When is a classroom not a classroom? When it’s a world-class sound studio. At the UO’s School of Music and Dance, undergrads learn music production by actually producing music.

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By Katrina Sarson | OPB Oregon Art Beat

“When people think gospel music, a lot of people think South. You know, or the East Coast,” says Andiel Brown, the director of gospel ensembles at the University of Oregon. “But gospel music is universal.”

When he first arrived at the university as a freshman, Brown wasn’t thinking of a career in music. He was a psychology major who walked onto the football team.

By Steve Fyffe

Assistant professor of voice Craig Phillips was watching a documentary about the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species” when he had a lightbulb moment of his own.

We were saddened to hear the news that our great supporter and alumna Leona DeArmond (BS '51, vocal performance) passed away on Tuesday, September 5 at 88 years of age.

"She was the kindest person," said Brad Foley, Dean of the School of Music & Dance.

"She really loved the University of Oregon."

Donations may be made in Leona's memory to the U of O Foundation, School of Music Piano Fund, 1225 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403.

Jon Bellona, Instructor of Audio Production

SOMD faculty members Molly Barth and David Riley perform music from their new album "Thorn" with composer David Riley at New York's National Sawdust. Barth serves as associate professor of flute. Riley is associate professor of collaborative piano.

By Steve Fyffe

It’s after hours and most classes on campus are already done for the day, but students in the songwriting workshop course are just getting started.

First-year student Alivia Nelson steps up to the microphone in a darkened studio at the School of Music and Dance and starts to sing her original song “Make Some Room,” while acclaimed jazz pianist and associate professor Toby Koenigsberg records her vocal track into a laptop computer.

For anyone who’s ever wondered what it would be like to perform with the Oregon Marching Band in front of a packed crowd at Autzen Stadium, a new series of 360-degree “virtual reality” videos are about as close as it comes to the real thing.

“Stepping into Autzen is an awe-inspiring event,” said Nick Bonnema, a psychology major from Beaverton who plays trombone in the band. “(These videos) allow them to experience the game as if they’re there, instead of seeing just what the director of the video wants them to see.”

Five high school students from across Oregon were chosen to work with professional composer and Philip H. Knight professor of music Robert Kyr to compose variations on Beethoven's most famous work – the "Ode to Joy" theme from his Ninth Symphony.

Watch their reactions as the Eugene Symphony performs their finished piece in front of a live audience for the first time.