‘What if I told you I’m a mastermind?’ The Taylor Swift effect
Dr. David Metzer, UBC musicology professor on Swift’s unique brand and music, “I always joke with my classes about Wikipedia … they’re always trying to pigeon hole things into genres. But even this one defied them…I find this quite fascinating, that she’s now in a sound world which I don’t know how to classify.” / The Ubyssey
Vancouver Chamber Choir presents East / West 동과서
Program sets music from guest conductor Dr. Hyejung Jun’s native Korea side by side with Western compositions.
2024 was the ‘year of pop music.’ These are the 5 songs Vancouverites streamed most
“artists this year, and particularly young female artists, harnessed the expectations of pop music — the catchy melodies, bright vocals and conventional song structure — to deliver more sincere storytelling…” ~ UBC Professor, Musicology Dr. David Metzer / CBC News
Vancouver’s Morna Edmundson, Stan Douglas, and Ryan Reynolds appointed to the Order of Canada
Dr. Morna Edmundson (BMus’81, LittD’23) is receiving the Order of Canada during her final year as the Vancouver choir’s artistic director, after 38 years. She also serves as president of Choral Canada.
Opera West Society presents Massenet’s Manon with UBC Opera, March 28 and 30
Riveting French Romantic production stars internationally acclaimed soprano Emily Pogorelc in the titular role / Photo: Emily Pogorelc. Photo by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux Inc. / Stir Vancouver
UBC Choirs and the VSO premiere Tan Dun’s Buddha Passion in Canada
UBC Director of Choral Activities Dr. Graeme Langager said it was an “epic performance” and a “highlight” of the decades-long collaboration between UBC’s choirs and the VSO. The two UBC ensembles came together to premiere Dun’s piece in Canada./ Fiona Sjaus for the Ubyssey/ Photo: Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
UBC Bands’ Home Away from Home soundtracks the changing of seasons
UBC Bands’ October 10 performance at the Chan Centre, titled Home Away from Home, was an exploration of the scenic landscapes during changing seasons, encompassing a vast range of human emotion./ Mrinali Ghosh for the Ubyssey
UBC Music alum Jaeden Izik-Dzurko Wins First Prize at the Leeds 2024 Piano Competition
Jaeden Izik-Dzurko (MMus ’23) studied with Professor Corey Hamm.
UBC Music Alum Jeff Toyne awarded Emmy for Music composed for TV Series “Palm Royale”
Toyne was also nominated for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) for “Palm Royale.”
Wanna be like who? Meet the man who ranked every Disney song
When UBC musicologist Robert Komaniecki decided to score the cartoon tunes using complex objective criteria (and some ‘vibes’), he found some startling winners. He shows us his workings / The Guardian