Rex Woods, a noted pianist who has been serving as the School of Musicâs associate director, was named interim director of the school, replacing Robert Cutietta, who will become dean of the School of Music at the University of Southern California.

Woods has played piano throughout the world and has recorded with such noted musicians as soprano Faye Robinson, violinist John Ferrell, and saxophonist Harvey Pitell. Locally, he has been a part of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and the University of Arizona Symphony Orchestra.

He is also currently a member of the Brunch Trio, a local musical group that has released two recordings.

Woods has been on the UA music faculty since 1988. Before that, he was on the faculty at the University of Texas at Austin and at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. He has been associate director of the School of Music since July 2000. He will serve as interim director for one year, although he will have the option of applying for the fulll five-year term as the schoolâs director.

"We will have an external search next year," said Fine Arts College Dean Maurice Sevigny. "Dr. Woods may elect to be a candidate."

The process of selecting an interim director involved a process of nominations from faculty and staff members.

The nominees then made presentations to the faculty and Sevigny got feedback from them about each nominee.

"Rex Woods had near unanimous support," Sevigny said.

After the selection of Woods as interim director, it was his job to name an associate director. He selected Janet Sturman ÷ an associate professor of music ÷ for that position.

"Janet was his choice for associate with strong support also voiced from the faculty for their combined strength as a team," Sevigny said.

Although Woods is officially the "interim" director, his responsibilities will not differ from those of a regular director.

"The difference between Îinterimâ and Îactingâ is that the interim does everything a regular department head or director would do only for a shorter period than the five-year normal term," Sevigny said.

There were many factors that led to the selection of Woods for the interim director position.

Sevigny listed many personal traits that helped the process.

"His tact, fair and honest personality, his strategic planning potential, his strength as a musician, his reputation for high integrity, and his charm," Sevigny said.