Whistling Hens, comprised of Natalie Groom (Affiliate Artist of Clarinet at UMBC) and soprano Jennifer Piazza-Pick (Director of Music & Professor of Music (Voice) at Queens University of Charlotte) are the recipients of the inaugural Iranian Female Composers Association Award. An award accepted in partnership with composer Mojgan Misaghi, the award contributes to a new commission to come in 2024.

Mojgan Misaghi is an Iranian composer, violinist, and improviser based in Texas. Misaghi explores the relationship between language, culture, and music, and her structures are inspired by Persian Literature. Misaghi is the winner of the Texas New Music Ensemble Student Composer Competition, and Misaghi's music has been performed by ensembles including Eighth Blackbird, Texas New Music Ensemble, loadbang Ensemble, and Kazoku Quartet, and she received commissions from the Indiana Art Commission and the University of Houston public art.

Follow this project at linktr.ee/whistlinghens.

Another exciting morning at UMBC! At today’s undergraduate commencement, twenty-five GES majors donned their caps and gowns and walked on stage to receive their degrees. Our first photo features, from left to right: Amal Hussain, Thirandie Bambaradeniya, Aaron Chin, Sarah Johnson, and Langston Smith. The second photo includes the same students along with Dr.’s Andy Miller, Maggie Holland, and Alan Yeakley.

We’re fortunate for their hard work, their aptitude, and for the support they have provided to other GES students in their studies. (That upperclassmen wisdom goes a long way!) This is only the beginning for these twenty-five bright and promising futures. Best of luck!

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This morning was UMBC's graduate commencement ceremony! We had several students from our GES department in attendance, and we'd love to highlight them! The first photo features, from left to right: Selenea Gibson, Drew Powell, Rhonda Plofkin, Mackenzie Bodman, and Valerie Parson. The second photo features Mackenzie and Valerie along with Dr. Maggie Holland.

We're grateful to have so many smart, talented, and hardworking young scholars in our department. We thank them for their years of dedication, and we wish them the very best in their futures!