New named professors in music

Two faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Music have been appointed to named professorships.

Xiang Gao has been named Trustees Distinguished Professor of Music and Paul Head has been appointed Unidel Professor of Music.

Both appointments are effective Sept. 1.

Xiang Gao

Xiang Gao teaches violin in the Department of Music at UD and is ZiJiang Professor of Music at the East China Normal University in Shanghai.

He is considered one of the world's leading concert violinists from China. For 20 years, he has maintained a rigorous and demanding solo and crossover performance schedule at the international level.

As a multifaceted violinist and singer-songwriter, Gao is a frequent feature soloist on national television productions of China performing music of many styles from classical to rock, which were broadcast in 15 countries in front of one billion viewers worldwide.

Gao holds two professorships overseas: ZiJiang Professor of Music (a named visiting professorship) of the East China Normal University in Shanghai, China; and Distinguished Visiting Professor of Music of the Fujian Normal University of FuZhou, China.

Gao is the founder and producing artistic director of the University of Delaware Master Players Concert Series. At the request of the current and former deans of the College of Arts and Sciences and presidents of the University, he has full time directed the concert series for seven years.

Trustees Distinguished Professorships were created by the University's Board of Trustees to recognize deserving senior members of the faculty.

Paul Head

As director of choral studies at the University of Delaware, Paul Head directs the internationally recognized University Chorale and community based Schola Cantorum. He also serves as the chair of the Department of Music.

Head maintains an active presence as conductor and guest clinician, having conducted All-State choirs in 10 states in addition to professional appearances throughout the United States.

As an active researcher and pedagogue, he is published in several books and publications and is co-editor of Case Studies in Music Education and a contributing author in the School Choral Program.

Unidel professorships are supported by the Unidel Foundation, which was established by Amy E. du Pont, a noted sportswoman and philanthropist who supported women's education at Delaware and bequeathed her estate to create the foundation. The Unidel Foundation makes grants to finance specific projects to enrich educational programs at UD.