Past events and activities

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In November 2015, the College of Music began to form two diversity and inclusion working groups—one comprised of faculty, the other exclusively of students. These two groups met collectively and independently to formulate strategies for strengthening equity, inclusion and diversity both within the college and across campus. In 2019, Dean Jim Forger, Associate Dean David Rayl, and Rodney Whitaker met with each area within the College of Music. The consensus was that all areas should have representation on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and participation has been adjusted to reflect that decision. Also in 2019, students independently formed a new advocacy group, Color Me Music, comprised of Music students who remain actively engaged and working directly with college leadership.

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PAST EVENT QUICK LINKS  
2021  |  2020  |  2019  |  2018  |  2017
 

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2021

American Masters with Damien Sneed and Brandie Sutton
Fri, Jan 29, 2021, 8:00 PM EST
Hosted by the Wharton Center, this virtual performance explores the works of George Gershwin, Leslie Adams, Undine Smith Moore, Duke Ellington, and Damien Sneed in an intimate evening of voice and piano. The program will also feature some of their most beloved spirituals and hymns. Click here for tickets and more details.

Dr. Tammy Kernodle, Professor of Musicology at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio
Troublin’ the Water: Black Music and the Mythology of Post Racial America 

In the wake of Barack Obama's election in 2008 cultural critics and political pundits began exclaiming that America was becoming post racial. However, as Obama prepared for his re-election campaign a series of violent events began to disrupt this narrative. Most notable were the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Sandra Brown as well as the shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC. As a result, artistic communities sparked a wave of protest/resistance culture. While the hip hop community reacted almost immediately, artists reflecting the spectrum of American popular and concert music also entered this soundscape. Women's voices were very evident providing some of the most angry and explicit musical reactions.

In this presentation, Dr. Kernodle will historicize the role black women musicians in framing the sonic contexts of civil rights or protest music. Specific emphasis will be placed on contemporary artists who have shaped the current context of protest culture that extends through various contemporary social movements.

Financial support for this event is provided by the 2020 Creating Inclusive Excellence Grant from the MSU Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives.

• Sunday, 1/31/21 - 7-9:00 PM - Color Me Music Organization Diversity Session
• Tuesday, 2/2/21 - 11:30 AM - College of Music Faculty/Staff Diversity Session
• Monday, 2/22/21 - 7-9:00 PM - College of Music Jazz Studies Area (Jazz History Seminar: Civil Rights Movement and Black Music)
• Monday, 3/29/21 - 7-9:00 PM - College of Music Jazz Studies Area (Jazz History Seminar: Civil Rights Movement and Black Music)

Damien Sneed: Music and Entrepreneurship
Thursday, February 4, 6-7:15 EDT, via Zoom
Get behind the scenes of the business of being a multi-genre performing artist, entrepreneur, and arts educator Damien Sneed. Topics to be discussed include touring as a musician, commissions as a composer, publishing & royalties, founding a business, setting up a foundation, and more. 
 

2020

MSU Opera Theatre Guest Lecturer Ryan Speedo Green
Friday, November 6, 3-6 p.m., Zoom
American Bass-Baritone Ryan Speedo Green provided a lecturer virtually with MSU College of Music students.

Lift Every Voice: Celebrating Composers of Color
Joanne and Bill Church West Circle Series
Monday, October 12, 7:30 p.m., Livestream
A tribute to Black composers around the world and through the centuries. The program illustrated the wide range of contributions of Black composers from a classical violin and piano sonata, to saxophone and piano, ragtime, and of course, America’s music – Jazz. MSU Artists: Gwendolyn Dease and Jon Weber, percussion; Yvonne Lam, violin; Deborah Moriarty, piano; Joseph Lulloff, saxophone; Mark Rucker, baritone, Sadie Rucker, piano; Xavier Davis, jazz piano; Rodney Whitaker, jazz bass; and Randy Gelispie, jazz drums. The story guide for the concert was Dr. Stephanie Anthony, director of the Office of College Access Initiatives at Michigan State University Outreach and Engagement.

