Digital Ear

Richard Grove Miller IV, College '10

Richard Grove Miller IV, a rising fourth-year music and Spanish major, is one of five undergraduates who have received grants from the University Undergraduate Award for Arts Projects program.

Miller, from Warrenton, Va., will compose and record music for his first solo album using a new electro-acoustic music software program called Max For Live, the result of a collaboration between two of the world's leading digital audio software companies.

"An unprecedented tool for both the studio and the stage, Max For Live will allow me to fully program the computer for my specific needs and have complete hands-on control over my compositions," he said.

The arts grants, which debuted this year, were presented for installations, writing, music and participatory art. Modeled on the Harrison Undergraduate Research Awards, they emphasize creative projects to expand students' expression and showcase artistic accomplishments. The students applied for between $1,000 and $5,000 in grants, provided this year by the provost's office. A faculty committee reviewed 13 proposals, which included samples of students' creative work.

The competition was open to undergraduates from throughout the University, regardless of school or major. "The University's students are very creative and accomplished," said Lucy Russell, director of U.Va.'s Center for Undergraduate Excellence. "This is a terrific way to recognize that and provide students with new opportunities to take on significant projects in the arts."

"I'm particularly inspired by the range of topics and media selected for this inaugural year," said Beth Turner, vice provost for the arts. "I am also inspired by the artistic talent here at the University. These awards will help foster an environment where our students can create something new." The recipients will work with faculty members to pursue their art in depth and experience a new level of quality and engagement, Turner said.

"U.Va.'s new creative arts awards are designed to give undergraduates an opportunity to work closely with a faculty adviser in creative art inquiry," said J. Milton Adams, vice provost for academic programs. "As an artist, what could be more fun than a chance to produce your own art based upon your creative ideas?"

Other students receiving grants were

• Rachel Callahan of Weston, Fla., a rising fourth-year studio arts and art history major,
• Lauren Elyse Catlett, of Richmond, a rising fourth-year student majoring in studio art and Russian,
• Emily Corazon Nelson of Charlotte, N.C., a rising fourth-year studio art and Spanish major, and
• Lucy Jennifer Zhou, of Bethlehem, Pa., a rising fourth-year English and economics major.