WRTI Young Artist Spotlight: Vibraphonist Nora Theberge

by Lydia Veilleux
November 12
Nora Theberge is a twenty-year-old jazz vibraphonist from New Hampshire. She is a vibraphone jazz performance major in her junior year at Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University with a minor in public relations. This program provides her with the opportunity to meet and gain experience from fellow aspiring jazz musicians and respected professionals. Her mentor and teacher, Tony Miceli, is one of the main reasons she came to Philadelphia. When she isn’t playing or listening to music, Nora loves to tap dance and is currently a dance captain for Temple Tappers, a...

The Diamond Marching Band: Where harmony and friendship meet

by Jonny Hart
September 27
Members of the Diamond Marching Band often meet for the first time at band camp, but the bonds they form can last for decades after their marching days are over. On a hot, sunny August morning, while most students are off working summer internships or enjoying the last few weeks of vacation, one group of Owls is already forming connections and working together in preparation for the approaching school year. Members of Temple’s Diamond Marching Band often refer to their work as the pride of the cherry and white. The band fulfills many important missions, like welcoming...

Boyer College of Music and Dance honors legendary WRTI jazz host Bob Perkins

by Boyer College
September 18
This Thursday at 6 PM on Temple University Ambler Campus, the Boyer College of Music and Dance will help kick off this year's Montco Jazz Festival by honoring legendary WRTI jazz host Bob Perkins with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Director of Jazz Studies Terell Stafford will present the award, followed by a performance by saxophonist Josh Lee, BYR '16, '19, and his big band, the Extended Family. Admission and parking are free for this exciting event. Read more about Perkins' remarkable broadcasting career

Jasper String Quartet: Ringing in the Next 50 Years of Temple Center City on a Positive Note

by James Duffy
September 17
Listen to the individual voices of a string quartet. The instruments are talking to one another, says J Freivogel, violinist with the Jasper String Quartet."When you see a string quartet play live, you really see a conversation that's happening between the instruments. I think it's quite a bit more thrilling to see a quartet and hear a quartet live than to hear it on a recording," he said. "As you study music, as you listen to music, you become not just a musician, but a music lover. I think it touches an almost spiritual part of who we are as people."Freivogel with Rachel...

Getting into the groove: Temple Dance Department celebrates 50 years

by Maria Klecko
September 04
Looking down on the Tomlinson Theater stage, Terry Beck, BYR ’79, felt mesmerized. Up in the lighting booth, he watched bodies sway as the Zero Moving Dance Company rehearsed. At the time, he was a special education major fulfilling a work-study job. Beck didn’t know much about dance or theater, but he was inspired. He took as many dance classes as he could, eventually matriculating to the Dance Department and joining the dance company he once observed from afar. Now Beck is returning to the Tomlinson Theater stage to perform as a guest artist. This event on Sept. 6 and 7...

Diamond Marching Band selected to perform in Macy’s 2025 Thanksgiving Day Parade

by Ayana Jones
August 29
The Temple University Diamond Marching Band is excited to bring its rhythmic flair to New York for the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Diamond Marching Band is one of nine bands chosen by Macy’s to perform in the annual holiday spectacle that is televised nationally on NBC.  The band was informed of the selection when Temple and Macy’s made a surprise announcement Sunday afternoon following an exhibition performance. As part of the announcement, Charlie Bibeault, store manager for Macy’s Center City, presented the Diamond Marching Band with a $10,000...

The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra celebrates the 100th Birthday of its Legendary Founder with Centennial: The Music of Thad Jones

by DL Media / Shaun Brady
August 15
Recorded Live at the Iconic Village Vanguard, Centennial Features an All-Star Ensemble Including Dick Oatts, Douglas Purviance, Terell Stafford, Billy Drewes, Gary Smulyan and Others Available August 30 via BCM+D March 28, 2023 would have marked the 100th birthday of the legendary trumpeter, composer and bandleader Thad Jones, who passed away in 1986 at the age of 63. Always ahead of his time, Jones had anticipated the occasion by more than four decades, recording “My Centennial” in 1980 with his big band Eclipse.   That piece inevitably makes up part of the...

UArts students find new home at Temple

by Stephen Orbanek
August 08
Temple University and its schools and colleges have continued to work diligently to meet students where they are. As a community of more than 30,000 students, Temple might have seemed like a daunting place to students who were attending the much smaller UArts. Yet, what they’ve reported is that they have found a welcoming community of faculty, staff and fellow students of the arts. Since the sudden closure was announced, Temple has hosted two orientation sessions solely for UArts transfers. 

