On June 5, Professor Laurie San Martin, chair of the music department, presided (via Zoom) over the annual end-of-year celebration for the music class of 2020 and department faculty and graduate students.

“Spring quarter 2020 was the most challenging ever,” said San Martin. “With the cancellations of the department’s in-person classes and performance schedule, our students, faculty, and staff overcame obstacles of absorbing new technology for remote instruction in order to complete the academic year and graduate the class of 2020.”

Organized by the faculty and staff, the online celebration included more than just the awards presentation. There was a virtual commencement showcasing this year’s graduates and featuring a performance of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance performed by students and faculty under the direction of Pete Nowlen, director of the UC Davis Concert Band. The sequence was edited and engineered by Stephen Bingen. Nowlen also conducted a brief segment of Léo Delibes’ Coppélia featuring students, alumni, and friends.

San Martin also announced the retirement of Distinguished Professor of Music Anna Maria Busse Berger, who was honored with a filmed tribute that featured faculty, students, and alumni.

Below is the complete list of this year’s award winners. The awards were presented by San Martin and Nowlen.

Outstanding Academic Performance: Grant Cottier, Lydia Lee, William Storz, and Jennifer Zhang.

Department Citation: Grant Cottier, Lydia Lee, Ruby Nguyen, Marjolein Schelvis, and William Storz. The Citation for Outstanding Performance is awarded to students who demonstrated superior academic performance in the major.

Faculty Award for Outstanding Accomplishment: Grant Cottier, Lydia Lee, Benjamin Porter, Marjolein Schelvis, William Storz, and Jennifer Zhang. The Department Citation recognizes students who, in addition to superior academic performance, have made substantial contributions to the Department.

David Saxon Award in Early Music: William Storz.

Olga Brose Valente Award: Matthew Rasmussen (for excellence in wind playing), and Grant Cottier (for excellence in composition). The award is given for excellence in wind or brass playing, and/or musical composition.

Fannie K. Stein Award for Excellence in Musical Performance: Leone Rivers.