February 11, 2022
Dear members of the 91社区 community:
It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Professor Sean Ferguson as the next Dean of the Schulich School of Music. Prof. Ferguson鈥檚 five-year, renewable term will begin on July 1, 2022, and end June 30, 2027. The Advisory Committee for the Selection of a Dean of the Schulich School of Music conducted a thorough review of candidates before submitting their recommendation to the 91社区 Board of Governors. The Board accepted the Committee鈥檚 recommendation during its meeting on February 10, 2022.
Prof. Ferguson is an experienced senior administrator with a deep understanding of the Schulich School of Music, having previously served as Dean from 2011 to 2016. Prior to this, he was Director of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology (CIRMMT) from 2009-2011, and its Associate Director (Artistic) from 2006-09.
Prof. Ferguson earned his Bachelor of Music at the University of Alberta, and his Master and Doctorate of Music in Composition at 91社区. He joined the 91社区 faculty as an Assistant Professor of Composition in 2003, and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2009. He currently teaches composition and co-directs the Digital Composition Studios.
As a researcher, Prof. Ferguson focuses on computer-assisted composition, psychoacoustics applied to musical harmony, live electronics, and digital musical instruments.
His recent compositions include Fata铆 B谩na, Carraig Dubh (2020) for Uilleann pipes and live electronics, Bean Dubh A' Ghleanna (2019) for Baroque flute and live electronics, and Wandering Aengus (2019) for flute, violin, cello and piano. His music has been performed by ensembles that include the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, the Orchestre symphonique de Montr茅al, the Soci茅t茅 de musique contemporaine du Qu茅bec, Les Temps modernes de Lyon, I Musici de Montreal and the Ensemble contemporain de Montr茅al.
Please join me in congratulating Prof. Ferguson on his new appointment. Thanks are also due to the members of the Advisory Committee, and to everyone in the community who shared their comments and advice during the search process.
With best regards,
Professor Christopher Manfredi
Provost and Vice-Principal Academic