The melody of success: BCM&D Records spins musical careers at Temple University

by Deirdre Childress Hopkins
July 11
It’s not just all that jazz. Sometimes, it’s Grammy nominations and the chance for a win, too. Nestled within Temple’s bustling campus, the Boyer College of Music and Dance is home to BCM&D Records, an innovative record label dedicated to showcasing the exceptional talent of students and faculty. The label has received five Grammy nominations since its inception 15 years ago by Dean Robert T. Stroker and several Temple faculty members. This year, this musical team hopes to add two pieces into contention for those prestigious awards. The unique musical magic of BCM...

Information for University of the Arts students

by Boyer College
June 03
The Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University affirms our commitment to providing an accessible college education for all and our intent to make the path to enrollment at Temple seamless and transparent. Temple has set up a centralized point of information and inquiry for University of the Arts students. Please visit this page to learn more and request more information about the enrollment process. We are also available to speak with you one-on-one about our programs. Please feel free to reach out to us with questions about our program offerings: For Dance...

Temple University's 2023-2024 Faculty Awards include three Boyer faculty

by Boyer College
April 18
On April 10, Provost Gregory N. Mandel hosted the 2023-2024 University Faculty Awards Ceremony. The Boyer College of Music and Dance was honored to have three members of its faculty included in this year's recipients. Professor of Keyboard Studies Charles Abramovic received the Great Teacher Award, which recognizes faculty members for their continuous excellence in teaching. Abramovic's name joins the Great Teachers Wall in the Founder's Garden on Temple campus. Professor of Dance Sherril Dodds received the Paul W. Eberman Faculty Research Award, which recognizes a...

Concert choir’s April show will honor Matthew Shepard

by Jonny Hart
April 10
Temple University Concert Choir will honor the life, death and legacy of Matthew Shepard in their upcoming show, Considering Matthew Shepard. The performance will take place on Tuesday, April 16, at 7:30 p.m. in the Temple Performing Arts Center. The show, which is free and open to the public, is the Philadelphia premiere of Considering Matthew Shepard.  Shepard was a gay man and the victim of a hate crime murder in 1998. Shepard’s death gained international attention, became a symbol of the violence and discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ community, and was a catalyst...

WRTI Young Artist Spotlight: Clarinetist and Conductor Sara Bock

by Lydia Veilleux
April 09
Sara Bock is a clarinetist and conductor pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Clarinet Performance at Temple University's Boyer College of Music and Dance in the studio of the world-renowned clarinetist Gi Lee. A native of the Washington, D.C. area, Sara has soloed at the Strathmore Music Center, The National Presbyterian Church, and The National Arts Club. She has been recognized for her significant artistic development and impactful arts leadership, having been twice awarded the Certificate of Merit in Music Performance by the National Society for Arts and Letters, as well as...

Temple University Jazz Band embarks on its Midwest Tour

by Boyer College
February 21
Tomorrow, the Temple University Jazz Band hits the road for a very special tour of the Midwest. Performance stops include: February 22: Noblesville High School (Noblesville, IN) February 23: Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival (Notre Dame, IN) February 24: Elmhurst University Jazz Festival (Elmhurst, IL) February 25: Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI) February 26: Byron Center High School (Byron Center, MI) In addition to these performances, the band will get to enjoy jazz festival performances (including one by Elmhurst headliner the Maria...

WRTI Young Artist Spotlight: Flutist Nicole Hom

by Lydia Veilleux
February 13
Nicole Hom is a third-year undergraduate flute performance major at Temple University's Boyer College of Music and Dance. Originally from Paramus, NJ, Nicole studies with Patrick Williams, Associate Principal Flute of The Philadelphia Orchestra. Nicole’s flute and piccolo playing has been recognized in multiple ensembles, including the New Jersey Youth Symphony, The Chamber Music Center of New York, Yamaha Music for All’s Honor Band of America, Temple University Wind Symphony, and the Temple University Symphony Orchestra. She has had the opportunity to perform in venues...

The Arts and Quality of Life Research Center celebrates 20 years

by Boyer College
February 09
In one week, the Arts and Quality of Life Research Center celebrates its 20th anniversary through the annual Arts and Quality of Life Conference, entitled Revisioning Ability, Equity and Community for 2024. An effort of the entire Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts, this free, one-day conference will serve as a platform for new conversations, innovation, collaboration, and the unlimited potential of all arts disciplines within our communities. The Arts and Quality of Life Conference will feature keynote speaker Shavon Norris, adjunct faculty for the...

Boyer College Fall 2023 Faculty News

by Boyer College
February 02
The faculty of the Boyer College of Music and Dance had a busy and exciting Fall 2023 semester. Many of them made significant appearances both nationally and internationally through new publications, speaking and performance engagements, guest scholar and lecturer appearances, releases for recordings and new works, and more. Read Boyer College of Music and Dance Fall 2023 News