SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT
ARTMENTOFMUSIC ARTMENTOFMUSIC DEP DEP
FROM THE CHAIR
INany Maria Balach Chair & Professor
am again thrilled to share a publication with you that highlights just some of the incredible people, exciting events, outstanding achievements, academic excellence, and unique experiences that make us the Department of Music at Mississippi’s flagship institution.
During the 2023-24 academic year, we welcomed eight new faculty members, cut the ribbon on a new Field of Dreams for the Pride of the South Marching Band, expanded ensemble offerings, launched the LOU Community String Orchestra, and “welcomed home” exceptional students who are building their unique legacies with us. From Belgium, France, and Spain to Las Vegas and New York City, our students and faculty are traveling the globe for performances, research, creative activities, and professional development.
It is my pleasure to introduce you to our two new staff members: multi-media specialist Jacob Snell and program coordinator (communications) Andrea Drummond. They are incredible assets to our team.
We are sincerely grateful to our many supporters whose generous donations have provided scholarships and programming that are transforming lives. It is an absolute joy welcoming visitors to our many concerts and events, and we take great pride in the ways we get to engage with the community.
Having worked at the University of Mississippi for 25 years and serving as chair for the last five, I am fully invested in what has been established and where we are headed.
Hotty Toddy! I truly believe the best is yet to come.
–Nancy Maria Balach
Music Building
Andrea Drummond Program Coordinator–Communications
Jacob Snell Multi-Media Specialist
The Department of Music Spotlights was designed by Andrea Drummond (Program Coordinator-Communications) with music major Benton Donahue (BM Music Education). Stories were written by UM Marketing & Communications, the UM Foundation, and the Departmental Communications Team.
MUSIC welcomes NEW FACULTY
Tim Oliver
Professor of Music, Director of Bands
Armee Hong
Instructor in Upper Strings
Coordinator of the LOU Youth Symphony and Oxford String Project
Sarah Koval
Visiting Professor of Music (Musicology)
Philip Snyder
Instructor in Flute
Vincent Morreale
Instructor in Horn
Conductor of the LOU Community Orchestra
Kelsey Smith
Instructor in Cello, Summer College Coordinator
Yoojung Kim
Instructor in Collaborative Piano
Instructor in Collaborative Piano
Austin Smith
Instructor in Oboe
AREA ACADEMIC
The UM Department of Music offers students the opportunity to study in a supportive, student centered environment while pursuing their undergraduate or graduate music degrees.
Musicology
STUDY THE HISTORY OF MUSIC IN ITS BROADER SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXTS.
Consider the ways in which music is embedded in a larger set of historical practices that include listening, music-making, and the production and reproduction of sound.
Sarah Koval
Visiting Assistant Professor of Music, Musicology
Thomas Peattie
Associate Professor of Music, Musicology
Academic Area Head
Ethnomusicology
STUDY THE DIVERSE THE RICH AND DIVERSE MUSIC CULTURES OF THE WORLD.
Explore the human experience of music and the ways in which it intersects with communities, institutions, and other disciplines.
Obianuju Njoku
Assistant Professor of Music, Ethnomusicology & Gender Studies
George Dor Professor of Music, Ethnomusicology Director of the Ole Miss African Drum & Dance Ensemble
MusicTheory
UNDERSTAND THE MUSIC YOU LOVE ON A DEEPER LEVEL.
Forge links between analysis, performance, listening and philosophical contexts.
John Latartara
Associate Professor of Music, Music Theory
Michael Gardiner
Associate Professor of Music, Music Theory
SUMMER IN GHANA
CARNEGIEAFRICANDIASPORA FELLOWSHIPPROGRAM
George Walasi Kwasi Dor spent his summer at the University of Ghana, thanks to a prestigious award from the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program.
The McDonnell-Barksdale Chair of Ethnomusicology was in his native country, where he conducted research with UG professor Eyram Fiagbedzi, leading workshops and mentoring graduate students.
