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The Sphinx Performance Academy has changed the lives of thousands of underrepresented young musicians, offering a curriculum that includes lessons, master classes, recitals, career enrichment sessions and mentorship.

In this edition of the Dean’s Downbeat, Dean John Davis offers reflections and a vision for the future as he shares highlights from our newly revamped annual digital magazine—Colorado Music. “...our mission matters more than ever. Because what we do as musicians requires not only skill, but humanity—that is, the simultaneous conveyance of emotion, connection and understanding. Colorado Music takes stock of how far we’ve come.”

At the College of Music’s commencement ceremony on May 11, we’re thrilled to honor Margot + Christopher Brauchli with the College of Music’s 2023 Distinguished Service Award for their decades-long loyal support.

For undergraduate and graduate students, a new biannual award celebrates the works and legacy of late composer Alex Craig. 

Congratulations to the winners of the 2022-23 Bruce Ekstrand Memorial Graduate Student Performance Competition!

“The way I see it, developing universal musicians who demonstrate diversity in all forms is both a mission and a process that directly supports and sustains democracy. Our diversity of experiences and abilities, perspectives and opinions, races and ethnicities, and genders and sexual identities enhances our conversation, ignites and expands our awareness, and makes us better when we come together.”

The American Music Research Center is bustling with activity as the school year begins. Discover what’s new!

This spring’s Outstanding Graduating Senior award goes to composition major Nelson Walker. Congratulations to Walker and all our outstanding 2022 grads!

The Genevieve McVey Wisner Memorial Scholarship Fund—named in honor of the lifelong activist and pioneering music educator—will provide undergraduate and graduate scholarship awards for underrepresented music students. Wisner, whose parents were among the first Black families to settle in Boulder in 1897, became the first Black graduate of the College of Music in 1940 with a bachelor’s degree in music education, followed by a master’s degree in 1944.

The music+ campaign, which began in 2014 and was publicly launched in 2017, was designed to support the people, programs and initiatives of the college. Campaign donations directly funded student scholarships, community outreach, faculty research and program development.