Faculty Information

Laurence (Larry) Kaptain

Professor

Music and Entertainment Studies (CAM)
Provost's Office

Email Address:laurence.kaptain@ucdenver.edu

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Mailing Address:

CU Denver

Arts Building

1150 10th Street

Denver, CO 80204

Bio
Research, Publications, Projects

Laurence (Larry) Kaptain is Special Assistant to the Provost and former Dean of the College of Arts & Media. Prior to coming to CU Denver in 2014, he was Dean of Music and Dramatic Arts at Louisiana State University from 2009-13, Dean of Shenandoah Conservatory, Director of the heralded Schwob School of Music, and Assoc. Provost at UMKC.

Kaptain had a career as a performer heard with the New York Philharmonic, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, and has recorded with the Chicago Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Czech National Symphony.The recording of Stravinsky works with New York's famed Orpheus ensemble won the 2001 Grammy Award for Small Classical Ensemble.

He has also appeared, collaborated, or recorded with artists such as Elvis Costello, Yo-Yo Ma, Stockhausen, Altman, Nureyev, Farrell, Stern, Boulez, Solti, Wolff, Reynolds, Rachleff, Schleicher, Shaham, Dutilleux, Masur, Mancini, and others. He received his first doctorate in percussion instruments at the Univ. of Michigan ('87), where he was a Fulbright Scholar to Mexico ('85-'86) and received the prestigious Rackham Graduate School Pre-Doctoral Fellowship (’86). His experience as a Fulbright Scholar to Mexico informed and advanced his leadership of international research, creative work, and cultural exchanges in Singapore, Malaysia, China, Nepal, South Korea, Uganda, India, Qatar, France, Italy, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ecuador, Panama, Nicaragua, and Guatemala.

Areas of Expertise

Creative industries and musics of Mexico

Education, Licensure & Certifications

DMA
Percussion Performance
University of Michigan

MM
Percussion Performance
University of Miami

BS
Performance and Music Education
Ball State University

Awards

SELECTED GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS

• External Support from Spencer Foundation: Special Grant 10025238 - Laurence Kaptain (PI), University of Colorado Denver ARTS in US Pandemic Pedagogies: Identifying Teacher Practices and Emerging Barriers and Discrepancies in Arts Education, $50,000. Submitted June 4, 2020. Declined.

• Travel Grant. “Marimba Yajalón at International Festival of the Marimba: The Marimba Approaching the New Millennium.” CONACULTA (State Arts Agency of Chiapas, Mexico). $8,000. December 1999.

• Consortium Funding for 1999 project. “Música Mexicana: On both sides of the border.” California State University-Northridge, ($30,000) and La Escuela de la Música Mexicana, ($15,000). $45,000. Summer, 1999.

• Institutional Grant. “The Marimba in Chiapas, Mexico: Five Interrelated Research Projects.” Fund for Culture of the U.S.-Mexico Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchange (Mexico City--funded by the Rockefeller, Bancomer, and Mexican Fine Arts Foundations. August 1996. $20,000.00.

• Travel Grant. "First University Percussion Festival of Mexico City." UNAM (national Autonomous University of Mexico). January 1996. $1,500.00

• Travel Grant. "Marimba Yajalón Appearance at Fourth International Festival of the Marimba." Institute of Chiapan Culture, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico. December 1995. $3,000.00.

• Corporate Funding. Zildjian Percussion Showcase at UMKC Conservatory Avedis Zildjian Co. $10,000 (In-kind artist fees, travel, and hospitality). September 1995.

• Travel Grant. "Marimba Yajalón Appearance at Third International Festival of the Marimba." Institute of Chiapan Culture, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico. September 1994. $3,500.00.

• Translation Grant. "An English Language Translation of Arturo Chamorro's Los instrumentos de percusión en México. Fund for Culture of the U.S.-Mexico Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchange (Mexico City--funded by the Rockefeller, Bancomer, and Mexican Fine Arts Foundations), August,1993. $8,061.00.

• Travel Grant. "Marimba Yajalón Appearance at Second International Festival of the Marimba and Tour of Chiapas, Mexico." Institute of Chiapan Culture and Chiapan State School of Music of the Chiapan Institute of Arts and Sciences. July 1993. $5,000.00.