Selected from more than 200 applicants, Dor was a 2019 fellow at the University of Port Harcourt, in Rivers State, Nigeria. The fellowship program allows African-born faculty members at U.S. and Canadian universities to collaborate with a host university in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa or Tanzania on research, curriculum development and capacity building projects. Dor conducted a daylong seminar culminating in an evening concert at the University of Ghana.
VISITING PROFESSOR OF MUSICOLOGY
Sarah Koval is Visiting Assistant Professor of musicology at the University of Mississippi. Her research focuses on musical practices of everyday life, especially in the context of early modern Europe, with methodological commitments to material culture, the history of science, sound studies, and book history. Her research has been supported by fellowships from Harvard University, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and Villa I Tatti, the Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies.
Dr. Sarah Koval
Dor teaching students about international culture & music.
INSTRUMENTAL AREA
UM Music students enhance their skills with personalized instruction from expert faculty. Instrumental students have the opportunity to grow their skills and develop their style on stage, performing in ensembles and as soloists. They work in combos, quartets, symphony, band, and jazz settings, immersing themselves in a wide range of repertoire to become well rounded musicians and music educators.
FIND A MUSICALCommunity
Ricky Burkhead
Professor of Music
Percussion
Adam Estes
Associate Professor of Music
Saxophone
INSTRUMENTAL
Micah Everett Professor of Music
Low Brass
Selim Giray
Associate Professor of Music Director of Orchestral Studies
Armee Hong Instructor in Upper Strings
Vincent Morreale Instructor in Horn
Michael Rowlett
Associate Professor of Music
Clarinet
John Schuesselin
Associate Professor of Music
Trumpet
Austin Smith Instructor in Oboe
Kelsey Smith Instructor in Cello
Philip Snyder Instructor in Flute
Susanna Whitney
Adjunct Instructor in Basoon
The Department of Music features a wide range of ensembles available to both majors and non-majors. From marching bands and orchestras to diverse choirs and unique performance groups, these ensembles provide student musicians with opportunities to excel in various musical genres and styles.
OUR ENSEMBLES
Wind Ensemble
Symphonic Band
Concert Band
Campus Band
Pride of the South
Sound of the Sip
Concert Singers
University Chorus
Men's Glee
Women's Glee
Ole Miss African Drum & Dance Ensemble
The Mississippians
The Collegians
UM Jazz Combos
UM Percussion Ensemble
Steel Drum Orchestra
UM Salsa Project
UM Opera Theatre
LOU Symphony Orchestra
Trombone Ensemble
Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble
Trumpet Ensemble
Horn Ensemble
Chamber Ensembles
Woodwind Ensembles
SUMMER COLLEGE
Summer of 2024, UM Music hosted seven talented high school music students for the Arts Track of Summer College as a partnership with Pre-College Programs. The students lived on campus, attended classes, and got a taste of the college life throughout the month of June. Their summer school schedule culminated with an Arts Showcase on Sunday, June 23rd including a tour, recital, and reception to highlight the students' hard work.
Thanks and acknowledgement go to Dr. Kelsey Smith, Coordinator of the Pre-College Programs for UM Music, for her dedication to recruiting and organizing this summer's session. Smith taught summer courses along with colleagues Dr. Selim Giray, Dr. Armee Hong, and Dr. Vincent Morreale. The students of Summer College also participated in the inaugural LOU Community String Orchestra organized by Hong and Morreale. UM Music holds the deepest gratitude to Jan and Lawrence Farrington for their generosity in support of this program.
Summer College students in Nutt Auditorium
LOU Community String Orchestra peforms a recital in Nutt Auditorium
EDUCATION Music
Bringyourpassionformusicintotheclassroom
Whether you want to inspire as a teacher, lead as an administrator or explore exciting areas of research, let your journey begin at the University of Mississippi.
CHOOSE FROM THREE AREAS OF INTERESTS
INSTRUMENTAL VOCAL • KEYBOARD
From classroom to stage, our acclaimed faculty will bring your music education goals into focus and help you succeed as a music educator.
