Rice University has reappointed Matthew Loden, the Lynette S. Autrey Dean of Music, to a second term as leader of the Shepherd School of Music, effective July 1, 2026. Amy Dittmar, the Howard R. Hughes Provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, announced the decision following a comprehensive review process that included feedback from faculty, staff, Rice leadership and external arts leaders.
“When Matthew became dean, Rice sought an accomplished and innovative leader to guide the Shepherd School into a new era and through a significant period of transition and heighten the school’s visibility across the Rice campus, Houston community and broader arts world,” Dittmar said.
Since taking the helm, Loden has overseen a period of notable growth and renewal for the Shepherd School. He has recruited the largest incoming faculty cohort in the school’s history including the director of orchestra, the director of opera studies and multiple star faculty, and he has expanded connections with Houston’s leading arts organizations including the Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera and DACAMERA.
Loden also led planning for the opening of Brockman Hall for Opera, launched the Shepherd School’s largest Community Day and built new partnerships with national groups such as Chamber Music America, which held its annual conference at Rice in February — the first time the event was hosted outside New York City.
Student support has been another focus under Loden’s leadership. The Shepherd School introduced expanded orientation programming, new mental health resources, scholarship opportunities and a fund to help students travel for professional auditions and summer festivals. These efforts have coincided with record application numbers while graduates continue to earn professional placements in the field.
Faculty resources have also expanded through new commissioning opportunities, creative lab initiatives and research grants supported by partnerships with the Office of Research. Given this period of change, Loden will prioritize community building in his second term and is now working with faculty to appoint an associate dean of academic affairs to help shape curriculum and academic policy for the years ahead.
Fundraising and alumni engagement have been strengthened with Loden at the helm. One highlight was a Traveling Owls trip to Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympics, which featured a performance of the National Orchestra of France led by Shepherd alumnus Cristian Măcelaru, now a distinguished visiting artist on the faculty.
Dittmar noted that Loden assumed leadership during a difficult period for the school marked by the transition from 18 years of consistent leadership from former dean Robert Yekovich, multiple retirements and the deaths of two beloved school leaders and faculty members, Larry Rachleff and Miah Im. Loden’s response, she said, demonstrated resilience and vision that set the school on a strong course.
“I am honored to continue serving the Shepherd School of Music and to build on the work we’ve accomplished together,” Loden said. “This school’s faculty, students, staff and alumni embody artistic excellence and innovation, and I am committed to supporting their success as we enter this next chapter.”
Learn more about the Shepherd School here.