Jorge Muñiz named interim dean

By Cory Iwaszewski

Dr. Jorge Muñiz, department chair of music and professor of composition and theory, has been named interim dean of the Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Arts for the upcoming academic year 2020-21. He will begin July 1, 2020. Current Dean Marvin Curtis will be stepping away in preparation for retirement after 12 years at IU South Bend.

“As chair of the Department of Music, I have enjoyed very much working with students and faculty in developing and growing our music program,” Muñiz reflects. “I am very fortunate to have a wonderful and talented group of friends and colleagues within the music faculty. In my new role as interim dean of the Raclin School of the Arts, I look forward to serving the faculty, staff, and students and helping the School in these times of transition. It is also important to me to further our strong connections with our community.”

Muñiz will step in to lead a staff and faculty that has been doing wonderful things over the years and continuing their mission on connecting with the local community. Muñiz is a perfect match to help the Arts remain strong in their presence in the community.

Tami Martinez, assistant dean and senior lecturer in communication studies, has had the privilege of working with Muñiz as colleagues for years, and is excited to see the transition.

“I’m very happy that Dr. Muñiz was selected to serve as the interim dean of the Arts to guide us through this transitory year. Jorge is well-known and respected campus-wide, he understands the inner workings of the Arts and our diverse programs, and he is genuinely supportive of our faculty and staff. I look forward to working with him,” Martinez says.

Muñiz has a very impressive musical background, and has performed and conducted music all across the world including Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Singapore, Australia and the United States with such ensembles as the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra, Seville Symphony Orchestra, Malaga Symphony Orchestra, Asturias Symphony Orchestra, Oviedo Filarmonía, South Bend Symphony Orchestra, the Das Scardanelli Quartett, Euclid Quartet, Avalon Quartet, Cámara XXI, Duo Ahlert & Schwab, Cuarteto Quiroga, Cuarteto Quattro, Duo Saxperience, the Vesper Chorale and Chamber Orchestra, and Duo Sonidos.

Muñiz’s music was most recently released on Crossings, New Music for Cello (Furious Artisans, 2015) by cellist Kate Dillingham and La Noche: 21st Century Music for Flute & Harp (CD Baby, 2011) by Roberto Alvarez, flute, and Katarina Tan, harp.

Muñiz received his master’s in music composition from Carnegie Mellon University, where he studied with Leonardo Balada and received his doctorate from the Manhattan School of Music with Richard Danielpour.

“I have had the pleasure to work with Dr. Jorge Muñiz during his time as chair of the Music Department in the School of the Arts for the past 7 years,” said Pam Mendenhall, office manager for the School of the Arts. “He is a very considerate, organized and devoted faculty member, who wants to see our students succeed and our faculty be successful. He is very engaging with our students. I look forward to working with him as he serves the Raclin School of the Arts as interim dean. We will continue to strive to continue the great work that former dean, Marvin Curtis, has accomplished in his 12 years as the dean.”

Even though there will be a new dean in the office come July, the same mission will be in place, and that is to serve the students and the South Bend area the best the School of the Arts can.