UBC School of Music

08/31/2026

🎼 FACULTY ANNOUNCEMENT 🎼

We are thrilled to welcome renowned Canadian coloratura soprano Suzanne Rigden, Coloratura Soprano to the UBC School of Music team!

Celebrated internationally for her sparkling vocal technique, engaging stage presence, and versatile repertoire spanning opera to contemporary works, Suzanne brings a wealth of experience to our Voice Division.

Join us in extending a warm welcome as she begins guiding and inspiring the next generation of vocal talent at UBC! 👏✨

🔗 Learn more about Suzanne Rigden at www.suzannerigden.com

Photo by: Brent Calis Photography

07/28/2026

🎭 Join our team! UBC School of Music is hiring for various Front of House Work Learn positions.

🎟️ Box Office Worker
🎻 Usher / Front of House (Recitals)
🎶 Usher / Front of House (Concerts)
📋 Assistant Coordinator / Front of House

These roles offer hands-on experience in concert production, arts administration, and audience engagement — perfect training for a career in the arts and culture sector.

📅 Applications open: July 27 – August 12 via the UBC CareersOnline portal (Work Learn Program).

Tag a friend who'd be perfect for one of these roles! 👇

07/27/2026

⚽🎶 The Unrehearsed Choir: What Two UBC Music Scholars Learned From a World Cup Full of Chants

What happens when thousands of strangers fall into the exact same rhythm at the exact same moment? They clap together. Chant together. Sing together. Sway together.

According to UBC School of Music faculty members Nathan Hesselink and Robert Komaniecki, it's a phenomenon called entrainment, with a set of rules almost as rigorous as anything in a symphony.

From Norway's "Viking Row" (which even made it onto the World Cup Final halftime show, with conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the New York Philharmonic paying tribute) to England's pitch-perfect "Wonderwall" singalongs and Canada's own multilingual fan chants, this piece uncovers the music theory hiding in plain sight at every match.

Read the full story: https://music.ubc.ca/news/the-unrehearsed-choir-what-two-ubc-music-scholars-learned-from-a-world-cup-full-of-chants/

07/23/2026

🎹 Congratulations to Brian Sun, named one of Canada's most exciting young classical musicians in CBC Music's 2026 edition of the 30 Hot Classical Musicians Under 30!

The recognition follows his performance of Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with the UBC Symphony Orchestra, after winning first prize at the 2026 UBC Concerto Competition.

So proud of you, Brian! 🙌

Read the CBC announcement here: https://musc.cms.arts.ubc.ca/news/cbcs-30-hot-canadian-classical-musicians-under-30-2026-edition/

07/23/2026

📣 Now Hiring: Communications Assistant at the UBC School of Music
Interested in music, writing, and communications? The School of Music is looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic Communications Assistant to help raise its profile!

You'll gain hands-on experience in:

- Writing news stories and interviewing faculty, students, and alumni
- Shooting and editing photos and videos for web and social media
- Creating content for Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms
- Coordinating event listings, recital calendars, and concert programs
- Website management and database maintenance

This is an ideal role for a third- or fourth-year student looking to build their writing and communications portfolio under the mentorship of an experienced team.

📅 Applications are open July 27 – August 12, 2026 through the UBC CareersOnline portal.

📝 A cover letter and writing sample are required.

Questions? Contact Ritwik Bhattacharjee — [email protected]

07/22/2026

🎹 Congratulations to Brian Sun (B. Mus.'29), named one of Canada's most exciting young classical musician in CBC Music's 2026 edition of the 30 Hot Classical Musicians Under 30!

The recognition follows his performance of Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with the UBC Symphony Orchestra, after winning first prize at the 2026 UBC Concerto Competition.

You can catch him next as one of the finalists at the Robert and Ellen Silverman Piano Concerto Competition this September, where he'll perform Beethoven's Emperor Concerto.

So proud of you, Brian! 🙌

Read the article here: https://musc.cms.arts.ubc.ca/news/cbcs-30-hot-canadian-classical-musicians-under-30-2026-edition/

07/22/2026

🎙️ Now Hiring: Recording & Audio Work Learn Positions at the UBC School of Music

Interested in audio and video recording? The School of Music's Recording & Audio department is looking for students to join their team!

You'll gain hands-on experience in:

Audio and video recording & post-production
Live sound mixing
Camera operation and video switching
Classical music recording techniques
Analog and digital signal routing

📅 Applications are open July 27 – August 12, 2026 through the UBC CareersOnline portal.

Questions? Contact:

Micaela Peragallo, Recording & Audio Unit Lead — [email protected]

Lilith Charlet, Recording & Audio Unit Coordinator — [email protected]

Don't miss this opportunity to build real-world skills in a professional recording environment!

07/20/2026

In loving memory of Ken Friedman (1944–2026).

Please join us in honouring Ken, whose artistry and generosity touched the lives of countless musicians. Ken served for many years as Principal Double Bass of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and taught generations of double bass students at UBC.

A memorial concert will be held to celebrate his life and the enduring legacy he leaves behind.

📅 Saturday, August 22, 2026
🕑 2:00 – 3:00 PM
📍 Roy Barnett Recital Hall, 6361 Memorial Road

Free admission — light refreshments to follow. All who knew Ken are welcome.

Please join us in honouring Ken Friedman, whose artistry and generosity touched the lives of countless musicians. Ken served for many years as Principal Double Bass of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and taught generations of double bass students at the University of British Columbia. This gatherin...

07/17/2026

Get ready!

Jonathan Girard, Director of Orchestras and Professor, Conducting and Ensembles at the UBC School of Music, is in Brazil preparing Scriabin's "Prometheus" and Holst's "The Planets" for a live performance with Orquestra Sinfônica de Porto Alegre (OSPA) on July 18 (1 PM PDT) & July 19 (7 AM PDT), to be streamed via OspaRS on YouTube.

Tune in at the link below👇
https://www.youtube.com/user/ospaRS