Scott A. Lindroth
Professor of Music
I am a composer of instrumental and vocal music. My most recent works are T120, a piano trio composed for the Horszowski Trio (2021) and a Quintet for Soprano Saxophone and String Quartet (2019). My current project is a quartet for flute and three strings, commissioned by the Electric Earth Concert Series.
My teaching centers on technical aspects of music, including classes on music theory, composition, and transcription. I also co-teach a course called "Music and the Brain" with Tobias Overath, a colleague in Psychology and Neuroscience. This class explores the physiology and psychology of hearing and music cognition, a study that has enabled me to reconsider ideas I know well from an entirely different perspective, with the result that "old" ideas have become "new" again. More marginal interests include some aspects of music technology: live sampling and signal processing, sonification, and computer-assisted composition.
Aside from these professional interests, I enjoy working with machine tools as well as motorcycling on back roads in North Carolina.
Current Research Interests
Music Theory
Music and Neuroscience
Interactive Music Media
Current Appointments & Affiliations
- Professor of Music, Music, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2008
- Bass Fellow, Music, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2007
Contact Information
- Box 90665, Durham, NC 27708-0665
- Duke University Department of Music, Box 90665, Durham, NC 27708-0665
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scott.lindroth@duke.edu
(919) 660-3307
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http://www.duke.edu/~scott1
- Background
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Education, Training, & Certifications
- D.M.A., Yale University 1991
- M.A., Yale University 1989
- B.M., Eastman School of Music 1980
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Previous Appointments & Affiliations
- Core Graduate Faculty in Computational Media, Arts & Cultures, Computational Media, Arts & Cultures, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2018 - 2021
- Vice Provost of the Arts, Duke University 2007 - 2018
- Chairman, Department of Music, Music, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2003 - 2009
- Associate Professor of Music, Music, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1998 - 2008
- Kevin D. Gorter Associate Professor of Music in Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, Music, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2002 - 2007
- Assistant Professor, Music, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1991 - 1997
- Lecturer, University, Music, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1990
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Leadership & Clinical Positions at Duke
- Chair, Department of Music, 2003 - 2006
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Academic Positions Outside Duke
- Visiting Assistant Professor of Music, Princeton University. 1995
- Recognition
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In the News
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OCT 6, 2021 Duke Arts -
MAY 21, 2020 Duke Stories -
OCT 9, 2019 -
APR 13, 2018 -
MAR 22, 2016 Duke Today -
MAR 21, 2016 -
MAR 7, 2016 -
MAR 7, 2016 Duke Today -
OCT 6, 2015 The News & Observer -
SEP 9, 2015 -
SEP 9, 2015 Duke Today -
OCT 31, 2013 -
OCT 31, 2013 Duke Today -
OCT 22, 2013 -
OCT 22, 2013 Duke Today -
AUG 2, 2013 WRAL.com -
AUG 2, 2013 Indy Week -
FEB 12, 2013
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Awards & Honors
- Fromm Foundation Commission. Fromm Foundation at Harvard University. November 2017
- William Revelli Composition Contest. National Band Association. December 2011
- Academy Award. American Institute and Academy of Arts and Letters. 1996
- Arts and Letters Awards. American Academy of Arts and Letters. 1996
- Guggenheim Fellowship. Guggenheim Foundation. 1988
- International Society of Contemporary Music Prize. ISCM. 1988
- Koussevitzky Foundation Composition Award. Koussevitzky Foundation. 1988
- New York Foundation for the Arts Grant. New York Foundation for the Arts. 1988
- Rome Prize Fellowship. American Academy in Rome. 1985
