�鶹��ý

Music alum continues to bridge classical, hip-hop with new album

Jordan Hamilton’s latest record, “Project Freedom,” released in May, blends multiple genres and expands the traditional use of the cello. Hamilton, MM ‘18, a cellist and vocalist, plays the cello using chords, layering melodies and blending genres like R&B, soul, hip-hop, electronic and jazz.

The album reflects his personal journey, with lyrics that explore lessons from home life, dreams, loss and love. Hamilton wrote “Project Freedom” in Kalamazoo, where he started as a songwriter, producer and artist, after classical training at Western. He’s also continued to keep musical roots in the community, performing regularly with the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra for nearly a decade and being a member of the longtime Kalamazoo R&B, hip-hop and soul ensemble Last Gasp Collective. ■

Horn professor releases album showcasing women composers

Dr. Lin Foulk Baird, professor of music, has released a new album, “Conversation Piece,” featuring recordings of works by women composers and highlighting their contributions to the horn repertoire.

Baird is an advocate for increasing the visibility of women composers and has dedicated her career to promoting their music. An active researcher, she has published an annotated guide to works for horn and piano by female composers and also maintains a website that lists more than 2,000 of their works featuring the horn.

She joined Western’s faculty in 2003 and teaches horn, classical music improvisation and is a member of the Western Brass Quintet and Western Wind Quintet. Her first CD, “Four Elements: Works for Horn and Piano by Female Composers,” was released in 2004. ■

Western music theatre performance major rocks Grand Ole Opry

Jack Austin is making a name for himself in the entertainment world, winning the Rock Song of the Year award for an individual performer at the prestigious 10th annual Josie Music Awards (JMAs). Held at the iconic Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, the JMAs recognized more than 196 winners from a pool of 75,000 submissions.

Austin’s winning song, “Get Away,” is a unique blend of pop, indie, surf-rock, alternative and folk. As a music theatre performance major, Austin has already performed at 54 Below in New York City and starred in the Broadway musical “Boy on Billboard” in Dallas.

Beyond his own musical pursuits, Austin is committed to nurturing young talent. For the second consecutive year, he organized a two-week summer camp in his hometown of Battle Creek, Michigan, culminating in a full-scale Broadway musical performance featuring local elementary through high school youth. ■