Music

Denison is the place for students seeking a high-level musical education along with the breadth of a liberal arts experience. Students from all academic disciplines participate in a broad spectrum of music courses and ensembles, while majors and minors receive in-depth training in their area of emphasis — performance, American Roots music, composition, music history, or general music.

Daniel Blim , Associate Professor , Coordinator of Musicology, Chair of Music

Kristine Mathews , Academic Program Coordinator, Music, Theatre, Dance

Cristina Dorda Soriano , Academic Administrative Assistant, Music, Theatre, Dance

Upcoming Events

Jan.

Contemporary Sounds Series: Chris Dickey, tuba, and Hana Chu, piano

Denison’s annual Contemporary Sounds Concert Series features an immersive concert experience of eclectic music and visuals.

7:00pm

Feb.

Cello and piano recital

The Department of Music presents a cello and piano recital.

7:00pm

Feb.

The Vail Series welcomes Lorelei Ensemble and a dance quartet featuring new choreography by Pilobolus

The Vail Series welcomes Lorelei Ensemble and a dance quartet featuring new choreography by Pilobolus.

7:00pm

Feb.

The Vail Series welcomes Lorelei Ensemble and a dance quartet featuring new choreography by Pilobolus (2nd evening)

The Vail Series welcomes Lorelei Ensemble and a dance quartet featuring new choreography by Pilobolus.

7:00pm

Feb.

Vocal recital by senior Elizabeth Lyon

The Department of Music welcomes Elizabeth Lyon, soprano, presenting a senior voice recital.

7:30pm

Feb.

Step Afrika!

The Center for Belonging and Inclusion presents Step Afrika!

7:00pm

Feb.

Bass recital by senior Gabe Donnelly

The Department of Music welcomes Gabe Donnelly, bass, presenting a senior recital.

7:30pm

Feb.

Vocal recital by senior Megan Barker

The Department of Music welcomes Megan Barker, soprano, presenting a senior voice recital.

7:30pm

Feb.

Flute and vocal recital by seniors Esther Zang and Isaac Appel

The Department of Music welcomes Esther Zang, flute, and Isaac Appel, tenor, presenting a senior recital.

7:30pm

Feb.

Trumpet recital by senior Alec Gau

The Department of Music welcomes Alec Gau, trumpet, presenting a senior recital.

7:30pm

Feb.

Vocal recital by senior Maisey Frederick

The Department of Music welcomes Maisey Frederick, soprano, presenting a senior voice recital.

7:30pm

Feb.

Bluegrass and American Roots Festival: The Cleverlys

The Department of Music presents the annual Bluegrass and American Roots Festival featuring The Cleverlys.

7:00pm

Feb.

Bluegrass and American Roots Festival: Band Mixer Workshop

The Department of Music presents the annual Bluegrass and American Roots Festival workshop.

12:00pm

Feb.

Bluegrass and American Roots Festival: The Po' Ramblin' Boys

The Department of Music presents the annual Bluegrass and American Roots Festival featuring The Po' Ramblin' Boys.

7:00pm

Feb.

Violin recital by senior Sara Jarecke

The Department of Music welcomes Sara Jarecke, violin, presenting a senior recital.

7:30pm

Feb.

Piano recital by senior Amelia Senior

The Department of Music welcomes Amelia Senior, piano, presenting a senior recital.

7:30pm

Mar.

Vocal recital by senior Brooke Halaby

The Department of Music welcomes Brooke Halaby, soprano, presenting a senior voice recital.

7:30pm

Mar.

Vocal recital by senior Katie Kress

The Department of Music welcomes Katie Kress, soprano, presenting a senior voice recital.

7:30pm

Mar.

Jim Snidero Trio

The Department of Music is pleased to present the Jim Snidero Trio.

7:00pm

Mar.

The Vail Series and ReMix in the Arts present a conversation with the legendary Rita Moreno

The Vail Series welcomes Rita Moreno.

7:00pm

Highlights

Prospective Music Students: Connect with Us

Past Performances

Suzuki Program

More than 25 ensembles — including everything from a gospel choir to a jazz combo — are open to any student who enjoys music.

Learn more about Music

Spotlights

An eye for science and an ear for the banjo

Tireless Owen Tekelenburg ’26 hasn’t let a health scare slow his pursuit of a wide range of interests at Denison.

The Hilltoppers singing at groundhogs day

Denison Magazine

It was strange and beautiful and unforgettable

A Hilltopper shares his experience opening up for the world's most famous groundhog.

Timothy Carpenter on stage inside Swasey chapel with singers behind him

Denison Magazine

Denison’s ‘Rev’ is moved by a spirit of tolerance and inclusion

The leader of the gospel choir and coordinator of Christian life, Timothy Carpenter embraces the struggle and tenacity of Martin Luther King Jr.

Denison’s ‘Rev’ is moved by a spirit of tolerance and inclusion

The leader of the gospel choir and coordinator of Christian life, Timothy Carpenter embraces the struggle and tenacity of Martin Luther King Jr.

Denison Magazine

5 questions with Music’s Sun Min Kim

His path to piano, the mentor who still watches over him, and the freedom he finds in teaching and studying music at a liberal arts college

Making their mark with Messiah

This year’s performance of Handel’s epic work included student soloists, a new twist on a long-running Denison tradition.

5 questions with Music’s Sun Min Kim

Kim talks about his path to piano, the late mentor who still watches over him, and the freedom of teaching and studying music at a liberal arts college.

Ellie Blasko '23 sitting next to a piano

Playing to her strengths

Denison helped triple major Ellie Blasko '23 explore her passion for piano, discover new interests, and land a dream job in Beverly Hills.

Jaelyn Roth ’23, building a graph to illustrate her research

Peering into black holes

Physics major Jaelyn Roth’s research helps astrophysicists see supermassive black holes and their related phenomenon more clearly.

The surprising history of Bluegrass music

Visiting professor Heather Grimm ’17 shares an intriguing history of Bluegrass music.

Singer, Songwriter, Entrepreneur

Sydney Kistler ’22 loves performing music — and is equally fervent about the business angle of the industry.

Denison Magazine

The ON Switch

Conversations with faculty about what it means to teach — and to trigger those amazing moments of illumination

Bluegrass students performing in Swasey Chapel

Bluegrass Goes to College

Praise for DU’s program from top bluegrass magazine

Tejido de Voces rehearsal (photo by Ron Abram)

Building Bridges: Ron Abram, Collaboration and Tejido de Voces

The importance of art - especially in a world divided by COVID, politics, and distance - is a tangible thing.

Monkey business hits Broadway

Musical composer Bryan Blaskie '09 shares his thoughts about the bright lights of Broadway and why getting a bad grade can actually be a good thing.

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