DETROIT, MI - In July 2003 Dr. James Lentini, Professor of Music Composition and Associate Chair for the WSU Department of Music, will begin his new position as Dean for the School of Art, Media and Music at the College of New Jersey. Lentini accepted this position in June 2003, following a national search, and will be the founding Dean of the School, as well as a Full Professor of music. The College of New Jersey is located in Ewing, approximately five miles from Trenton, New Jersey's state capitol. Lentini is looking forward to helping the School build and develop new curriculum in the areas of art, media and music. "I am intrigued by the potential of interdisciplinary work in the areas of digital art, music, film and television," states Dr. James Lentini. "I am looking forward to being an integral part of developing the School's cutting edge technology."


As founding Dean of the School, Lentini will lead the building and development of new programs and curricula. Art and Music are long established departments at the College with an experienced and dedicated faculty. The Department of Music has approximately 13 full-time faculty members and adjunct faculty from the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, New York City Opera, American Symphony Orchestra, and the Metropolitan Opera. Art has approximately 18 full-time faculty and Media has 4 full-time faculty. The School supports nine degree programs including secondary education in Art and Music, graphic design, fine arts, early childhood education in Art and Music, elementary education in Art and Music, and music performance.

The College of New Jersey was founded in 1855 as the New Jersey State Normal School and is primarily an undergraduate and residential college. The College has a total enrollment of approximately 6,800 students and is only 60 minutes from New York City and Philadelphia. According to the U.S. News World Report Rankings, the College is ranked as the number one public school in the East and ranks as number six for all northern universities. The College has 7 other Schools, including the Schools of Business, Culture & Society, Education, Engineering, Nursing, Science, and General Education.

A Detroit native and currently a Grosse Pointe resident, composer James Lentini has just completed fifteen years at Wayne State University. Since 1997, Lentini has served as Associate Chair for the Department of Music. He also served as Acting Chair during the 2000-01 academic year. Lentini began his career at WSU in 1988 as an Assistant Professor in a research position created for a composer with expertise in technology. At the time, the Department did not offer a curriculum for music technology. Lentini played an integral role in designing the undergraduate curriculum, which was implemented in 1994 and is fully accredited by the National Association for Schools of Music. "I am extremely proud of the music technology program at WSU," states Lentini. "For many years, I dedicated my heart and soul into the development of this program and it will be difficult to leave the program's students, as a teacher and as an administrator."

Not only has Lentini served as a professor and as an administrator, but he is also an alumnus of the Department, receiving his Bachelor of Music from Wayne State in 1982. He earned his Master of Music from Michigan State and his DMA from the University of South California. "I have truly enjoyed my time at Wayne State, as a teacher and administrator," expresses Lentini. "My experiences at WSU have lead to this new and exciting challenge as a Dean for the College of New Jersey. During my time at WSU, I feel that I was given the opportunity to grow in my career as an artist and as a teacher. I received tremendous support for my work as a musician and composer from the University, the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, and my dear colleagues in the Department of Music. This support has lead to international performances of my compositions, as well as a steady amount of compositions performed locally (by some of Detroit's finest musicians), regionally and nationally."

Lentini's recent accomplishments include the International Segovia Composition Prize for his solo guitar piece "Westward Voyage", performed in La Herradura, Spain at the prestigious Segovia Guitar Competition. He has also been a Visiting Artist at the American Academy in Rome, Italy. Members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra have regularly played his works, and he has upcoming performances scheduled in New York City and Miami. Lentini's decision to leave his hometown has been difficult, and the WSU Department of Music faculty, staff and students will miss him. "We are most appreciative of the fine work Jim Lentini has accomplished at Wayne State University," comments Professor Dennis J. Tini, Chair of the Department of Music. "He has been an excellent teacher/composer, Associate Chair and a tremendous colleague, well-respected by the Department's students, faculty and staff. We offer our dear colleague Jim, and his family, every good wish on his new position and their experiences in New Jersey!"

For more information on the College of New Jersey, visit College of New Jersey Web site.

For more information on the Department of Music at Wayne State University, visit WSU Department of Music Website.