- National Endowment for the Arts Grant. National Endowment for the Arts. 1984
- Revson/New York Philharmonic Fellowship. Revson Foundation. 1984
- International Society of Contemporary Music Prize. ISCM. 1983
- Research
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Selected Grants
- MDBF Arts Incubator awarded by Mary Duke Biddle Foundation 2018 - 2023
- Visiting Artist Residency awarded by Winifred Johnson Clive Foundation 2016 - 2017
- Visting Artists awarded by Winifred Johnson Clive Foundation 2014 - 2015
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Fellowships, Supported Research, & Other Grants
- Arts & Sciences Research Council Grant awarded by Duke University 2007
- Howard Foundation Fellowship awarded by Duke University 2002
- Publications & Artistic Works
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Selected Publications
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Academic Articles
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Lindroth, S. A. “Teaching Composition: Artistic Growth Through Confrontation, Tact, Sympathy, and Honest.” Edited by M. Applebaum. Contemporary Music Review 31, no. 4 (2012): 297–304.Link to Item
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Ren, L., D. Dunson, S. Lindroth, and L. Carin. “Dynamic nonparametric bayesian models for analysis of music.” Journal of the American Statistical Association 105, no. 490 (June 1, 2010): 458–72. https://doi.org/10.1198/jasa.2009.ap08497.Full Text Open Access Copy
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Exhibitions, Screenings, & Performances
- Passage | U.S. Marine Band National Tour at Sewell, NJ 2017
- Passage | U.S. Marine Band National Tour at Clifton, NJ 2017
- Passage | U.S. Marine Band National Tour at Dix Hills, NY 2017
- Passage | U.S. Marine Band National Tour at Springfield, MA 2017
- Passage | U.S. Marine Band National Tour at Durham, NH 2017
- Passage | U.S. Marine Band National Tour at St. Albans, VT 2017
- Passage | U.S. Marine Band National Tour at Amherst, MA 2017
- Passage | U.S. Marine Band National Tour at Buffalo, NY 2017
- Passage | U.S. Marine Band National Tour at Fredonia, NY 2017
- Passage | U.S. Marine Band National Tour at Chambersburg, PA 2017
- Ciompi Quartet | premiere 2013
- String Quartet for the Ciompi Quartet | Premiere at Duke University 2013
- UNC-Greensboro Wind Ensemble | CBDNA National Conference at Aycock Auditorium, UNC-Greensboro 2013
- Bell Plates | Performances by Doug Perkins, Omar Caramantes, and others 2011
- Passage and SpinCycle | at Aycock Auditorium, UNC-Greensboro 2011
- Passage | MSU Wind Symphony performance at Michigan State University 2011
- Passage | Passage performed by the MSU Wind Symphony; John Madden, conductor at Michigan State University 2011
- Passage | Passage performed by the UNT Wind Ensemble; Eugene Corporon, conductor at Univerisity of North Texas School of Music 2011
- Passage | UNT Wind Ensemble performance at Univerisity of North Texas School of Music 2011
- Passage | ECU wind symphony performance at ECU School of Music 2011
- Passage | Passage for ECU School of Music wind symphony, Scott Carter conductor at ECU School of Music 2011
- Bell Plates | Bell Plates. Performances by Doug Perkins, Omar Caramantes, and others. 2011
- Passage | Passage performed by the US Marine Band ("The President's Own") at the American Bandmasters Association (ABA) National Conference; Captain Michelle Rakers, conductor. 2011
- Passage | US Marine Band ("The President's Own") performance at American Bandmasters Association (ABA) National Conference, Norfolk, VA 2011
- Small Change | Small Change. Multiple performances by Kevin Clarke and Peter Zlotnik. at various locations 2011
- Bell Plates | Bell Plates, Robert Schulz with Dinosaur Annex at Boston 2008
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. Furman Wind Ensemble; Ray Cramer, cond. 2007
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. Northern Arizona University Wind Ensemble (Flagstaff); Daniel Schmidt, cond. 2007
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. University Wind Symphony; Jajmes Colonna, cond. 2007
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. Liberty University Wind Ensemble. Stephen Kerr, cond. at Virginia, Georgia, Florida 2007
