UE Music Conservatory

It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Dr. Mary Ellen Wylie on June 7, 2026.

Professor of Music at the University of Evansville, Dr. Wylie joined the UE faculty in 1991. Until her retirement in 2020, Dr. Wylie served as Director of the Music Therapy program, taught core courses in the music therapy degree, supervised music therapy practica, and coordinated student internship placements throughout the United States. In addition, she served as UE Music Co-Chair. Dr. Wylie received the UE Outstanding Teacher Award at Commencement in 2017, receiving a record number of nominations from students, alumni and faculty,

Dr. Wylie was recognized as a distinguished leader nationally. She gave numerous presentations at national, regional, and state music therapy conferences and was published in the Journal of Music Therapy and Music Therapy Perspectives. Dr. Wylie served as President Elect, President and Past President of the American Music Therapy Association, (a total of 6 years ). In 2010, she received the Honorary Life Member Award, and in 2019 the prestigious Service Award, citing her distinguished contributions made over the years in the music therapy profession.

Dr. Wylie loved teaching and was devoted to mentoring her students to become the next generation of leaders. She was determined to expand the practice of music therapy to institutions, hospitals and schools as an effective treatment for client support. A champion of both her profession and her students, Dr. Wylie will be remembered fondly as a teacher, mentor, and practitioner.

The University of Evansville Music Conservatory is excited to announce two new faculty who will be joining us this coming fall:

Dr. Sarah Hamilton will be joining the faculty as Clinical Assistant Professor in Music Education. Professor Hamilton is in the final stages of completing her doctorate in music education from the University of North Texas where she has also served as a Teaching Fellow. She has presented at numerous music education conferences around the country and is certified in Orff-Schulwerk. Additionally, she will be completing her Kodály Level 1 certification this summer.

Dr. Aaron Campbell will be joining the faculty as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands/Instructor of Low Brass. Dr. Campbell has a doctorate in euphonium performance from the University of Florida and most recently served as Instructor of Music and Director of Bands at the University of Virginia College at Wise. Dr. Campbell brings expertise as both an accomplished performer and pedagogue on low brass instruments as well as a skilled conductor.

For more information, please visit:
https://www.evansville.edu/majors/music/outreachsummercamp.cfm

UE Music Conservatory students were recipients of several awards over the past week.

On Tuesday, April 28, three of our graduating seniors were chosen to participate in our annual Gumberts Award Competition (pictured):

-Bri Alley, mezzo-soprano
-Ali Braikat, percussion
-Melody Winfrey, soprano

Ali Braikat was chosen as the winner of the Gumberts competition.

Three additional awards were made this past week including:

-Music Service Award: Isaac Killebrew, trumpet
-Joann Schwentker Award: Trinity Martinez, mezzo-soprano
-Presser Award: Ali Braikat, percussion

Congratulations to our talented and hard-working students!

April 28, 2026
Wheeler Concert Hall
7:30 PM

Join the University of Evansville Music Conservatory for the annual Gumberts Award performance. Established in 1979 by W.A. Gumberts, this prestigious event honors outstanding achievement in the arts.

We are proud to showcase this year’s talented graduating senior music majors who will be performing in this event:
Ali Braikat (Percussion)
Melody Winfrey (Soprano)
Bri Alley (Mezzo-Soprano)

Special thanks to the Gumberts family and the Friends of UE Music for their ongoing support and for underwriting these awards since 2014. Don't miss this celebration of student excellence!

Admission is free and open to the public!

April 23, 2026
Wheeler Concert Hall
7:30 PM

Join us for an evening of timeless masterworks as the UE Community Band takes the stage. The program features a curated selection of staples from the wind band repertoire, including the works of Edwin Franko Goldman, Johannes Brahms, and Clare Grundman.

April 21, 2026
Victory Theatre
7:30 p.m.

The Music Conservatory presents the Wind Ensemble and UE Symphony Orchestra at the historic Victory Theatre for a dynamic program featuring the legendary sounds of Leonard Bernstein, Robert Jager, and Adam Gorb. We hope to see you there!

Admission is free and open to the public

Join us for the Spring Choral Masterworks concert at University of Evansville on Tuesday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. in Neu Chapel. The choirs will be joined by guest soloists and orchestra to perform Beethoven’s monumental Mass in C, Op. 86. Also on the program are works by Orlando Gibbons, Antonio Lotti, and modern composer John Tavener. The event is free and open to the public. We hope to see you there!

April 7, 2026
Wheeler Concert Hall
7:30 p.m

Come check out the UE Jazz Ensemble for their Spring Concert. The band will be paying homage to the Earth-shattering trumpeter, Miles Davis. Davis celebrates the 100th anniversary of his birth in 2026, and we will celebrate with a concert of tunes spanning the life of this great pillar of jazz. From influential tunes he likely heard as a child growing up in East St. Louis, Illinois to tunes composed by members of his bands, such as Gil Evans and Chick Corea, we will cover a lot of musical ground. See you there!

Admission is free and open to the public.