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NEWS & UPDATES

May 23, 2025

Gabriel Crouch Featured on RTÉ News Culture File Radio Hour

Gabriel Crouch, Director of Choral Activities, was recently interviewed for RTÉ News' Culture File segment, speaking about Jóhann Jóhannsson's choral work Drone Mass and his love for teaching.

"I spent the early part of my career as a singer in the six-person a cappella group, the King's Singers. I got very used to a whole decade of consensual democracy in music making, and I think maybe what happened was I just wanted to make decisions for myself and kind of find my own way to musical answers for a little bit. So I think that was one of the things that got me really interested in conducting. But to be honest, it's never really been conducting that fascinated me. I really like teaching... I think of all my conducting work [at Princeton] as really being connected to teaching." —Gabriel Crouch

Professor Wendy Heller Guides Graduate Seminar Through Rare Handel Materials at the Scheide Library

Scheide Professor of Music History and Director of Undergraduate Studies, Wendy Heller, brought her graduate class to the Scheide Library to see some of our Handel holdings, including prints from songs in the operas “Admeto” and “Giulio Cesare,” as well as a mid-18th century English manuscript of 26 opera arias, two of which went unrecorded.

Graduate Student Soo Yeon Lyuh Performs Korean Haegeum at Citi Field for AAPI Heritage Night

During the seventh inning stretch, Graduate student Soo Yeon Lyuh led 30,000+ fans at Citi Field in singing an American baseball classic while playing a traditional two-stringed Korean bowed instrument - the haegeum. 

Soo Yeon was invited to perform “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” as part of the Mets annual AAPI Heritage Night. “It’s fun, it’s meaningful, and it’s definitely something I’ll never forget,” Lyuh said about the experience.

In 2016, she began composing music — “something I had never expected to do, but which quickly became a profound passion” — and then began looking into schooling for it.

"I knew I needed a school that would not only challenge me artistically, but also honor my unique background. I was searching for a place that would respect my identity as both a performer and a scholar rooted in Korean traditional music.”

She found just that with the Music Department at Princeton.

“Princeton was the only place where I felt I could truly belong. The composition department is experimental and innovative, yet deeply philosophical and musically grounded. It encourages bold exploration while embracing each artist’s individuality. In this open-minded and supportive environment, I’ve grown immensely—not only as a composer, but as a musician and thinker.”

Photo credit: Maddy Pryor / Princeton University Office of Communications

Congratulations to the Class of 2025!

Wishing you all the best of luck in all your future endeavors.

Senior Spotlight Q&A

We’re proud to congratulate some of the amazing seniors within the Music Department! Upwards and onwards!

Thomas Verrill

Hometown: Matthews, NC

Instrument(s): Trombone

Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering

Minors: Music; Music Performance (Jazz Trombone); Computer Science

Describe a favorite moment/s related to music as you look back on your time on campus.

In the Spring of my first year here, the Creative Large Ensemble hosted pianist/composer Orrin Evans as a guest composer for the jazz festival. Not only were the compositions we played fantastic, but during the concert, the song order was not set beforehand but instead was chosen by Orrin in real time. I remember feeling a nervous excitement throughout the entire concert; I loved that both the performers and the audience didn't know what to expect. I have several other fond memories from that concert, including one of my first improvised solos that I was proud of, as well as a wild tenor saxophone solo from a CLE alumn, Preston, where he was chirping like a bird. The whole time I felt extremely present in the music, and the experience made me certain I wanted to continue with jazz at Princeton.

Cassadie Royalty

Hometown: Oklahoma City, OK

Instrument(s): Marimba, Percussion, Piano

Major: English

Minors: Music, Creative Writing

How does pursuing a music minor fit into your life plans?

I plan to be a music teacher!

William Yang

Hometown: Keller, TX

Instrument(s): Voice

Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering

Minors: Music Performance (Voice); Computer Science

With whom on the music faculty/staff have you particularly enjoyed working, and why?

I’ve most enjoyed working with David Kellett, my voice teacher, who has been the most influential person in both my vocal and musical development at Princeton. Beyond being an exceptional teacher, he’s also a great friend—kind, witty, wise, and deeply relatable. His support and guidance have shaped not only how I sing, but also how I connect with music and express myself as an artist.

Jenia Marquez

Hometown: New York, NY

Instrument(s): Voice

Major: Linguistics

Minors: Music Performance (Choral Conducting);    French Language and Culture

Describe a favorite moment/s related to music as you look back on your time on campus.

