Welcome!
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My name is Eska Laskus and I'm the Director of Admissions and Recruitment for the School of Music and Dance. This is my second year in Eugene and I continue to be amazed by the beauty of this school, the warmth and intelligence of the faculty and staff as well as the zest and creativity of our talented student body. Here are just a few of the 2010-2011 highlights that made us proud:
- UO Chamber Choir awarded top honors at the International Choral Competition in Talinn, Estonia
- UO Symphony Orchestra was directed by the renowned conductor, Marin Alsop, in a side-by-side rehearsal with the Eugene Symphony
- Members of the Oregon Jazz Ensemble won 1st place, for the 7th year in a row, at the Reno Jazz Festival
- Some of the recently gained positions of our graduates:
- Guest Artist with the New York City Opera
- Visiting Assistant Professor of Musicology at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University
- High school band director, Florence High School
- Section Cello, Spokane Symphony
- Assistant principal horn, Orquesta Filarmonica de Santiago in Santiago, Chile
- Master students at Rice University, Juilliard School, Peabody Conservatory, among others
- UO Gospel Choir placed 1st out of 11 other choirs from around the country in the Disney Choir Fest in Epcot Park, Florida
- On-The-Rocks! – need I say more?
For 2011-12, we’re looking forward to another exciting year with visiting artists like Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet, jazz artist Vijay Iyer, renowned violinist Midori and pianist John Perry. We are also hosting our first annual Music Day on Monday, November 7, 2011. This will be an open house for prospective students and their parents to observe classes, listen to ensemble rehearsals and meet with studio faculty.
As the year starts, please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions that you might have about our school, our programs or the School of Music and Dance application. I hope that you will find the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance every bit as inspiring as I do and that I can make the college application process, whether you are a student, parent or a teacher, as smooth and easy as possible, perhaps even somewhat enjoyable.
I look forward to meeting you and keeping in touch throughout the year!
Cheers,
Eska Laskus
Director of Admissions and Recruitment
UO School of Music and Dance
P.S. Last fall, I started a music admissions blog where I post tips and reflections on the music application process. This fall, I’m embarking on a journey deep inside the School of Music and Dance entitled "The Inside Scoop." This will be a new series of chats with SOMD faculty and students about extraordinary things that happen on ordinary days in Eugene. I'm hoping it will be a great opportunity for you to get to know our faculty and students!
