Professor Ray Allen’s book Gone to the Country: The New Lost City Ramblers and the Folk Music Revival has been accepted for publication by the University of Illinois Press. The book will be coming out in spring 2010.

Professor Douglas Hedwig conducted the Conservatory Brass Ensemble at the opening of the Third-Term Inauguration Ceremony for Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg at City Hall on Jan. 1, 2010. The ensemble premiered Hedwig’s Promenade for a Great City.

Renowned concert pianist Ursula Oppens, a distinguished professor of music with the Conservatory of Music, has been nominated for a Grammy Award for her album Oppens Plays Carter (Cedille). The recording, released in late 2008, features Oppens playing the complete piano works of legendary American composer Elliott Carter. He and Oppens have been longtime musical collaborators.