Previous Faculty Research + Creative Activity
Continuous discovery
We know that research and creative activity is about discovery. Futher explore the diverse landscape of contributions by our faculty, who work in new and innovative ways to amplify the impact on their fields of study and communities.
Director of Bands conducts for U.S. Army Field Band
Dana School of Music Lecturer and Director of Bands Michael Butler guest conducted the Concert Band section of the United States Army Field Band at Stambaugh Auditorium. The Concert Band is the oldest and largest section of the Field Band's four performing components.
National Association for Music Education National Conference presentation
Associate Professor Daniel Keown gave two presentations at the 2022 National Association for Music Education National Biennial Music Research and Teacher Education Conference in Maryland. His presentations were titled “Discovering the Lost Ark of Possibilities: Bringing Visibility to the Invisible Art Form of Film Music in Your Music Classroom” and “Influence of Workshop Training on Preservice Music Educators’ Self-Reported Abilities and Level of Support for Using DAW Technology to Teach Music Concepts.”
WindCD release
Professor Caroline Oltmanns released her new piano CD Windin 2022. Created around the subject of wind, the album features work from Claude Debussy’s “Voiles” and “Bruyeres,” along with Franz Liszt’s “Erlkönig” and “Orage.”
Guest conductor: “Requiem” and “Giving Voice to Peace”
Part-time Dana School of Music faculty member Hae-Jong Lee was the guest conductor of the New England Symphonic Ensemble at Carnegie Hall in 2022. Under guidance from MidAmerican Productions Inc., Lee conducted John Rutter’s “Requiem” along with directing a choral concert titled “Giving Voice to Peace.”
Who’s Who in America
Michael Butler, Director of Bands in the Dana School of Music, was recently elected to publish in Who’s Who in Americaby Who's Who. The company is a publisher of biographies that chronicle the lives of individuals who make significant contributions to society.
Performance at Conservatory of Boulogne-Billancourt
Emeritus faculty member James Umble was invited to perform at the Conservatory of Boulogne-Billancourt in France as part of the 90th birthday party for French saxophonist and teacher Jean-Marie Londeix. Umble studied with Londeix at the National Conservatory of Bordeaux, France, and in 2000, authored the biography, Jean-Marie Londiex, Master of the Modern Saxophone.
Phantom Regiment Academy Director
Kate Ferguson, Lecturer and Director of Athletic Bands, was named Director of the Phantom Regiment Academy. In this position, she will direct all facets of the academy, including its high school camps and Expert Lesson Series for beginning musicians.
ArsDocta International Music Festival
Professor Misook Yun presented a virtual masterclass and lecture at the 2021 ArsDocta International Music Festival as one of just 17 faculty in attendance. In addition, she was a featured soloist in performances of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Alleluja” and Leonard Bernstein’s “Glitter and Be Gay” with the Butler County Symphony Orchestra.
Playing the Unplayable
Professor Caroline Oltmanns published Playing the Unplayablein 2021, an e-book that tackles reviving old musical pieces, how to find the perfect repertoire, and how to select the best stage attire.
Talks and presentations
Professor Caroline Oltmanns gave a pre-concert talk for international concert pianist Emanuel Ax in 2021 at E.J. Thomas Hall in Akron. Additionally, she gave a presentation titled “Piano Technique - An Overview from a Historic and Personal Perspective” at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
2020-21 Cuyahoga Community College Concert Series
Professor Caroline Oltmanns presented a livestream concert as part of the 2020-21 Cuyahoga Community College Concert Series, performing works by Claude Debussy, Raymond Wilding-White, Friedrich Gulda, and Ludwig van Beethoven. The same day, she also performed at the BOP STOP in Cleveland as part of the Cleveland Composers Guild.
ACDA Research Award
Associate professor Daniel Keown, along with co-author Charles Robinson, received the Steven Demorest Research Award at the 2021 American Choral Directors Association’s (ACDA) National Conference. They were presented with the award for their research paper titled, The Effect of Differentiated Video Presentations of Choral Performances on Aesthetic Responses.
International Conference for Saxophone Performance and Pedagogy
Emeritus faculty member James Umble performed a contemporary work for solo saxophone by composer and theorist Andrew Mead at the 2021 International Conference for Saxophone Performance and Pedagogy, hosted by the University of Florida. Mead wrote and dedicated the work to Umble, who has been performing Mead’s work extensively in recent years.
NAfME Music Research and Teacher Education Conference
Associate professor Daniel Keown had two research studies selected by a peer-reviewed panel for presentation at the 2021 National Association for Music Education’s (NAfME) Music Research and Teacher Education Conference. One study, titled “Examination of Identified Frequency and Location of Music Characteristics within Motion Picture Soundtracks,” was supported by a grant through the YSU Office of Assessment.
Illinois Wesleyan University Jazz Festival
Professor Kent Engelhardt presented “Learning and Practicing the Basics of Jazz Harmony” at the 46th annual Illinois Wesleyan University Jazz Festival. Created for students of middle school age and all teachers, the materials and processes he presented can be used in self-teaching, private and group lessons, and jazz ensemble or concert band rehearsals.
Philosophy of Music Education Review
Professor Paul Louth published a new article, Emphasis and Suggestion versus Musical Taxidermy: Neoliberal Contradictions, Music Education and the Knowledge Economy,in Philosophy of Music Education Review.
“Tango”
Professor Dave Morgan was recently featured on The Cleveland Orchestra’s YouTube channel for a joint performance of his song “Tango” with The Cleveland Duo, comprised of pianist Carolyn Warner and violinist Steve Warner.
North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference
Emeritus faculty James Umble was invited to play in a recital at the 2020 North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference at Arizona State University.
Wind Ensemble at OMEA
Professors of music Stephen Gage and Brandt Payne conducted a concert by the YSU Wind Ensemble at the 2020 Ohio Music Education Association’s (OMEA) Professional Development Conference. The performance featured associate professor Andrew Mitchell on trombone.
Blue Is More Than a Color
Professor Dave Morgan released a new album, Blue is More Than a Color.The recording features seven tracks performed by 30 musicians, including several YSU faculty, alumni, and current students.
Super Bowl LIII
Professor Stephen Gage and over two dozen YSU alumni, faculty, staff, and students recorded the musical orchestration for the singing of “America the Beautiful” by Chloe and Halle during the Super Bowl LIII pregame ceremony.
2018 OMEA Conference Presentation
Associate professor Daniel Keown co-presented a lecture at the 2018 Ohio Music Education Association’s (OMEA) Professional Development Conference. He also gave two presentations, titled “Discovering the Lost Ark of Possibilities: Bringing Visibility to the Invisible Art Form of Film Music in Your Music Classroom” and “Listen – Do You Hear That? The Science and Art of Creating Soundscapes.”
Concerts at OMEA Conference
Professors of music Stephen Gage and Glenn Schaft led the YSU Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble, respectively, in performances at the 2018 Ohio Music Education Association’s (OMEA) Professional Development Conference. Schaft also performed a solo work composed by professor of music Dave Morgan as part of the Wind performance.
Tadd Dameron: The Magic Continues
Professor Kent Engelhardt transcribed, notated, and edited scores and parts from jazz musician Tadd Dameron’s final album, The Magic Touch,which was recorded in 1962. Engelhardt then organized a 15-member band that performed and recorded the transcribed music for a new album titled Tadd Dameron: The Magic Continues.