Tower-Fall-2018

4 TOWER | FALL 2018 KU’s Department of Music has been named the recipient of a DownBeat Student Music Award (SMA). KU’s Blues and Rock Ensemble I took the prize for Undergraduate College Outstanding Performance in the category of Blues/Pop/Rock Group. The group is under the direction of Dr. Kevin Kjos, director of jazz studies and professor of trumpet at KU since 1998. Kutztown is the only institution of higher education in Pennsylvania to receive a 2018 Student Music Award. DownBeat magazine is the premier jazz magazine for professional jazz musicians as well as those who contribute to the industry, like producers, engineers, advertisers and students. For its awards, institutions nationwide submit recordings in a variety of categories. Panels of respected jazz performers and educators select winners and outstanding performance citations. The DownBeat Student Music Awards, founded in 1976, are considered the most prestigious awards in jazz education. This is the first ensemble award for the Jazz and Commercial Studies from DownBeat . Kristin Grassi Cochran won for Best College Jazz Vocalist in 2007. “We are so proud of our students and faculty in the Department of Music,” said Dr. Michelle Kiec, dean, Kutztown University College of Visual and Performing Arts. “This recognition validates what we already know, that Kutztown University is an exceptional music program full of talented students who are doing great things. DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC WINS PRESTIGIOUS DOWNBEAT AWARD ROTHERMEL After a year of renovations and infrastructure improvements, Rothermel Hall is once again housing KU students. The building, which opened in 1960, was the first permanent residence hall constructed outside of OldMain. The first-ever renovation of the facilitywas funded byHousing andResidential Servic s t a cost f $12.6million. Ameniti s include: M vable furniture in all bedrooms Study lounges and computer lounges on each floor Laundry roomon each floor Recreational/pr gramm ng area i the basement Multipurpose roomwith smart class oom technology A Sensory Room to serve students, registeredwith the KUDisability Services Office, who are on the AutismSpectrumor suffer from anxiety All common areas except for bathrooms, hallways and laundry rooms are air-conditioned. We want to hear fromour alumni about their tim living in Rothermel Hall a d the other residence halls. Email us your m m ries to tower@kutzt wn. du .