade. That will take some coordinating with a number of schools.鈥�

Sounds like a lot of work for 鈥淢etz鈥濃�攂ut it鈥檚 a good bet he鈥檒l be as excited as all those kids when the school buses arrive.

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Last summer, the College of Music and  (SPA) kicked off a new partnership to welcome 22 talented string students鈥攁ges 11-17鈥攖o our campus for an intensive scholarship program emphasizing cultural diversity. 

This month, June 20-30, it鈥檚 d茅j芒 vu as auditioned youths engage in lessons, master classes and performances with their instructors and guest teachers鈥攁ll under the auspices of the Sphinx Organization and thanks to a DEI Impact Grant from the 蜜糖直播 Boulder Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

That鈥檚 a lot to plan and implement. Yet for Alex Gonzalez鈥攔eturning SPA faculty member and College of Music assistant professor of violin鈥攊t鈥檚 all a joy. 鈥淚t鈥檚 wonderful to see how the SPA gives the kids space to grow, presenting them options as they pursue music,鈥� he says.

In between, Gonzalez explains, the students do more than improve their skills on violin, viola, cello and bass: 鈥淔or example, Jim Brody, who runs the College of Music鈥檚 wellness program, instructed them in healthy playing habits. It鈥檚 so important for them to learn how to prevent injury and avoid poor practice positions.鈥� Gonzalez also notes a master class by violinist Andrea Segar who鈥檒l join the College of Music faculty as assistant professor of violin this fall. 

Success stories are many. Among the 22 students who鈥檝e flown in from around the country, a few are returning from last summer鈥檚 inaugural SPA on our campus; and, according to Gonzalez, three students from the first cohort have applied for admission to 蜜糖直播 Boulder and were accepted鈥攊ncluding SPA alum Ryannah Blackman who will join Gonzalez鈥檚 violin studio as a freshman performance major this fall. 鈥淪he told me, 鈥楾he SPA made me want to settle here,鈥欌�� he says. 

A member of the Sphinx Virtuosi where he鈥檚 concertmaster, touring extensively with the group across the country and abroad, Gonzalez understands first-hand that the road to success in music isn鈥檛 without its challenges. But programs like the Detroit-based Sphinx Organization, established in 1997 to focus on 鈥渋ncreasing representation of Black and Latinx artists in classical music,鈥� have done much to ease and advance that journey.

Intense teaching and motivation are valuable, of course, but the SPA provides something else, Gonzales discovered: 鈥淭here鈥檚 a sense of community here, friendships have developed,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hese kids are sharing their love of music, of being together. I think it lifts them up. 

鈥淭hey鈥檝e worked hard but they got Sundays off, so they went on field trips. They went to the Pearl Street Mall and they took hikes. They got to see Boulder.鈥� 

See you next year, SPA!

SPA faculty and students will perform in Grusin Music Hall tonight and this weekend.

Photos: Kathryn Bistodeau, Sphinx Organization

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鈥淚 was so taken by the harmonies and I started looking at scores. I didn鈥檛 realize then that my career would become centered on Faur茅.鈥�

Pursuing a PhD at the University of Pennsylvania, Caballero鈥檚 graduate dissertation was on Faur茅. From there, his love and admiration for the Frenchman鈥檚 music continued to grow. He鈥檚 since written books about Faur茅 and edited critical editions of the composer鈥檚 two piano quintets for 鈥淭he Complete Works of Gabriel Faur茅.鈥� Yes, he鈥檚 also published studies on ballet music of the 19^th and 20^th centuries, and social continuities in French music from the 18^th to the 20^th centuries. But one composer remains close to his heart and his academic pursuits. Particularly these days. 鈥�

This year marks a milestone for Caballero who鈥攁long with his academic partner Stephen Rumph, professor of music history at the University of Washington鈥攚ill co-host the in Boulder, Feb. 27-March 3. comprising this major, global gathering of 蜜糖直播 Boulder faculty and student musicians alongside panelists from France, Canada, 蜜糖直播, Brazil, the United Kingdom and the United States are free and open to the public although  is appreciated from those who plan to attend the conference. 

Before enumerating the impressive number of papers to be presented, concerts to be held and new works to be premiered, Caballero shares how the whole project began. 鈥淚 visited Stephen in Seattle in the summer of 2021,鈥� he recalls. The two men had worked together previously, co-editing 鈥淔aur茅 Studies鈥� for Cambridge University Press. 鈥淲e were strolling on the beach鈥攖alking about how 2024 was the 100^th anniversary of Faur茅鈥檚 death鈥攁nd Stephen said, 鈥榃hy don鈥檛 we do a festival?鈥� That鈥檚 how it all started.鈥� 

In retrospect, Caballero points out, Rumph鈥檚 casual suggestion proved advantageous. Getting the ball rolling, and planning and sending out all the invitations and calls for papers so early, resulted in strong interest and a healthy number of acceptances.

There was much to do in the months that followed: Grants to write and submit, campus facilities to secure and鈥攈ere鈥檚 a surprise鈥攃omposers to commission. 鈥淭he [including on Feb. 27] will offer a kaleidoscopic experience, not just a look back,鈥� Caballero explains. In addition to chamber music by Faur茅 in diverse instrumentations, the festival will feature works by his contemporaries鈥攍ike Maurice Ravel, Mel Bonis and C茅cile Chaminade鈥攁s well as nine new commissions by both professional composers and students.

鈥淚t was Stephen鈥檚 idea to connect these new works to the legacy of Faur茅, but in the composers鈥� own style,鈥� says Caballero, who further notes that will be presented as part of the festival, including one of his own鈥斺�淭he Smith鈥檚 Harmonic Forge: Voice-Leading in the First Movement of Faur茅鈥檚 Second Piano Quartet.鈥� 

Caballero is optimistic that the Faur茅 Centennial 鈥婩estival will continue to raise appreciation of Faur茅鈥檚 music. For him, the attraction is singular: 鈥淢y academic career is fueled by the beauty of his music.鈥� 

The Faur茅 Centennial 鈥婩estival鈥攈eld on campus at the Imig Music Building and Macky Auditorium, and at Boulder鈥檚 First Congregational Church鈥攊s supported by the Dr. C. W. Bixler Family Foundation, the 蜜糖直播 Boulder College of Music, the Center for Humanities & the Arts and the Research & Innovation Office. 

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O鈥橬eil Jones鈥攁 third-year DMA student in choral conducting and literature at the College of Music鈥攊s bringing those sounds to Boulder. 

Jones has created the first statewide Jamaican Choral Music Symposium, Feb. 22-25, to elevate the history, language and musical elements of Jamaican choral music through direct interaction with natives of the country. by the University Singers who are based at the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica. The group, now led by Franklin Halliburton, will appear here thanks to a $25,000 Roser Visiting Artists Program grant awarded to Jones. Halliburton is a key figure in furthering Jamaican choral music as a genre, having worked with choral conductor-composer over some 20 years prior to his passing.

鈥淭his music is a major part of who we are,鈥� stresses Jones. 鈥淛amaicans know this music, but they don鈥檛 know who wrote it.鈥� A native of Montego Bay, he grew up singing those songs in church, noting that Jamaica has 1,600 churches, the largest per-capita number of any country in the world. 鈥淭he music was not being preserved, beyond simply being performed,鈥� he explains. Indeed, while there were sacred songs being sung all over the island, most were never written down or were notated in different versions. 

Today, Jones鈥攚ho鈥檚 also the 2023-24 recipient of the Susan L. Porter Memorial Fellowship鈥攊s advancing one of the goals of our American Music Research Center by bringing the choral music and culture of his island home to a wider audience this month, including the participation of area high schools and the 蜜糖直播 Boulder University Singers, Chamber Singers and Treble Chorus. He also hopes to publish the music of Jamaican choral composers. 

Primary among those is a major force in Jamaican choral music鈥攁nd a pivotal figure in the lives of both Jones and Halliburton: Noel Dexter (1938-2019). 鈥淗e鈥檚 the reason I鈥檓 here,鈥� says Jones. 鈥淗e was my mentor, he gave me my first voice lesson and he taught me how to conduct.鈥� Their bond began in 2009 and continued until Dexter鈥檚 death.

