News

The powerful voice of Mary-Catherine Pazzano delivered a captivating rendition of Leonard Bernstein’s musical works, both well-loved and little-known. On February 26, she was accompanied by accomplished pianist Paul Stouffer as part of Conrad Grebel University College’s Noon Hour Concert Series. A University of Waterloo and Grebel alumna herself, Mary-Catherine remarked that “it’s always good to be back!”

The orchestra@uwaterloo held its 2020 Concerto and Aria Competition on February 1 at Conrad Grebel University College. Any student or recent graduate of the University of Waterloo is eligible to compete in this biennial competition hosted by the orchestra. The Department of Music at Conrad Grebel University College is grateful to Professor Emeritus David Taylor, whose generous and ongoing support of the orchestra has made these competitions possible.

From a young age Melissa was heavily involved in music, taking lessons and performing, honing her talent. But, her second love was math and she come to the University of Waterloo with the goal of becoming a math teacher. Melissa filled her schedule with all the courses she needed to take to progress in the math program, without room for electives. Yet, math was not as fulfilling as she had expected, and she knew something was missing. It wasn’t until her third year that she allowed herself to take an elective, a music course on conducting, when she realized how much she missed music!

Every Tuesday, a diverse team of UWaterloo students gathers for prayer, small group discussion, song teaching, and worship service planning. These students are part of the Worship Apprentice Program offered by Grebel’s Music Department as a skill-building opportunity within the Church Music and Worship Program. 

The founder and artistic director of Waterloo Region Mass Choir led a dynamic gospel music workshop for students at Conrad Grebel University College on Monday, January 27. Darren Hamilton is an accomplished musician and is experienced as a vocalist, arranger, songwriter, and music educator. He joined students from the Chapel Choir and Grebel’s Worship Practicum course to discuss the African American gospel tradition.

The Noon Hour Concert Series at Conrad Grebel University College includes a range of both local and international musical talent. The performances consist of classical, jazz, world music, and contemporary works and are presented throughout the fall and winter terms. These free events take place on most Wednesdays from 12:30-1:20pm in the Grebel Chapel. This season introduces eight unique concerts, presenting multi-faceted talent.

The Department of Music at Conrad Grebel University College invites applications for a part-time adjunct faculty position in Studio Piano to begin May 2020. The successful candidate will teach in Fall, Winter and Spring term for approximately 10-15 hours/week as part of our interdisciplinary and innovative department at the University of Waterloo. Review of applications will begin February 15, 2020; however, applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.

From the Prairies: The Solo Piano Music of Karen Sunabacka received warm applause from the full audience at the first Noon Hour Concert of Conrad Grebel University College's season on January 15. Grebel Music Prof. Karen Sunabacka is a composer, cellist, and music theorist based in Waterloo.

Music and Mathematics have been connected disciplines in the minds of psychologists and neuroscientists for years. An increasing number of studies have been carried out to link the effects of music on mathematical skills and vice versa. Many of these studies have found correlations between above-average musical abilities and above-average math performance.

Dr. Durrell Bowman grew up in Floradale, took piano lessons as a child, and then began to sing in choirs, write keyboard-based songs, and so on while attending Rockway Mennonite Collegiate. He continued to excel in his education while a music major at Conrad Grebel University College and was the first and only University of Waterloo student to complete an Honours BA in Music and Arts Applied Studies Co-op with an option in Society, Technology & Values.