ANDIE VÉLEZ-DAVIS
Staff Writer
SUNY Fredonia’s school of music is welcoming Dr. David A. Stringham as the new Dean for the school of music.
SUNY Fredonia President Stephen Kolison said that Stringham’s previous credentials and enthusiasm will bring the current success of the school of music to an even higher level.
“His whole view of his vision …. the vision pressed on us for what he led to see the school of music succeed in the highest level, I think was very compelling. So we’re very excited,” Kolison said.
As native Western New Yorker, Stringham earned his Bachelor of Music (Music Education), Master of Music (Music Education) and Doctorate of Philosophy in Music Education at the University of Rochester.
From then on, he served as the Executive Director of the Office of Creative Propulsion at James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, V.A. and has been a part of the School of Music and College of Visual Performing Arts at JMU since 2010. Dr. Stringham also co-founded JMU’s Center for Inclusive Music Engagement and served as its founding director. Additionally, he was the Assessment Coordinator for the School of Music, and the Director of Research, Entrepreneurship and Engagement at the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Fredonia’s school of music is well-known for its long history of excellence with a program that’s built upon tradition. Sophomore music therapy major Alyssa Marley believes that Stringham is an excellent choice for the job based upon his past experiences at JMU and that his WNY background will help him further the success of the college’s music program.
“On top of all of his stellar credentials, he is a Western New York native which can be very useful in understanding how Fredonia’s school of music works together with the outside community,” Marley said. “It’s refreshing to have a Dean that’s passionate and dedicated to the future of the music department as a whole.”
Dr. Stringham said he is honored to be given the opportunity to serve as the Dean for Fredonia’s school of music and looks forward to working very closely with the faculty and students.
“As a Western New York native, a student and colleague of Fredonia graduates, a former New York State public school music teacher, and a music teacher educator and researcher, I have long been keenly aware of and impressed by the Fredonia school of music, its faculty and its alumni,” Stringham said. “ It is exciting and meaningful to join Fredonia’s school of music as it seeks to build on its rich history and stellar reputation through self-examination and re-imagination.”
President Kolison also added that Dr. Stringham’s passion and eagerness to serve alongside the students by being accessible to them, as well as bringing in further resources to enhance the quality of education for the students and faculty of the school of music is something he looks forward to seeing in the near future at the school of music.