When the School of the Arts dean stepped down in December, the faculty’s search and hiring committees needed to act quickly to find a replacement. About a month later, Dr. Newell Dayley was appointed as the new dean.
Dayley began his part-time responsibilities as the new dean for the School of the Arts on February 14. Dayley is retired from BYU, but currently is emeritus professor of music at BYU-Idaho, so after finishing the semester, he will start full-time here in April.
“He really sees a wonderful, bright future for the school,” said Ian Wilson, vice president of Academic Affairs. “He’s very excited to be here.”
Wilson had the final say in approving Dayley’s hire, as well as any other faculty. So far, he has not said no to any selection. Wilson also works directly with the deans on overseeing academic affairs.
“We appointed Dr. Dayley for a two-year term that’s renewable,” Wilson said. “He’s taught, he’s performed, he’s written music, he’s led orchestras – we’re really fortunate to lure him out of retirement.”
Dayley has been in a number of administrative assignments at BYU, including Associate Academic Vice President for Undergraduate Studies, Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications, Chair of the Department of Music, Associate Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications, and Associate Dean of General Education and Honors.
He also served as an accreditation evaluator for the National Association of Schools of Music, technology committee chair for the International Council of Fine Arts Deans, President of the Utah Music Educators Association, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Barlow Endowment for Music Composition and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Utah Arts Council.
During his tenure at BYU, Dayley taught trumpet, brass pedagogy, jazz, music theory, orchestration, film scoring and music business. He served as conductor of the Symphonic Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Wind Symphony) and Symphony Orchestra. He also conducted numerous music theater productions and was originator and director of the award-winning jazz ensemble Synthesis.
As a performer on the trumpet, Dr. Dayley has been a member of the Utah Symphony Orchestra, a soloist with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and a member of a number of professional ensembles, such as the Brassworks Quintet.
As a composer, he may be best known for sacred songs, hymns and choral settings, such as “Lord, I Would Follow Thee,” “I Feel My Savior’s Love” and “Faith In Every Footstep,” that are widely used in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
During his career, Dr. Dayley has received numerous awards and commendations for his work as a performer, teacher, composer and arts administrator.
“Dr. Dayley is going to really be able to make a wonderful contribution to the School of the Arts for a few years,” Wilson said.
