Music Research

Research, Scholarly and Artistic Work in the School for the Arts - Music encompasses a broad area of faculty activity, intersecting with student opportunities, community engagement and personal academic investigation and artistic growth.

A strong spirit of collaboration is reflected in joint performance projects in the community, such as between the Greystone singers and the Saskatoon Symphony; between the Music Theatre Ensemble, Saskatoon Opera and Tafelmusik; the foundation of the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra and the Elixir Chamber Ensemble.   Interdisciplinary projects include the Arvo Pärt project, and a cross-disciplinary class in Organology.

The Fine Arts Research Lecture Series in Music features international guest scholars and performers as well as lectures and lecture/recitals by U of S Music faculty. 

Here are some glimpses into the research areas and accomplishments of our full-time faculty, who are also our Graduate faculty.  Refer to the faculty page for detailed profiles of our faculty members!

Finding your authentic voice through teaching artistry!

Teaching artist and soprano, Dr. Betty Allison is the new professor of voice at the University of Saskatchewan. A graduate of the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble, Betty has been performing a versatile classical repertoire for almost 20 years. In addition to her teaching and performing, her research focuses on the connection between a singer’s voice and their overall wellness and resilience. Specifically, the non-musical stressors and coping strategies that elite singers use to maintain their voices and careers. She is excited to continue her performing, teaching, and research as part of the USask faculty!

Areas of Research Focus: Voice, vocal pedagogy and vocology; opera; performers’ health and wellbeing; rehearsal and performance practices.

Invited saxophone performances and lectures at North American Saxophone Alliance National and Regional Conventions; World Saxophone Congresses, Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, Texas Music Educators Conference, CBDNA , and WASBE; CDs: SaxSpectrum and SaxSpectrum 2: New Music for Soprano and Alto Saxophone.

Current research projects focus on early nineteenth-century German musical culture, musical prophecy, music and politics, and early New York hip hop.

Dr. Lang's research examines engagement and agency in music education programs, including informal music learning in a variety of educational contexts, music creation in the classroom, and intergenerational singing programs with singers with dementia.  

Performed solo trumpet with New Edmonton Wind Sinfonia on Allan Gilliland’s Western Canadian Music Award-winning composition Kalla; Art Pepper + 11 CBC recording; W.C.M.A. nomination for Complete rebirth of Cool CD; Artistic Director of Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra (click here for a video sample); performs in Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra. Listen to an interview with Prof. Dean McNeill here. Listen to a new trumpet piece by Dean McNeill and friends.

Performed as a soloist with orchestras in Brazil, Canada, China, the United States; commissioned and premiered over 30 solo violin works; recorded for PARMA, Centrediscs, Radio-Canada, and Pheremone.

International Wind Orchestra tours; international profile focusing on RCMP Band research.

Performances in St. Petersburg (Russia) and Serbia;  CD/CBC recording: Kathleen Solose plays Chopin; Saskatchewan Arts Board Grants as pianist and Artistic Director of the Elixir Chamber Ensemble.