University of Dayton Department of Music

Check out what our music majors are up to this summer!!!

Sharon Davis Gratto, world and funk music champion, retires after 16 years at UD Gratto championed global music and Dayton’s funk music heritage during her time at the University of Dayton.

For this week's Featured Song Friday, we highlight a composer close to our hearts, and whose piece will be featured at the Béla Fleck concert on May 18th.

Before passing away in 2021, Phillip Magnuson was one of our very own. He played several vital roles in the vibrant musical community of the Dayton, Ohio area, including Principal Violist of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and music professor at the University of Dayton.

His piece "...From Alice" is one of several compositions of his that is inspired by literary passages. Our May 18th repertoire is all about offering a blend of tradition and innovation, and this piece fits that end beautifully.

We've said it before, and we'll say it again - this is a concert you'll want to experience for yourself! Get your tickets at https://springfieldsym.org/bela-fleck/.

CONGRATULATIONS to our Class of 2024 Music Majors who graduated yesterday! We are so of you for all your hard work over the past 4 years. You are always welcome home to Udayton Music!

Our Way-To-Go Wednesday for today goes out to sophomore music education major, Tori Kozma! Tori just released her first album, “simple adolescence,” on all streaming platforms. Make sure you give it a listen!

Congrats, Tori!

🎓 Calling all students! 📣 Are you looking for a campus job? 🚀 We have three amazing job opportunities waiting for you! 💼 Don't miss your chance to join our dynamic team and gain valuable experience. 🙌 Simply use the job numbers provided to easily find the postings and apply today! 💻

Join us tonight April 26th, for the Dayton Jazz Ensemble’s Spring concert at 8:00pm in the Roger Glass Center of the Arts!

Yeah POD!

University of Dayton Pride of Dayton Marching Band celebrates London selection The University of Dayton’s Pride of Dayton Marching Band has been chosen to play at London Band Week in summer 2025. The band will celebrate its selection with a drumline clinic at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Apr. 26 in the Concert Hall of the Roger Glass Center for the Arts.

Music Department friends, make sure to wear your UD attire tomorrow!

This past weekend, the theatre and music department showcased our production of Godspell in the Roger Glass Center’s Experimental Theatre! Congratulations to all of the cast and crew who put this energetic, hilarious, and beautiful show together. We’re so of you!!

Hey everyone! Follow along for my final Tuesday of undergrad classes 📚😊

Join us for the Percussion Ensemble & Drumline TONIGHT at 8pm in the Roger Glass Center for the Arts!

MARY MONDAY!!! Since Mary is graduating in a couple weeks, this will be her final Mary Monday, so of course, we turned the whole week into a celebratory challenge. Stay tuned for more info each day this week via our story!

👩‍🎓🥳

Our final Senior Sunday Spotlight is on Aaron Moen! Aaron's Senior Recital is this coming Sunday April 28 at 12:30pm in the Roger Glass Center!! This is also our last event of the semester, and we know they would love to see you there!
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Name: Aaron Moen
Major: MUP
Primary: Trumpet
Hometown: Elyria, OH
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What ensembles have you been a part of throughout your time at UD?
"SWE, DJE, Trumpet Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, Orchestra, UJB, POD, and I have been a guest performer with the Javanese Gamelan."
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What is one of your favorite memories at UD?
"DJE performed at OMEA my junior year, and that performance will live in my head for a long time."
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What makes our music department so special? Why did you choose to attend UD?
"When I toured at UD back in high school, I loved the familial feeling I got from all the other students. I felt like I belonged here before I even came."
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Give one piece of advice to underclassmen:
"Don't just do what other people expect you to do. Do what you love, have fun, and be okay with the results. You'll have to work a lot, but that doesn't mean you can't have just as much fun."
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When's your Senior Recital?!
"April 28th"
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Congratulations, Aaron! We are so of you!!

Our production of Godspell is SOLD OUT for tonight and tomorrow’s shows! Thank you to everyone who attended and plans to attend!!

