West Virginia University School of Music is pleased to announce Brittany Trotter and Lawrence Dine as the winners of the Mary Tiffany Ferer Award for Outstanding Doctoral Research in Music for academic year 2019-2020. 

Dr. Trotter's research, "Examining Musical Hybridity and Cultural Influences in Valerie Coleman’s Wish Sonatine and Fanmi Imèn," analyzed seminal flute works by one of the leading contemporary American composers of chamber music. In her research, Dr. Trotter investigates the transformation of narrative poems by Fred D’Aguiar and Maya Angelou into Coleman's unique musical voice. This research was also named the winner of the 2020 National Flute Association Graduate Research Competition. 

Assistant Dean of Student Artistic Achievement Mikylah Myers received the Distinguished Service Award from the West Virginia String Teachers Association.

“The award that Mikylah received is given to those that we feel have provided tireless service to the betterment of string education and to the string students in the state of West Virginia,” said WVSTA President Jeannine Sturm. “Mikylah has done so much for the younger students in the K-12 field and for those that are future educators. We are very fortunate to have her in our state and at WVU!”

The West Virginia University College of Creative Arts has selected its annual faculty awards.

Each year, the college awards for Excellence in Research and Creative Activity; Outstanding Teacher; Outstanding Service; and Adjunct Faculty Excellence.

Black Lives Matter. Three simple words that make a poignant statement. A statement that is true and supported in the College of Creative Arts. Three words forming a phrase that reflects the last eight years of our nation’s complex struggle with racism in America. A phrase that starts with the killing of Trayvon Martin, continuing through the killings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. A phrase that has now reached a new crescendo with the killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. Black Lives Matter. 

The arts fill many roles in society. For many the roles that come to mind are to reflect beauty and to provide escape. However, one of the most important roles of the arts is to reflect society and to challenge us to engage in difficult conversations. Throughout history, artists such as Paul Robeson, John Coltrane, Nina Simone, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Jacob Lawrence, TJ Anderson and August Wilson have illuminated the conflicts in our society. Their work effectively memorializes the challenges of their times and inspires the difficult conversations that we must engage in as a society. It is because the arts can lead us to engage in these difficult conversations that I believe it important that I add my voice as the Dean of the College of Creative Arts to the voices of President Gee, Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Meshea Poore, chief of University Police W.P. Chedester and Patrice Harris, president of the American Medical Association. 

With more than a decade of experience as a secondary music educator, Cheldon Williams has been named the associate director of bands at West Virginia University.

Williams will become the 13th director of the Pride of West Virginia Mountaineer Marching Band, effective August 1. He will follow Stephen Lytle, who resigned from the position on May 1.

To the class of 2020, you really know how to make a memorable exit!

Though we cannot share the celebration of your tremendous achievement in person, I want you to know that we are proud of you. We are proud of how you have developed, grown and inspired us. During your somewhat short time on campus, you have witnessed a seismic change in our culture and our world. Now that you have a head-start on life after WVU, I hope you take a moment to reflect on how you are now ready to be a needed catalyst for change in our society. A catalyst that will make meaningful contributions to your new communities.