Maureen Hurd, M.M, M.M.A, D.M.A
Associate Professor and Head of the Woodwind Program
Department of Music, Mason Gross School of the Arts
Email: mlhurd@mgsa.rutgers.edu
Maureen Hurd is Head of Woodwinds/Associate Professor of Clarinet at the Mason Gross School of the Arts. She has appeared at Carnegie Hall, David Geffen Hall, Alice Tully Hall, (le) poisson rouge, with the American Symphony Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and New York City Opera Orchestra. She has performed at numerous International Clarinet Association ClarinetFests® and the Norfolk, Skaneateles, Lancaster, and Zodiac Festivals, recording for Naxos and MSR Classics in premiere recordings of American works and in Michael Daugherty’s concerto Brooklyn Bridge with the Rutgers Wind Ensemble. She is recognized for her study/performance of Benny Goodman’s classical commissions.
Project Sponsor
Rebecca Cypess
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Mason Gross School of the Arts
Abstract:
A number of pre-college musicians, particularly those from underserved communities, do not have financial access or mentoring guidance to lead to the specific and advanced preparation needed to succeed in a college music program and professional music career. In order to be admitted to post-secondary music study, young people need to demonstrate advanced proficiencies that are not always well-addressed in school music programs and need to be developed with private study. Students may not be exposed to this advanced outside training or realize the need for it and may audition for college music programs believing they are well-prepared when they are not. Some demonstrate raw talent but with underdeveloped skills that put them behind their peers and cause them to not be admitted. Some are admitted but are overwhelmed by the college experience or other challenges and are not successful and retained. This project is a planning process for a pilot program to identify a small group of talented underserved pre-college musicians in partnership with a public school or schools in order to connect these students to the Mason Gross School of the Arts, and Rutgers University where they can receive advanced private training in their instrument or voice, attend concerts and other university events, participate in performing ensembles, take theory classes, etc. This project is inspired by Rutgers Future Scholars.