The Real World awaits YOU...
"The world of music is a vast and ever-changing field that is influenced by culture, politics, economics, and ultimately through the performance of the individual artist. Artistry is realized through dynamic learning experiences that lead to personal accomplishment. The Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach is proud to offer these experiences. You are about to enter the real world of music that awaits you at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music." —John Carnahan, Director
...Welcome to our world.
Current News
University Percussion Group takes First in California PAS
Congratulations to The University Percussion Group who placed first in the California PAS (Percussion Arts Society) College Percussion Ensemble Competition. They are pictured with a new Yamaha snare drum awarded to the first-place ensemble from Yamaha Percussion. Six ensembles competed from BCCM, CSU Sacramento, San Jose, Bob Allen Music, Fullerton, and Chapman.
Congratulations to Nick Gilroy as well, who placed second in the solo College Multi-Percussion Division. The University Percussion Group just completed their first tour, performing at the California Day of Percussion in Fresno on April 19.
Dr. Gerhart gave a presentation at the conference entitled "The 21st Century Percussionist: Today, Tomorrow, and the Future."
BCCM wins high honors at National Trumpet Competition
Congratulations to Tony Belletti, Devin Henderson, Esther Hood, Casey Martin, Jackson Niebrugge, Drew Ninmer, and Kurt Peregrine for playing an extraordinary performance under pressure; they were flawless, exciting, rock-solid, and represented the Cole Conservatory well.
More information about the competition and their performance is on the Trumpet Competition page.
TED2013 videos
The BCCM Chamber Choir sang for Grammy-winning composer Eric Whitacre's final speech of TED2013, performing Cloudburst.
BCCM undergraduates Beth Wightwick and Jake Tickner were selected by the composer to perform the solos. Stephen Salts, graduate choral assistant, prepared the ensemble for this performance of Cloudburst.
More information about the performance, with video and behind-the-scenes footage, can be found at the BCCM TED page.
New Music Virtuosos at the BCCM March 2013
Saturday, March 16th
The ensemble DuoSolo (Michael Kirkendoll, piano, and Mary Fukushima, flute) are playing a concert of new music in Daniel Recital Hall. The concert is scheduled for 8 p.m. ($10/$7).
Friday and Saturday, March 22-23
The world renowned Kronos String Quartet will be on campus! On Friday afternoon at 1:30 the members of the quartet will be doing workshops with our student composers. We'll start with a brief session in Daniel Recital Hall with the quartet, and move to breakout sessions with the four quartet members in various classrooms within the conservatory. From 4:00-5:30 in the Engineering Building, the quartet, along with various scientists and other musicians, will take part in a panel discussion about the creation of the multimedia work Sun Rings which they will be performing on Saturday night. On Saturday in CPAC, the Kronos Quartet, joined by a chorus from the BCCM will perform Sun Rings.
Monday, March 25th
Bass clarinetist and composer Michael Lowenstern is visiting campus.
- 3-4 p.m., Clarinet masterclass, DRH
- 4:30-5:45, composers colloquium, DRH
- 8 p.m., Michael Lowenstern Concert, DRH ($10/$7)
Frank Pooler 1926-2013
It is with great sadness that the Bob Cole Conservatory announces the passing of Frank Pooler, Director of Choral Activities at CSULB from 1959-1988. Frank was an extraordinary choral director, active in ACDA, and a great proponent of expanding the repertoire of new choral music. In an 1975 article for the ACDA Choral Journal, he wrote:
"Yes, a great number of interesting and expressive avenues will be opening to us. It is my hope that we will have the curiosity and boldness to explore all of them in order that we may share with our singers the joy of an expanding technique and repertoire that will enable us to grow musically as we become at home with all that the future brings."
"Frank was unique in his ability to nurture talent and give it wings to fly," said Leland Vail, a former student and long-time faculty member of BCCM.
Pooler is most well known for his association with The Carpenters; Karen and Richard Carpenter sang in his choirs. They credit Pooler with teaching them voice blending. Pooler was instrumental in their ability to sound the same in live performance as in their recordings, instructing them to rehearse for blend, balance, and impeccable intonation. Karen said of Pooler, "He was the only one down there who actually understood what we were after, and he stood behind us all the way."
Pooler and Richard Carpenter co-wrote Merry Christmas, Darling, now a standard heard every holiday season. It hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts when it was released in 1970.
A memorial service is scheduled for 4:00pm Feb. 23 at Grace First Presbyterian Church, 3955 Studebaker Road, Long Beach. A celebration of his life is being planned for Fall, 2013 in the Karen and Richard Carpenter Performing Arts Center at CSULB.
Cole Conservatory Concurrent Masters of Music and Masters of Arts Degree candidates
The Cole Conservatory is now officially accpeting applications from students who wish to enroll in the MM and MA degree programs concurrently.
News Archive
To learn more about past news events at the Cole Conservatory, please visit our news archive.
