CWRU Department of Music

05/16/2026

Congratulations to the graduating Class of 2026 from the Department of Music at Case Western Reserve University! 🎓🎶

Your talent, creativity, dedication, and passion have made a lasting impact on our community. As you take the next step in your journey, we wish you continued success wherever music and life may lead you.

Shine on, Class of 2026. ✨👏

🔗 https://case.edu/commencement

05/12/2026

The Department of Music is pleased to announce that Erin Huang, flute, has been selected as the winner of the 2026 Ronis Prize Recital.

🔗 https://case.edu/artsci/music/ronis-huang-winner-05-12-2026

The selection panel praised Erin’s artistry, technical command, and musical expression throughout the selection process.

As part of the award, Erin will present the annual Ronis Recital in late October 2026. Additional details regarding the recital program and event information will be shared at a later date.

Congratulations as well to Erin’s instructor, Heidi Ruby-Kushious, and accompanist, Alicja Basinska, and thank you to all students and faculty who participated in this year’s audition process.

04/30/2026

03/27/2026

🎶 CWRU Music Spring 2026 Concerto Competition Results
📅 March 27, 2026

Congratulations to this year’s Concerto Competition winners:

• Erin Huang, flute
• Austin Lu, piano

Both soloists will be featured in performances during the 2026–27 concert season.

Thank you to all participants for their outstanding musicianship, and to our collaborative pianists—Alicja Basinska, Irwin Shung, and Elizabeth DeMio—for their contributions.

We also extend our thanks to our Joint Music Program instructors at the Cleveland Institute of Music and CWRU College of Arts and Sciences Department of Music faculty and staff for their guidance and support.

🔗 Read the full announcement, view the program, and explore past winners on our website.
https://case.edu/artsci/music/concerto-results-03-27-2026

03/02/2026

🎸 Live at The Spot! 🎶

📅 Monday, March 2 | ⏰ 8–10 PM
📍 The Spot, Lower Level Leutner Commons
🎟 FREE

Join us for a laid-back night of pop, rock, and contemporary music featuring Felt Flowers and Snakes on a Plane.

Plus, Case Sound Society presents a live beatmaking session during intermission.

Directed by Dr. AJ Kluth.
See you there! 🎶

02/20/2026

We are proud to share that CWRU alumnus Al Rodriguez (B.S. in Music Education, ’15) has been named a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” honoree — a national recognition celebrating innovative and impactful music educators.

Read more from our news archive:
🔗 https://case.edu/artsci/music/news-events/news-archive

Al currently serves as Orchestra Director at Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, Virginia, and as Music Director of the Washington Metropolitan Youth Orchestra. His commitment to expanding access, building community, and redefining what opportunity looks like for students reflects the very best of our profession — and the values of the Joint Music Program.

It is always meaningful to see our alumni making such a powerful difference! 👏🎶

CWRU College of Arts and Sciences
The Alumni Association of Case Western Reserve University

01/30/2026

The Richman family has made a $2 million commitment to endow the Great Neck and Elissa Richman Professorship in Popular Music Studies in the Department of Music, strengthening teaching, scholarship, and programming in popular and contemporary music. This generous gift honors decades of musical passion and philanthropy by alumnus and trustee James S. “Great Neck” Richman (ADL ’72) and his family, and will support our outstanding faculty while expanding opportunities for our students.

Read more about this remarkable legacy and its impact on music at CWRU.

James S. “Great Neck” Richman (ADL ’72) fondly recalls seeing artists such as Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison perform in Cleveland during his time...

01/29/2026

Francesca Brittan, Associate Professor of Music, has been awarded an Expanding Horizons / Experimental Humanities Grant for the creation of a Brain Media Lab, in collaboration with Vera Tobin (Cognitive Science) and Stephan Haluska (Music).

Read More: https://case.edu/artsci/music/news-brittan-brain-lab-20260129

This initiative explores the sounds of listening and improvising brains through sonified EEG and culminates in a concert presented in partnership with experimental music pioneer David Rosenboom.

11/24/2025

🎢🎶 Cedar Point Live Entertainment Audition Tour Coming to CWRU on December 12

🎤🌟 Seeking performers for the 2026 season!

Cedar Point is looking for well-rounded singers, musicians, dancers, and actors to fill performance opportunities across the park. Spend your summer honing your craft, performing daily for thousands of guests, and networking with fellow artists from around the country—all while getting paid to do what you love.

📣🎵 We are looking for:
• Singers
• Dancers
• Actors
• Guitarists (electric/acoustic)
• Bassists (electric/upright)
• Keyboardists (synth/piano)
• Fiddle players
• Percussionists (drum set/marching)
• Horn players: Trumpet, Trombone, Tenor Sax, Sousaphone

Singing is a plus for any instrumental position, but not required.

Cedar Point entertainment features a wide range of styles—from classic rock and country to rockabilly, brass band, jazz, and pop.

Sign up for an audition time:
https://cedarfair.jotform.com/252953738667878

(see attached flyer)

11/12/2025

We’re proud to see the CWRU Spartan Marching Band representing our department at this wonderful community celebration! 🎺🥁✨

Thank you to MidTown Cleveland, Inc. for featuring our musicians alongside so many incredible performers. What a vibrant night of culture, connection, and creativity — and we’re honored to have been part of it. 💙🎶

08/25/2025

💙🎶 Welcome back, Dr. Jessica L. Gallagher-Steuver! 🎶💙
Dr. Gallagher-Steuver returns to CWRU Music this year as Part-Time Lecturer, conducting University Chorale and teaching Voice Skills & Pedagogy for Music Education majors. We look forward to all that’s ahead this year! ✨

The CWRU Department of Music is proud to announce that Dr. Jessica L. Gallagher-Steuver has been appointed Part-Time Lecturer and will be conducting the University Chorale for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. Dr. Gallagher-Steuver was tasked with restarting the University Chorale ensemble when she was admitted as a PhD student 4 years ago, and exceeded expectations developing the musical quality of the ensemble. Her leadership will continue to inspire and cultivate students' musical skills. She will also be teaching the Voice Skills and Pedagogy class for Music Education majors. We hope you will join us in welcoming back Dr. Gallagher-Steuver to the CWRU Choral family.