UF School of Music

06/12/2026

A message from Interim Dean Setlow:

Dear College of the Arts community,

I am pleased to announce that Paul Richards, DMA, has been named Acting Director of the School of Music, effective July 1, 2026.

In the role of acting director, Dr. Richards will oversee the school’s administrative operations and provide guidance in its academic, research, fundraising, and performance activities. His responsibilities include:

• Managing SOM’s administrative, budget and fiscal, facilities, and academic operations and degree programs.

• Providing leadership in the unit’s artistic and academic activities.

• Articulating the unit’s vision, goals, and accomplishments to its constituencies.

• Leading efforts to secure external funding from the private and public spheres.

• Recruiting and retaining high-achieving students, faculty, and staff.

• Developing, fostering, and maintaining a welcoming and collegial environment that capitalizes on the strengths of SOM students, faculty and staff.

Dr. Richards first joined the UF School of Music in 1999 as an assistant professor in music composition and theory. Throughout his 27 years with the College of the Arts, he has demonstrated extensive expertise in his field, deep integrity, and a longstanding commitment to the growth and success of his students and colleagues at the School of Music. He currently serves as Professor of Music and will step back from teaching responsibilities to focus on his administrative duties as acting director.

Dr. Richards succeeds SOM director, Kevin Orr, DMA, who will step into his new role as Dean of the College of the Arts on July 1. The college plans to conduct the search for a permanent director in the 2027-2028 academic year.

I am truly looking forward to working with Paul in this new role. His calm, thoughtful, insightful approach to everything that I’ve had the pleasure of working on with him, as well as his deep knowledge of the School of Music, makes him the perfect person to lead the school during this time of transition.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Setlow
Interim Dean
UF College of the Arts

06/01/2026

The UF School of Music welcomes Benjamin Horne, Visiting Assistant Professor in Bands for the 2026-27 academic year!

Horne is a conductor, educator, and composer. Horne has served as a guest conductor and clinician for many diverse ensembles and mediums across the U.S. Horne began his teaching career as a middle school band director in Georgia. He has worked with numerous athletic bands at both the high school and collegiate levels, including the Spartan Marching Band at Michigan State University and the Sacramento Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps.

As an award-winning composer, Horne’s works have been widely performed internationally by ensembles such as Musiqa, Decoda, Picosa, the SOLI Chamber Ensemble and the Atlanta Chamber Players. His works have also been programmed by several leading U.S. wind bands, winning the 2025 National Band Association/William D. Revelli Memorial Composition Contest.

Horne holds a DMA in wind conducting and a MM in composition from Michigan State University. Horne also completed a MM in music performance from Indiana University and two BM degrees from Columbus State University in music education and music performance.

Welcome to UF, Ben!

05/28/2026

Join us this weekend for the UF International Piano Fest!

This year's competition features 17 talented performers and an exciting new format inspired by American Idol — judges will offer live, on-stage feedback to each participant.

Cap off the day with the Faculty Recital at 7:00 PM in the University Auditorium, featuring performances by Kevin Orr, Evan Mitchell, Hsiang Tu and Jasmin Arakawa.

Check out the full event program here:https://files.constantcontact.com/a0a73549901/08be8de0-c85a-4d34-bd59-3502c031313f.pdf

STUDENT COMPETITION
10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Steinbrenner Band Hall

• 10:00 AM – Session I
• 11:20 AM – Session II
• 1:20 PM – Session III
• 2:40 PM – Session IV

FACULTY RECITAL
7:00 PM
University Auditorium

It's all FREE & open to the public! We hope to see you there!

More info: https://arts.ufl.edu/event/international-piano-festival/

05/22/2026

The UF School of Music welcomes Allie Brault, Visiting Assistant Professor of Voice for the 2026-27 academic year.

Brault is a versatile performer and teacher from Long Island, New York. Her research has been presented at universities, synagogues and international conferences, and has been supported by multiple prestigious awards and fellowships.

In 2021, Brault made her Off-Broadway debut in David Harrower’s "Blackbird." Her operatic roles include Blanche in "Dialogues of the Carmelites," Mabel in "The Pirates of Penzance," and Wesley in the world premiere of Tom Cipullo’s "Mayo." An active concert artist, her repertoire spans from Baroque to 21st-century works, including the U.S. premiere of Sacchini’s "Giacchè mia sposa sei."

Brault is a DMA candidate in voice pedagogy at the University of Maryland. She holds an MM from Penn State and a BM from The Crane School of Music.

Welcome to UF, Allie!

05/14/2026

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Kevin Robert Orr, who has been appointed dean of the University of Florida College of the Arts, effective July 1.

Dr. Orr has served as director of the UF School of Music since 2015, overseeing 450 music majors and 55 faculty and staff. During his tenure, he launched new graduate and undergraduate degree programs, appointed 37 full-time faculty and staff members and led fundraising efforts that secured nearly $65 million for the renovation and expansion of the music building.

“I am profoundly honored by the opportunity to serve the University of Florida College of the Arts as dean,” Orr said. “The inspiring work of our students, faculty and staff across a wide range of arts and interdisciplinary research positions us well for a future of extraordinary possibilities and deep impact on our community, our state and the world.”

Read more at: news.ufl.edu/2026/05/college-of-the-arts-dean/

Congratulations, Dr. Orr!

05/12/2026

Join us Saturday, May 30 for the International Piano Festival Faculty Recital featuring Kevin Orr, Hsiang Tu, Evan Mitchell and Jasmin Arakawa.

University Auditorium
333 Newell Drive on the UF Campus

Free and open to the public.

The International Piano Festival at the University of Florida assembles promising young pianists for lessons and masterclasses with distinguished piano teachers from North America and across the globe. Originating in 2007 as the Chinese-American International Piano Institute (CAIPI), the event has hosted some of the finest performers and teachers from around the world.

https://arts.ufl.edu/event/international-piano-festival/

The International Piano Festival at the University of Florida assembles promising young pianists for lessons and masterclasses with distinguished piano teachers from North America and across the globe.

05/06/2026

UF in Salzburg 2026 Study Abroad starts in Munich, Germany ! 26 Music, European Studies, and Business students will spend the next six weeks emerged in Austrian culture, music, and history…

04/06/2026

Take a peek behind the curtain as the UF Symphony Orchestra and UF Opera Theatre come together for their first combined rehearsal of Pirates of Penzance!

Phillips Center for the Performing Arts — Two nights!
April 10 & 11 at 7:30 pm

Reilly Arts Center Ocala
April 19 at 3:00 pm

Tickets are still available at the UFPA box office and the Reilly Arts Center box office.

04/02/2026

Check out this behind-the-scenes look at UF Opera's upcoming performance of The Pirates of Penzance!

The UF Opera Theatre will present “The Pirates of Penzance” this April at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, featuring an all-student cast and a free outreach performance for Alachua County schoolchildren.

03/30/2026

Join us April 8 as we bring the talents of UF’s student musicians to the Gainesville community for our second Campus to Community: UF School of Music Students in Recital.

This new, free concert series will feature emerging musicians from the brass, percussion and string areas. Show your support for the next generation of performers as they showcase their musical excellence beyond campus!

Wednesday, 4.8.26 at 7 pm
First United Methodist Church of Gainesville, Florida
419 NE 1st St., Gainesville

Free & open to the public. Light refreshments to follow.