UMArtsandMedia

Join us for a sneak preview of Julia Galloway’s Endangered Species Project, featuring her hand‑carved urns honoring threatened flora and fauna. This intimate look at her work highlights the beauty, fragility, and urgency of the natural world.

Wednesday, July 15, 5-7 p.m., Gallery of Arts (Social Science Bldg.).

https://grizhub.umt.edu/event/12501199?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_XTG2NYLcOyQZJuJDRu7Y89Yz4rrFtat3RNhfu9qAsqzAzozAxhVbvSAdiQPdrnYHh_0sZR1isBW55WJKkLZpV21nFjRpAZuOme9rMNLV0S1gra6E&_hsmi=428230395&utm_content=428230395&utm_source=hs_email

University of Montana Journalism School Podcast named to Apple Podcasts’ 2026 "Best-So-Far" List. Congratulations to the students and alumni, Jule Banville, and Jad Abumrad for their work on "The Obit Project."

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/room/6779370021

University of Montana School of Journalism

Best So Far 2026 on Apple Podcasts Listen to the latest selections from our editors.

Your support makes a lasting difference.

Learn more about the vision for the Music Building’s future in our Spring Raising Montana newsletter: https://bit.ly/4wkiAW2

Explore ways to support the project or connect with our team here: https://bit.ly/4vHW7m8

Welcome to the UM School of Music Professor Brenda Griggs!

We are so excited to announce Prof. Brenda Griggs has been appointed the Interim Assistant Professor of Music Education in the UM School of Music!

Before coming to the University of Montana, Professor Griggs taught elementary music and beginning band for 22 years at Hawthorne Elementary in the Missoula County Public Schools. She is currently the Forte Children’s Choir director for the Missoula Family of Choirs. Professor Griggs has also taught elementary music at Lowell Elementary and Russell Elementary in Missoula, K-12 Music at Briggsdale School in Colorado and Band and Choir at Payson Middle School in Utah.

Professor Griggs is certified in Orff, level I and II and Kodaly, level I and II. She is a founding member of the professional music organization, “Big Sky Kodaly” and has served in numerous leadership positions in “Treasure State Orff.” She has over 30 years of experience working with young musicians, in both public school and private organizations. Professor Griggs has taught private piano lessons for 20 years and has performed on French Horn in local music ensembles.

Welcome to the UM School of Music, Dr. Smith!

We are thrilled to announce the hiring of Dr. Andrew Smith in the position of Clinical Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Montana School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Dr. Smith comes to Missoula with an extensive career as a performer in orchestral, jazz, Broadway, and commercial settings. A passionate teacher, Dr. Smith has been a clinician on three continents and his own private studio students have achieved great success in collegiate and professional arenas. Full bio below.

Dr. Andrew Smith is Clinical Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Montana. As a versatile performer and educator, Smith brings extensive Broadway experience to his teaching including an active career spanning orchestral, chamber, jazz, and commercial music. He has performed in numerous touring productions across the United States, Australia, Japan, and China, including Kinky Boots, 42nd Street, A Christmas Story, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and many others. From 2005 to 2012, Smith also served as a featured soloist with the Tony Award–winning production Blast!, performing hundreds of shows on national and international tours. During his time in Phoenix, he was a regular performer with the Phoenix Theatre Company. His Phoenix Theatre Company credits include Jersey Boys, Into the Woods, Frozen the Musical, Ever After, and Les Miserables.

As an orchestral musician, Smith has performed with the Phoenix Symphony, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Norman Philharmonic, Arizona Pops Orchestra, Symphony of the Southwest, West Valley Symphony, among others. He is also an active chamber musician, performing with the Phoenix Brass Collective and DFW Brass Quintet. His recent recording credits include the Grammy nominated album Impossible Dream by Aaron Lazar, The Rivals of Amziah King soundtrack, and Echoes of Grace by Patti Drennon.

As an educator, Smith has previously held positions as Interim Professor of Trumpet at Oklahoma Baptist University and as adjunct faculty in audio engineering at the University of Central Oklahoma. He also maintains an active private studio. His students have regularly achieved success, gaining acceptance into leading music schools across the country, securing consistent job placement in secondary music education, professional performance engagements, and earning recognition at the International Trumpet Guild and the National Trumpet Competition. As a guest artist and clinician, he has worked with university and secondary band programs across the United States, Japan, Australia, and Costa Rica for over 20 years.

Dr. Smith holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance from Arizona State University. His doctoral project, “Chopin’s Nocturnes for Trumpet: A Study in Bel Canto Through Transcription and Performance Practice” examines the benefits of performing these works by Chopin on the trumpet as a unique pedagogical tool for developing better phrasing, rubato, and musicality. He holds two Master of Music degrees from the University of Oklahoma in Trumpet Performance and Instrumental Wind Conducting where he served as a graduate conducting associate, working with Dr. Shanti Simon and Professor Brian Britt. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance from Southern Nazarene University.

He is grateful to his primary trumpet teachers which include Josef Burgstaller, Karl Sievers, Ricky Spears, Doug Lindsey, and Edward Reid. Dr. Smith is a member of the International Trumpet Guild, the American Federation of Musicians, and the College Music Society.

Congratulations to Ronnie Avansino, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design and Technology and serving as the College of the Arts and Media’s Graduation Convocation keynote speaker.

Be sure to follow the link to learn more about Ronnie; she’s going places.

Setting the Stage: UM Graduate Going Places With Theatre Design Cue the lights, set the stage and take a look behind the scenes of Ronnie Avansino, a University of Montana senior about to graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design and Technology from UM’s College of the Arts and Media.

The School of Theatre and Dance celebrates significant interdisciplinary accomplishments by its students and faculty in collaboration with the Franke Global Leadership Initiative.

Following the presentation of their GLI Capstone Project, KNOW FEAR, at UMCUR, Morgan Davis, Barrett Clement, Sophie Sproull, Fiona Carson, Cosley Bruno, and Penny Meredyk, in collaboration with faculty mentor Mark Plonsky, were awarded top honors, receiving the Best Capstone Project award.

Congratulations, UM School of Theatre and Dance students and Professor Plonsky!

Want to hear a story? Obituaries are one of the oldest forms of journalism. Listen to the new podcast series from the University of Montana School of Journalism and the Montana Media Lab, featuring Jule Banville and Jad Abumrad.

A new podcast from the University of Montana is transforming how we tell one of journalism’s oldest stories: the obituary.

“The Obit Project,” a 12-episode series from the Montana Media Lab, pairs student journalists with professional mentors to create richly reported audio obituaries. These stories go beyond dates and facts to explore the meaning, memory, and humanity behind each life.

What began as a classroom assignment in feature writing has evolved into a powerful storytelling experiment - one that challenges students to listen deeply, report thoughtfully, and connect with people in moments of loss.

🎧 New episodes are released weekly and available on major podcast platforms, with select stories airing on Montana Public Radio.

Listen and hear how UM students are redefining storytelling.

https://bit.ly/UMobitproj

Congratulations, Michael Cassens!

The Office of Research and Creative Scholarship (ORCS) has recognized Cassens, Assistant Professor of the School of Media Arts and Director of UM Esports, as one of four "ORCS Stars of the Year, individuals whose work exemplifies excellence, innovation, and meaningful impact."

Graduating this spring? Want a chance to win Zootown Festival passes or a portable speaker? Take 5 minutes to complete the UM Graduation Survey and be entered to win. Your story inspires the next generation of UM Alum.