Following a national search, Rachel Bergman has been named the inaugural Leland B. Sateren 鈥�35 Professor and Endowed Chair of Music at 海角社区.
The Augsburg Music Department focuses on music-making as an act of healing and global citizenship. The Sateren chair works to advance the department鈥檚 commitments to inclusion, access, equity, and belonging. In this role, Bergman will serve as a local and national spokesperson for the department鈥檚 distinctive programs and learning opportunities.
鈥淭he Sateren chair honors Augsburg鈥檚 long tradition of musical excellence,鈥� said President Paul C. Pribbenow. 鈥淒r. Bergman鈥檚 appointment builds on this legacy as we celebrate the rich diversity of our students鈥� musical gifts, experiences, interests, and expressions. We are delighted to welcome her to Augsburg and the Schwartz School of the Arts.鈥�
Regent John Schwartz 鈥�67, who established the endowed chair in memory of renowned Augsburg choral conductor and composer Leland Sateren 鈥�35, noted that Bergman joins Augsburg at an exciting time. 鈥淭he university is poised to move into a new era of interdisciplinary curriculum in the arts with energetic and creative faculty like Dr. Bergman leading the way.鈥�
An active flutist and advocate of new music, Bergman currently serves as director of academic initiatives and arts outreach at Sheridan College in northern Wyoming. Her previous roles at Sheridan College include dean of visual and performing arts and dean of online learning. She has also served as associate professor of music theory and director of graduate studies for the School of Music at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and as a flute instructor at the Skidmore Summer Flute Institute in Saratoga Springs, New York.
鈥淚 am thrilled to be joining 海角社区 this fall,鈥� said Bergman. 鈥淚鈥檓 particularly excited about serving in a liberal arts institution with a focus on students and community. I truly believe that music should be accessible to all, and I look forward to working with the Music Department to strengthen the role of music throughout the university and with our neighbors.鈥�
In addition to teaching, Bergman researches, promotes, and performs contemporary works for flute in solo and chamber settings. Her academic research focuses on the works of Viktor Ullmann, a Jewish, Austro-Hungarian composer who was killed in the Holocaust. A past president of the Music Theory Society of the Mid-Atlantic and a member of Assisi Performing Arts (Italy), Bergman has presented papers and lecture-recitals both nationally and internationally. She holds a doctorate in music theory from Yale University and a bachelor of arts in music and mathematics from Skidmore college.
鈥淒r. Bergman鈥檚 lifelong commitment to meeting students where they are, along with her track record as a dynamic leader, effective administrator, and tenured professor at a large research university, make her a stellar addition to our faculty,鈥� said Paula O鈥橪oughlin, provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs.
鈥淩achel Bergman鈥檚 vision for music at Augsburg aligns with the trajectory of our talented music faculty,鈥� said Ryan Haaland, dean of arts and sciences. 鈥淪he brings a wealth of experience as an educator and leader that will serve our students and campus well.鈥�
Augsburg offers a variety of bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in music, with specializations in music business, music education, and music therapy, plus choral and instrumental ensembles that are open to all students.
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