MA154
Education
- M.M., Master of Music, Indiana University, 1982
- B.A., Bachelor of Arts, Nebraska Wesleyan University, 1978
- B.M., Bachelor of Music, Nebraska Wesleyan University, 1977
Biography
Constance Cook is teaching professor of music in music in general studies and director of the Music in General Studies program at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
She holds undergraduate degrees in piano performance and history from Nebraska Wesleyan University and graduate degrees in musicology, piano, and theory from Indiana University. Cook teaches courses developed on her research interests: Leonard Bernstein, the American Musical, Music of War and Peace, and Music Listening. In addition to teaching, she created and directed the 2018 JSOM Chamber Music Seminar.
Cook is committed to impacting social change through music and with Kelley School of Business, Business Law and Ethics professor Tim Fort , is the co-creator of two International summits, entitled: “Music, Business and Peace” http://www.musicbusinesspeace.org/ She has presented numerous papers in this vein, including: Leonard Bernstein’s legacy as an Artist-Citizen, the politics of Rodgers and Hammerstein, and Gershwin’s role in race and the American musical identity.
On the national level, Cook served on the College Music Society board from 2014-2017 and was a member of the society’s 2012 national program committee and its 2008-11 Music in General Studies Advisory Committee.
Cook is the recipient of several awards at IU, including 2017 Outstanding Faculty Member – Kappa Alpha Theta, 2015 Honorary Faculty Member– Tau Beta Sigma, 2011 Commission on Multicultural Understanding Faculty Award, 2009 and 2010 ArtsWeek grants, 2008 Active Learning Grant from Instructional Support Services, and 2004 Blue Ribbon Award for Outstanding Instructors from the Disability Student Services Office. From 2007 to 2010, she designed and implemented the Jacobs-Kelley Cultural Leadership Program.
Previously, Cook worked with issues of integrity, civility, harassment, victimization, and human rights at the IU Office of Student Ethics and Anti-Harassment Programs (now the Office of Student Conduct). For 20 years, she was on the faculty and music director at summer music programs in Colorado: Rocky Ridge Music Center and Lamont School of Music Summer Pre-College Academy at the University of Denver. She founded the latter in 2008 and was its director from 2008 to 2012. From 2006 to 2008, she collaborated with Haitian conductor Jean Montès to fund and bring Haitian students to both Rocky Ridge Music Center and the Jacobs School of Music Summer Festival.
Cook is cochair of the Diversity and Equity Committee at the Jacobs School of Music and, in that capacity, has endeavored to create inclusive forums such as "Community Conversations," where diversity and equity issues are openly discussed.
Cook continues to volunteer locally in multiple capacities. She has used her skills as a pianist to promote and champion historically marginalized composers, served as president of a local chamber music group, convened the IU Children’s Choir board, and was a leader of local junior music clubs, sponsored by the National Federation of Music Clubs.
In 2002, she cochaired the Bloomington Multicultural Festival in association with the Lotus World Music and Arts Festival. Cook has served on the Quarryland Men’s Chorus board of directors since 2016.