Dexter sent Jones on a journey of discovery that led him to Boulder. Since Jamaica had no serious conducting program, he encouraged his young student to enroll at Mississippi鈥檚 Alcorn State University where another of Dexter鈥檚 former students had been teaching. Jones obliged, then continued his studies at the University of Southern Mississippi. Eventually, he met Assistant Professor of Voice Andrew Garland at a national singing competition at 蜜糖直播 Boulder. 鈥溍厶侵辈� allowed me to accept Professor Garland鈥檚 invitation to continue studying voice while actively pursuing a career in conducting,鈥� Jones says. 

In 2021, he settled in Boulder, although Jamaica remained close to his heart. 鈥淚n preparing my conducting recitals, I included one song by Mr. Dexter to honor his memory鈥攆rom there, the zeal to bring more of his music to the world was ignited,鈥� he adds.

The 蜜糖直播 Boulder College of Music presents at Macky Auditorium on Feb. 25, 2024.

Photos: O鈥橬eil Jones (top); Noel Dexter (right). 

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Writing music can be a lonely occupation鈥攙ery private, very demanding. So it鈥檚 no surprise that most composers come across as intimidating individuals. Not so with an affable gentleman like George Crumb, although you鈥檇 never expect it from listening to his complex, often transcendent music.

鈥淢y mom connected with him,鈥� recalls 蜜糖直播 Boulder College of Music Associate Professor of Music Theory Steven Bruns, who will retire in May. 鈥淪he always said George seemed like a nice fellow from down the street.鈥� Anyone who spent some time with the late composer (including this writer) walked away amazed at how instantly likable he was. Yet, as Bruns is well aware, when Crumb died on Feb. 6, 2022, at age 92, the world lost one of its most brilliant and influential music makers.

Bruns and Crumb each served as faculty members at the College of Music鈥擟rumb, from 1959 to 1964 and Bruns from 1987 to his pending retirement. But they shared more than that: A close, long-lasting professional relationship and a deep friendship that began in 1992. 鈥淚 first met George in Prague, where I was lecturing on his music at a week-long Crumb Festival,鈥� Bruns recounts, 鈥淚 wrote my dissertation on Mahler and later published an article that traced the many connections between his music and Crumb鈥檚. George wrote to express his delight with my perspective.

鈥淭hat whole experience changed my life. I continued to write about Crumb鈥檚 music and eventually became his archivist.鈥�

In fact, the professor鈥檚 work continued to involve more than organizing Crumb鈥檚 papers and manuscripts. 鈥淚鈥檝e had access to an amazing amount of material,鈥� Bruns says. 鈥淚 was able to scan so much鈥攈is sketches, his letters, photographs, almost everything.鈥� He鈥檚 still working on this massive project and there鈥檚 more: Bridge Records, the label run by Crumb鈥檚 devoted friends David and Becky Starobin, recently released 鈥擝runs was a key participant, attending recording sessions and writing liner notes. 

You鈥檇 think that digging through Crumb鈥檚 library of papers and collaborating with the Starobins on the Bridge recordings would keep the professor busy enough in his upcoming retirement. Well, guess again. Bruns has also been involved in a film project about the late composer.

鈥淭he film is built around a concert that was held in May 2022 of Crumb鈥檚 鈥楢ncient Voices of Children鈥� [1970], three months after George died,鈥� explains Bruns. Among the performers at this program by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in New York were soprano Tony Arnold, pianist Gilbert Kalish and percussionist Daniel Druckman. 鈥淭hat performance is the point of departure for a one-hour documentary that will include various interviews,鈥� adds Bruns. 鈥淚鈥檓 one of the talking heads.鈥� Directed by Tristan Cook, 鈥溾�� will have its world premiere at the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, Tennessee, in late March.

The point of the film鈥攁nd the theme of his continuing post-academic labors on behalf of the late composer鈥攊s simple: 鈥淚 want to tell people who he was, to keep his music alive.鈥�

That goal may sound puzzling, knowing how brilliant a composer Crumb was, knowing the praise his works consistently received, the well-attended performances in concert halls around the world and the awards he won鈥攖he Pulitzer Prize in 1968 and a Grammy in 2001, among many other honors. But that鈥檚 no guarantee of a permanent place in the consciousness of a fickle public. 

