DENTON (UNT), Texas - John W. Richmond, director of the Glenn Korff School of Music in the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has been named the dean of the University of North Texas College of Music.

“Dr. Richmond possesses the leadership and experience needed to support and grow the reputation of UNT’s College of Music as one of the largest and most respected comprehensive music schools in the world,” said Finley Graves, provost and vice president for academic affairs at UNT. “His expertise in music and dedication to the arts will help our students and faculty continue their professional growth while enhancing the college’s connection to the greater Dallas-Fort Worth community.”

Richmond assumes his position Aug. 1. He will replace Warren Henry, who has served as interim dean since January 2016, following the administrative retirement of James Scott.

Richmond has guided UNL’s Glenn Korff School of Music since 2003, developing a strategic plan and successfully earning reaccreditation from the National Associations of Schools of Music and Dance. He also helped create Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degree programs in jazz studies as well as a Ph.D. degree in music. Other accomplishments include creating ensemble residencies, upgrading technology for faculty and students and quadrupling endowments to more than $20 million.

“I think my greatest accomplishments have involved creating the environment necessary for faculty, staff and students to reach their fullest potential,” Richmond said.
“Sometimes this has meant providing resources for travel or competition; sometimes it has meant brokering introductions of accomplished artists and scholars in meaningful collaboration; and sometimes it has meant cheering my colleagues on while staying out of the way. I believe my background chronicles clear and unapologetic commitments to international engagement, interdisciplinary involvement and innovation.”

Prior to his work at UNL, Richmond was a professor and administrator in the School of Music at the University of South Florida, Tampa, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in choral music education, choral conducting, arts education administration and philosophy.

“To this day, I perform as a choral conductor and I publish in the area of music education with particular interests in arts education policy – especially legal issues in arts education – arts education philosophy and matters of equal access to arts instruction,” Richmond said.

Richmond says he will work not only with the College of Music, but with the UNT community – and beyond – to form collaborations that will help the music programs continue to evolve in the fast-paced world of performance, composition, teaching and scholarship.

“Being selected as the next dean of the College of Music is a tremendous honor for me, and there is amazing opportunity at UNT right now. There’s an astounding eagerness from the other deans to partner together for the benefit of our society and the university,” Richmond said. “UNT is respected internationally as a trend-setter and thought-leader across the full range of music disciplines. Having the opportunity to serve at such a place and among such accomplished colleagues will be thrilling. It also means that I am taking on the tremendous responsibility of moving this impressive place forward.”

Richmond earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.; a Master of Music in Choral Conducting at the University of Missouri at Kansas City; and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo.