McGill News

Music

Two people sitting on a bench Culture

Forging their own unique musical path  

Stick&Bow, a cello and marimba duo composed of Schulich School of Music graduates Juan Sebastian Delgado and Krystina Marcoux, have an eclectic approach to their music – regularly tackling everything from Beethoven to Bowie.

A person holding a record in front of a shelf full of books and records On Campus

New dean of education a man of many talents 

In his academic pursuits, Vivek Venkatesh is just as comfortable on stage with a guitar as he is at the head of a classroom. He uses many methods – some of them unconventional – to explore the roots of violent extremism while promoting pluralism.

A galaxy full of stars Culture

An out-of-this-world composition

Composer Sophie Kastner, MMus’22, recently took part in a unique collaboration with NASA, creating a vivid piece of music about the Milky Way based on data about the galaxy that has been gleaned by the Chandra, Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes.

Darcy James Argue Culture

Updating big band jazz for the 21st century

Darcy James Argue and his big band the Secret Society make some of the most daringly ambitious music in contemporary jazz and they have the Grammy Award nominations and critical acclaim to prove it.

Kid Koala, a pioneering innovator of turntable music, performed at student dorm parties while pursuing an education degree at McGill (Photo: Corinne Merrell) Culture

From DJing at Gerts to touring with Radiohead

Before he became a pioneer of turntable music and a contributor to Hollywood soundtracks, Kid Koala (aka Eric San, BEd’96) performed at student dorm parties while pursuing an education degree at McGill.

Jim-West-Justin-West-square-crop Culture

A father and son in tune with the music business

Some of the best music released in Canada, albums that have contended for Junos and the Polaris Prize, come from a pair of Montreal-based record labels. Meet Jim West, BA’79, the president of Justin Time Records, and his son Justin West, BCom’04, the president of Secret City Records.

Burt Bacharach smiling Culture

We say a little prayer of thanks

Tributes continue to pour in for masterful pop composer Burt Bacharach, AMus’48, DMus’72, who passed away on February 8. Bacharach’s music spanned decades and included a long list of smash hits, including “I Say a Little Prayer” and “The Look of Love”.

Élisabeth St-Gelais leaning against a mural People

A voice for her home, a voice for her people

Élisabeth St-Gelais, BMus’21, has recently been receiving a lot of attention, winning McGill’s Wirth Vocal Prize and a grand prize at the Canadian Music Competition. The young Innu soprano from Saguenay says her Indigenous heritage supplies the foundation for her art.

Daniel Seligman standing in front of POP Montreal posters Culture

Montreal’s impresario of POP

One of the hallmarks of Montreal is its vibrant indie music scene and Daniel Seligman, BA’00, has been one of its key promoters. The longtime creative director of POP Montreal shares his thoughts on the state of music in Montreal – and what it's like to hang out with Patti Smith.

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