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Thanks to those of you who sent an alumni news update to us after seeing the new digital CFA Magazine. Although we know that many of you send your news directly to the academic program from which you graduated, we would love for you to fill out our alumni contact form so we can help to let your classmates know what you’ve been doing.
Here is one that came through last time!
School of Music alumna Jennifer Bouton (2017) released an album of Vivaldi Piccolo Concertos May 10 on PARMA/Navona Records. This landmark recording is the first complete recording of the concerti by an American piccoloist and the first in the Western Hemisphere. In collaboration with Jory Vinikour (harpsichord) and musicians of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Bouton presents the concertos in a conductorless chamber music setting. Live video of the concertos also is available on YouTube.
In recording the complete set of works for sopranino/flautino on the modern piccolo, Bouton aims to expand the standard canon of solo piccolo repertoire and encourage modern performers to investigate the possibilities of ornamentation that live in each of these sparkling compositions. Expressive, lighthearted, technically elaborate, and strikingly beautiful, this collection of works is a stunning showcase of Vivaldi’s colorful concerti, concluding with an exhilarating performance of Paganini’s Caprice No. 11 in C Major to round out the program.
In February, Christopher Pearlberg became the inaugural director of athletic bands at The Catholic University of America. According to the CUA website, the university’s Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics, Kevin Robinson, announced the creation of a pep band dedicated to Catholic University and its athletic programs in October.
"This is an exciting addition to our Catholic University Athletics family," said Robinson. "Chris' passion for music will help us drive the energy and enthusiasm that our pep band will bring as we create the soundtrack for Catholic Athletics."
Pearlberg joins Catholic after spending more than a year as the athletic bands director at St. Mary's College of Maryland. Pearlberg was tasked with the similar role of developing and directing a new college pep band upon his arrival at St. Mary's.
"I am thrilled to join the staff at the Catholic University of America and develop the brand-new pep band," Pearlberg said. "It is an honor to serve in this role; we have exciting plans for creating a thrilling atmosphere both on campus and at athletic events."
Pearlberg holds a bachelor of music/performance degree from Temple University ('12), a master of music/performance degree from Carnegie Mellon University School of Music ('14), and a doctorate of music, literature and performance degree from Indiana University ('20).
His extensive teaching background includes time spent at St. Mary's Ryken in Leonardtown, Md., and Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H. Pearlberg also has teaching experience at the Luzerne Music Center in Luzerne, N.Y., the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Campbellsville University, and Timberlane Regional School District in Plaistow, N.H.
BXA alumnus Stefan Romero (2019) was named the artistic director of “America’s Tapestry,” an exhibition celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary in 2026. Comprised of 13 embroidered panels, this modern interpretation of Bayeux Tapestry visually narrates stories from America’s 13 colonies. Each panel depicts a figure from an historically underrepresented group in each colony who displayed an act of courage or ingenuity during our country’s creation.
Romero will design the panels in collaboration with historical organizations representing each of the original 13 colonies — now states. The execution of the embroidery will be completed by needleworkers within each of those states from 2025 to 2026. An appropriate gallery space will be designated to house the completed tapestry in 2026.
Image: representative of what the mural may entail; it was used to help secure funding for the exhibition.
Find out what alumni are doing across the School of Architecture, School of Art, School of Design, School of Drama, School of Music and BXA Intercollege Degree Programs.
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