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. Bethel Wind Symphony; Steven B. Thompson, cond. at Bethel University, St. Paul, MN 2007
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. University of Missouri Kansas City Wind Symphony; Steven D. Davis, cond. 2007
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. Eastman Wind Ensemble; Mark Scatterday, cond. 2006
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. FSU Wind Ensemble, Richard Clary, conductor at Florida State University 2006
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. Larvik School of Music Wind Ensemble (Norway). Odd Terje Lysebo, cond. 2006
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Symphony Band;Rodney Winther, cond 2006
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. Illinois Wesleyan University Wind Ensemble; Steve Eggleston, cond. 2006
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. University of Kentucky Wind Ensemble; John Cody Birdwell, cond.;CBDNA Southern Division Conference at Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University 2006
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. Logan Wind Symphony; Ramiro Barrera, cond. at Union City, CA 2006
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. Ithaca College Wind Ensemble; Cynthia Johnson-Turner, cond 2006
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. University of Wisconsin Madison Wind Ensemble; Robert Levy, cond. 2006
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. Kraig Williams, director at Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, The University of Memphis 2005
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. Hartt Wind Ensemble, Glen Asdit, director at Hartt School of Music 2005
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. Oberlin Conservatory Wind Ensemble, H.R. Reynolds, conductor 2005
- Nasuh | Nasuh. Monadnock Music Festival 2005
- The Dolphins | Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. The Dolphins, Susan Narucki, soprano 2005
- Duo for Violins | Duo for Violins at Lawrence Conservatory of Music 2005
- Quartet | Quartet, performed by Tactus at Manhattan School of Music 2005
- Bell Plates | Bell Plates, Douglas Perkins, percussion at Eastman School of Music 2005
- Bell Plates | Bell Plates, Michael Crain, percussion at California State University at Sacremento 2005
- Bell Plates | Bell Plates, Omar Carmenates, percussion at University of North Texas School of Music 2005
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. Fresno State University Wind Ensemble, Larry Sutherland, director 2005
- Bell Plates | Bell Plates, performed by Kevin Clarke at Yale School of Music 2005
- The Dolphins | The Dolphins, Susan Narucki, soprano at American Academy in Rome 2005
- Nasuh | Nasuh. With Susan Narucki (soprano) and the Ciompi Quartet at Nelson Music Room, Duke University 2004
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. YSU Wind Ensemble, Stephen Gage - conductor at Youngstown State University 2003
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. performed by the Eastman Wind Orchestra at Eastman School of Music 2003
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. performed by the UCLA Wind Ensemble, Thomas Lee - conductor at University of California, Los Angeles 2003
- Bell Plates | Bell Plates. Electric Rainbow Coalition Festival, Adam Swilinski - percussion at Dartmouth College 2003
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. North Carolina Wind Orchestra, Michael Votta - conductor at Meymandi Hall, Raleigh 2003
- Quartet | Quartet performed by Zeitgeist at University of Minnesota, Duluth 2003
- Bell Plates | Bell Plates, Adam Swilinski - percussion at Yale University School of Music 2003
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. ECU Wind Ensemble, Scott Carter - conductor at East Carolina University 2003
- Bell Plates | Bell Plates. Southern Exposure Music Festival, Cameron Britt - percussion at University of South Carolina 2003
- Terza Rima | Terza Rima. Southern Exposure Music Festival. Petrea Warneck - oboe at University of South Carolina 2003
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. USC Wind Ensemble, H. Robert Reynolds - conductor. CBDA National Conference at Minneapolis 2003
