Koster Receives USD Research Awards Congratulations to the NMM’s Conservator and Professor of Music, John Koster, who was the recipient of two prestigious research awards presented to him by The University of South Dakota during the 2010 fall semester. Wayne S. Knutson, University Distinguished Professor of Theatre Emeritus, officially named Koster the “College of Fine Arts [CFA] Distinguished Professor for 2010-2012” at a meeting of the CFA faculty on August 26. This, the highest faculty award in the CFA, is awarded biennially to a professor who has been at USD at least twelve years and who has distinguished himself/herself in research and creative activity. The award, supported by the Wayne S. and Esther M. Knutson Endowment Fund, provides each recipient with a cash award of $1,000 a year for two years. In turn, the recipient is expected to deliver a special presentation, exhibit or performance, along with a public lecture in their area of expertise. Susan Skyrm, Professor of Music, was the inaugural recipient of the award in 2006, followed by John Banasiak, Professor of Art, in 2008.

Koster was also one of three members of The University of South Dakota faculty recognized for their outstanding research and creative work during the President’s Research Day on October 27. According to a press release issued by USD, “President’s Research Day is an annual showcase for research and creative activities at USD. ‘We’re pleased to honor such an outstanding group of researchers this year,’ said Laura J. Jenski, Ph.D., vice president for research at USD. ‘Our recipients have established vibrant research programs that integrate student learning and involve extensive collaborations.’ Koster is this year’s honoree in the Established Faculty category. A member of the USD faculty since 1991, Koster is Conservator of the collections at the National Music Museum and research has been a major component of his workload. Koster’s work has drawn national and international attention as he has published 45 articles and 10 reviews in prominent international scholarly journals, and has been invited to contribute several articles to standard reference works, including The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians and “J. S. Bach” in the Oxford Composer Companions series. His research articles have appeared in publications in Belgium and Germany in the past year where he was invited to present at conferences in Antwerp and Berlin. This past year, Koster delivered papers at the annual meeting of the American Musical Instrument Society at the Library of Congress, at the “Keyboard Music and Instruments in the Spanish Empire, 16th-17th Centuries,” in Spain, and at conferences in England and Germany" (click here for additional information about Koster's presentations in Europe in 2010). Since Koster had already planned to be in Edinburgh, Scotland, at the time of the USD award, he prepared a pre-recorded lecture, “In Search of Scarlatti’s Hardware,” which was presented at USD during the President’s Research Day events. Thanks to a video/audio hookup via Skype, Koster was able to be virtually present at the Muenster University Center Ballroom to respond to questions following his presentation.

Return to NMM Newsletter Index (December 2010)

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