The Shepherd School of Music

The final Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra concert of the 24/25 school year is finally here 🤯 🎶

New Beginnings conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya
Friday, April 25 at 7:30pm
Stude Concert Hall (+ livestream)

Reserve tickets: https://bit.ly/3RbqVcn

"Ghosts was an inspired choice in 2025 to commemorate another milestone: the 50th anniversary of the Shepherd School of Music at Houston’s Rice University. The school’s recent production, which opened April 11 to a sold-out house, met Corigliano’s vision with equal ambition in a compelling performance that made clear Shepherd’s educational philosophy and aspirations for the next 50 years."

Thank you to San Francisco Classical Voice for this review of our recent production of John Corigliano's The Ghosts of Versailles!

John Corigliano’s The Ghosts of Versailles Marks a Major Anniversary in Houston Patricia Racette directs this top-notch production at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, which welcomed its first class 50 years ago.

Join us for our final faculty recitals, guest artist master classes, and special events of the 24/25 school year!

All listed events are free, general admission. Learn more at music.rice.edu.

Toi, toi, toi to Shepherd alum Lauren Snouffer ('09) and 24-25 Aleko Endowed Artist Ryan McKinny on the opening night of Missy Mazzoli's Breaking the Waves with Houston Grand Opera! 👏

Photos by Lynn Lane, provided courtesy of HGO.

“I feel that I’ve gotten to know my students, my peers and everybody in and around the Shepherd School of Music community,” said Miguel Harth-Bedoya. “This concert is a very special turning point for me in which I get to fully transition into the faculty.”

Our final Symphony Orchestra concert of the 24/25 school year is Fri, Apr 25 at 7:30pm. Featuring music by Gabriela Ortiz, Sam Wu ('24), Ravel, and Elgar. Join us to bid farewell to our graduating students and welcome our new Director of Orchestras! Tickets: https://bit.ly/3RbqVcn

Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra welcomes new leader Miguel Harth-Bedoya with ‘New Beginnings’ concert The concert marks Miguel Harth-Bedoya’s first time conducting the Symphony Orchestra since joining the Shepherd School faculty as distinguished resident director of orchestras and professor of conducting.

Shepherd School's Dean, Matthew Loden, joined Rice representatives at the Texas State Capitol for the official recognition of April 14th as "Rice Day," and a special acknowledgement of the Shepherd School's 50th Anniversary. Go Owls! 🦉🏛️

STUDENT NEWS | Jaewon Wee is performing internationally this week with the Korea National University of Arts Symphony Orchestra!

On Monday, Jaewon performed Brahms’ Double Concerto in Seoul alongside cellist Sang Hyeok Park and led by conductor Chi-Yong Chung. She will repeat the performance this Friday in Abu Dhabi 🛩️🎻

Jaewon Wee is an Artist Diploma student of Cho-Liang Lin. Photos provided courtesy of Jaewon.

Lincoln Center has recently announced the New York premiere of Matthew Aucoin's Music for New Bodies this July — a work that premiered at our very own Brockman Hall for Opera in 2024!

Music for New Bodies is a co-commission of the Shepherd School, Da Camera, AMOC*, LA Opera, and the Aspen Music Festival and School.

To celebrate the new staging of the work, we are sharing a recording of the world premiere for one week only, Apr 15 – Apr 22. Watch now: https://bit.ly/4ievxcA

Photos by Lynn Lane from the Apr 20, 2024 performance of Music for New Bodies, directed by Peter Sellars.

Reliving the magic of John Corigliano's "The Ghosts of Versailles" this past weekend 💫

📷 : Lynn Lane

The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra principal bassoonist William Short ('12) led a private master class today with bassoon students of Professor Benjamin Kamins.

Also on the scene, Houston Symphony bassoonists who all studied with Kamins: Rian Craypo ('06), Isaac Schultz ('17, '19), and Adam Trussell ('05).

Nothing better than seeing our alumni give back, support each other, and inspire the next generation! 🦉🎶

This Thursday, world-renowned violinist Leila Josefowicz visits the Shepherd School to lead a master class!

Thu, Apr 17 at 4:30pm in Duncan Recital Hall
Free, tickets required: https://bit.ly/4i92O92

Mozart: Violin Sonata in A Major, K.526
Kayleigh Kim (student of Paul Kantor)
Max Milian, piano

Lalo: Symphonie espagnole in D Minor, Op. 21
I. Allegro non troppo
David Hung (student of Cho-Liang Lin)
Neal Kurz, piano

Ravel: Tzigane
Fiona Shea (student of Kathleen Winkler)
Charlie Tauber, piano

Led by director Tom Jaber, the Rice Chorale performs music by Franz Biebl, Zev Malina, Eric Whitacre, and John Corigliano this Monday.

Free, general admission
🕓 Mon, Apr 14 at 4:15pm
📍 Edythe Bates Old Recital Hall

Please note there will not be a livestream for this program.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4ieBKp0

Can you believe our final Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra performance of the 24/25 season is almost here? Join us for "New Beginnings" on Fri, Apr 25 at 7:30pm to welcome our new Director of Orchestras Miguel Harth-Bedoya and bid farewell to our beloved graduating students. https://bit.ly/3RbqVcn

📷 : Anthony Rathbun

We are thrilled to announce that David Chan, longtime concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music and Juilliard, will join the Shepherd School of Music faculty as Professor of Violin starting in the fall of 2025.

“I’ve had the privilege of making music at the very highest level for the past 25 years in one of the world’s great orchestras," said Chan. "Now the time has come in my career to share everything I’ve learned with the young people who represent the future of our magnificent art.”

David Chan joins the Shepherd School faculty after serving a remarkable 25 seasons as concertmaster of the Met Orchestra. Read more: https://bit.ly/3XUp3Z9

A world of fantasy, hilarity, and boundless imagination awaits. John Corigliano's The Ghosts of Versailles—Fri, Apr 11 & Sun, Apr 13! https://bit.ly/3QvoroC

Please note that Friday's performance is sold out. $25 standby tickets are now available.

📷 : Lynn Lane

William Fedkenheuer (‘98), former student of Kathleen Winkler, was recently named Toronto Summer Music Festival's next Artistic Director!

A two-time GRAMMY nominee, Will is a member of the Miró Quartet and professor at the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas. Plus, just last week, he stepped in as second violinist with the Juilliard String Quartet! 🎻