ACDA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE D
onald Trott, University of Mississippi professor of music and director of choral activities, has been honored by the American Choral Directors Association.
He was presented with the Southern Region ACDA Award of Excellence in February ‘24 at the organization's conference in Louisville, KY. Trott, who has been actively involved with ACDA for more than 40 years, was recognized for his career accomplishments and contributions to the association.
UM student interacting with elementary students
Students, faculty, and alumni gathered to celebrate Trott.
THE PRIDE OF THE SOUTH VISITS WILLIE PRICE SCHOOL
Members of the Ole Miss Marching Band, Pride of the South, visit and perform at Willie Price Lab School annually during the university’s homecoming weekend. The visit gives the musicians a unique opportunity to foster a passion for music in the next generation. After the performance, the preschool students are encouraged to interact with the instruments. Band members show the kids how to hit a drum, slide a trombone, and even what’s down the bell of a sousaphone!
MISSISSIPPI ACDA PRESIDENT
In 2022, Dr. Elizabeth Hearn was elected to serve as the President of Mississippi ACDA for a six-year term. In this leadership role, she is committed to guiding the organization's mission to promote excellence in choral music in Mississippi through education, performance, composition, and advocacy. A key responsibility during her tenure is to oversee the MMEA/MSACDA State Music Education Conference. This conference will include a wide variety of performing choirs and session presentations from scholars and practicing teachers in choral, elementary, and general music. As president, Dr. Hearn is dedicated to creating inclusive spaces for professional development where every voice within the community is valued and choral music in Mississippi is strengthened for present and future generations.
Randy Dale
Associate Professor of Music
Associate Director of Bands
Director of Athletic Bands
Dianne Falkner
Adjunct Instructor in Music
Rhonda Hackworth
Associate Professor of Music Music Education Area Head
Elizabeth Hearn
Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education
Mel Morse
Instructional Assistant Professor of Music, Assistant Director of Bands
Tim Oliver
Professor of Music
Director of Bands
Andy Paney
Professor of Music
Carol Trott
Adjunct Instructor in Music
Donald Trott
Professor of Music
Director of Choral Activities
Michael Worthy
Professor of Music
Director of Ole Miss Jazz
Band members interact with students at Willie Price School.
Dr. Elizabeth Hearn
&PIANO PIANO Collaborative
Build well-rounded skills as a piano student. Piano students work as soloists with opportunities to collaborate in choral, symphonic, opera, and jazz settings while immersing themselves in a wide range of solo and collaborative piano repertoire.
Explore your potential with other musicians. All UM Music students are provided with a collaborative pianist for performances, coaching, and rehearsal opportunities.
Earn a Master of Music with an emphasis in Collaborative Piano. Whether a grad student aspire to collaborate with singers or instrumentalists, UM Music has a myriad of opportunities to support their goals as a pianist. Collaborative Piano students perform recitals, chamber music, symphonic repertoire, and so much more while studying with distinguished and experienced piano faculty. have regional, national, and international stage experience, and are active performers who continue to hone their craft.
UMMUSIC’SPIANOFACULTY
Ian Hominick
Professor of Music, Piano Area Head
Adrienne Park
Assistant Professor of Collaborative Piano
THE NEW FIVE
In the fall of 2023, the Department of Music welcomed seven new faculty members. On February 19, 2024 five of these faculty members came together in the David H. Nutt Auditorium for a recital performance.
Composed of faculty members Drs. Armee Hong, Yoojung Kim, Vincent Morreale, Philip Snyder, and Kelsey Smith, this performance group is aptly called The New Five.
Debra Atkinson
Adjunct Instructor in Music
Yoojung Kim
Instructor in Collaborative Piano
The unofficial project manager for this faculty recital, Yoojung Kim, piano, loves collaborating with other musicians in various forms of ensembles. In this recital, she performed in duo, trio, and quintet. The Quintet performance was especially meaningful for Kim. Her dear friend and amazing composer, Dr. Ivette Herryman Rodríguez, wrote the composition By the Rhythm of Your Truth, Set Us Free (2016). Rodríguez specially revised her composition to accommodate this Faculty Ensemble.
