Music News

I hope this message finds you and your families and communities in good health and spirits during the current circumstances. I know that the conditions necessitated by COVID-19 have lasted much longer than expected and I am grateful for your continued resilience and widespread generosity shown by people throughout AMPD over the past six months.

Another school year has come to an end, which means it is time to celebrate and send-off our graduating class as they prepare themselves for the next stage of their careers.

These are truly extraordinary circumstances. In any other year, we would gather in the large Centre of Excellence at the Aviva Centre, surrounded by family and friends. There would be hugs, high fives, and photo opportunities. But even though the love cannot be shared in-person, we want the Class of 2020 to know that we hold them deeply in our hearts.

Last week, President Rhonda Lenton wrote to the York community about the University’s planning for the fall academic term. That message emphasized adherence to public health and safety and access to courses so that students can progress in their programs. The message also noted the potential for select experiential activities on campus. As explained in that communication, courses will clearly state whether on-campus activities may be required.

Douglas led masterclasses at York University for instrumentalists and coached small jazz ensembles. The residency was made possible by the Oscar Peterson endowment at York University, which also supports the Oscar Peterson Scholarship in Jazz Performance, an annual entrance scholarship that provides up to $40,000 over four years to an incoming music student. Our Jazz professor Sundar Viswanathan sat down with Dave Douglas for an interview.

An important story of Canadian history and tragedy that was retold through an opera written by Stephanie Martin, associate professor of music at York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design (AMPD), will be the subject of a special lecture on March 11 at York University.

As part of Black History Month, York University invited members of the public to learn more about the origins of gospel music at the concert on Wednesday. The event, entitled Word, Sound, Power: Black Artistic Expression, was hosted by the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora, which is currently held by York University professor Carl James.

Gretsch artist since 2017, Canadian-born and internationally-respected professional Anthony Michelli has fostered a creative and successful career in the music industry as a drum set performer, post-secondary educator, and sound recording producer.

Contract faculty member Ray Williams was recently honoured at the 2019 Engineering Emmy Awards. The Emmy was awarded to Williams and his team for their program FabFilter Pro-Q 3.