A blog by music students at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County
At UMBC, students and faculty alike are researching and performing works by composers left out of the canon, often due to racism and misogyny. Many of our blog posts feature lesser-known composers and musical genres that we feel should be widely known and appreciated. In so doing, we are expanding our reach beyond strictly European music to examine global genres that have mixed with European musical styles, often due to colonialism and/or the forced migration of slavery. We are committed to highlighting previously unheard voices, and we hope you enjoy and learn from our work!
American composer and bandleader Francis Johnson. Image from the National Portrait Gallery.
In 2024, Bethan Cruise graduated from UMBC with a BA in Music Performance and a BA in Modern Language Linguistics, specializing in Chinese Language and Culture. With these two passions she aims to shape a career that bridges artistic expression with cultural exploration and appreciation. As a Fulbright semi-finalist, Bethan has demonstrated her commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and enriching communities with new methods of utilizing music to promote cultural exchange.
JeanPaul Tauler is a live and studio sound engineer and guitarist with an associate degree in music from PGCC. He is currently studying music technology at UMBC. With a background in classical guitar, he founded the alternative-metal band Knives With Names, which has enjoyed local success. The band has opened for national acts such as Lacey Sturm, Islander, and Out of Darkness, and released an album in 2024.
The Music Department at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County offers a B.A. in music with five concentrations: Performance, Composition, Music Technology, Jazz Studies, and Music Education. All of our major tracks reside in a liberal arts setting and promote performance, ensemble work, and music scholarship in making well-rounded, 21st-century musicians. We pride ourselves on our individual attention to students and our supportive, close-knit community.
For more information, visit music.umbc.edu.
Earl and Darielle Linehan Concert Hall
This blog is edited and maintained by Dr. Lindsay Johnson. Contact her at lmjohnson@umbc.edu.