Wells School of Music

Maggio Pens for New Musical

Philadelphia audiences know these names: Composer Robert Maggio has written for the Crossing choir and Pennsylvania Ballet over the last 20 years, and playwright Michael Hollinger periodically delivers well-made dramas to the Arden Theatre stage. Keep reading.

TouchTones Debuts With Rave Reviews in Philadelphia

"...Maggio’s score is eclectic, with elements of jazz, opera, and hip-hop, as well as traditional show music. The comic numbers — including the bad-date throw-down, "Dream Date" — are particularly fine. But the score turns expressive and poignant when the Christine and Justin urge one another "to see my soul/Know me broken/Know me whole." Keep reading.

Symphony Orchestra Performs in Verizon Hall

Professor Joseph Caminiti and the WCU Symphony Orchestra performed a concert in Verizon Hall as part of the Harmony for Peace Benefit Concert. Their performance of the fourth movement of Dvorak’s New World Symphony is the talk of the town, and the seamless quality of their work accompanying concerto soloists and opera arias are also noteworthy!

2017 PMTA State Competition

WCU piano students swept the 2017 PMTA State Competition! James Anemone won top honor and will compete on the Regional Completion. Rachel Lee (Yerim Lee) received alternate and Stephen Gliatto received Honorable Mention.

Students Perform Well at Nats Auditions

Three WCU School of Music students competed at the 2017 Greater Philadelphia Chapter of NATS Auditions on Saturday, November 4 with splendid results: Evan Nelson – First Place, Lower College Men category (first-year and sophomore), Alaina O’Neill – Second Place, Lower College Women category (first-year and sophomore), and Strummer Steele – First Place, Lower College Women category (first-year and sophomore).

WCU Professor to Perform at Carnegie Hall

When West Chester University professor Vincent Craig was 8 years old, he remembers standing in Columbia Artists Management Hall looking across 57th street at Carnegie Hall and thinking, "it would be cool to play there someday." For the Staten Island native, that someday is Thursday, June 15th. Now 48, and after countless hours of practice, Craig will get to stand in Carnegie Hall and look across the street and remember where his dream began. Learn more.

Alum Named Best Youth Music Teacher in PA

Hannah Knauss ‘13 of the Interboro School District has been named 2017 Outstanding Young Music Educator Award from the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. Learn more.

Performance at Carnegie Hall

David Cullen, Jazz and Classical Guitar Instructor, will be featured in a concert at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, NYC on Friday October 28th with Windham Hill Records Founder, Guitarist Will Ackerman. Learn more.

From AMT to the USAF!

Since early 2009, American Music Theatre Original Show guests have witnessed the talents of Gabriel Staznik '08, drummer and percussionist with the super AMT Band/Orchestra. With the closing of their 2015 Christmas Show, AMT said goodbye to Gabe as he prepared for an exciting new chapter in his life - as a Technical Sergeant in the United States Air Force and the Drummer for the Air Force's premier rock band, Max Impact. Read on...

Students Publish Article in Choral Journal with Faculty Support

Many high school and college choirs hold section rehearsals that are directed by student leaders. These sectionals can be very beneficial to choirs. They offer focused opportunities for sections to study their own vocal lines and build singer independence. Read on .

King David' from West Chester - Philly.com

The Arthur Honegger oratorio King David has been slipping from fashion in recent years, but its case can't but be bolstered by the new English-language recording on Mark Records by West Chester University forces under Ryan Kelly. It's beautifully produced, recorded, and sung, with superb soloists (especially tenor Stephen Ng) and an effectively acted Witch of Endor in Rebecca Field. The University's Concert Choir and Mastersingers have dramatic conviction and fine diction. The deal-breaker in King David recordings is often the narrator, and though baritone Randall Scarlata is a bit affected, he's far preferable to some of his more overwrought counterparts.

Review by David Patrick Stearns (Philly.com)

Jarrett Ott '10 in as Leading Man

The most hotly awaited event of the opera season just got a new leading man. Cold Mountain, the years-in-the-works Jennifer Higdon opera based on Charles Frazier's 1997 Civil War-era novel, was written with star baritone Nathan Gunn in mind - but he has been replaced by up-and-coming Jarrett Ott '10. Read on...

Music Alum Writes Score for U.S. Marines

School of Music Alum, Brian Englishman '10, recently completed a score for the U.S. Marine Corps' commercial. Visit Brian's portfolio website to watch the video now.

Samuel Barber Summer International Piano Institute

During August of 2015, fifteen excellent young pianists and their teacher from China came to refine their craft at the Samuel Barber Summer International Piano Institute at West Chester University's College of Visual and Performing Arts. They worked with West Chester University's talented piano faculty in master classes and private lessons, culminating in two impressive performances at the end of the session.

Sold Out Show in NYC

Sean Kennedy '95 recently played a sold out New Year's Day concert in NYC at David Geffen Hall (formerly Avery Fischer Hall) as snare drum for Salute to Vienna. Kennedy has a B.S. in Music Education and an M.M. in Percussion Performance from West Chester University, and is an Artist Endorser for Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks, Casio Keyboards and Evans Drumheads. He is also a member of the American Federation of Musicians, is a registered composer, songwriter, and publisher with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), and is a voting member of the Recording Academy (NARAS).

SOM Launches Live Streaming

The School of Music has upgraded its theatre spaces with new HD cameras and recording equipment. The changes have enabled the School to provide high quality live streaming of student and faculty performances. View Schedule of Live Streams

Faculty Perform for Pope Francis

Professor Gloria Galante and the Divine Hand Ensemble performed for Pope Francis during his visit to Philadelphia.

Finding the Lightness in Movement

Pianist Robert Bedford leads you through exact routines for teaching and performing using principles of the Alexander Technique. Learn More

Dali Quartet Added to Brandywine Artist Series

The Dali Quartet will be completing a year long residency through the Brandywine Artist series with WCU's School of Music. A master class and concert will be held on November 9, January 27, and April 4th. Learn more about Dali Quartet

Marching Band Heading to Macy's

Wesley Whatley, creative director of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and head of the parade’s band selection committee, claimed that the Golden Rams were one of only 10 marching bands out of hundreds of high school and college applicants nationwide who were chosen. Learn More