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. USC Wind Ensemble, H. Robert Reynolds - conductor at University of Southern California 2003
- Quartet | Quartet performed by Zeitgeist at The Southern Theater, Minneapolis 2003
- Quartet | Quartet performed by Zeitgeist at University of Wisconsin, River Falls 2003
- String Quartet | String Quartet, Ciompi Quartet at University of South Carolina 2003
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. Lawrence University wind Ensemble, Robert Levy, cond. 2002
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. UNC Wind Ensemble, Michael Votta - conductor at Raleigh 2002
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. University of North Texas Wind Ensemble, Eugene Corporon, cond. 2002
- Stomp | Stomp. Seattle Symphony; Christopher Kendall, cond. 2002
- Bell Plates | Bell Plates. NCMTA Conference. Cameron Britt, soloist at Salem College 2002
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. University of Connecticut Wind Ensemble. Jeffrey Renshaw, cond. 2002
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. University of Arizona Wind Ensemble. Gary Hill, cond. 2002
- Spin Cycle | Spin Cycle. University of Michigan Wind Ensemble. Michael Haithcock, cond. 2002
- Stomp | Stomp at Lawrence University Conservatory of Music 2001
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Artistic Works & Non-Print Media
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Audio Recordings
- Alarm Calls. Composer. 2015
- Passage. Composer. 2015
- Spin Cycle. Composer. 2015
- Alarm Calls. Composer. 2014
- YTTE. Composer. 2014
- Passage. Composer. 2013
- Bell Plates. Composer. 2012
- Spin Cycle. Composer. 2012
- Spin Cycle. Composer. 2008
- The Dolphins. Composer. 2008
- Chasing the Trane Out of Darmstadt. Composer. 2007
- Human Gestures. Composer. 2007
- Spin Cycle. Composer. 2005
- Small Change. Creator. 2004
- Spin Cycle. Creator. 2003
- The Dolphins. Composer. 2003
- Spin Cycle. Creator. 2002
- Relations to Rigor. Composer. 1992
- Syntax. Creator. 1985
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Mixed Media
- Ensemble of Found Metals. Composer. Digital Media, Installation. 2017
- soundSpace. Composer. Digital Media, Installation. 2008
- Crowded With Voices. Composer. Musical Composition, Video Recording. 2007
- MIX TAPEStry. Composer. Digital Media, Installation, Musical Composition. 2006
- soundSense. Creator. Installation, Musical Composition. 2004
- American Landscape. Creator. Digital Media, Musical Composition. 2002
- Incidental Music for Mao II. Composer. Digital Media, Musical Composition. 2001
- Midde of the Road. Composer. Digital Media, Musical Composition. 2000
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Musical Compositions
- T120. Composer. 2021
- Quintet for Soprano Saxophone and String Quartet. Composer. 2019
- Piano Roll Prosody. Composer. 2017
- Cadences. Composer. 2016
- Eternity's Sunrise. Composer. 2014
- Alarm Calls. Creator. 2013
- Passage. Composer. 2013
- String Quintet. Composer. 2013
- Twitter Music. Composer. 2011
- Passage. Composer. 2010
- YTTE. Composer. 2008
- Azaan. Composer. 2007
- Poetry Garden. Composer. 2007
- Nasuh. Creator. 2003
- Bell Plates. Creator. 2002
- Spin Cycle. Creator. 2001
- Small Change. Composer. 1997
- String Quartet. Composer. 1997
- Glide. Creator. 1996
- Terza Rima. Composer. 1995
- The Dolphins. Creator. 1995
- Big Band. Creator. 1994
- Quartet. Creator. 1994
- January Music. Creator. 1993
- Light. Creator. 1993
- Fantasy for Two Pianos. Creator. 1992
- Duo for Violins. Creator. 1990
- Whistle Stop. Creator. 1990
- Clash and Glitter. Creator. 1989
- In the Middle of the Road. Creator. 1989
- Treatise on Tailor's Dummies. Creator. 1989
- Stomp. Composer. 1988
- A Fire's Bright Song. Creator. 1987
- Relations to Rigor II. Composer. 1987
- Relations to Rigor I. Creator. 1986
- Two Part Invention. Creator. 1986
- Syntax. Composer. 1985
- In the Red Mountains. Creator. 1984
- Pieces of Piano. Creator. 1982
- Chasing the Trane Out of Darmstadt. Creator. 1980
- Two Pieces for Alto Saxophone and Chamber Ensemble. Creator. 1977
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Musical Performances
- missing artistic work. Creator.
