Aubrie Powell

Student org hopes to revive interest in swing dance

The University of New Mexico Jitterbugs Anonymous is a campus club with the primary goal of continuing swing dance traditions while creating connections with other swing clubs across the county. The club welcomes interested beginners as well as experienced students and alumni to weekly meetings teaching the Jitterbug, Lindy Hop, Charleston, East Coast and Balboa swing dancing. Additionally, the group teaches specific dances including the beginner-level Shim Sham, intermediate-level Tranky Doo and most recently the Chocolate Shake, a new dance taught at the Intercollegiate Swing Battle this year.

TAO brings Japanese drumming to Popejoy

On their second tour in the United States DRUM TAO once again visited Albuquerque’s Popejoy Hall Friday.

Column: Why contemporary classical music is relevant

When it comes to the arts, catering to norms can be stifling. Contemporary classical music is a little-known world that brings a variety of approaches to the creation of sound within time and space, and none of these approaches can be described as completely normative. Most notably, composers in this world are alive and able to interact with other intellects and musical voices — something that Mozart and Beethoven simply cannot do. To most, this may not seem like a big deal when compared to popular contemporary musicians like Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran and Kanye West. These artists are alive, if not accessible. However the world of classical concert music is plagued by nostalgia, where new music often slides back to include music from the late 19th century.

Student receives composer award

As part of the John Donald Robb Composers’ Symposium, Annie Merrill received the Scott Wilkinson Student Composer Award and her recent piece, “Torusot,” for flute, clarinet, percussion and cello. Born is Colorado, Merrill attended the University of New Mexico initially to study French horn performance, she said. “I’ve been a musician for as long as I can remember,” Merrill said.

Music department gears up for 47th Annual John Donald Robb Composers’ Symposium

The University of New Mexico music department will host the 47th Annual John Donald Robb Composers’ Symposium from March 23 to 29. The symposium brings distinguished composers from around the world to campus. This year it is hosting a larger-than-usual number of composers, including Betsy Jolas, Cort Lippe, Hilda Paredes, Augusta Read Thomas, Hans Tutschku and Hildegard Westerkamp. To get an idea of the individual voices of these composers the Symposium has put together a YouTube playlist.

New class explores feminist identity

A course that began this semester at the University of New Mexico Honors College aims to present different feminist perspectives and encourage exploration and critique of these theories. “A Dialogue on Creating a Feminist Identity,” taught by Dr. Dawn Stracener, strives to enable learning through multidisciplinary experiences. Above all, the course provides its students with tools to explore their own identities, feminist or not, Stracener said.

“Turn of the Screw" opera to be performed at Keller Hall

Opening Thursday night, the University of New Mexico Opera Theatre presents Benjamin Britten’s “Turn of the Screw” based on the gothic novella by Henry James. Professor Leslie Umphrey directs and Kristin Ditlow, Ph.D. conducts the music for the dark ghost story. “It’s really ‘Downton Abbey’ gone terribly wrong in a way,” Ditlow said.

HSC Orchestra helps UNM community stay connected to music

Composed of healthcare professionals, students and community members, the Health Science Center Orchestra encourages those interested in renewing old skills on the violin, flute or other instrument they learned in high school to attend a rehearsal. Trombonist and biology Ph.D. student Tim Ohlert said, “This is my second semester in the orchestra, and my favorite part is the community mentality that we are all professionals and experts in diverse fields, but we make time to come together and play music.” The group is welcoming of new members as at least two new musicians attended this past Sunday’s rehearsal.

Career Issue: UNM Wind Symphony prepares for performances

The University of New Mexico Wind Symphony is putting on a concert featuring Russian and American works on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Popejoy Hall — performers pieced together the show in the first three weeks of the semester. Professor of Music and Director of Bands Eric Rombach-Kendall hopes students can learn how to perform the music in a short period of time, he said.

Musicians rehearse on Feb. 3, 2017 for ?The Russians and Americans: A UNM Wind Symphony.?