My favorite moment was performing Path of Miracles with the Chamber Choir this past March. It was one of the most incredible musical experiences I have ever had, and perhaps will ever have. Path of Miracles is such a complex and grandiose piece, and to sing it to a nearly sold-out Richardson and receive such a warm audience response (standing ovation!!) was an honor and a privilege.

Chloe Webster

Hometown: Groveland, MA

Instrument(s): Voice

Major: Music

Minors: Music Performance (Voice),

Theater and Music Theater

Thesis: Methods to the Madness: Representations of Mental Difference in Opera and Musical Theatre

Describe a favorite moment/s related to music as you look back on your time on campus.

Singing the soprano solo in PUO and Glee Club's performance of Poulenc's Gloria was a very special experience for me. This has been my favorite piece of choral music for a long time, and getting to sing it with so many of my favorite people on campus was a memory I will treasure forever. I am so grateful to Maestro Pratt, Mike McCormick, and Gabriel Crouch for making this opportunity possible.

Sebastian Castro

Hometown: Guam

Instrument(s): Piano, Voice

Major: Music

Thesis: Solstice, Flutter, Cut It Up

Describe a favorite moment/s related to music as you look back on your time on campus.

I have loved performing at every concert with my Jazz Small Group, but I think I will look back most fondly on the times my friends and I would jam together in the practice rooms– completely spontaneous, not trying to impress anyone.

Kasey Shao

Hometown: Cincinnati, OH

Instrument(s): Piano

Major: Music

Minor: Music Performance (Piano); Engineering Biology

Thesis: “Earthly Desires” – a symphony in four movements

What will you miss most about being at Princeton?

The incredibly easy access to Steinway Pianos! For the past four years, I woke up every day at 6am to practice on either the Rocky common room Steinway B (one of my favorite pianos on campus), the Woolworth basement Steinways, or the Effron Steinways. I especially loved going to the Rocky common room, where I could play Bach for the dining staff bathed in the aroma of the Rocky bakery.

Kyle Tsai

Hometown: Pearland, TX

Instrument(s): Clarinet

Major: Operations Research and Financial Engineering

Minor: Music Performance (Clarinet); Computer Science

What will you miss most about being at Princeton?

My teacher, Jo-Ann Sternberg! She has been such a joy to learn from and has been so helpful throughout my college music journey.

Paolo Montoya

Hometown: Miami, FL

Instrument(s): Drums, Latin Percussion, Guitar, Bass, Voice

Major: Music

Minor: East Asian Studies

Thesis: Unapologetically: Learning to Love

What are you most proud of from your time as an undergraduate student?

The moment I decided to abandon physics as my degree during my sophomore year. There was doubt, anxiety, and a slew of other emotions, but my love for music and songwriting kept me committed, and I am eternally happy that I stayed that way.

Kerrie Liang

Hometown: Brisbane, Australia

Instrument(s): Percussion

Major: Philosophy

Minor: Linguistics; Music Performance (Percussion); Cognitive Science

Who is your favorite composer/musician, and why?

Keiko Abe! She is a pioneering composer and marimbist. I love how she combines traditional Japanese sounds and Western musical forms.

Michelle Liu

Hometown: Edison, NJ

Instrument(s): Percussion

Major: Computer Science

Minor: Linguistics, Music

What non-academic pursuits have you enjoyed on campus?

Playing with Tora Taiko, our traditional Japanese drumming ensemble

Toussaint Ngozi Santicola Jones

Hometown: Albany, NY

Major: Music

Thesis: That Which I Cannot See: Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra

With whom on the music faculty/staff have you particularly enjoyed working, and why?

I've been extremely privileged to receive the mentorship of Professor Ruth Ochs in the study of the construction of orchestral music. She has been ceaselessly committed to fostering my development as an orchestral creator, and has selflessly carved out unbelievable numbers of programming opportunities for my work. At every juncture in my development while at Princeton, Professor Ochs has striven to share with me all that she knows, to understand who I wish to be so as to understand how to edify me, and to challenge me to take my craft to the next level. It is only because of Ruth that I am the musician and person who I am today, and I cherish her friendship.

Senior Sharv Dave Receives Two Senior Thesis Prizes

The Music Department is thrilled to congratulate senior Sharv Dave, who has been awarded the 2025 George A. Miller Prize in Cognitive Science and the 2025 Global India Senior Thesis Prize in STEM!

