The Faculty of Arts celebrated excellence in teaching, research and service with an awards ceremony at the Faculty Club on the evening of May 6, 2014. Please join the Department of Music in giving a round of applause for each of our award recipients.
Two undergraduate researchers in Music were awarded 2014 Roger S. Smith Undergraduate Research Awards which provide winning students $5,000 to cover 15 weeks of research-based activity over the summer. Mathew Letersky won for his project "Touch Wave Radio Audio Installation," and Andrea Tarnawsky received the award for her project Vaudeville in Edmonton: Urban Development and Musical Morality."
Russell Baker, the Department of Music's electronic technician, was recognized with a Faculty of Arts Outstanding Staff Award. For the last 14 years, Russ has provided technical expertise in recording and video, as well as overall leadership in the production area. He is valued for his knowledge, dedication, unwavering good humour, and willingness to go the extra mile for faculty and students.
Undergraduate student advisor, Carol Lerose, was also awarded a Faculty of Arts Outstanding Staff Award. Carol provides extraordinary service to music students and her colleagues note that she cares deeply for student wellbeing: "she is attentive to their needs, sensitive to their concerns, and willing to administer a dose of tough love when necessary." She is an extremely dedicated, professional colleague and an invaluable team player in the Department of Music.
Rob Curtis, Principal Instructor and Conductor of the University of Alberta Concert Choir, received a Graduate Student Teaching Award for his superior command of choral subject matter, his ability to spark interest and enthusiasm in students, and a willingness to provide feedback and direction. Rob's students call his conducting "clear, concise and confident - everything a singer needs to see in their conductor."
University of Alberta composition professor, Howard Bashaw, received the Faculty of Arts Research Excellence in the Full Professor category. Howard is one of the most respected, active composers on the Canadian new music scene. His work is continually supported by performers, federal and provincial funding agencies, broadcasters and competitions. He proves himself time and again as an admired creator of musical compositions and a reliable collaborative partner. His works are strong audience favourites for their intelligent and provocative expression.
Dean Lesley Cormack and Vice Dean Heather Zwicker presented the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship to ethnomusicology student and percussionist, Daniel Stadnicki. This scholarship program aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by supporting students who demonstrate both leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies. Valued at $50,000 a year for three years, the Vanier is one of Canada's most prestigious graduate awards.
Debra Cairns' appointment as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2013 was acknowledged at the awards ceremony, as she is now part of Canada's oldest and most prestigious scholarly institute. Her extraordinary contributions to choral music since she joined the University of Alberta in 1989 span the full spectrum of research and creative activity.