Creatives in Practice: Barb Raney

BU School of Music’s beloved academic advisor is also a singer in the Bristol Chorale, a community choir based in Attleboro, MA, whose chamber orchestra includes BU music alums and students

Nora Cannizaro (CFA’25), a BU bassoon performance alum, and Barb Raney, Boston University School of Music Assistant Director, Student Services, and Academic Advisor for CFA undergraduate music students, standing side by side inside a wooden-paneled room at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, the meeting place of Bristol Chorale. Nora, on the left, is wearing a black outfit and holding a large bassoon, while Barb, on the right, is dressed in a white blouse with a blue sash and a black pleated skirt. There are chairs and a small altar decorated with colorful banners and flowers in the background.

Nora Cannizaro (CFA’25), left, a BU bassoon performance alum, and Barb Raney at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, the performance venue of Bristol Chorale.

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CREATIVES IN PRACTICE: BARB RANEY

Boston University School of Music’s beloved academic advisor is also a singer in the Bristol Chorale, a community choir based in Attleboro, MA, whose chamber orchestra includes many BU music alums and students.

July 21, 2025
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One thing that gravitates the next generation of artists to Boston University College of Fine Arts? Knowing that their professors, advisors, and mentors are also working artists, gaining real-world experience and bringing that back into the classroom through their curriculum, lessons, and talks. In CFA’s Creatives in Practice series, your favorite CFA faculty and staff members share the work they’re doing off campus, locally, nationally, and globally.

As Assistant Director of Student Services for Boston University School of Music, Barbara “Barb” Raney (CAS’85) proudly supports and serves BU’s finest student musicians. As an Academic Advisor for undergraduate students, Barb engages students in the collaborative process of exploring and creating their educational path.

A BU alum, Barb is the personification of being #ProudtoBU. Her husband, Earl Raney (CFA’84,’09), and daughter Katie Raney (CFA’18) are also BU alums, and all are musically trained.

In this installment of CFA’s Creatives in Practice series, Barb shares how she’s involved with The Bristol Chorale, a community choir based in Attleboro, MA, and you guessed it… so are Earl and Katie (Earl is the music director and conductor with an impressive performance background). The non-profit organization presents concerts featuring a diverse repertoire of choral music and is comprised of dedicated and talented artists, including a number of BU alums and current students who play in the choir’s chamber orchestra.

For Barb, this professional opportunity helps her stay connected to the music industry, allowing her to be a more effective advisor to the future music-makers, -changers, -educators, and -advocates of the world.

Choir and orchestra group posed together inside the Immanuel Lutheran Church, the meeting place of Bristol Chorale. The choir members are standing in the back, dressed mostly in white and black attire, while the orchestra members are seated in front with their instruments, including violins, cello, and piano. A conductor in a white jacket stands in the center. The background features an altar adorned with floral arrangements and a large, colorful stained-glass window or tapestry above. Wooden pews fill the foreground.

Q&A WITH BARB RANEY

CFA: How does your real-world experience in the field connect to your role as a staff member at BU College of Fine Arts?

Barb: My husband and children are all professional musicians, so it’s pretty much all we talk about! I have a deep connection to the music world through them and their various professional positions.

What inspires you about this role? How do you think it makes you a better artist, educator/arts administrator?

I love supporting our talented students in CFA! They have so many choices at BU – minors, double majors, extra-curricular opportunities like study abroad, internships, and fellowships. It is so rewarding when they seek my advice. And the more I know about the industry and world they plan to enter professionally, the more effective an advisor I can be.

Are there any BU or CFA connections in The Bristol Chorale?

We have many current students and alums who play in the orchestra! Zhen Wang (CFA’22,’25), clarinet; Nora Cannizaro (CFA’25), bassoon; Katie Raney (CFA’18), trumpet; William Hume (CFA’24), piano; Maya Lynn (CFA’24,’27), violin; Audrey Ma (CFA’28), violin; Matthew Holzaepfel (CFA’24,’26), viola; and Zachary Larson (CFA’19,’23), cello. Another fun fact is that my son Daniel Raney (bass) also plays in the orchestra.

Bringing it back to Terrier Town, are there any BU programs or events you’re involved with?

As an advisor, I am involved with the larger University undergraduate advising community. I also have a strong connection with our BU colleagues in London and our partner school, The Royal College of Music.

What advice would you give your students about building a sustainable career in the arts?

Be your own best advocate and promoter! Network, network, network. Nothing is a guarantee anymore in any industry, so follow your dreams and your passions, and you can make it work. It might not be a straightforward route without bumps and detours, but it will be rewarding and worthwhile because you will be making a difference in this world when you share your talent and gifts.

Any fun facts or other information you’d like to share with us?

Well, back when I was in high school and college, I delivered singing telegrams! Is that still a thing?

Portrait of Barb Raney, Boston University School of Music Assistant Director, Student Services, and Academic Advisor for CFA undergraduate music students, with shoulder-length light brown hair wearing a white collared shirt and a necklace with blue and light-colored beads. The background is a plain light color.

Connect with Barb!

Send Barb an email at braney@bu.edu with any questions about her role at Boston University, her experience singing with the Bristol Chorale, or if you’d like to share your thoughts on whether singing telegrams are still a thing or not.

About Mentioned Programs

The minor in Music (non-performance) explores a variety of courses in music theory and aural skills. Additional credits in music come from courses chosen with the approval of the advisor for Music minors. Applied music and composition courses require an audition or departmental approval.

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The minor in Music (performance) provides Boston University undergraduates with high-level training in instrumental or vocal performance. Concentrated individual study is required, in addition to multiple semesters of ensemble participation and required coursework in music theory and music history. This minor is intended for student musicians with previously substantive music experiences—those who wish to expand upon established musical skills.

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One of the biggest draws to Boston University is the opportunity to learn across disciplines and subjects. While every student stretches their academic interests, some wish to delve deeply into degree programs from multiple Schools. Boston University’s Dual Degree Program allows undergraduate students to pursue two bachelor’s degrees from separate schools or colleges simultaneously. The pursuit of BU’s Dual Degree Program requires careful consideration and planning.

requirements, app process, and more

The School of Music and BU Study Abroad offer an exciting and unique opportunity to study for a semester with the Royal College of Music in London, England. The program blends the resources of one of the world’s leading conservatories with the collaborative resources of Boston University’s International Programs. This opportunity is available to undergraduate students entering their junior year of study.

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