Godspell is SOLD OUT for tomorrow!!! If you haven’t purchased your ticket your last chance to see this amazing show is tonight @ 7:30pm in Roger Glass Center for the Arts 🎭

✨Get your ticket now, link in bio! ✨

Conceived and Originally Directed by JOHN-MICHAEL TEBELAK
MUSIC AND NEW LYRICS BY STEPHEN SCHWARTZ
Originally Produced on the New York Stage by
EDGAR LANSBURY / STUART DUNCAN / JOSEPH BERUH
Co-produced by the Theatre, Dance, and Performance Technology program and the Department of Music

Godspell is Steven Schwartz’s beloved musical retelling of the Gospel of St. Matthew. Replete with parables and timeless songs, Godspell will help you reflect on faith and the value of community even as it gets your toe tapping.

Make sure you attend the World Music Choir and Javanese Gamelan concert this Sunday April 21 at 1:30pm in RGCA, and stick around for Dr. Gratto’s retirement party at 2:30pm!!!

If you would like to send a message to Dr. Gratto congratulating her on her retirement, please message us or follow the link below!

https://www.newlywords.com/dr-sharon-gratto-s-retirement-memory-book

Our Way to Go Wednesday today goes out to Professor Wil-Co’s class, MUS 471: Contemporary Music Therapy Practices and Dr. Sofer’s class, MUS 323: Experiments in Digital Sound and Media for their presentations at the Imagining Community Symposium this past Friday!

Dr. Sofer’s class presented their project on “Sounds of Dayton,” featuring work by Andrew Boerger, Daniele Shlomit Sofer, and Kristianna Walters. Find more information at the link in our bio! Prof. Wil-Co’s class presented on “Liberating Practices in Music Therapy,” featuring work by Makayla Cripe, Anna Delaney, Mary Hanna, Anna Smith, Mattie Smith, Jaylee Sowders, Joy Willenbrink-Conte, Michelle Woeste, and Amber Zanders.

Congratulations, all! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the community!

Be sure to check out all the events at Stander Symposium tomorrow April 17th featuring the amazing work done by people within our department!

Join our Sign Language Choir, Hands In Harmony, for their performance this Thursday at 7pm at Art Street Amphitheater! 🤟

Mark your calendars for the World Music Choir & Javanese Gamelan Spring Concert this Sunday April 21 at 1:30pm in RGCA! Stick around afterwards for Dr. Gratto’s retirement party!

What a wonderful weekend celebrating the opening of the Roger Glass Center for the Arts! Thank you to everyone who attended, donated, and supported the UD Music Department. Check out some pictures from our events this past Saturday afternoon!

Join us for Dr. Gratto’s Retirement Party this Sunday April 21 at 2:30pm in the RGCA lobby after her final World Music Choir & Gamelan Concert! Help us celebrate Dr. Gratto and her successful career!! 🎉👏🥳

Happy Senior Sunday to Jaylee Sowders! Jaylee will present their Senior Capstone on Adolescents with Attachment Trauma this Saturday, April 20 at 6pm in Sears Recital Hall. Be there!
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Name: Jaylee Sowders
Major: Music Therapy
Primary: Clarinet
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
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What ensembles have you been a part of throughout your time at UD?
"POD, UJB, Gamelan, Hands in Harmony, Orchestra, SWE, EHS, Clarinet Ensemble"
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What is one of your favorite memories at UD?
"Getting to present my thesis research progress to the department and all my friends!!!"
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What makes our music department so special? Why did you choose to attend UD?
"I always feel so connected to professors and my cohort. You always know you aren’t alone and someone is there to help you!"
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Give one piece of advice to underclassmen
"Take your time. Say yes only to opportunities that fulfill you! Don’t be afraid to set boundaries early on to prioritize yourself."
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When's your Senior Recital?!
"Capstone - April 20 at 6pm!"
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Congratulations, Jaylee! We're so of you!

Join us tonight on April 12th for a night of choral music featuring Bella Voce and University Chorale in the new Roger Glass Center of the Arts at 7:30pm. Admission is free, we hope to see you there!

TWO DAYS until our official opening of the brand new Roger Glass Center for the Arts! We hope to see you there!!