Faculty at the College of Music regularly perform on stage and produce recordings in a spirit similar to the scholarly publications of their academic counterparts. Several faculty recently topped the charts, made playlists, and sparked positive reviews through the release of CDs.

Diego Rivera, “The Contender,” D Clef Records. Released in the fall of 2013, Rivera’s second CD has made playlists on Sirus/XM radio, hit number #11 on JazzWeek charts, and was selected as the CD of the Month by KUVO radio in Denver. The CD includes eight original selections by the assistant professor of jazz studies, saxophone, and improvisation, as well as interpretations of several jazz standards. Rivera’s newest CD pays homage to his Mexican heritage and features two colleagues from the MSU College of Music: Rodney Whitaker on bass and Michael Dease on trombone.

Minsoo Sohn, “Goldberg Variations,” Honens. Sohn’s CD continues to attract attention following his win several years ago at the Honens International Piano Competition. Gramophone Magazine’s recent review of the Honens-label CD praises Sohn for his “supple technique” and calls his interpretations of Bach’s Goldberg Variations “highly distinctive and intelligent.” Named the first laureate of the Honens competition in 2006, Sohn is an assistant professor of piano in the MSU College of Music.

“Beaumont Bells: Ringing in the Holidays,” faculty recording available through the MSU Museum. For the first time, holiday shoppers were able to gift a CD of carillon music performed at MSU’s iconic Beaumont Tower. The 2013 release features MSU carillonneur Ray McLellan performing a variety of holiday tracks, accompanied by the voices of the MSU Spartan Marching Band, Spartan Dischords, MSU Accafellas, and many more.

For a complete list of faculty CDs, recordings and books, click here.