| Thomas
Sovík
Associate Professor of Music Theory |
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Thomas (Tomáš) Sovík (b. 1953 in
Youngstown, OH). Following seminary studies, Dr. Sovík earned degrees
at Ashland University (B.A. 1974) and the Ohio State University (M.A.
1975 & Ph.D. 1985). After holding positions at the University of
Northern Iowa and with Yamaha Music International, he joined the UNT
College of Music faculty in 1987 and served as the first chair of the
Division of Music History, Theory, & Ethnomusicology (1990-96). He
subsequently held the position of Dean of Fine & Performing Arts at
Mississippi University for Women (1998-99), returning to Dallas for
surgery and therapy after being run down by a drunk driver. Most
recently, at University Honor's Day 2002 Dr. Sovík received UNT's
coveted 'fessor Graham award for his "Outstanding Teaching &
Dedication to Students." Dr. Sovík's primary research field is the "History of Music Theory in Central Europe during the Medieval and Renaissance Eras." He has authored numerous articles and translations, articles, and papers on such disparate topics as the history of music theory, medicine, management, popular music, and technology applied to distance learning. He is a regular participant at international conferences and colloquia, and has made over 70 academic presentations in the United States, Canada, Guatemala, and the Czech Republic. His on-going "20-year project" is the translation and commentary on Glaucidius of Moravia's The Arts of War, Peace, Leadership, and Governance, with Practical Instructions on How to Live Well and to be Loved even by the Most Vile and Putrid of Your Enemies. Dr. Sovík's secondary research field is "Popular Music in American Culture," with enrollment in his pop music classes typically exceeding 1000 students during the course of any academic year. These classes have been delivered in both the traditional and large-lecture formats as well as by interactive broadcast, and will be offered nationally as web-based instruction beginning Fall 2003. His most recent publication in this area has been the lead article "Women in Rock" in Women and Music in America Since 1900: An Encyclopedia (Oryx Press). In 1990 Dr. Sovík founded our student-exchange program between the University of North Texas, the Janácek Akademie of Music & the Performing Arts, Masaryk University, and the Brno Technical College (all of Brno, Czech Republic), and has served since that time as the Director of Central European Studies & Exchanges. He has organized no less than twenty visits to the Czech Republic, providing the opportunity for 271 faculty and students to perform 213 recitals and offer 76 academic presentations. His short-term visitors from the Czech Republic have included composers Jindrich Feld and Arnošt Parsch, flautist Arnošt Bourek, and the Children's Renaissance Collegium of the Pavel Krizkovsky School for the Performing Arts. In addition, music students continue to take advantage of our formal exchange program with the Janácek Akademie, which provides concurrent study for Czech students at the University of North Texas. Information regarding Dr. Sovík's performance and cultural tours to the Czech Republic (October & March), as well as our formal exchange program with the Janácek Akademie of Music & the Performing Arts. Click here for more information. |