Zhen Piao (AD in organ, 2017, and MM in piano) has won 2nd prize in the Shanghai International Organ Competition. The Competition took place September 14-15, 2017 at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center. Zhen was one of six finalists from five countries.

Reported to be the first international organ competition in China, the Competition was held as part of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music's International Organ Festival. Finalists perfomed on one of the largest organs in China: a 5-manual, 88-rank Rieger instrument. 

Harpists are making it happen now and for the future. 

Flute alumnae and students are making it happen now, and for the future.

Alumnus Christopher Cayari (Ph.D. in Music Education, 2015), is one of two recipients of the 2015 Outstanding Dissertation Award of the Council for Research in Music Education (ODA).

This is one of the most prestigious awards in the field of Music Education Research, and Cayari is the first U of I graduate to win the award. His dissertation is entitled Virtual Vocal Ensembles and the Mediation of Performance on YouTube.

Reviewers were asked to consider how each dissertation:

Erin Brooker-Miller (BM, Class of 2014) joins the Des Moines Symphony this fall for their 80th anniversary season, Music in Motion, after a successful audition for the Principal Harp position.

Two U of I saxophone alums and one incoming saxophone DMA student are members of the Fuego Saxophone Quartet from Eastman that are Wind Division Gold Medal Winners in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition this past week.

Stephanie Gustafson has been selected as a 2016-2017 Da Camera of Houston Young Artist! The Da Camera Young Artist Program is a fellowship program for emerging professional instrumentalists, singers and composers designed to provide career-expanding experiences and training to the next generation of artists, encouraging them to create music for the community and to offer young students and neglected audiences exposure to great music and talented performers, using music as a vehicle for scholastic exploration and inspi

School of Music alumnus and Musician 1st Class Christopher Buchanan, a trumpeter and arranger with the US Navy Band in Washington, DC, is profiled in the Sept/Oct Issue of Fanfare. Christopher earned his Bachelor of Music Degrees in Composition and Trumpet Performance in 2006 and a Master fo Music degree in 2007 from the University of Illinois. He was a student of both Profs. Ewald and Romm. 

Ian Gindes (DMA, 2011) has recently released a CD of American music entitled "American Visions." It had already received notice in the local media and is featured in the June 2016 issue of The Gramophone magazine. Featuring works by Gershwin, Copland and others, Gindes album is now available for purchase or download. 

Ian was a student of Ian Hobson.