SFA hosts institute for young musicians
KU Jazz Ensemble invited to esteemed jazz festival

SFA hosts institute for young musicians

KU’s School of Fine Arts welcomes the International Institute for Young Musicians (IIYM) Summer Music Academy to Lawrence for another year of student music study and competition. IIYM, led by Dr. Scott McBride Smith, is an internationally recognized course of study for young pianists and string players from around the world.

Smith, who has a master’s degree in piano from KU, is the president and chief executive officer of IIYM. He created the IIYM organization in 1990 to provide music study opportunities for young musicians from around the world. During the summer program, students are exposed to intensive study to improve their mastery of performance, and these students spend time practicing and performing recitals, working with IIYM artist faculty.

This year’s IIYM program features nearly 100 competing students, ranging from ages 11 to 19. The students will arrive from all over the world to participate in music study and competition.

The Fifth International Piano Competition will kick off the month of IIYM activities. The competition will be held at Swarthout Recital Hall in Murphy Hall on July 6 and 7and will feature selected pianists from all over the U.S., Canada, Australia and Asia competing for recognition and cash awards.

The IIYM program runs in total from July 6 through July 31. Click here to see a listing of the events open to the public. All events are free unless otherwise noted. Dates and times for events are subject to change. Please check out www.iiym.com for updated information.

KU Jazz Ensemble invited to esteemed jazz festival

The KU Jazz Ensemble I has been honored with an invitation to the 42nd Annual Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland July 15-16. The invitation to this festival is presented to only a few collegiate jazz ensembles in the world annually.

"The invitation to the Montreux Jazz Festival represents an exceptional opportunity for our KU students to perform on an international stage," said Dan Gailey, KU director of jazz studies.

In its 42nd year, this event is considered one of the biggest jazz festivals in the world. This year's line-up of concert artists includes such internationally known names as Quincy Jones, Paul Simon, Herbie Hancock, Tower of Power and more.

"The performance by college jazz ensembles at this festival has long been considered a distinguished achievement for the groups selected each year, and the KU Jazz Ensemble I is proud and excited to represent KU on this international stage," Gailey added.

The Jazz Ensemble I will perform twice at Montreux, and will schedule other performances in Switzerland and Germany during the trip abroad. Read more.

Visit the School of Fine Arts Web site for more information.