Music department welcomes new chair: Travis J. Cross takes helm
Professor Travis J. Cross Takes the Helm at UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
On July 1, 2018, Professor Travis J. Cross will assume the role of chair of the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music's Department of Music. He succeeds Professor Neal Stulberg, who led the department for four years and played a significant part in the school's formation in 2016.
Over the past five years, Cross has revitalized the UCLA Wind Ensemble, a group he conducts and directs, as well as the Symphonic Band and the graduate wind conducting program at UCLA. His achievements in music have been recognized not only within the Herb Alpert School of Music but also beyond its walls.
Cross's accomplishments have been lauded by Judith Smith, dean of the Herb Alpert School of Music. He has conducted students in performances at prestigious venues such as the Virginia Music Educators Association conference, the Kennedy Center, and Carnegie Hall.
In his new role, Cross will serve a three-year term as chair. One of his first significant accomplishments was the UCLA Wind Ensemble's participation in centenary performances of Leonard Bernstein's Mass with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic in February.
Cross has also established the UCLA Wind Conducting Workshop, which brings dozens of music educators and conductors to campus each summer. He has also revived the UCLA Wind Ensemble Invitational, welcoming hundreds of high school band students from across the region to perform on the stage of Royce Hall.
Professor Cross is a Yamaha Master Educator and has original compositions and arrangements published by Boosey & Hawkes, Daehn Publications, and Theodore Music. He has been a guest at the Midwest Clinic and has appeared as a guest conductor, composer, and clinician in more than 30 states and several international locations.
Before his graduate study, Cross taught for four years at Edina (Minn.) High School. After completing his doctoral coursework, he served as assistant professor of music and wind ensemble conductor at Virginia Tech for five years.
In addition to his duties as chair, Cross has served as vice chair of the music department since 2014 and served as associate dean for academic mentoring and opportunity during the inaugural years of the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. Cross holds degrees from St. Olaf College (cum laude in vocal and instrumental music education) and Northwestern University (master and doctor of music in conducting). He was also named a Jacob K. Javits Fellow by the United States Department of Education while at Northwestern University.
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