Greetings to Boyer College alumni and friends,

Following the excitement of last fall's GRAMMY nomination for our commissioned orchestral and jazz piece, Fourth Stream… La Banda, the spring semester at the Boyer College of Music and Dance continued to be a time of creativity and collaboration. I am pleased to share a few of the year's highlights with you below and on our web site.

While we had many things to celebrate this spring, the Boyer community also mourned the passing of two former faculty members: George Sementovsky, piano, and Emanuel Vardi, violin. These two exceptional musicians were inspired teachers and will be missed by many.

As you may know, I have been interim dean for the Tyler School of Art and will continue in this role, along with that of vice provost for the arts for Temple University. I believe a society is defined by its arts, and am pleased to recognize the level of university support for our varied and high quality arts programs. I look forward to a future of even more creativity and collaboration.

Robert T. Stroker
Dean, Boyer College of Music and Dance
Vice Provost for the Arts, Temple University

Boyer News

Boyer Faculty Retirements

Professors Kenneth Bruscia, Arthur Chodoroff, Helen Kwalwasser and Glenn Steele have retired as of Spring 2011. Congratulations and thank you! [More]

Kimmel Center Concert Connects Alumni, Honors The Philadelphia Orchestra

The Temple University Symphony Orchestra and Combined Choirs performed Verdi's Messa da Requiem on March 27. Among the concert's professional soloists was Eric Owens, BM '93 (LEFT, with Dean Emeritus Helen Laird). [More]

Professor Kwalwasser Donates Collection of Stringed Instruments

Violinist Helen Kwalwasser has donated her unique collection of stringed instruments from around the world, including DRAMYEG BHUTAU (LEFT, on display in the Rock Hall Auditorium lobby). Thank you, Helen!

Upcoming Temple Jazz Recording Release

Later this summer, Boyer's BCM&D Records will release the Temple University Jazz Band's To Thad with Love, a tribute CD to legendary trumpeter Thad Jones. [More]

View Photos from Spring Alumni Events

The Boyer College Alumni Association hosted a number of events throughout the spring, including a joint reception with Temple University Young Alumni (TUYA) following the annual Kimmel Center concert (LEFT, Carol Grey, MM '88, faculty members Steven Kreinberg and David Cramer, and BCAA President Regina Gordon, BM '69). Visit myowlspace.com/photos to view photos from this and other alumni events (log in required).

Video and Audio Streaming Now Available on Boyer Site

Explore a variety of recordings and concert performances on Boyer's new multimedia page.

Scholarship News

Two inaugural awards were presented at this year's annual Boyer Student Awards Ceremony on May 11: the Olga Gagliardi Getto Award, established by the family of Mrs. Olga Gagliardi Getto (BS '33) in honor of her 100th birthday, was awarded to pianist Bong-A Jung, and the Katherine Dunham Award for Creative Dance Research, established by Professor Kariamu Welsh, was presented to Saroya Corbett.

The Florence Berggren Voice Scholarship Fund grew by $10,000, following the benefit concert in April presented by Tonia Tecce at the Kimmel Center. Also included on her song program was a jazz set played by Boyer College students with Professor Dick Oatts, saxophone.

When fully funded, the recently launched Don Ewart Scholarship Fund will provide full scholarships for students at the Boyer College. Gifts to this fund are matched by Entrust Financial, LLC., which was founded by Don and his wife, Joslyn.

The Glenn Steele Percussion Scholarship Fund is now permanently endowed, thanks to the generosity of the Immordino family and numerous alumni and friends.

Dr. Laurence Stone (DEN '73) has made a provision in his will to establish the Dean Emeritus David L. Stone Scholarship Fund for piano students, thus furthering his father's legacy as founding dean of the Boyer College, pianist and committed educator.

Prior to the Awards Ceremony on May 11, many fund leaders were able to meet with the student recipients at a small reception. Click here to view photos (log in required).

To support the Boyer College and any of the scholarships or programs mentioned above, please visit myowlspace.com.

Events

For Boyer's full concert schedule, visit www.temple.edu/boyer.

Share Your News

Cathy Cahill (BM '80) has been named one of SmartCEO's 2011 BRAVA! Women Business Achievement Award Winners, Ananya Chatterjea (PhD '96) was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, and Stephen Caldwell (MM '07) was named Composer of the Year by the NJ Arts Collective.

To read more Boyer Class Notes, and to find out how you can submit your own news, click here (PDF).