It is difficult to believe that 11 years have passed since the University of Tennessee music world crossed a major threshold by moving into a new home, the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center. Along with the natural growth and expansion of programs, those 11 years have also included an evolution of the School of Music to the College of Music in 2023 followed by a renaming this year to the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music. This contribution comes about as a reflection of Haslam’s continued dedication to supporting music and the arts in Knoxville.
As part of its continued programming expansion, the College of Music will launch the Natalie Haslam Distinguished Artist/Lecturer Residency Series beginning in February, 2025. The series is intended to install world-class artists, musicians, and scholars for residency periods to promote collaboration and offer exposure to music world artistry and expertise. The inaugural residency will bring the Grammy nominated Akropolis Reed Quintet to UTK for a two-day stint that will include an open dress rehearsal preceding an evening concert, followed the next day by lectures and masterclasses that reflect the quintet’s approach to chamber music.
The evening concert—free and open to the public—will be on Monday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m. in Natalie L. Haslam Music Center’s Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall. The performance will showcase the Quintet’s innovative programming, including the world premiere of a new work written by award-winning composer Ryan Lindveit, Lecturer of Music Theory & Composition in the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music.
From the college’s website:
“Now in their 16th season, Akropolis is a trailblazing reed quintet described by The Wire as a “collective voice driven by real excitement and a sense of adventure.” Known for their dynamic performances, the ensemble has topped the Classical Billboard Charts with their last three albums, including a #2 placement in April 2024. With over 120 concerts and educational events delivered worldwide each year, Akropolis continues to redefine the possibilities of their unique instrumentation, having premiered or commissioned more than 150 works by living composers. Since their founding in 2009, the original five members have remained committed to fostering innovation and excellence in the arts, earning accolades such as the 2014 Fischoff Gold Medal and praise from Gramophone for their compelling performances.”
In coming years, the Akropolis Reed Quintet residency will be followed in the series by other influential artists brought to the UT campus. The series reflects the College’s commitment to providing students with transformative, real-world experiences that prepare them for successful careers in music.
For more information about the residency schedule, please visit the Natalie L. Haslam Distinguished Artist/Lecturer Series webpage.
