Message from the Dean

Serenade is Back!

fter a two-year hiatus brought on by the pandemic, the School of Music is back to full force with well-attended public performances, international student tours, and a renewed sense of purpose and opportunity. Although the world has changed since Covid-19 disrupted every aspect of our society, the need to prepare future generations of music practitioners has not diminished. As you read through the following pages, I hope you are struck by the many meaningful contributions and accomplishments realized by our students, faculty, and alums.

As I step away from my role as dean this year, I do so with heartfelt gratitude to the many individuals who have helped propel our programs forward over the past 12.5 years. Our KU Choirs, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble are thriving at their highest levels of performance excellence ever. New leadership for our opera program has brought renewed excitement and promises similar progress. For the second year in a row, membership in the Marching Jayhawks has exceeded 300 students, with this year’s band being bigger and better than ever.

As our curriculum has grown, music enrollments this semester are up over 12%. Likewise, the number of music majors from under-represented populations has almost doubled since 2010, now exceeding 37% of our student population. Our international programs continue to expand, most recently with new cooperation agreements signed this year with the Xinghai Conservatory in Guangzhou, China, and the Paris Conservatory in Europe. The relationships our faculty have fostered overseas have helped provide opportunities over the past 12 years, facilitating over 200 KU music students to participate in opportunities abroad.

The many individuals who have supported the need for music scholarships have been incredible benefactors in the success we have realized together. For the first time this year, we are awarding over $1 million in music scholarships, up from about $400,000 in 2010. Graduate Assistantship stipends and their requisite tuition remission benefits also total about $1 million this year. This extraordinary progress could not have been realized without our alumni and patrons, who value the difference music makes in our world and KU’s role in educating future leaders.

In giving a shoutout to our incredible School of Music staff, I hope to acknowledge the individuals who work behind the scenes, rarely receiving the credit they deserve. These exceptional professionals continue to find solutions for seemingly impossible situations and do the hard work that allows others to succeed.

Now more than ever, the School of Music needs your support. Whether through financial gifts, attendance at KU Music events, or simply spreading the word about the incredible music family we have on Mount Oread, THANK YOU!

Rock Chalk, Jayhawk!!!

Robert Walzel, Dean School of Music