Z. Randall Stroope

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Professor and conductor Z. Randall Stroope’s edge is still a crowded place that includes conducting at New York City’s Carnegie Hall, directing music for Mass at the Vatican and at music festivals across the U.S. There’s also room on the edge for publishing more than 100 musical works that have sold millions of copies, developing a music-conducting computer software and directing international music festivals.

“I am honored to be able to darken the door of many of the great performance venues of the country, but ultimately what stands out about the experience are the people,” Stroope says. “There is no location that can compete with a group of on-fire, dedicated people — whether at Carnegie Hall or a small community center. People make the difference.”

Stroope finds such people at OSU, where as director of choral and vocal studies, he was awarded the Doug and Nickie Burns Endowed Chair in Choral Music.

The chair has allowed Stroope to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding music department, students and the OSU community. It also ensures that the arts aren’t simply pushed aside.

“The money has greatly enhanced several areas of performance and research that would not have been possible other- wise,” Stroope says. “As an example, I am working on a new conducting software program with a person at the University of California, Berkeley. I was also able to bring in two international guest artists — one from the Metropolitan Opera in New York — to work with our students this year. Also, conducting playback technology was purchased this year. The incredible generosity of Doug and Nickie Burns has made a deep mark in the lives of so many students and faculty, even in the first year.”

Stroope thinks John F. Kennedy’s phrase, “A rising tide lifts all boats,” captures the new funds’ impact on the music department. Students agree.

“Dr. Stroope has made tremendous efforts to recruit good musicians and to publicize events, helping to put OSU on the map,” says Judith Prenzlow, a junior vocal music education major. “He also helps bring in excellent master-class presenters, like (opera singer) Barbara Dever this past semester, which has been more than constructive for all the voice students.”

OSU alumni Doug and Nickie Burns created the endowment in 2008 to retain OSU’s pre-eminent faculty, raise awareness for the arts and support OSU’s music department. Their daughter, Whiteny Burns, sang in the choral program, so this endowment symbolizes the Burns’ personal connection to the department, which makes the award and the endowment that much more important to Stroope. The Burnses initially donated $250,000, which was matched by T. Boone Pickens’ chair commitment and then by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, bringing the endowment’s impact to $1 million.

An American composer, conductor, lecturer and world traveler, Stroope is among the most active and decorated people in his profession. Stroope shares his love for music with the world, and most importantly, with OSU. Since 2000, he has conducted twice a year at New York’s Carnegie Hall. He has also conducted five times in the last four years during Mass at the Vatican; directed 38 all-state choirs; conducted music festivals in 45 states; directed 12 summer international music festivals in England, Germany and Italy; and he has around 125 published works that have sold millions of copies.

This fall will mark the beginning of Stroope’s sixth year at OSU. While he has guest conducted at renowned venues and worked with some stellar conductors and performers, Stroope believes that OSU is an unbeatable place. Among other features, Stroope pointed out the family-like atmosphere, a commitment to excellence, opportunities for faculty to accomplish great things and the active ownership and pride the community has with OSU.

Stroope lauds OSU’s administration and regents for thinking beyond the current state of academia, moving forward and leading. He also says the leadership is pushing hard to ensure OSU continues as one of the finest universities in the country.

Music has been a natural part of the Albuquerque, N.M., native since he was young. His mother was a pianist, and his father sang in church choirs. When Stroope was 8, he began studying piano and later participated in band and other activities. The pilots in Stroope’s musical journey were his piano teacher, who ensured that he saw area performances, and his college piano and composition teachers. Stroope received a master’s degree in music from the University of Colorado and a doctorate in musical arts from Arizona State University.

Stroope is married to Cheryl Stroope, a vocal music teacher at Stillwater Middle School and Stillwater Junior High. The Stroopes have five children, who are scattered across the U.S., and a sheltie dog who accompanies them on their adventures and sometimes during class.

Stroope has a distinct, memorable presence and teaching style. His rehearsal atmosphere is comfortable, fast-paced and humorous, his students say, although he has extremely high expectations. His ultimate priority is musicality instead of absolute accuracy, according to Prenzlow. His high standards have helped many students to grow personally and as performers.

“Though he’s really famous within the choral community worldwide, he’s still very personable,” says Renae Perry, a senior vocal music education major. “His support made me believe in myself as a musician.”

Story By Shelby Holcomb