- missing artistic work. Creator.
- missing artistic work. Creator.
- missing artistic work. Composer.
- missing artistic work. Composer.
- missing artistic work. Composer.
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- Teaching & Mentoring
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Recent Courses
- CMAC 690S: Special Topics in Computational Media, Arts, and Cultures 2023
- ISS 590S: Special Topics in Information Science + Studies 2023
- LIT 690S: Special Topics in Literature 2023
- MUSIC 281T: Composition I 2023
- MUSIC 381T: Composition II 2023
- MUSIC 465S: Counterpoint 2023
- MUSIC 481T: Advanced Composition 2023
- MUSIC 690S-1: Composition Seminar: Selected Topics 2023
- MUSIC 697: Composition 2023
- MUSIC 698: Composition 2023
- MUSIC 699: Composition 2023
- MUSIC 791: Independent Study 2023
- MUSIC 797: Composition 2023
- MUSIC 798: Composition 2023
- MUSIC 799: Composition 2023
- POE 105: Spring Breakthrough 2023
- ROMST 590S: Seminar in Romance Studies 2023
- VMS 690S: Special Topics in Visual and Media Studies 2023
- MUSIC 162S: Introduction to Composition: Explorations in Musical Time and Space 2022
- MUSIC 281S: Composition Seminar - Transcribing and Arranging Music for Chamber Ensembles 2022
- MUSIC 281T: Composition I 2022
- MUSIC 289: Music and the Brain 2022
- MUSIC 381T: Composition II 2022
- MUSIC 393: Research Independent Study 2022
- MUSIC 481T: Advanced Composition 2022
- MUSIC 690S-1: Composition Seminar: Selected Topics 2022
- MUSIC 697: Composition 2022
- MUSIC 698: Composition 2022
- MUSIC 699: Composition 2022
- MUSIC 791: Independent Study 2022
- MUSIC 797: Composition 2022
- MUSIC 798: Composition 2022
- MUSIC 799: Composition 2022
- NEUROSCI 289: Music and the Brain 2022
- MUSIC 261: Theory and Practice of Tonal Music I 2021
- MUSIC 281S: Composition Seminar - Transcribing and Arranging Music for Chamber Ensembles 2021
- MUSIC 281T: Composition I 2021
- MUSIC 381T: Composition II 2021
- MUSIC 393: Research Independent Study 2021
- MUSIC 481T: Advanced Composition 2021
- MUSIC 697: Composition 2021
- MUSIC 698: Composition 2021
- MUSIC 699: Composition 2021
- MUSIC 791: Independent Study 2021
- MUSIC 797: Composition 2021
- MUSIC 798: Composition 2021
- MUSIC 799: Composition 2021
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Advising & Mentoring
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2018 - Scott Lee
2018 - Benjamin Daniels
2018 - Yahn Wagner
2016 - D. Edward Davis - nowhere landscape , for six instruments and tape
2015 - Bryan Christian - Cardano, an opera in five acts
2014 - David K. Garner - Dark Holler , for chamber orchestra
2011 - Paul Leary (co-chair) - Song of Morrígan, Cries of Revelation, Fragments of a Dream
2011 - Michael Trinastic - The Yellow Wallpaper , an opera in one act
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2018 - Scott Lee
- Scholarly, Clinical, & Service Activities
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Presentations & Appearances
- Ensemble of Found Metals - SuperCollider. MoogFest. 2017 2017
- Instrumental Music, Computation, and Text - Cadences for Sextet. Music Department Colloquium Series. Duke University. 2016 2016
- Fireflies and Found Objects. Conversations in Digital Humanities . Franklin Humanities Institute, Duke University. 2015 2015
- Le Bal Miro. Nasher Museum of Art, Duke University. 2015 2015
- Other Voices - String Quintet. Music Department Colloquium Series. Duke University. 2013 2013
- Teaching Composition. Compositional Praxis Symposium. February 13, 2012 2012
