Thank you for visiting this space.\u00a0 I write with an update as we kick off a new academic year at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University.<\/p>\n
2016-17 is on track for a strong outcome in Conservatory admissions.\u00a0 There were 1,526 auditionees, up 2% from last year and the highest number in five years.\u00a0 We expect to have an average of around 560 full-time students matriculated over the course of the year. \u00a0Overall balance across the areas of discipline was on track.\u00a0 Thanks to the admissions team as well as our dedicated faculty that worked diligently to recruit a great class.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re excited to build on the success of last year\u2019s Dean\u2019s Symposiums with a new series recently announced here:\u00a0Peabody Dean\u2019s Symposium Series Welcomes Music Industry Thought Leaders<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0In this second year we welcome \u00a0Aaron Dworkin, founder of The Sphinx Organization and Dean of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance; Blair Tindall, author of\u00a0Mozart in the Jungle: Sex, Drugs and Classical Music<\/em>, the book which formed the basis for Amazon Studio\u2019s show now in its third season; Alex Ross, award-winning writer and chief music critic for\u00a0The New Yorker<\/em>; and Peter Sellars, renowned opera and theater director known for his innovative productions, as featured speakers in the 2016-17\u00a0Dean\u2019s Symposium Series<\/a>. \u00a0The Dean\u2019s Symposium Series provides a platform to discuss the future of music and the issues facing professional musicians today. \u00a0These four guests are among the most innovative, forward-thinking artists and leaders out there. \u00a0As practitioners and writers, to a person they are clear-eyed and insightful about the challenges facing our industry and bold in their work to advance music. I look forward to engaging our community in these important conversations.<\/p>\n As Peabody gears up to celebrate the 150th<\/sup>\u00a0Anniversary this October of Friedberg Hall, Baltimore\u2019s first concert hall, we look forward to a new and improved acoustic with the completion of a first phase of renovation undertaken this past summer.\u00a0 The expansion of the stage as recommended by world-renowned acoustician Larry Kirkegaard of Kirkegaard Associates, will improve onstage hearing for our students especially in large ensembles, as well as heighten the listening experience in the hall.\u00a0 Made possible by a generous gift of $500,000 from the France Merrick Foundation, this represents the first of two phases needed to complete the acoustical and mechanical improvements.<\/p>\n And while we\u2019re on the subject of the hall, we\u2019re delighted to take the step of making\u00a0all<\/u>\u00a0concerts at Peabody free beginning this year.\u00a0 As Peabody seeks to engage our students and faculty more deeply in our community, we look forward to welcoming more of the community to campus as our guests.<\/p>\n We have the privilege of welcoming two Distinguished Visiting Artist faculty to the Institute this year.\u00a0 World renowned violinist, Midori, who will be on campus four times throughout the year for a series of master classes and interdisciplinary presentations, and internationally renowned opera star Eric Owens will spend 10 days on campus throughout the year presenting classes and coaching singers.\u00a0 We\u2019re thrilled to have them both in our midst this year.<\/p>\n The task forces working on incorporating 21st<\/sup>\u00a0century skills directly into our curriculum as well as reimagining the ensembles experience here at Peabody continued their work in earnest this summer. The plan now is to gather further input from constituencies across the Institute this fall with a goal to finalize all details by December.\u00a0 This will allow for the remainder of the year to plan implementation of the new curriculum and initiatives for September 2017.\u00a0 Another key element for the future entails identifying and pursuing new areas of study in the conservatory.\u00a0 The work of these task forces, (as well as the governance and diversity task forces begun last year) and the expansion of existing or development of new areas of study is part of the\u00a0Breakthrough Plan.<\/p>\n We are delighted also to be the beneficiaries of wonderful gift from Rheda Becker and Bob Meyerhoff for $500,000 to fund the first\u00a0Peabody Institute Diversity Fund<\/a>.\u00a0 The Fund will help support initiatives that build diversity in the Institute\u2019s student body, faculty and staff.\u00a0 As part of this gift, Peabody has pledged to raise $500,000 to match Rheda and Bob\u2019s generous commitment, thereby allowing us to double the impact of the work to which we have committed ourselves in this important area.<\/p>\nEnhanced Acoustics \u2013 Free Concerts<\/h3>\n
Distinguished Visiting Artists<\/h3>\n
Hard at work<\/h3>\n
Items of note<\/h3>\n