IU President Michael McRobbie announced Dec. 12 that Lilly Endowment is giving the IU Foundation two major gifts, totaling $69 million: $44 million to the Jacobs School of Music and $25 million to the IU School of Law-Bloomington. Jacobs will use the gift to build and equip a new North Studio Building, which will provide technologically and acoustically superior teaching and practice facilities to rival any music school or conservatory in the world. >>Click here for more.

Claude Baker, Class of 1956 Chancellor's Professor of Composition in the Jacobs School of Music, has been named the 2008-09 Paul Fromm Composer-in-Residence at the American Academy in Rome. Baker will spend the fall semester of 2008 at the academy. >>Click here for more.

THREE JACOBS SCHOOL STUDENTS WIN DISTRICT MET AUDITIONS

Three Indiana University Jacobs School of Music students were named winners in the Indiana District competition of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions held on Jan. 5 at Indiana University's Musical Arts Center. >>Click here for more.

JACOBS SCHOOL FACULTY AND STUDENTS TRIUMPH IN CARNEGIE HALL CONCERTS

Eight students from the IU Jacobs School of Music, the largest contingent from any school in the country, were among the 62 young musicians, aged 15 to 22, chosen to participate in the nationally-acclaimed New York String Orchestra Seminar (NYSOS), towards the end of last December. Their concerts in Carnegie Hall, conducted by Jacobs Professor Jaime Laredo, may be heard free online through Feb. 15 at http://www.instantencore.com/nysos. >>Click here for more.

TEN TIPS ON BECOMING "FEARLESS"

Helping people transcend their fears is the specialty of Jeff Nelsen, associate professor in the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and hornist with international performance group Canadian Brass. He teaches seminars on "Fearlessness," which he describes as "a mental state of complete faith in the moment at hand and any task ahead." In celebration of a new year and new possibilities, Nelsen offers 10 tips on becoming fearless -- whether on stage, on a playing field, or in a boardroom. >>Click here for more.

Another musical semester kicks off this weekend with tonight’s Trombone Faculty Recital followed by Trio Indiana tomorrow evening and violinist Alexander Kerr in Faculty Recital on Sunday. Enjoy pianist Jihye Chang in Guest Recital Jan. 15, a Computer Music Recital Jan. 19, and the Dubinsky Memorial Concert Jan. 20. Other spring semester highlights include a Celebration of the Spirituals concert Jan. 27, the collegiate premiere of William Bolcom’s opera A Wedding in February, violinist Joshua Bell and pianist Jeremy Denk in recital together on Feb. 10, and the spring ballet A Night at the Opera (at the Ballet) in March. >>Click here for more.

This edition of Fanfare applauds the accomplishments of Jeffrey Hass, William Ludwig, Thomas Mathiesen, Marcos Aguiar, Nicole Birkland, Elizabeth Borowsky, Brian Manternach, Valerie Vinzant, Michael Palmer, and many others! >>Click here for more.

Read all the coverage of the $44 million Lilly Endowment gift and catch up on all the other Jacobs School coverage over the holidays. Also, link directly to Peter Jacobi’s previews and reviews, as well as other Jacobs articles in The Herald-Times; no password needed. We keep track of these articles and many more from around the globe for your information and convenience. >>Click here for more.