The New Five performs in Nutt Auditorium
SONIC EXPLORATIONS
Concert8 CelebratingWomenArtists
NUTT AUDITORIUM | MARCH 28, 2024
Sonic Explorations is a chamber music series launched by Prof. Adrienne Park in 2013 at the University of Mississippi.
Central to concert events is the use of projected film, art and poetry, unique lighting designs, and innovative stage positioning. This series shines a spotlight on University of Mississippi faculty, students, and musicians from within the region.
The eighth installment of the concert series featured faculty members Kelsey Smith, cello, Philip Snyder, flute, David Carlisle, percussion, and Adrienne Park, piano and toy piano performing compositions by Heather Schmidt and Phyllis Chen.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OLD-TIME PIANO PLAYING CONTEST AND FESTIVAL
The 2024 Memorial Day weekend marked the 50th Anniversary of the World Championship Old–Time Piano Playing Contest and Festival. The contest started out as a fundraiser in 1975 for the Monticello Railway Museum in Monticello, Illinois. In 2016 the festival relocated to its new home in Oxford, MS at the Department of Music at the University of Mississippi where Dr. Ian Hominick, Piano Area Head, is the festival’s artistic director.
Since its inception, the WCOT Piano Playing Contest and Festival sought to educate the general public about Ragtime melodies and other popular music written prior to 1930, at the end of the “Roaring 20s.”
Piano playing contest participants travel to the UM campus from all around the US and internationally!
Artwork by Zoe Dietz
AREA VOCAL
Voice students at the University of Mississippi perform as soloists and in ensembles. Working in choral, symphonic, stage production, and jazz settings, students receive well-rounded training while immersing themselves in a wide range of art song literature.
University of Mississippi’s talented vocal faculty and vocal co performers with extensive stage experience. Students are suppor one-on-one instruction to advance their vocal study and skill.
Soprano Emily Clements performs a graduate recital with Amanda Johnston, piano, and Linna Zheng, violin.
University of Mississippi Concert Singers perform in the Church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, also known as La Madeleine, Paris, France
UM MUSIC VOCAL FACULTY
Jos Milton
Associate Professor of Music, Vocal Area Head
Amanda Johnston
Professor of Music, Opera Music Director
Bonita Bunt
Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Opera
Bradley Robinson Professor of Music, Voice
Jennifer Robinson Lecturer in Music, Voice
NATS NATS
Dr. Bonita Bunt and Prof. Amanda Johnston attended the 58th National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) National Conference at the Knoxville Convention Center
June 28-July 2. UM Music's booth was impactful and represented all aspects of vocal performance, including Opera and Choir, along with highlights from the College of Liberal Arts, Ole Miss Band, and LOU Symphony Orchestra.
Sing Sing
at the SIP
GRAMMY NOMINATED PROFESSOR
Conspirare is a GRAMMY®-winning professional choir composed of accomplished musicians from around the country selected to come together to rehearse, perform, and record. Dr. Jos Milton, tenor, has been on the core roster of Conspirare since 2009. He has recorded nine albums with the ensemble, five of which have received nominations for a GRAMMY® award. House of Belonging, the most recent Conspirare recording to earn this distinction, was released in 2024 on the Delos Productions label.
UM Music students and faculty show off their accolades at the NATS Spring Conference hosted by UM Music
Bonita Bunt and Amanda Johnston at NATS National Conference in Knoxville, TN.
ENSEMBLES
ChoralFestivals
The UM Treble Choir Festival was conceptualized in 2022 by Dr. Libby Hearn as part of the UM Women's Glee performance of Andrea Ramsey's Suffrage Cantata. This choral festival is uniquely designed for soprano and alto singers to provide an experience unlike other choral festivals. Treble Choir Festival includes an opportunity for advanced middle school, high school, community college, university, and adult singers to perform and learn together: a multi-generational choral experience. In 2023-2024 the festival expanded with the introduction the first annual UM Tenor/Bass Choir Festival.
