The relationship between the music student and his or her private
teacher is fundamental to musical development. Only with a
one-on-one relationship is real musical growth possible. With
your support, we can sustain and enhance the talents of UC
Davis’s music students.
In honor and memory of the late Professor William E. Valente
(1934–93) and his impact on the many students he taught, guided
and inspired during his life as a musical theory and composition
teacher, chief undergraduate advisor for the Department of Music,
and conductor of the University Concert Band.
Music Lessons will continue spring
quarter (via Zoom) with the same fee structure as in past
quarters. We will be able to collect fees with checks (mailed to
the department). All students who are approved by their
instructor will receive a fee waiver. There is no need to
apply for a fee waiver this quarter. Please be sure to let your
instructor know if you are planning to continue with lessons
spring quarter.
One of the most important priorities of the music department
today is establishing a fund to cover the otherwise out-of-pocket
expenses for individual music lesson instruction for UC Davis
students. These students gain necessary one-on-one instruction
from a career professional in their field and use those skills in
individual and group performances—including the UC Davis Symphony
Orchestra, Choruses, Percussion Ensemble, Baroque, Early Music,
and more. We seek everyone’s support in this endeavor.
One of UC Davis’s highest priorities is the safety of its
students and all members of its community. UC Davis
prohibits all forms of sexual harassment and sexual violence,
including sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and
stalking. Such conduct violates University policy and may
violate California law.
The Department of Music has cancelled all performances and
lectures for the academic Spring Quarter. We have made this
decision because we truly believe it is in the best interest of
our students, musicians, faculty, and the community at
large.
Choruses, orchestra, and our different bands will reschedule
repertoire and visiting musicians, as able, to one of their
existing future dates in 2020–21. Other events will be
rescheduled when possible. Ticket holders of concerts in April,
May, and June will automatically be offered a refund.
Please allow for some extra processing time for this to take
place.
We know this is a difficult moment to comprehend. We hope that by
taking these measures we will be actively participating in
slowing the virus’s spread, allowing for a quicker recovery
period, and we can then return to normal presentations as soon as
possible.
Thank you—and we hope to see you sooner rather than later.
—Staff and Faculty, UC Davis
Department of Music
Kristopher King, bassoon
Michael Hernandez, saxophone
Jonathan Szin, clarinet
Keyed Kontraptions was founded in 2016 as a duo of contra-bass
wind instruments and continues to explore unique colors and
instrumental combinations of the wind family. The members of
Keyed Kontraptions advocate for contemporary music through
commissioning projects, working directly with composers to expand
their repertoire.
Saxophonist Michael Hernandez is a founding member of the
acclaimed Mana Quartet and has collaborated with many well known
Bay Area organizations including Empyrean Ensemble, Left Coast
Chamber Ensemble, New Century Chamber Orchestra, Santa Cruz
Symphony, and others.
Clarinetist Jon Szin is an active teacher, chamber
musician, and co- founder/co-director of the SF-based wind octet,
Nomad Session.
Bassoonist Kris King is a founding member of Keyed
Kontraptions, a member of the chamber groups Nomad Session and
Elevate Ensemble and regularly performs as a freelance musician
with several orchestras throughout California.
A multiyear commissioning project that is modeled after
Cher’s decades-long farewell tours, Kurt Rohde’s Farewell
Tour—Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6—commissions new works
by the most gifted composers who, Rohde feels, are
underrepresented and deserve a wider audience, while also
broadening the repertoire for viola. His project’s anticipated
year of completion is 2028, at which time he will retire from
playing in performance and donate his instrument to some
talented whippersnapper who wants to play viola.
