My dissertation advisor, Dr. Michael B. Collins ("Friends We'll Miss," summer 2011), was one of the College of Music's greatest teachers and a teacher-friend of mine for 34 years. He was a scholar of international stature. Almost 50 years after he defended it, his dissertation, "The Performance of Coloration, Sesquialtera and Hemiola (1450-1750)," continues to impress.

In addition to his advanced seminars at UNT, including one devoted to Beethoven string quartets, his Baroque performance course was legendary. I will never forget Michael breaking into a sarabande in Versailles' Hall of Mirrors.

James Parsons ('92 Ph.D.)
Springfield, Mo.

Editor's note: Read Parsons' full obituary for Collins.

I was in eight different musicology courses Professor Collins taught beginning when he first arrived at North Texas in 1968. He was the finest classroom teacher I have ever had. His lectures were fascinating. My favorite course was Baroque Performance Practices in which all the students took part performing various works using improvised ornamentation, unequal notes and other skills. We even learned Baroque dances. Under the tutelage of Baroque dancer Wendy Hilton and Dr. Collins, there would be doctoral students of every sort prancing around on the stage of the old Concert Hall. It was fun, sometimes funny, and extremely valuable for understanding much about Baroque music.

Michael and I became close friends and kept in close touch over the years. He is someone whom I will miss terribly.

Norma Stevlingson
('74 D.M.A.)
Superior, Wisc.