W. Thomas “Tom” McKenney, who has taught composition and music theory at Mizzou for 47 years and has served as co-artistic director of the Mizzou New Music Initiative since it began in 2010,  is retiring from full-time teaching after the Spring 2015 semester.

Although Professor McKenney (pictured) will still be around Columbia, teaching some classes, composing, and no doubt offering wise counsel to all who seek it (while being freed from those pesky meetings and administrative duties), it nevertheless seems very appropriate that the Columbia Daily Tribune paid tribute to him last week with an short feature about his teaching career, composing, and impending retirement, which you can read online here.

Noting that “What has been, and what will be, at MU bear the marks of McKenney’s hand and his measured, wise musical manner,” the article concludes, “These gains are, and will continue to be, gradual, but it is clear McKenney leaves the program on a high note.”

McKenney also talked about some of his recent compositions with KBIA host Trevor Harris last week for a feature story, which you can check out here.