Music Spotlight

What made you choose UNH?

John Mehrmann is a composer, pianist, organist, choir director, percussionist, and teacher who resides in Maine with his wife, Abigail, and two sons. His musical talents encompass many genres and styles, from directing the a cappella choral ensemble VoXX: Voice of Twenty to composing soundtracks…

When Alyssa Ostrowski ’23 started at UNH she thought she wanted a career teaching music. But after her first semester, she realized that she wanted more time to focus on her instruments, drums and other percussion. She also added a minor in art. The music program is what drew Ostrowski to UNH. In…

Trevor Frost, wind band conducting doctoral student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will spend a life-changing ten days this June exploring the wilderness of Alaska and writing original music about it. Now in its eleventh year, the unique Composing in the Wilderness program is led by…

Current Music Composition student Wes Coffin has won second place in the Rachel Moore Choral Composition Contest, a competition  open to high school students (grades 9-12) and undergraduate college students. His composition is entitled "In May", a piece he wrote during his sophomore year. The…

Marie Forte '02 is Paul Smith Hall of Fame Winner 2023. The Massachusetts Instrumental Conductors Association's Paul Smith Hall of Fame Award is presented annually to a Massachusetts music conductor who is a musical and personal inspiration to students, the community and other professional…

Brandon Duras '17/'19G and Director of Instrumental Music at Brunswick High School in Brunswick, ME  is a recent recipient of the Yamaha "40 Under 40" award. Yamaha launched the “40 Under 40” music education advocacy program in 2021 to celebrate and recognize outstanding music educators who are…

The University of New Hampshire community honors the remarkable life and legacy of Niel Sir, a gifted composer, passionate educator, and influential mentor. Niel was known for his striking personality, deeply considered opinions, and humorous side that revealed itself in his enjoyment of silly…

I am currently a 2022–23 Fulbright Grantee based in Vienna, Austria. Here I will be conducting research while assisting in the education of English-language learners at the secondary level and participating in cultural exchange that fosters mutual understanding between Austria and the United States.

Why did you choose UNH? I chose UNH because it was a school I felt very comfortable with. There was so much vibrant energy when I first visited UNH, and it helped me fall in love with the program. As well, I loved that I could get involved in anything and everything. It feels like there is a club…

I'm the Music Department chair, director of music technology and composition, and assistant professor of music and computer science at Albright College, where I teach courses in audio engineering, music production, songwriting, sound design, video game design and development, and game audio.

UNH Music alum, Brandon Duras has been awarded the Maine Music Educators Outstanding New Music Educator of the year. On a recent trip to Washington D.C.,  the Brunswick High School Wind Ensemble, along with the Treble Choir and Chamber Choir, directed by Ashley Albert (she was also awarded  Maine…