UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — David Frego, chair of the Department of Music at the University of Texas at San Antonio, has been appointed director of the Penn State School of Music, effective July 1. Sue Haug, director of the school since 2005, will step down from that role in June, but remain on the School of Music faculty.
Frego, who is the Roland K. Blumberg Professor of Music at UTSA, has been at the University of Texas since 2008. He previously served as associate director and associate professor in the School of Music at Ohio State University.
“I'm thrilled to join the music faculty at Penn State," said Frego. "I look forward to working collaboratively with faculty and students in the college to foster interdisciplinary research and creative activities, and to continue with the exciting initiatives underway. This includes strengthening Penn’s Woods Music Festival and expanding program offerings at the undergraduate and graduate level.”
According to Barbara Korner, dean of the College of Arts and Architecture, Frego brings a strong record as a master teacher, collaborative administrator, creative fundraiser, and connector across disciplines. “His energy and expertise will build on the excellent foundation of the faculty and leadership in the School of Music. His influence extends through national and international networks in the field, which will benefit Penn State.”
A specialist in Dalcroze Eurhythmics — an approach to internalizing the elements of music through purposeful movement — Frego has written several books on the topic, in addition to presenting about Dalcroze Eurhythmics nationally and internationally.
“While my current research area is working with adults affected by post-traumatic stress, I feel that Penn State’s dancers, actors and musicians will also find artistic benefits from eurhythmics experiences,” Frego said.
In 1998, Frego established the Dalcroze Research Center in the Lawrence and Lee Theatre Research Institute at Ohio State University. His research in movement-based music education and therapy is published in music education journals and medical journals for arts medicine. Other teaching and research areas include dance philosophy and the application of Dalcroze Eurhythmics as palliative care for terminally ill adults.
Frego serves as president of the American Eurhythmics Society, in addition to leadership roles in the National Association of Schools of Music and the Texas Association of Music Schools.