鈥淕eorge was extremely self-critical and very humble. He never engaged in catty talk about his composer colleagues,鈥� adds Bruns. In other words, he kept a low profile and was hardly the self-marketing sort. So, what does the future hold for his music now that he鈥檚 gone? Where does one look for Crumb鈥檚 works and what role will Bruns play in that search?

鈥淚鈥檒l do all I can to invite new listeners into the sound world of George Crumb,鈥� Bruns replies. He鈥檚 working on a book about the composer, hoping to educate a wider audience about the impact of the man鈥檚 music. Meanwhile, the collected compositions are not gathering dust, he reports. 鈥淭here are at least a half-dozen works that are solidly in the repertoire. In addition to regular concert performances, there are multiple recordings of nearly every composition. For example, more than 20 pianists have released recordings of 鈥楳akrokosmos, Volumes I & II鈥� [1972 and 1973]. A good starter piece is 鈥榁ox Balaenae鈥� [鈥榁oice of the Whale鈥橾, Crumb鈥檚 dream-like trio for flute, cello and piano.鈥� 

Those who experience Crumb鈥檚 music are in for an amazing surprise, Bruns promises. 鈥淓very piece creates a powerful connection with an audience.鈥�

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Fixmer earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in music education in 2010 and went straight into teaching. Which was fine. Still, he admits, 鈥淚鈥檇 been composing my whole life. I was always noodling on some sort of piece.

鈥淔ive years ago, my mom showed my wife [alumna Sarah Off] and me a song I鈥檇 written many years ago. I guess I鈥檝e always been a composer.鈥�

But first things first: With an undergrad diploma from 蜜糖直播 Boulder in hand, he spent a decade teaching in small 蜜糖直播 towns such as Hotchkiss and Rifle, also serving as a counselor at the YMCA of the Rockies. Along the way, he earned a master鈥檚 in music education from Indiana University. Truth be told, Fixmer got his biggest kick out of time spent in Hotchkiss, population 875.

鈥淚 put together a little 8^th-grade jazz band,鈥� he reminisces, somehow managing to keep a straight face as he listed the instrumentation: 鈥淲e had two tubas, a bass clarinet and drums. I played piano and there were some other instruments. But the best part was, they played my compositions.鈥�

Are we starting to see a pattern here? Fixmer, 35, recalls that, yes, while pursuing his degree at our College of Music, he studied composition and theory with noted Professor of Composition Carter Pann. Even as he pursued his graduate degree in music education and found work in the classroom, life as a composer continued to beckon. 鈥淚 was always going through textbooks on composing,鈥� says Fixmer, exemplifying the college鈥檚 universal musician mission. 鈥淚 wanted to expand my vocabulary.鈥�

And so it came to pass, in a big and meaningful way. Fixmer not only found life as a composer, but he found a way of writing music with a purpose. 鈥淚鈥檓 not sure I鈥檇 ever want to write a piece of absolute music,鈥� he admits, referring to a composition that is simply a collection of melodies with no storyline or subtext. Instead, Fixmer creates for a reason.

His deep concern about people goes beyond writing a thoughtful piece of music, he stresses. 鈥淚n Greeley, I鈥檓 on a homelessness task force. That鈥檚 part of my desire in identifying topics to write about鈥攐nes that focus on human connections.鈥� 

Those connections now include some of Fixmer鈥檚 neighbors in Northern 蜜糖直播. Recently, another of his orchestral works was premiered by the Greeley Philharmonic where he now serves as composer-in-residence and where he鈥檚 created an impactful education outreach program. His 鈥溾�濃�攃ommissioned by the Greeley Philharmonic and the Weld Community Foundation鈥攚as unveiled in October at the Union Colony Civic Center. 鈥淚t鈥檚 for the people of Weld County,鈥� he says, 鈥渢o describe the experience of living here, of what brings people to this county.鈥�

There鈥檚 not enough space to cover all that the JW Pepper Editor鈥檚 Choice Award recipient has to offer. No space to discuss his children鈥檚 Spanish-language opera, 鈥淐lara y los Cuarto Caminos鈥� (鈥淐lara and the Four Ways鈥�). Nor to get around to his side career in a guitar-fiddle duo with his wife, appearing at folk festivals playing bluegrass and traditional foot-tapping Irish tunes. No time to write about a commissioned work aimed at increasing interest in mental illness. 