Weston Sprott Visit
September 27 - October 2, 2020 
The College of Music Committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, led by Rodney Whitaker, engaged Weston Sprott as a guest visitor to the College of Music. Sprott is Dean of the Preparatory Division at the Juilliard School and a trombonist in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. He met in an online format with student group Color Me Music for a diversity workshop, conducted a diversity workshop with faculty and staff, conducted a career workshop with students through Running Start called "Do Something: Organic Pathways to Having Your Voice Be Heard," and spoke during a Freshman Seminar in MUS101 Foundations for Success in Music.

Listening Circle:  Exploring the Effects of Racial Trauma
Friday, June 12, 2020, Zoom 06:00 PM
Hosted by: Rodney Whitaker
Guest Speaker – Dr. Chiarina Owens, Psychologist

Jazz: Spirituals, Prayer and Protest Concert
Sunday, January 19, 2020, Fairchild Theatre 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Featuring: MSU Jazz Octets/Combos/Faculty and Student Soloists

Area Chairs – Diversity & Inclusion Workshop
Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 207 Music Building 11:30 AM
Hosted by: Dean Forger
Guest Speaker – Weston Sprott, Trombonist for the MET Orchestra and Dean of Preparatory Division @ The Juilliard School

Community Music School Detroit Staff – Diversity & Inclusion Workshop
Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 3408 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201 3:00 PM
Hosted by: Jill Woodward
Guest Speaker – Weston Sprott, Trombonist for the MET Orchestra and Dean of Preparatory Division @ The Juilliard School

Executive Staff – Diversity & Inclusion Workshop
Monday, January 13, 2020, 207 Music Building 10:00 AM
Hosted by: Dean Forger
Guest Speaker – Weston Sprott, Trombonist for the MET Orchestra and Dean of Preparatory Division @ The Juilliard School

Diversity & Inclusion Committee – Diversity & Inclusion Workshop
Monday, January 13, 2020, 207 Music Building 12:40 PM
Hosted by: Rodney Whitaker
Guest Speaker – Weston Sprott, Trombonist for the MET Orchestra and Dean of Preparatory Division @ The Juilliard School

Jazz/Classical Trombone Joint Studio Master Class
Monday, January 13, 2020, 207 Music Building 8:00 PM
Hosted by: Michael Dease & Ava Ordman
Guest Speaker – Weston Sprott, Trombonist for the MET Orchestra and Dean of Preparatory Division @ The Juilliard School

2019

Percussion Area Master Classes
Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 6 Music Building 11:15 AM & 3:00 PM
Hosted by: Gwen Dease
Guest Artist:  Lolly Allen

Percussion Area Master Class
Monday, November 11, 2019, 6 Music Building 2:00 PM
Hosted by: Gwen Dease
Guest Artist:  Lolly Allen

Jazz Drum Studio Class
Monday, November 11, 2019, 100 Music Practice Building 7:00 PM
Hosted by: Randy Gelispie
Guest Artist:  Lolly Allen

Jazz Studies Area Joint Studio Class
Monday, November 11, 2019, 103 Music Practice Building 8:00 PM
Hosted by: Michigan State University Professors of Jazz
Guest Artist:  Lolly Allen

Jazz/Classical Trumpet Joint Studio Master Class
Monday, October 14, 2019, 245 Music Building 8:00 PM
Hosted by: Etienne Charles & Justin Emerich
Guest Artist:  Rex Richardson

Jazz/Classical Trumpet Joint Studio Master Class
Monday, April 15, 2019, 103 Music Practice Building 8:00 PM
Hosted by: Etienne Charles & Justin Emerich
Guest Artist:  Richard A. Kelley

Jazz/Classical Trombone Studio Master Class
Monday, March 18, 2019, 120 Music Building 8:00 PM
Hosted by: Michael Dease and Ava Ordman
Guest Speaker – Jennifer Wharton, jazz trombone, low brass

Chamber Music America – Faculty Consultations
Wednesday, February 20, 2019, Location Arranged 8:00 AM – 12:00 noon, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Hosted by: Dean James B. Forger
Guest Speaker – Gargi Shinde

Black History Month Recital
“Our Plight, Our Song, Our Passion: A Celebration of Black Music”
Wednesday, February 20, 2019, Cook Recital Hall 8:00 PM

