Alumnus and lecturer Benjamin Fairfield (PhD Music – Ethnomusicology) presented a book launch concert on October 4th for his new publication from University of Hawaiʻi Press, Kani ka ʻōpala: How can garbage sing? Kani ka ʻōpala: How can garbage sing? is an illustrated children’s book that follows a father and daughter on a scavenger hunt through Ala Moana Beach Park’s …
Dr. Thomas Yee Named Teacher of the Year by the Hawai’i Music Teacher Association
The Hawai’i Music Teacher Association (HMTA) has selected pianist and UH Professor, Dr. Thomas Yee, as Teacher of the Year for his “outstanding contributions to Hawai’i’s music and piano community as an educator and HMTA Vice President/President-Elect (2024-2026), and HMTA President (2026-2028)” (hmta.org). This award reflects Dr. Yee’s musicianship, leadership, and mentorship as a teacher here on O‘ahu. “It is …
“My Name” by Dr. Schumacker wins NCCO Call for Scores
UH Music professor, Dr. Alec Schumacker, was named a winner of the National Collegiate Choral Organization’s (NCCO) 2025 Call for Scores contest. His composition, “My Name,” includes a compilation of words spoken by his daughter on her fourth birthday. “My Name” will be performed at the NCCO national conference in California this November, and will be published by E.C. Schirmer …
Composer Takuma Itoh Honored with New Music USA “2025 New Music Creator Award”
Dr. Takuma Itoh, Professor of Music Composition and Theory at the UH Mānoa Department of Music, was recently honored by the New Music USA 2025 New Music Creator Fund in recognition of his commitment to music creation in the local community. His ongoing series of works comprised of the Symphony of the Hawaiian Birds, Symphony of the Hawaiian Forests, and …
Christopher Blasdel’s Book Reviewed by The Times Literary Supplement
In April of this year, shakuhachi performer and Japanese music lecturer Christopher Blasdel’s book, Jiuta Sōkyoku Lyrics and Explanations: Songs of a Floating World, was reviewed by Brian Karentyk in The Times Literary Supplement. In his highly complimentary article, The Floating World: Classic anthologies of Japanese poetry in new translations, Karentyk notes that Blasdel’s book is “the first of its …
New UH Mānoa Music Department Faculty
The University of Hawai’i at Mānoa Department of Music is pleased to welcome two new faculty members, Dr. Thomas Kloss as an assistant professor of music and associate band director, and Dr. Tyler Ramos as an instructor of music. With more than 27 years teaching instrumental music in both secondary and higher education, Dr. Kloss brings a wealth of experience …
UH Mānoa Interim Professor, Dr. Dustin Ferguson, Helps to Fulfill One of Tongan King’s Final Wishes
Dr. Dustin Ferguson, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Department of Music Visiting Assistant Professor of Music, Interim Associate Director of Bands, traveled to the Kingdom of Tonga to help fulfill one of the Late King George Tupou V final wishes of establishing a woodwinds group and concert band in Tonga. Dr. Ferguson, in collaboration with Ohio State University and Tonga’s …
Ethnomusicology pioneer receives Korean presidential award
Reposted from UH News: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Department of Music Professor Emeritus Byong Won Lee was honored with a Republic of Korea Presidential Medal Award. Lee was selected for the award among seven nominees this year in the field of Korean music. The award recognizes excellence in research and scholarship and contribution to the Republic of Korea’s cultural organizations and the …
Gwen Nakamura featured on Hawaii News Now
Featured on ‘Upfront’ with Guy Hagi, a segment of Hawaii News Now, “local legend” Gwen Nakamura (’84) has been the assistant marching band director at UH Mānoa for over 30 years. Nakamura’s distinguishing feature at every basketball, volleyball, and football game is her giant balloon hat. She explained in the video/podcast: “one of our band students was from Maui– her …
UH’s Symphony Orchestra director named to Pacific Business News’ 40 under 40
Reposted from University of Hawaii News: Joseph Stepec, an associate professor of music at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, has been named to the 2024 40 under 40 list by Pacific Business News. Stepec serves as the music director of the UH Mānoa Symphony Orchestra, director of the Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony’s Symphony Program and artistic director of the Pacific Music Institute. He was recognized alongside the other …