In The News: School of Music
Black singers historically have not had an easy path to acceptance in opera. It wasn't until 1955 that the Metropolitan Opera featured its first Black singer in a leading role in Marian Anderson. Before that, Black singers had only been featured in supplementary roles or in the chorus on the Met stage. Other legends, like Jessye Norman and Leontyne Price, were among the first Black opera singers to achieve international acclaim, and are also considered trailblazers in this genre, which has taken a long time to embrace Black voices.
Over 16 seasons, Vegas City Opera has grown its audience base by doing things a little differently.
For 25 years, Nevada Conservatory Theatre has served as UNLV’s “lab” for theater arts. Executive Director Kirsten Brandt says the original mission of the training program was to create an intersection for research and professional practice.
The Henderson Symphony Orchestra is performing a free concert at Lake Las Vegas on October 24th. Taras Krysa , Music Advisor Henderson Symphony and Director of Orchestras at UNLV joined us with the details.
The final concert of the 2024-2025 season for the UNLV Symphony & Las Vegas Academy is happening this weekend.
Oboist Stephen Caplan has taught at UNLV for 38 years, on top of performing around the world and with the Las Vegas Philharmonic. During that time, he has won accolades, shared stages with international superstars, and, most notably, tailored his teaching to include the physical and mental health of instrumentalists.
A recital will feature the oboe player, one of Nevada’s most celebrated classical musicians, who will be retiring after 38 years as professor of music at UNLV.
The iconic Mariachi Extravaganza, a celebrated music festival based in San Antonio, has expanded its reach to Las Vegas, Nevada, for the first time. The inaugural Mariachi Extravaganza Las Vegas – West Coast Region featured the nation's top school-based mariachi groups and vocalists competing for the title of reigning champions. The event is a collaborative effort between the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) School of Music and MPR, the producers of the Mariachi Extravaganza.
Mariachi is a musical touchstone of Mexico and the American Southwest — and a growing part of U.S. music education. Clark County high schools are embracing it, with more than 8,000 students in its mariachi programs — the most in the country. The College of Southern Nevada's Mariachi Plata band has found national success in competitions.
The chamber orchestra strives to attain the highest standards in performing an array of classical repertoire for diverse audiences while regularly featuring outstanding soloists and guest conductors. As part of its active performance and touring schedule, the Sinfonietta has partnered with many other musical organizations, such as the Vegas City Opera, the Las Vegas Master Singers, the UNLV Chamber Chorale, the Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society and the Las Vegas Academy.
The Vegas City Opera is celebrating 15 seasons! Executive Director, Ginger Land-Van Buuren and UNLV Professor of Voice Jawan Jenkins joined Las Vegas Now for a preview of what’s to come.