• Equipment Grant. "Five-Octave Concert Marimba." The Helen S. Boylan Charitable Foundation of Carthage, Missouri, April 1993. $7,500.00.

• Travel Grant. "Marimba Yajalón Tour of Chiapas, Mexico." Institute for Chiapan Culture (Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas). July 1992. $6,200.00.

• Cultural Enrichment Grant. "Marimba Nandayapa Kansas City Community Residency." Mid America Arts Alliance and Greater Kansas City National Hispanic Heritage Committee, 1992 (grant written by L. Kaptain, on behalf of the Greater KC Hispanic Heritage Committee, and funds were awarded to Conservatory Continuing Education to sponsor the Marimba Nandayapa Residency). $8,000.00.

• Travel Grant. "Marimba Yajalón Residency in Mexico City at First International Festival of the Marimba." Socicultur (Mexico City Civic government cultural arts program). June 1991. $5,000.00. Internal Support:

• Matching funding for Endowed Professorship in Choral Studies, The Regents of Louisiana State University, $829,000. April 2013.

• Diversity Grant. For the development of a new elective course: CON 497 Música Mexicana: On both sides of the border. UMKC Office of Student Life. $2,957.00. September 1999.

• Supplemental Funding. Música Mexicana: On both sides of the border. Office of the Vice-Provost for Research, April 1999. $7,891.00.

• Special Projects Grant. Música Mexicana: On both sides of the border. University of Missouri Research Board, April 1999. $45,000.00.

• UMKC Faculty Research Grant," African Antecedents of the Extant Diatonic Marimba Traditions of Southern Chiapas and Coastal Ecuador and Colombia." UMKC Research Council, 1997. $5,000.00.

• Research Grant. Three Research Projects. University of Missouri Research Board, December 1995. $22,000.00.

• Faculty Research Grant. "Preliminary Research for the Second Edition of Maderas que cantan. UMKC Faculty Research Council. April 1995. $4,996.00.

• UMKC Faculty Research Grant. "A Recording of Mesoamerican Marimba Music in the Tradition of marimba pura." Awarded April 1994. $3,118.00.

• UMKC Faculty Research Grant, "A Stylistic and Notational Transcription of Traditional Performance Practice of Marimba Music from Chiapas, Mexico Through Computer Assisted MIDI Technology." UMKC Research Council, 1992. $3,998.00.

AWARDS AND HONORS

Elected “Fellow” into the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, (2014)
Key to the City of Columbus, Georgia (2004)
Society for Values in Higher Education, Fellow (2003)
Fulbright Hays Seminars Abroad, Brazil (2000)
Thomas Barr Fellowship to attend Salzburg Seminar, “Youth and Civic Participation: Models of Engagement” (2000)
Greater Kansas City Hispanic Heritage Committee, Special Recognition Award (2000)
State Culture and Arts Council of Chiapas, Mexico, Certificate of Recognition (1999)
University of Kansas City Trustees Faculty Fellow (1996-1997)
House of Folkloric Mexican Music/School of Mexican Music, Mexico City, Special Certificate of Recognition (1995)
UMKC Conservatory of Music, Muriel Kauffman Excellence in Teaching Award (1994)
United States Information Service, U.S. Embassy, Mexico City, Academic Specialist Award (1991)
Rackham School Graduate Fellowship, University of Michigan (1986-87)
Fulbright Pre-Doctoral Research Award (Mexico) (1985-86)