Running Start and Jazz History
Wednesday, February 20, 2019, 241 Music Building
Hosted by: Christine Beamer and Kenneth Prouty
Guest Speaker – Brandee Younger, jazz harp

Coffee Chats w/College of Music Students
Wednesday, February 20, 2019, 241 Music Building
Hosted by: Chen-Yu Huang
Guest Speaker – Brandee Younger, jazz harp

Master Class w/Harp Studio
Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 103 Music Practice Building 5:00 PM
Hosted by: Chen-Yu Huang
Guest Speaker – Brandee Younger, jazz harp

Chamber Music America – Faculty and Executive Staff
Monday, February 18, 2019, 207 Music Building 10:00 AM
Hosted by: Rodney Whitaker
Guest Speaker – Gargi Shinde

Chamber Music America – Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Monday, February 18, 2019, 207 Music Building 12:40 PM
Guest Speaker – Gargi Shinde

Master Class w/Jazz Studio
Monday, February 18, 2019, 103 Music Practice Building 7:00 PM
Hosted by: Rodney Whitaker
Guest Speaker – Brandee Younger, jazz harp

Jazz: Spirituals, Prayer and Protest Concert
Sunday, January 20, 2019, Fairchild Theatre 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Featuring: MSU Jazz Octets/Combos/Faculty and Student Soloists

2018

Jazz Education Network
Tuesday, November 13, 2018, 145 Music Building 10:20 AM
Hosted by: Diego Rivera
Guest Speaker – Todd Stoll

Big Band Clinic
Tuesday, November 13, 2018, 120 Music Building 4:10 PM
Hosted by: Rodney Whitaker
Guest Speaker – Todd Stoll

Strategic Planning for Diversity
Executive Staff
Monday, November 12, 2018, 207 Music Building 10:00 AM
Hosted by: Dean Forger
Guest Speaker – Todd Stoll, vice president of Education Jazz @ Lincoln Center

Strategic Planning for Diversity
Music Education
Monday, November 12, 2018, Cook Recital Hall 11:30 AM
Hosted by: Mitch Robinson
Guest Speaker – Todd Stoll, vice president of Education Jazz @ Lincoln Center

Strategic Planning for Diversity
Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Monday, November 12, 2018, 207 Music Building 12:40 PM
Hosted by: Rodney Whitaker
Guest Speaker – Todd Stoll, vice president of Education Jazz @ Lincoln Center

State of Jazz Education
Jazz Studies Area – Joint Studio
Monday, November 12, 2018, 103 Music Practice Building 8:00 PM
Hosted by: Rodney Whitaker
Guest Speaker – Todd Stoll, vice president of Education Jazz @ Lincoln Center

College of Music Area Meetings – Strings
Monday, September 17, 2018, 207 Music Building 8:45 AM
Hosted by: Dean Forger & Rodney Whitaker

College of Music Area Meetings – Conducting
Wednesday, September 12, 2018, 207 Music Building 8:30 AM
Hosted by: Dean Forger & Rodney Whitaker

College of Music Area Meetings – Piano
Tuesday, September 11, 2018, 207 Music Building 10:30 AM
Hosted by: Dean Forger & Rodney Whitaker

College of Music Area Meetings – Theory
Tuesday, September 11, 2018, 207 Music Building 12:30 PM
Hosted by: Dean Forger & Rodney Whitaker

College of Music Area Meetings – Musicology
Monday, September 10, 2018, 207 Music Building 8:45 AM
Hosted by: Dean Forger & Rodney Whitaker

College of Music Area Meetings – Brass
Monday, September 7, 2018, 207 Music Building 9:00 AM
Hosted by: Dean Forger & Rodney Whitaker

College of Music Area Meetings – Woodwind
Monday, September 7, 2018, 207 Music Building 12:00 PM
Hosted by: Dean Forger & Rodney Whitaker

College of Music Area Meetings – Voice
Monday, September 6, 2018, 207 Music Building 12:00 PM
Hosted by: Dean Forger & Rodney Whitaker

College of Music Area Meetings – Composition
Tuesday, September 4, 2018, 207 Music Building 10:00 AM
Hosted by: Dean Forger & Rodney Whitaker

