Shepherd School

Acclaimed conductor Robert Spano to lead Shepherd School chamber, symphony orchestras Sept. 28-30

Acclaimed conductor Robert Spano, music director of the Aspen Music Festival and School and Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, will take the Stude Concert Hall stage later this month to kick off the Rice University Shepherd School of Music’s 2023-24 season as he leads the university's chamber orchestra Sept. 28 and its symphony orchestra Sept. 29-30. All three concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Rice’s Shepherd School of Music announces 2023-24 season 

HOUSTON – (Aug. 31, 2023) – For the first time in the Shepherd School of Music’s history, a comprehensive listing of key performances is being announced today to coincide with the release of a new season brochure and redesigned events website. The Shepherd School has collected guest artists from around the globe to perform and teach this season, joining the existing ranks of renowned artists already among the faculty.

Shepherd School’s Xayvion Davidson wins first place, audience favorite at inaugural Cynthia Woods Mitchell-Ima Hogg Young Artist Competition

Xayvion Davidson, a rising sophomore studying bassoon at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, won first place and audience favorite at the inaugural Cynthia Woods Mitchell-Ima Hogg Young Artist Competition June 11.

People, papers and presentations for May 8, 2023

Alexandra Kieffer, an associate professor of musicology in Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, has been awarded a $40,000 fellowship by the George A. and Eliza Gardner Howard Foundation to support a semester of dedicated research and writing.

Rice’s Brockman Hall for Opera wins Houston Business Journal 2023 Landmark Award

Rice University’s Brockman Hall for Opera won a 2023 Houston Business Journal Landmark Award in the Public Assembly category. The Landmark Awards recognize real estate projects that have shaped the city in the last year.

Hitting all the right notes

Grammy Award-winning pianist Emanuel Ax​​​​​​​ gave a master class for Shepherd School of Music students April 23 in Hirsch Orchestra Rehearsal Hall.

Faculty bestowed with award recognizing superior teaching

Nine faculty received the 2023 George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching, which honors top Rice instructors by votes from alumni who graduated within the past two, three and five years.

Faculty, staff, students honored for excellence in teaching, mentoring, service

Each year, Rice honors members of the university community who have served students through outstanding teaching, dedication and service. Here are recipients of some of this year's awards.

Shepherd School opera, chamber orchestra perform ‘L'incoronazione di Poppea’

The Rice University Shepherd School Opera and Chamber Orchestra performed their spring opera production, Monteverdi’s “L'incoronazione di Poppea” (The Coronation of Poppea) April 14 and 16 in Brockman Hall for Opera’s Morrison Theater.

People, papers and presentations for April 17, 2023

Last month, Il Pirata Records released “DO NOT LAMENT,” the recording debut of Shepherd School alum Rebecca Scout Nelson, a vocalist and baroque violinist. Richie Hawley, a professor of clarinet at the Shepherd School, is president of the record label.

Houston Grand Opera’s Patrick Summers to lead Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra in final concert of the season

Rice University’s Shepherd School Contemporary Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra will wrap up their 2022-2023 performing seasons with concerts on April 19 and 21, respectively. Both concerts will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Stude Concert Hall.

People, papers and presentations for April 3, 2023

Badie Khaleghian, a Shepherd School doctoral candidate in music composition, is this year’s recipient of the Presser Foundation’s Presser Graduate Music Award.

Shepherd School spring opera ‘L'incoronazione di Poppea,’ set for April 14 and 16

A shameless quest for power through any means necessary is the focus of Monteverdi’s “L'incoronazione di Poppea” (The Coronation of Poppea), the spring opera production from the Rice University Shepherd School of Music’s Opera and Chamber Orchestra.

British-born classical pianist Sir Stephen Hough gives Shepherd School master class

British-born classical pianist, composer and writer Sir Stephen Hough​​​​​​​ gave a master class for Shepherd School of Music students March 8 in Duncan Recital Hall.

Rice alum Cristian Măcelaru returns to guest conduct Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra

Rice University Shepherd School alum Cristian Măcelaru, music director of the Orchestre National de France, conducted the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra’s March 4 performance of Gabriela Lena Frank’s “Concertino Cusqueño,” Debussy’s “Jeux” and Rachmaninoff’s “Symphonic Dances, Op. 45.”