Affiliations

Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA), (2016-present, Executive Committee, 2018-present)
Denver School of the Arts, Foundation Board of Directors, (2015-present)
Opera! Colorado, Board of Directors (2017-present)
WRKF (NPR) Community Advisory Board, (2013-2014)
Dialogue on Race (Baton Rouge), 2013 Creative Louisiana!, Board of Directors (2012-2016)
Baton Rouge Area Chamber Canvas to Louisville (2012)
Baton Rouge Rotary (2009-2014)
Baton Rouge Symphony, Board of Directors (2009-2014)
Winchester, Virginia Rotary (2006-2009)
Columbus, Georgia Downtown Rotary (2004-2006)
Compassion Foundation (Kansas City / Juarez, Mexico), Board of Directors (2000-2004)
Kansas City Symphony, Music Director/Search Committee (2002-2004)
Grupo Atotonilco (Kansas City-based Mexican folkloric dance ensemble), Board of Directors (2000-2004)
Sociedad Hidalgo, Board of Directors (2000-2004)
Kansas City Professional Development Council, Board of Directors (2001-2003)
East Jackson County Economic Development Commission (2001-2002)
Producer of Mexican music concert to honor community arts activist José González (2000)
Producer of workshop and performance by Ballet Folklorico Guadalajara at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (2000)
Hispanic Scholarship Benefit Multicultural Presentation, Performing Artist (1999)
Guadalupe Center Blanco y Negro Fundraising Benefit, Performing Artist (1999)
Grupo Atotonilco Fundraising Benefit Performance at the Folly Theater, Performing Artist (1999)
Greater Kansas City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (1994-1995)
Spanish language translator for Mid-American Arts Alliance (1992)
Marimba Nandayapa, Mexico City / Shawnee Mission Schools Residency, Coordinator (1992)

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS (PAST AND PRESENT)
American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U)
American Conference of Academic Deans (ACAD)
American Council on Higher Education (ACHE)
Alliance for the Arts at Research Universities (a2ru--based at University of Michigan), Host for 2016 National Conference, member of Strategic Planning Committee.
Arts School Network, member of Executive Council, 2016-2019.
Association for General and Liberal Studies (AGLS), Executive Board, 2006-2015, President 2010-2012
Association of Deans and Directors of University Colleges and Undergraduate Studies
Association of Integrative Studies (AIS)
College Music Society (CMS), Founding Chair, Music in Higher Education Committee, 2005-2012, Treasurer and member of Executive Council 2013-16.
Creative Louisiana, Board of Directors, 2012-2014
Hispanic Caucus—American Association of Higher Education International Conference of Fine Arts Deans (ICFAD)
International Society for Music Education (ISME)
International Society of Teaching and Education (ISTE)
Journal of Performing Arts Leadership in Higher Education (Founding Co-Editor)
National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education (POD)
Project Kaleidoscope
The Recording Academy (The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences--voting membership for annual GRAMMY Awards)
Society for Ethnomusicology
Society for Values in Higher Education
Indiana University Center for Post-Secondary Higher Education, Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP), National Advisory Board, 2015-present

Publications and Presentations

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

1. Kaptain, Laurence and Mark U. Reimer. “Pursuing Leadership in the Performing Arts in Higher Education: A Brief Overview.” Journal of Performing Arts Leadership in Higher Education, 2016, available online on page 57 of http://jpalhe.cnu.edu/pdf/JPALHE_Volume 7.pdf.

2. Kaptain, Laurence. "Employing Consensus in Higher Education Performing Arts Planning and Leadership." Journal of Performing Arts Leadership in Higher Education, 2010, available online on page 18 of http://jpalhe.cnu.edu/pdf/JPALHE_Volume1.pdf.

3. Beck, J. (2007). Encyclopedia of percussion. Laurence Kaptain, “The marimba in Mexico and Related Areas.” New York: Routledge, pp. 239-254.

4. “Marimba.” Volume II (Musical Practices) Media, Culture and the Industry. The Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World, London and New York, Cassell, 2003.

5. Kaptain, Laurence, “Laurence Kaptain Administrative Portfolio,” in Peter Seldin and Mary Lou Higgerson, The Administrative Portfolio. A Practical Guide to Improved Administrative Performance and Personnel Decisions. Boston: Anker Publishing, 2001.

6. Kaptain, Laurence, trans. The Percussion Instruments of Mexico by Arturo Chamorro (completed in 1994 under auspices of the U.S.-Mexico Fund for Culture). N.p.

7. Kaptain, Laurence. The Wood that Sings: The Marimba in Chiapas, Mexico. Everett, Pennsylvania: HoneyRock Publishing, 1992.

8. Kaptain, Laurence, trans. “Maderas que cantan.” Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico: Instituto Chiapaneco de Cultura, 1991.

SCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES, DIGITAL MEDIA AND SELECT PRESENTATIONS

1. “Creativity and Collaboration Among the Arts. With Steven J. Tepper. Presentation -- National Association of Schools of Music Annual Meeting, Scottsdale, AZ, November 2014.

2. “Moving Creativity from the Edges to the Center of a Major Research Institution.” With Vince LiCata, Brij Mohan Distinguished Professor, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University. Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities National Conference, Ames, Iowa, November 2014.

3. “The Opportunities and Challenges of Marketing Through Social Media." Presentation--National Association of Schools of Music Annual Meeting, San Diego, November 2012.

4. “The BA in music at the large public research institution.” David Meyers—University of Minnesota, Jennifer Snow--UCLA, and Betty Anne Younker—University of Western Ontario. Panel discussion at College Music Society National Conference, October 2011.

5. "Self-Evaluation for the Music Executive: Using a Portfolio Approach to Demonstrate Successful Leadership and Accomplishments." National Association of Schools of Music National Meeting, San Diego, November 2009.

6. “Advocacy within Your Own Institution.” (with Sue Haug, Tayloe Harding, Mark Rabineau, Charles Snead). National Association of Schools of Music National Meeting, San Diego, November 2009.

7. “Music in Higher Education - Podcast Host and Producer for the College Music Society.” (2009—2013).

8. LSU College of Music and Dramatic Arts Dean’s Blog. http://cmdaatlsu.blogspot.com

9. “The CMS Committee on Music and Higher Education–Articulating the Changing Roles of Music Units,” (with David Myers), at College Music Society National Conference, November 2007.

10. “Presentation Skills for Enhanced Learning and Understanding,” AGLS National Conference, Portland, Maine, October 2007.

11. “Leading and Sustaining Change,” (with Maria Hesse, Nancy Shapiro, and David Schwalm), Plenary IV, AAC&U Network for Academic Renewal Conference, April 2003.

12. “New Models of Leadership in Higher Education,” AAC&U National Conference, Seattle, January 2003.

13. “The Role and Nature of Faculty Development and Support at Carnegie Doctoral/Research-Intensive Schools,” (with Kathleen McKinney, Margaret W. Cohen, and Gary M. Shulman), at “Mission, Values and Identity: A National Conference for Carnegie Doctoral/Research Intensive Institutions,” Illinois State University, July 2003.

14. “Creating Learner-Centered Environments in Large Enrollment Courses” and “Starting Off Well: Campus Supports for New Faculty,” Teaching Renewal Conference, University of Missouri-Columbia, February 2002.

15. “University of Missouri New Faculty Teaching Scholars: A Campus and University System Initiative for the Scholarship of Teaching and System-Wide Collegiality,” AAHE Roles and Rewards National Conference, Phoenix, January 2002.

16. “Assessing Faculty Development,” (with Lesley Caferelli), Professional Organizational Development Network in Higher Education National Conference, St. Louis, October 2001.

17. “Collegiate Engagement and Collaboration with Non-Profit K-16 Organizations, (with Cirecie Olatunji and Karen Scates), National Conference in Higher Education, AAHE, Washington, DC, March 2001.

18. “An Integrative Campus Resource: The Resident Ethnic Music Ensemble,” Association for General and Liberal Studies National Conference, Chicago, November 2000.

19. “A Multi-Cultural Paradigm for the Integration of Ethnic Music into the 21st Century Collegiate Chamber Music Ensemble,” College Music Society, National Meeting, Chicago, October 1999.

