02/19/2025
For today's UA Composition Spotlight, we're featuring Mason McCool.
Mason is from Gordo, AL and is pursuing a bachelor's in Music Composition.
Mason's pronouns are he/him.
You can find his music at www.masonmccoolmusic.com and & on Instagram.
Here are Mason’s answers to the following questions:
What are you listening to right now?
Answer: "A whole wide range of music. Ēriks Ešenvalds, Howard Shore, Rend Collective, Lizzy McAlpine, jake minch - everything!"
What inspires you?
Answer: “Everything and everyone around me. There is music in everything and inside of everyone, and we get to discover that music for ourselves - how beautiful that is!"
What kind of music do you like to write?
Answer: “Mostly accompanied and unaccompanied choral music, a ca****la arrangements, solo piano works; I've also started composing more for orchestras! In everything I compose, I try to convey a story, a feeling, a description of the world around me."
Why did you choose The University of Alabama?
Answer: “I'll be honest and say it was for the scholarships; however, once I got here, I realized just how incredible the School of Music is and how many opportunities there are for student success. This truly is the place where legends are made."
What are some of your recent accomplishments?
Answer: “One of my choral compositions, 'Psalm 23,' will be performed this semester with the UA University Singers as they go on tour to Germany!"
01/27/2025
For today's UA Composition Spotlight, we're featuring James Romines.
James is from Huntsville, AL and is pursuing a bachelor's in Music Composition.
James's pronouns are he/him.
Here are his answers to the following questions:
What are you listening to right now?
Answer: "Indie Pop and Indie Rock."
What inspires you?
Answer: “I really love exploring new ideas and genres."
What kind of music do you like to write?
Answer: “I currently write mostly classical and rock, but I also like to branch out."
Why did you choose The University of Alabama?
Answer: “The music faculty and staff. They are really passionate about music and really passionate about the students. They make me want to learn more about music and I love them a lot!"
01/22/2025
For today's UA Composition Spotlight, we're featuring Charles Vaughan.
Charles is from Georgia, and is pursuing a bachelor's in Music Composition.
Here are Charles’s answers to the following questions:
What are you listening to right now?
Answer: "Bird calls."
What inspires you?
Answer: “Learning new things."
What kind of music do you like to write?
Answer: “Experimental, yet casual."
01/13/2025
For today's UA Composition Spotlight, we're featuring Harrison Bruner.
Harrison is from Highland, AR and is pursuing a doctorate in Music Performance.
Harrison's pronouns are he/him.
Here are Harrison’s answers to the following questions:
What are you listening to right now?
Answer: "Right now, a lot of Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, and Kendrick Lamar."
What inspires you?
Answer: “My love of music, performance, teaching, and my amazing family and friends (especially my wife)!"
What kind of music do you like to write?
Answer: “I love writing chamber music, and music for horn!"
Why did you choose The University of Alabama?
Answer: “When I applied to UA, my primary professor, Skip Snead, immediately made me feel at home. Roll Tide!"
What are some of your recent accomplishments?
Answer: “I was recently named the winner of the 2024 International Horn Society Premier Soloist Competition, and I was awarded the Gretchen Snedeker Prize at the 2024 International Horn Competition of America!"
