Blair School of Music
Songwriting class helps students find soulful collaborations across continents
Jan. 13, 2021—Any Nashville songwriter will tell you that some of the most meaningful collaborations come during crisis. Vanderbilt undergraduates in a songwriting class at the Blair School of Music got a taste of this when they partnered with peers on the other side of the globe, who also were dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, to co-create original songs.
Creative use of virtual learning platforms increases Blair Academy engagement
Dec. 2, 2020—Blair Academy at Vanderbilt, the music education program for children, youth and adults at Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music, has developed creative new approaches to build curriculum and share music, despite the challenges of music instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, enrollment for the adult program in particular has increased.
Molly Barth and Vanderbilt Blair Community adapt to performance, teaching challenges catalyzed by COVID-19
Nov. 13, 2020—Refusing to allow the COVID-19 pandemic to silence her flute, Vanderbilt Blair School of Music Associate Professor Molly Barth devised creative ways to continue playing, among them a solo recording project.
Vanderbilt University launches series on justice, healing with renowned artists and scholars
Sep. 11, 2020—Vanderbilt University is launching "Engine for Art, Democracy and Justice," a new initiative conceived by professor Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons and focused on healing at a time of social unrest.
Blair offers senior adult classes through ZOOM
Aug. 19, 2020—“Symphony 101: New Ears for Music and the Orchestra” is an interactive eight-week class that brings great music to life. Sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m., Aug. 26–Oct. 14.
Blair Academy now open on Zoom
Aug. 19, 2020—At Blair Academy, people of all ages study music with renowned Vanderbilt faculty. Blair Academy offers ensembles, lessons and classes for children, youth and adults.
“Ignore Boundaries” Dean Mark Wait reflects on his decades at the Blair School of Music
Jul. 17, 2020—by John Pitcher It’s the end of an era at Blair. Mark Wait, the Martha Rivers Ingram Dean and professor of music, retired June 30. Blair was a relatively small institution when Wait took the helm in 1993. It had 19 full-time faculty who taught and performed in a 31,000-square-foot facility. Today the school boasts...
Blair Faculty Notes
Jul. 17, 2020—Kirsten Agresta Copely, adjunct associate professor of harp, released Around The Sun, an all-original new age harp album in January. It takes listeners on a journey through a 365-day cycle from “Daybreak” to “Winter’s Bone” with introspective melodies and ambient soundscapes. This marks her third solo album and first as composer. Molly Barth, assistant...
Blair Student Accolades
Jul. 17, 2020—Undergraduate competition winners Max Randal, a rising senior piano performance major and computer science minor, was named the Tennessee Music Teachers Association Young Artist Collegiate Competition state winner in November 2019. Kaila Geisinger, a rising senior harp performance major, took second prize representing the Southeastern Region in the Advanced Division at the American Harp Society...
Meet Lorenzo F. Candelaria, new dean at the Blair School of Music
Jul. 6, 2020—The Blair School of Music begins a new leadership era as it welcomes Lorenzo F. Candelaria as its new dean.
Blair School offers Kindermusik classes via Zoom June 3-July 23
Jun. 1, 2020—Encourage your child's musical and social development from the comfort of your home. Children will sing, dance and play as instructor Amy Alley joyfully recognizes and interacts with each child by name through Zoom.
A classical singer pivots during pandemic to bring cheer through parody
May. 19, 2020—When Chris Mann, a Vanderbilt alumnus with a degree in opera, started making music parody videos and posting them online, he struck a positive chord with millions of people also struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic.