With Time Comes Change

With Time Comes Change

            The University of North Texas will see changes to its faculty for the College of Music beginning this fall in light of staff retirements.

            Retirees include Mezzo-Soprano and Regents Professor Linda Di Fiore; Regents Professor of trumpet J. Keith Johnson; and Music Theory Professor Graham H. Phipps.

            Phipps has dedicated 30 years to teaching music theory at UNT, including seven as a coordinator and 10 years as director of graduate studies. He has presented papers at national conferences and has lectured in eight different countries. Earlier this year, the Division of Music History, Theory, and Ethnomusicology, the UNT Music Library, and the Graduate Association of Musicologists und Theorists held a concert recital and music theory symposium in his honor.

            “I decided to apply for this position at UNT because I wished to be able to specialize in some specific areas of music and to teach doctoral students in my specialties,” said Phipps on his history with UNT. “I hope to have provided a good foundation for my students so that they can go on to further advanced studies in music and to become successful college or university professors in the field.”

            Fiore, a professional soloist in opera, recital and musical theater, joined the College of Music as a faculty member 18 years ago. Her honors include the Citation for Distinguished Service to International Education, the President’s Council Teaching Award and the designation of Master Teacher by the National Association of Teachers of Singing. She was appointed Regents Professor in 2005.

            Johnson has performed with the Fort Worth Symphony, Dallas Opera, the Mexico City Philharmonic, and many, many more. He has written over 40 articles on brass playing, and has authored two books, The Art of Trumpet Playing. and Brass Performance and Pedagogy. He was appointed Regents Professor in 1994 and in 2011 he became a Distinguished Teaching Professor.

            UNT is also set to bring aboard some new faces to the College of Music for the fall semester. These include Senior Lecturer Diego Cubero, Professor Molly Fillmore, lecturer Samantha M. Inman, Visiting Assistant Professor William H. Joyner, Assistant Professor Sean Powell, and Visiting Associate Professor Allen Vizzutti.

            “Everyone brings a unique set of experiences to the table,” said Powell. “One of the advantages to being in a large learning community like UNT is that everyone, students and faculty alike, can learn from a broad array of perspectives. I look forward to learning just as much, or more, than I look forward to teaching.”