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Spotlight

Madison Kaminsky - The last 8
Sonoma State alumna Madison Kaminsky scores first documentary as The Last Eight reaches festival audiences

Sonoma State University alumna Madison Kaminsky reached a new stage in her career as a screen composer with The Last Eight, her first documentary score and a project that has since moved through a series of film festival screenings and recognitions.

Beneath a tree music duo
Gail Hernández Rosa Earns Audience Choice Recognition in Both the Bay Area and Los Angeles

Sonoma State University Department of Music faculty member Gail Hernández Rosa received recognition in two San Francisco Classical Voice 2025–2026 Audience Choice Awards, with honors connected to performances in both the Bay Area and Los Angeles regions.

SSU Flute Choir
Sonoma State University Flute Choir Performs at National Flute Association Convention

The ensemble participated in the NFA’s Flute Ensemble Festival, a nationally adjudicated program that selects flute ensembles and flute choirs through an anonymous review process.

Members of the Cantares de Mi Tierra youth mariachi ensemble perform on the Center Stage at the California State Fair in Sacramento.
Sonoma State Music Student Leads Youth Mariachi Ensemble to State Title

Sonoma State University Department of Music student Matthew Bowker is making an impact on music education in our community.

Music Number 1 school in the country for ROI
Sonoma State University Music Department Ranks #1 in the Nation for Graduate Earnings ROI

While public discussions frequently question the financial return on investment (ROI) for arts degrees, fresh data reveals that Sonoma State University’s Music Department is shattering those assumptions.

Concerto Competition
Concerto Competition
Kevin mills
Composition Contest Winner Chosen

Six students at Sonoma State University took part in the annual Sonoma State Symphony Orchestra Composition Contest. This year's contest encouraged students to write pieces for orchestra that were inspired by visual art. 

Julianne Nguyen and the JW Pepper logo
Sonoma State Music Alumna Published by JW Pepper

A Sonoma State University alumna, Julianne Nguyen, has published an original Vietnamese choral composition, Về nghe mẹ ru, through F-Flat Books with national distribution on the JW Pepper website. 

Thom Limbert rehearsing Songscapes with SSU Symphonic Wind Ensemble
World Premier of "Songscapes"

Thom Limbert's "Songscapes" was featured in an article in the Press Democrat. Read more about it here.