SELECT PERFORMANCES AND PROFESSIONAL RECORDINGS

Concert credits (since 1995) as Soloist/Featured Artist include:
• Aspen Music Festival (2000, 1998, 1995)
• Boston Symphony (2004, 2001)
• Canadian Opera Company, solo / featured cimbalom in four performances at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (LePage’s The Nightingale and Other Short Fables, 2011)
• Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (2005 and 2007)
• Chicago Symphony (2013, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1998, 1993, 1990, 1988, 1983)
• Czech National Symphony (1997)
• Florida Symphony (2009)
• Kansas City Ballet (2000), Todd Bolender’s recreation of Balanchine’s choreography for Stravinsky’s “Renard.”
• Lincoln Center Summer Festival (2004)
• Louisiana Philharmonic in concert with cellist Yo-Yo Ma at the invitation of Music Director Carlos Miguel Prieto (2009)
• Metropolitan Opera Orchestra Chamber Players—Carnegie Hall (2002)
• Milwaukee Symphony (2005, 1998, 1996)
• Minnesota Orchestra (2005, 1996, 1995)
• Nashville Symphony (2013)
• New World Symphony (2009, 2005, 2003, 1999)
• New York Philharmonic (2010, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1996)
• Orquesta Nacional de México at the invitation of Music Director Carlos Miguel Prieto (2014, 2012, and 2010)
• Philadelphia Orchestra (2016, 2014, 2008, 1989)
• Philharmonic Orchestra of Mexico City (2005)
• San Diego Symphony (2014)
• San Francisco Symphony (2011)
• St. Louis Symphony (2015)
• St. Paul Chamber Orchestra (2010, 2006, 1995, 1993)
• The Suzanne Farrell Ballet at the Kennedy Center (2008), a recreation of Balanchine’s choreography for Stravinsky’s “Ragtime.”
• Tanglewood Festival of Contemporary Music (1998, 1995)

Recording credits as Soloist/Featured Artist and/or Music Director include:
• Ragtime (Stravinsky), Orpheus Chamber Ensemble (New York City), Deutsche Grammophon, 289 453458-2. 2001. Winner of the 2001 Grammy Award for Small Classical Ensemble.
• Suite from Hary Janos (Kodaly), St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin, conductor (solo cimbalom). Recorded February 1993 (released November 2007). AAM 070106.
• Bartok Rhapsody No. 1 for Violin and Orchestra. Chicago Symphony, Pierre Boulez, Principal Guest Conductor with Gil Shaham, violin. CD recording for Deutsche Grammophon DGG 289 459 639-2. 2000.
• Video production (HDTV) for NHK-TV of Japan, series—Charles Dutoit’s Musical Cities Tour. Hary Janos Suite, Kodaly and Ragtime, Stravinsky. The Montreal Symphony, Charles Dutoit, musical director. 1998.
• Echoes of Chiapas, Marimba Yajalón, Laurence Kaptain, musical director, Mark Records—2552 MCD. 1997.
• Concerto for Marimba (eight hands), James Mobberley, Czech National Symphony. Recorded in Prague, March 1997, Albany Records #335.
• Renard, Ragtime (Stravinsky), St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Hugh Wolff, music director (released Spring, 1996). Teldec 4509-94548-2.
• Suite from Hary Janos (Kodaly), Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti, conductor (solo cimbalom). Recorded November 1993. U.S. release (11/94): Mephisto Magic (London/Decca 443 444-2), European release (10/94): The Hungarian Connection (Decca 443 444-2).
• ¡Chiapas!, Marimba Yajalón, Laurence Kaptain musical director, released 1994, HWP-002.
• Suite from Hary Janos (Kodaly), Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi, conductor (solo cimbalom). Recorded February 1990 (released Spring, 1991). Chandos (CHAN 8877).
• Stockhausen, Karlheinz. Samstag aus Licht. Matthias Hölle (bass); Majella Stockhausen (piano); Kathinka Pasveer (flute and piccolo); Markus Stockhausen (piccolo trumpet); Laurence Kaptain, percussion; Kolberg Percussion Ensemble; The University of Michigan Symphony Band, H. Robert Reynolds (cond.); Piero Mazarella (actor); Händel Collegium Köln, Dieter Gutknecht (choir director); Günther Hempel (electric organ); Karlheinz Stockhausen (sound projection). DGG 423 596-2. Hamburg: Deutsche Grammophon, 1988. Reissued Stockhausen Complete Edition, CD 34 A–D (4 CDs). Kürten: Stockhausen-Verlag, 1992. Film soundtrack credits as Soloist/Featured Artist include: • Secret Honor (soundtrack of Robert Altman film). Musical score by George Burt, 1984 (solo percussion). Recently released on DVD.
• Dancing Hands (soundtrack of a documentary film on the work of artist Rita Blitt). Musical score by Michael Udow, 1983 (percussion).

College of Arts & Media

CU Denver

Arts Building

1150 10th Street

Suite 177

Denver, CO 80204

303-315-7400

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