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 , Program Coordinator, Music, Theatre, Dance

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

Upcoming Events

Mar.

Junior recital by Eli Lishack and Erica Elefson

The Department of Music welcomes Eli Lishack, voice and instrumental, and Erica Elefson, percussion, presenting a junior recital.

7:30pm

Apr.

Violin recital by senior Takuto Kametsu

The Department of Music welcomes Takuto Kametsu, violin, presenting a senior recital.

7:30pm

Apr.

The Vail Series presents Merz Trio

The Vail Series welcomes piano trio Merz Trio.

7:00pm

Apr.

Mandolin and bluegrass recital by senior Maggie Malin

The Department of Music welcomes Maggie Malin, mandolin, presenting a senior recital.

7:30pm

Apr.

'PERSIST'

The Department of Music welcomes ETHEL and Allison Loggins-Hull presenting "PERSIST."

3:00pm

Apr.

Piano recital by senior Logan Shumway

The Department of Music welcomes Logan Shumway, piano, presenting a senior recital.

7:30pm

Apr.

Student recital

The Department of Music presents a student recital.

11:45am

Apr.

'EL PUEBLO UNIDO... '

The DU Wind Ensemble presenta a concert "EL PUEBLO UNIDO... ."

7:00pm

Apr.

Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo concert

Denison’s Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo, directed by Ryan Hamilton, present an evening of jazz music.

7:00pm

Apr.

Student recital

The Department of Music presents a student recital.

11:45am

Apr.

'Another Side of Bob Dylan'

The American Roots Ensemble, under the direction of Adam Schlenker, presents a spring concert "Another Side of Bob Dylan'."

7:00pm

Apr.

Composition recital by seniors Dawson Kimbell and Nguyen Tran

The Department of Music welcomes Dawson Kimbell and Nguyen Tran, presenting a senior composition recital.

4:00pm

Apr.

Chamber Music Ensembles concert

The Department of Music presents student chamber music ensembles in concert.

7:00pm

May.

Student Composers concert with ETHEL

The Department of Music presents a student composers concert featuring ETHEL

7:00pm

May.

Orchestra and choir concert

The Denison Orchestra, Chamber Singers, and Concert Choir are pleased to present choral and orchestral collaborative concerts!

7:00pm

May.

Gospel Choir concert

The Gospel Choir, directed by Timothy "REV" Carpenter, presents a spring concert.

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.

What's Happening

Workshops & Info Sessions, Performances, Faculty, Visiting Artists

Music

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Upcoming Events

Spotlights

What's Happening