- SoundSpace - Interactive Music Media. Visualization Friday Forum. Duke University. 2006 2006
- Recent Compositions. University of Arizona. 2005 2005
- Nasuh - for Soprano and String Quartet. Franklin Humanities Center. 2004 2004
- Nasuh - for Soprano and String Quartet. Stanford University. 2004 2004
- Recent Compositions. University of South Carolina School of Music. 2003 2003
- Recent Compositions. Yale School of Music. 2003 2003
- Recent Compositions. University of Michigan School of Music. 2002 2002
- What Is Information? . ISIS Symposium. Duke University. 2002 2002
- Recent Compositions. Lawrence University Conservatory of Music. 2001 2001
- In the Middle of the Road. Music Department Colloquium Series. Duke University. 2000 2000
- Recent Compositions. North Carolina School of the Arts. 2000 2000
- Recent Compositions. University of Michigan School of Music. 2000 2000
- A Fire's Bright Song. Williams College Music Department. 1997 1997
- Recent Compositions. University of South Carolina School of Music. 1997 1997
- Recent Compositions. University of Virginia Music Department. 1996 1996
- Recent Compositions. Princeton University Music Department. 1995 1995
- Recent Compositions. Yale School of Music. 1994 1994
- Mid the Steep Sky's Commotion. Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. 1993 1993
- Recent Compositions. Princeton University Music Department. 1990 1990
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Outreach & Engaged Scholarship
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Service to the Profession
- External Evaluator. Tenure/Promotion Review. MIT. 2016 2016
- External Evaluator. Tenure/Promotion Review. Stanford University. 2016 2016
- External Evaluator. Tenure/Promotion Review. Stanford University. 2015 2015
- Judge. ACC Band Directors Association Composition Contest. 2015 2015
- External Evaluator. Tenure/Promotion Review. Stanford University. 2014 2014
- External Evaluator. Tenure/Promotion Review. 2013 2013
- External Evaluator. Reappointment Review. Stanford University. 2011 2011
- External Evaluator. Tenure/Promotion Review. 2011 2011
- External Evaluator. Tenure/Promotion Review. 2011 2011
- External Evaluator. Tenure/Promotion Review. 2011 2011
- External Evaluator. Tenure/Promotion Review. 2011 2011
- External Reviewer. Music Department Review. University of Virginia. 2010 2010
- UCSD Music Graduate Program Review Committee. May 2009 2009
- External Evaluator. Tenure/Promotion Review. 2009 2009
- External Evaluator. Tenure/Promotion Review. 2009 2009
- External Evaluator. Tenure/Promotion Review. UNC Greensboro. 2009 2009
- External Evaluator. Tenure/Promotion Review. Princeton University. 2007 2007
- External Evaluator. Tenure/Promotion Review. Stanford University. 2007 2007
- External Reviewer. Department Review. Stevens Institute of Technology. 2007 2007
- Grant Reviewer. National Endowment for the Arts. 2005 2005
- External Evaluator. Tenure/Promotion Review. Stanford University. 2003 2003
- Judge. North Carolina Music Teachers Association Composition Competition Judge. 2002 2002
- Grant Reviewer. Chamber Music America. 1999 1999
- Judge. National Association of Music Teachers Composition Competition. 1999 1999
- External Evaluator. Tenure/Promotion Review. University of Virginia. 1998 1998
- Grant Reviewer. Aaron Copland Foundation Recording Grant. 1998 1998
- Grant Reviewer. Chamber Music America. 1998 1998
- External Evaluator. Tenure/Promotion Review. University of California, San Diego. 1996 1996
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