The George A. Miller Prize in Cognitive Science is given annually to the best interdisciplinary senior thesis in cognitive science, and is funded by the Office of the Dean of the College. Sharv’s thesis, “Spontaneous Thought and the Musical Mind: The Role of Enculturation in Music-Evoked Narratives to Indian Classical Music” was nominated by his adviser Elizabeth Margulis. Sharv will receive the award on Class Day.

The Global India Senior Thesis prize is awarded by the M.S. Chadha Center for Global India for the best undergraduate senior thesis related to Global India themes, with focus on Humanities and Social Sciences fields.

Congratulations on this achievement!

Graduate Student Elizabeth Rouget Wins 2025 Elmer Adler Book Collecting Prize

Graduate Student, Elizabeth Rouget, is one of this year's winners of the Elmer Adler Book Collecting Prize for her collection of 18th century music, libretti, and playbills—an extension of her interests in late 18th-century French musical scores and libretti. Elizabeth will be graduating this spring with a PhD in historical musicology from the Music Department.

The Adler Book Prize was endowed from the estate of Elmer Adler (1884-1962), who was a book and print collector, book designer, and founder of the Graphic Arts Collection at Princeton as well as La Casa del Libro in Puerto Rico. His many years at Princeton were devoted to encouraging students’ interests in collecting and collections.  

Congratulations Elizabeth!

Trenton Arts at Princeton Won Two Telly Awards

Trenton Arts at Princeton (TAP) won two awards for their film "Introducing Saturday Morning Arts: A Documentary"

Learn more about their silver win here

Learn more about their bronze win here

Glee Club Reunions Concert

WHEN: Friday, May 23, 2025, 4:30 pm

WHERE: Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall

Click here for Glee Club performance info

PUO Reunions Firework Concert

WHEN: Saturday, May 24, 2025, 8:00 pm

WHERE: Princeton Stadium, Powers Field

Click here for more info about PUO reunions concert

Ah, Golden Hairs: Music by English Catholic Recusants

WHEN: Saturday, May 31, 2025, 1:30 pm

WHERE: McAlpin Rehearsal Room, Woolworth Center

Click here for more performance info

The 36th Raritan River Music Festival

Featuring Laura Oltman (Princeton Music Classical Guitar Teacher) and Michael Newman, Guitar Duo, with the Bergamot Quartet. Performing music from the NEW World: 21st-century masterpieces, including compositions by Lowell Liebermann, Daniel Binelli, Ledah Finck, Caroline Shaw, Payton MacDonald

Saturday, May 24, 2024 at 7:30 PM

Stanton Reformed Church, 1 Stanton Mountain Rd, Stanton, NJ 08885

Click here for more information about the festival: http://www.RaritanRiverMusic.org

Raritan River Music is the national winner of the “Award for Adventurous Programming” presented by Chamber Music America/ASCAP. Building on that tradition of dynamic programming with an eye to the future of the art form, this concert by Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo and Bergamot Quartet will feature RRM-commissioned music by Daniel Binelli and Lowell Liebermann composed for the Duo, along with the premiere performance of a new string quartet by NJ composer Payton MacDonald, plus selections by Bergamot violinist and composer Ledah Finck and Pulitzer Prize- and Grammy Award-winning Princeton University alum Caroline Shaw.

Raritan River Music Festival will present a series of four concerts throughout the month of May. All details about performers and composers, online streaming, musician videos, and other festival details can be found at the website. All festival concerts take place inside historic venues in scenic settings throughout western New Jersey. The venues are fully accessible for people using wheelchairs and walkers. The festival comprises four concerts on Saturday evenings in May, and then recorded concert broadcasts will be streamed through YouTube Premieres for one week beginning on Sunday following each concert.

Laura Oltman, Co-Founding Artistic Director, explains, “As we approach the 250th Anniversary of American Independence, along with New Jersey’s history as one of the founding thirteen colonies, we are reminded of the vast artistic creativity of the diverse cultures in the US, one of the genuinely revolutionary cornerstones of our society, reflected in our country’s motto e pluribus unum – out of many, one.”

Michael Newman, the other Founding Director of Raritan River Music adds, “Raritan River Music continues to serve as a community leader, providing programs of music creation and presentation, educational and therapeutic enrichment, working tirelessly to support the mission of Creating Our Cultural Heritage Today!”

Please submit any event or news you would like to share with the Department of Music students, faculty, and staff in future iterations of the Synthesizer.