Jazz/Classical Bass Joint Studio Master Class
Friday, April 20, 2018, 135 Music Building 10:00 AM
Hosted by: Rodney Whitaker & Kevin Brown
Guest Artist: Dr. Ron Carter

MSU College of Music – Student Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Diversity and Inclusion through Music
Friday, April 20, 2018, 632 W Circle Drive 11:30 AM
MSU Landon Hall Lobby

Jazz/Classical Percussion Joint Studio Master Class
Wednesday, April 18, 2018, 135 Music Building 12:40 PM
Hosted by: Randy Gelispie & Gwen Dease
Guest Artist:  Carlos Valdez

Jazz/Classical Percussion Joint Studio Master Class
Tuesday, April 17, 2018, 141 Music Building 1:10 PM
Hosted by: Randy Gelispie & Gwen Dease
Guest Artist: Carl Allen

Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives
Examining Implicit Bias Workshop: Processing and Future Steps
Tuesday, April 10, 2018, Hart Recital Hall, Music Building 11:00am
Guest Speakers: Deborah Johnson and Jessica Garcia
Participants: Entire College of Music Faculty and Staff

An Auto Ethnographic Point of Departure
Tuesday, April 10, 2018, 120 Music Building 4:10 PM
Hosted by: Rodney Whitaker
Guest Speaker: Professor Darrin Thornton, Penn State Music Education

Music Education Seminar
Monday, April 9, 2018, 219 Music Building 11:30 AM
Hosted by: Juliet Hess
Guest Speaker: Professor Darrin Thornton, Penn State Music Education

Jazz Studies Area – Forum
Monday, April 9, 2018, 103 Music Practice Building 8:00 PM
Hosted by: Rodney Whitaker
Guest Speaker: Professor Darrin Thornton, Penn State Music Education

MSU College of Music – Student Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Diversity and Inclusion through Music
Friday, April 6, 2018, 632 W Circle Drive 11:30 AM
MSU Landon Hall Lobby

MSU College of Music – Student Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Diversity and Inclusion through Music
Friday, March 23, 2018, 632 W Circle Drive 11:30 AM
MSU Landon Hall Lobby

Jazz/Classical Saxophone Joint Studio Master Class
Thursday, March 22, 2018, 135 Music Building 1:10 PM
Hosted by: Diego Rivera & Joseph Lulloff
Guest Artist:  Steve Wilson

MSU College of Music – Student Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Diversity and Inclusion through Music
Friday, February 23, 2018, 632 W Circle Drive 11:30 AM
MSU Landon Hall Lobby

Jazz/Classical Piano Joint Studio Master Class
Friday, February 09, 2018, Cook Recital Hall 12:40 PM
Hosted by: Xavier Davis & Deborah Moriarty
Guest Artist:  Helen Sung

MSU College of Music – Student Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Diversity and Inclusion through Music
Friday, February 9, 2018, 632 W Circle Drive 11:30 AM
MSU Landon Hall Lobby

Jazz: Spirituals, Prayer and Protest Concert
Sunday, January 14, 2018, Fairchild Theatre 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Featuring: MSU Jazz Octets/Combos/Faculty and Student Soloists

2017

MSU College of Music – Student Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Diversity and Inclusion through Music
Friday, December 1, 2017, 632 W Circle Drive 11:30 AM
MSU Landon Hall Lobby

Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives
Examining Implicit Bias Workshop: Introduction to Implicit Bias
Tuesday, November 21, 2017, Hart Recital Hall, Music Building 11:00am
Guest Speaker:  Jessica Garcia
Participants: Faculty

College of Music Voice Area Listening Session
Friday, November 17, 2017, Hart Recital Hall 1:40-2:50 PM (3:00)
Hosted by: Richard Fracker
Guest Speaker: Marcie Ray

MSU College of Music – Student Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Diversity and Inclusion through Music
Friday, November 10, 2017, 632 W Circle Drive 11:30 AM
MSU Landon Hall Lobby

Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives
Examining Implicit Bias Workshop: Inclusive Leadership
Tuesday, November 7, 2017, Hart Recital Hall, Music Building 11:00am
Guest Speaker:  Paulette Granberry Russell
Participants: Deans, Advisory Committee and Area Chairs

