The Cullen Skink Rag, out now, is a musical ragtime composition paying tribute to and inspired by the Scottish culinary favorite Cullen Skink, a seafood chowder born of the Scottish coastal town of Cullen. The Cullen Skink Rag is composed by Anthony LaBounty (UNLV Music) who encountered the chowder on his first visit to Scotland in Summer 2025. ‘Skink’ is a Scottish slang term…
From April 6–12, the UNLV Wind Orchestra, under the direction of Thomas G. Leslie, undertook a major recording project in collaboration with Parma Recordings, continuing a successful partnership between the two organizations as they work toward the ensemble’s 25th commercial album release. Widely recognized for its high-quality productions and global distribution, Parma has established a strong…
UNLV Music faculty Viet Cuong premiered new original song Ladders at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Ladders was commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic for a concert celebrating 'The Great Wall of Los Angeles'—Judy Baca’s monumental mural that traces the layered, complicated history of the city. Six composers were invited to give musical voice to sections of the…
Viet Cuong has been named one of two recipients of this year’s Goddard Lieberson Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters! Two fellowships of $15,000 are awarded annually to composers of “extraordinary gifts.” "This honor feels especially meaningful at this stage in my life," said Quong on Instagram this week, "The Academy has long supported some of the most…
As we begin this new year, I have been reflecting on the myriad ways in which art enhances our lives, bolsters our connection to each other, and builds community – both local and global. There is vast opportunity for the arts (including architecture – one of the eight disciplinary areas in the College of Fine Arts at UNLV) and humanities to positively and profoundly affect how we see the world.…
The opportunity to learn, innovate and unlock “uncompromised expression” on 86 world-class pianos – that is the promise of a transformational donation of more than $6 million to UNLV’s School of Music by the Las Vegas-based KJS Family Foundation. Finalized last year, the KJS Family Foundation’s gift funded the purchase of 86 Steinway pianos – instruments universally recognized throughout the…
The recent district National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition, held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, featured participants from Southern Utah, Southern Nevada, and Southern California. Below are the UNLV winners of this year's competition. Congratulations to all!: College Senior Women: First Place: Madelyn Salazar (UNLV--student of Monica Williams-…
UNLV School of music student, Szeyi Fung, has been awarded First Prize in the Nevada Music Teachers National Association competition - Young Artist of Violin division. "I want to express my sincere gratitude for UNLV's generous support," said Fung, "This achievement would not have been possible without the support and opportunity I have received from Dr. Butler and Dean…