Once again, Fixmer鈥攚ith recent commissions and premieres under his belt from UC Health, Opera Guanajuato and the Crested Butte Music Festival, among others鈥攄oesn鈥檛 mince words. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to be typecast,鈥� he says.

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Savoye鈥攚ho manages all front-of-house operations at Macky Auditorium and within the College of Music, including Artist Series, Tak谩cs Quartet, Eklund Opera and other College of Music performances鈥攚as nominated for the award by 蜜糖直播 Presents Executive Director Joan Braun, Operations Director Andrew Metzroth and Box Office Manager Adrienne Havelka.

鈥淔or so many people in our community, Rojana is literally the face of the college when they attend our events鈥攐f which there are hundreds each year,鈥� says College of Music Dean John Davis. 鈥淭he moment they walk in the door to one of our venues, they see her鈥攁nd she sees them. Her heart is so huge, she makes sure everyone feels attended to. 

鈥淩ojana is eager, willing and quick to solve problems, and we all love working with her. She鈥檚 so deserving of this award for her important role that is sometimes overlooked. I couldn鈥檛 be happier for her.鈥�

Agrees Braun, 鈥淩ojana is a true professional and invaluable representative for the College of Music, 蜜糖直播 Presents and the University of 蜜糖直播. She has worked in a tough job for over 20 years, and I have total respect and gratitude for her work.

鈥淎s the senior front-of-house manager for all College of Music and 蜜糖直播 Presents events at Macky Auditorium, Grusin Music Hall, the Music Theatre and other venues in our Imig Music Building, Rojana acts as the primary PR representative for these entities as well as the University of 蜜糖直播 in general. Not only does she provide invaluable service in solving problems, she is responsible for our patrons鈥� safety should there be a medical emergency, fire or other life-safety event. 

鈥淩ojana consistently goes above and beyond her duties in solving patron conflicts and enforcing the university鈥檚 safety policies. And she does it in such a way that there is learning rather than animosity as a result. As warm and kind as she is, she has a backbone of steel.鈥� 

鈥淚 am beyond humbled and honored,鈥� says Savoye. 鈥淚鈥檓 part of the best team I could imagine working with, and my work is and always has been for the greater good. Receiving this award is so meaningful to me鈥擨 can鈥檛 begin to express my gratitude for the recognition.鈥�

According to Metzroth, 鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to work with Rojana. Her job on campus is already very specialized, but her unique approach and unflappable character put her well above any other house manager I鈥檝e worked with.

鈥淩ojana鈥檚 mentorship and high standards have created a roster of compassionate and proactive employees. Her leadership has not only taught them how to be good ushers, but also how to take responsibility, troubleshoot problems with independence and analyze complex problems for the betterment of all parties. Many of these ushers have gone on to careers in other arts organizations including the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the 蜜糖直播 Symphony and more.鈥�

Also noting that Savoye goes 鈥渁bove and beyond鈥� in her role, Havelka further sheds light on Savoye鈥檚 active participation and engagement in the College of Music鈥檚 staff council: 鈥淩ojana regularly volunteers and contributes great ideas on what we can do for our staff. She is involved in almost all of our community and engagement events, and she regularly participates in extracurricular activities with both staff and faculty. 

鈥淩ojana has taken the time to get to know the staff and faculty at the College of Music and has created wonderful relationships. There isn鈥檛 one person at the College of Music who would speak poorly of Rojana. She is a woman of many talents and continually puts those to work. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 staff members like Rojana who keep our department running, and her smiling face and great attitude keep people coming back to our events.鈥� 

Thank you, Rojana, and congratulations!

On Tuesday, Dec. 12, 3:30-5 p.m., Savoye and her co-award winners will be honored at a reception with Chancellor DiStefano [Chancellor鈥檚 Auditorium, 蜜糖直播 Boulder Center for Academic Success and Engagement (CASE) building].鈥�

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