College of Music Composition Area Listening Session
Friday, November 3, 2017, 245 Music Building 2:30-4:00 PM (3:00)
Hosted by: Tian Zhou
Guest Speaker: Chen-Yu Huang

Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives
Examining Implicit Bias Workshop: Introduction to Inclusion
October 31, 2017, 145 Music Building 1:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Jessica Garcia
Participants: Staff

MSU College of Music – Student Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Diversity and Inclusion through Music
Friday, October 27, 2017, 632 W Circle Drive 11:30 AM
MSU Landon Hall Lobby

Musique 21
Monday, October 23, 2017, Fairchild Theatre, MSU Auditorium 7:30 PM
Hosted by: Lyn Goeringer, David Biedenbender
Guest Speaker: Alex Temple

College of Music Percussion Studio Listening Session
Wednesday, October 18, 2017, 120 Music Building 6:30 PM
Hosted by: Professor Gwen Dease
Guest Speaker:  Diego Rivera

MSU College of Music – Student Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Diversity and Inclusion through Music
Friday, October 13, 2017, 632 W Circle Drive 11:30 AM
MSU Landon Hall Lobby

Spotlight & Focus on Women Composers
Special Panel Discussion on Diversity in Programming
Composition Studio Course
Friday, April 28, 2017, 319 Music Practice Building 2:30 PM
Hosted by: Mark Sullivan
Guest Speaker:  Ava Ordman

Instrumental Methods Course in African-American Cultural Approach to Jazz Education
Monday, April 24, 2017, 120 Music Building 8:00 AM
Hosted by: Mitch Robinson
Guest Speaker:  Professor Ronald Carter

Jazz Styles & Analysis Course in African-American Cultural Approach to Jazz Education
Monday, April 24, 2017, 419 Music Practice Building 3:00 PM
Hosted by: Rodney Whitaker
Guest Speaker:  Professor Ronald Carter

Jazz Studies Area – Studios
Monday, April 24, 2017, 103 Music Practice Building 8:00 PM
Hosted by: Michigan State University Professors of Jazz
Guest Speaker:  Professor Ronald Carter

College of Music Faculty Retreat
Sunday, April 23, 2017, Cowles House 9:30 AM
Hosted by: College of Music Diversity & Inclusion Committee

Spotlight & Focus on Women Composers
Thursday, April 20, 2017, Music Building Room 241 4:00 PM
Hosted by: Mark Sullivan
Guest Composer:  Andrea Clearfield

MSU Symphony Orchestra Listening Session
Wednesday, April 19, 2017, 120 Music Building 3:00 PM
Hosted by: Kevin Noe
Guest Speakers: Rodney Whitaker, Mark Sullivan, Diego Rivera

Swing Dance Event (MSU Jazz Orchestras I, II, III)
Wednesday, April 19, 2017, Demonstration Hall 7:30 PM
Jazz Studies Area

Michigan State University Chorale Listening Session
Tuesday, April 18, 2017, Fairchild Theatre 1:50 PM
Hosted by: Professor David Rayl
Guest Speaker:  Rodney Whitaker

Session #4: Who is Responsible for Promoting Diversity: Town Hall with Dean Forger & Diversity Committee
Sunday, February 19, 2017, Hart Recital Hall, Music Building 6:00 PM
Hosted by: Dean Forger and College of Music Faculty on Diversity

Session #3: A Place Where We are All Welcome: Building on Inclusive Community in the College and Beyond
Sunday, February 12, 2017, Hart Recital Hall, Music Building 4:00 PM
Hosted by: College of Music Faculty on Diversity

Session #2: Round Table - Faculty Perspectives on Inclusive Musical Experiences
Sunday, February 5, 2017, Hart Recital Hall, Music Building 4:00 PM
Hosted by: College of Music Student on Diversity

Session #1: What is Diversity?
Sunday, January 29, 2017, Hart Recital Hall, Music Building 4:00 PM
Hosted by: College of Music Faculty on Diversity

Jazz: Spirituals, Prayer and Protest Concert
Sunday, January 15, 2017, Fairchild Theatre 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Featuring: MSU Jazz Octets/Combos/Faculty and Student Soloists