School Notes: School of Music
January/February 2018

Renowned composer presents lectures at Yale

In September and October, Sir Jonathan Mills, Trumbull Fellow, presented a series of four public lectures at Yale that addressed issues related to “Culture, Creativity, and Community.” The lecture topics were “A Potted History of Festivals and Festival Making,” “A State of the Arts: The Case for Cosmopolitanism—Putting Culture at the Center of Multiculturalism,” “Artists and Communities—Performing the City,” and “Improvisation and Leadership.” Known for his directorship from 2006 until 2014 of the celebrated Edinburgh International Festival, Mills has also led prestigious festivals in his native Australia and is recognized around the world for his thought-provoking compositions. 

Argus Quartet and alumnus share competition prize

The Argus Quartet, the ensemble that served from 2015 to 2017 as YSM’s fellowship quartet-in-residence, and pianist Dominic Cheli ’16MusM, were named joint first-prize winners of the annual Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition in October. The quartet and Cheli each received a $5,000 cash prize and a management contract. In addition to earning other opportunities, each will be presented in recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.

Faculty clarinetist honored by Chamber Music America

Clarinetist David Shifrin, a member of the School of Music faculty since 1987 and the artistic director of YSM’s Oneppo Chamber Music Series, was recognized in October with Chamber Music America’s Richard J. Bogomolny National Service Award, which “recognizes an individual or entity that has provided historic service to the small ensemble music field.” Chamber Music America’s 40th Anniversary Conference, which will include “A Conversation with David Shifrin,” takes place in New York in January.