Experiential Learning Opportunities

The internationally acclaimed Parker Quartet, on campus to perform the Slee Beethoven String Quartet Cycle, conducted a masterclass in Lippes Concert Hall in Slee Hall, coaching UB students in an open session.

Photographer: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

The UB Department of Music fosters a dynamic blend of academic knowledge and practical experience tailored for graduate students looking to deepen their expertise.

Recently, the internationally acclaimed Parker Quartet held a masterclass at UB’s Lippes Concert Hall in Slee Hall, where UB music students had the rare opportunity to receive personalized coaching in an open session. Such experiences connect students directly with celebrated professionals in their field, enhancing both performance and interpretative skills.

Opportunities for Composers and Scholars

These experiences will enhance our students’ academic journey, connecting them with thought leaders and practical insights that foster both artistic and scholarly growth in today’s dynamic music landscape.

Graduate student composers at UB have unique opportunities to engage with premier contemporary music ensembles through composition reading sessions sponsored by the Robert and Carol Morris Center for 21st Century Music. These sessions feature renowned groups such as the Arditti Quartet, Talea Ensemble, Ensemble Court Circuit and UB’s own Slee Sinfonietta, providing an invaluable platform for students to hear their work performed by celebrated musicians and gain direct feedback from industry leaders.

The singers and orchestra work with composer Su Lian Tan, the College of Arts and Sciences’ Slee Visiting Professor for 2023-24, at a rehearsal for ‘Lotus Lives,’ a pocket chamber opera, in the CFA Drama Theatre.

Photographer: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

Michael Abels (center), an American composer, speaks with prof. Melissa White (right) and Marshall Lindsey (left), on the stage in the Baird Hall Recital Hall.

Photographer: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

Beyond composition, our graduate scholars and composers participate in joint seminars that foster interdisciplinary exchange and critical dialogue within the field. Additionally, students gain access to an impressive lineup of guest speakers through the Baird Lecture Series, which brings distinguished lecturers to campus to discuss topics at the forefront of music theory, history and contemporary practice.

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