Choir and Opera provide unique opportunities for interacting with the rich tradition of song. From one voice to one hundred and fifty, our ensembles encourage exploration of expression through a wide range of historical and contemporary styles. We love hearing our students find their voices!
–Dr. Don Trott, Director of Choral Activities
–Dr. Bonita Bunt, Director of Opera
OPERA
The 2023-2024 Opera Season, A Season of Mystery introduced an expanded performance schedule including La Serva Padrona with an aria showcase, a performance of opera scenes, and performances of the opera production, The Turn of The Screw.
Treble Choir Festival singers perform in a group workshop
Opera singers perform a scene in Turn of the Screw
BAND ORCHESTRA
PrideoftheSouth PrideoftheSouth
The University of Mississippi‘s Pride of the South band is marching with renewed enthusiasm on its new $5.4 million practice field – a replica of Hollingsworth Field, the playing surface at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Chancellor Glenn Boyce dedicated the facility on Tuesday (Aug. 29), with donors, university leaders and band members on hand.
“Thankstothededicateddonorsandsupporterswhoinspiredthisworld-classpractice field,we’reexcitedtousherinaneweraforour300-plustalentedbandmemberswhowork hardeverydaytocontributetotheuniversity’sspiritandpride,”Boycesaid.
“We’recommittedtosupportingandfosteringthesuccessofallofourstudents,andthis newfieldenhancesthemeaningfulopportunitiesandexperiencesthatourstudentsgainas membersofthePrideofTheSouth.Theydeservethisinvestmentinthem.”
The Lafayette-Oxford-University (LOU) Symphony Orchestra performs a wide variety of standard symphonic repertoire. The Music Department’s internationally celebrated faculty members often join the LOU Symphony as soloists. Annually, winners of the student Concerto Competition take stage with the ensemble. The LOU Symphony regularly collaborates with the University Choir on the Veterans Day Concert, Department of Music holiday concerts, Black History Month concerts, and with UM Opera Theatre.
We encourage you to partake in the enthusiasm that the University Symphony members get to experience throughout our rehearsals and with our audiences in our electrifying performances.
–DR. SELIM GIRAY, Director of Orchestral Studies
Students on the new band practice field
Undergraduate EXPERIENCE THE
Undergraduate students may choose to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Music or a Bachelor of Music in Music degree. Students who choose the Bachelor of Music degree may specialize in one of the areas of emphasis: Music Education or Music Performance.
PERFORM
Rehearse, Collaborate, Develop
The UM Wind Ensemble, led by Dr. Tim Oliver, regularly interacts with and commissions composers. Recently, they highlighted the work of emerging composer Kevin Charoensri by performing "An American Songkran" —a work that blends Charoensri's culture as a Thai-American musician. The ensemble prepared for the performance by connecting with the composer through an interactive Zoom rehearsal, where he provided feedback to the group and insight into his compositional process.
RESEARCH
Experiment, Explore, Publish
Undergrad Will Nelson’s musicological interests lie primarily in video game music and in the idea of playfulness in music. Working under the mentorship of Dr. Thomas Peattie, Will revised and expanded a paper he wrote in MUS 520 entitled “Link’s Sword is Mightier than the Pen: Composing and Performing in the Super Mario and Legend of Zelda Series,” for publication in Venture: The University of Mississippi Undergraduate Research Journal. In his paper, which was awarded the journal’s prize for “Outstanding Research Writing,” Will explores ways in which the creative agency of video game players is reflected through interaction with a game’s sound effects and background music.
Will Nelson with Dr. Adam Estes and fellow bassoonist Frankie Amore
Wind Ensemble performs Spring concert
MASTER OF MUSIC
Graduate students in the Department of Music gain teaching experience in the classroom. Guided by distinguished faculty, graduate students conduct research important to their areas of study and interest. Students are encouraged to reach the next level of musicianship with focus on solo performance, chamber group collaboration, and leadership roles in ensembles.
WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING GRADUATE
DEGREES EMPHASES
INSTRUMENTALPERFORMANCE•COLLABORATIVEPIANO
PIANOPERFORMANCE•VOCALPERFORMANCE
MUSICOLOGY•MUSICEDUCATION
CHORALCONDUCTING
ETHNOMUSICOLOGY
MUSICTHEORY
Experiencing life as a collaborative pianist is a massive commitment that lasts a lifetime. No one could prepare for the various amounts and range of difficulty in repertoire that I have the opportunity to learn as a student in the collaborative piano program. Needless to say, the social impact of collaborative work is immensely overlooked, but this is where this hard work is worth the effort. The relationships I have had the privilege to be a part of are what make being a collaborative pianist at the University of Mississippi all the more meaningful. – Andrew Wasylina, MM student, Collaborative Piano
Andrew performs in Nutt Auditorium
DOCTORAL THE PROGRAM
The Department of Music in the College of Liberal Arts offers a Ph.D. in Music with emphasis in Music Education. The program is designed for students who wish to pursue advanced study in preparation for university teaching, research, and other leadership roles in music education. Students can individualize the program to fit their interests and background. Students may select an optional concentration in Gender Studies to provide rigorous grounding in gender studies methods and theory.
PhD
Music Education & Gender Studies
Emphases Music Education Emphases Music Education or or Music Education & Gender Studies
HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS
If-not-God Moses was a part of the Sarahfest cohort which was part of the artist-in-residence program with Prof. Valerie George. “This proved to be a vital part of my academic and creative journey. I worked on an artistic project, which is an outgrowth of my study on sex and gender based issue in a Nigerian milieu.” This gave the cohort of students the invaluable opportunity to engage with visual art, sound, experimentation, and acts of collaboration in a truly integrated way.
Justin Wadkins is pursuing a PhD in Music Education and has recently received his certification in Singing Bowl Sound Healing. Justin leads group sessions in a meditation, centering around relaxing and calming the central nervous system followed by the singing bowls and other instruments interspersed throughout. When asked “why bowls?” Justin responded “an awakening of spirituality and a rediscovery of the self through frequencies.”
FACULTY ALBUMS SPOTLIGHTFaculty
MENTORSHIP THROUGH INSTRUCTION
In Inglewood, CA at the Beckmen YOLA Center, the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP) held the second annual week–long intensive May 26–31. Professor Ricky Burkhead presented a Masterclass–Survival Skills for the Working Percussionist–that emphasized the knowledge of various styles and working in various musical situations (marching, theater, church, recording, gig band, drum tech, teaching, etc.). Instruments demonstrated: concert snare drum, field drum, congas, claves, cajon, cowbell, drumset, djembe, guiro, maracas, marimba, tambourine, triangle, and marimba.
In the summer of 2024, the Ricercata Winds recorded tracks for an upcoming album that consists of woodwind quintet arrangements by UM Music Professor Dr. Michael Rowlett of works by Aaron Copland, Reena Esmail, and Oxford-based composer Price Walden.
The quintet consists of Carlos Feller, flute; Galit Kaunitz, oboe; Michael Rowlett, clarinet, Allison Nicotera, bassoon; and Emily Britton, horn. The group recorded a song cycle by Price Walden with UM alumna Alice Anne Light, and UM faculty member Dr. Tim Oliver served as the producer for the sessions held this summer, which took place in Paris-Yates Chapel. This recording project was funded in part with a College of Liberal Arts Summer Research Grant.
Music faculty Dr. Adam Estes and Professor Adrienne Park recorded an album of music for flute, saxophone, and piano with Dr. Nave Graham of the University of Central Arkansas. Music on this album includes newlycommissioned works and transcriptions by Boyd, Rossé, Shrude, Sowa, Balter, and Zare. This album is titled (Re)Invent and will be released on the AMP Recordings label in Fall 2025.
In July 2024, Professor Amanda Johnston recorded a new album with Dr. Christine Kralik, cellist and former UM faculty member. Recorded in Salt Lake City, UT at Daynes Music Studio, the album will be released on the Ovation Artists label. Repertoire includes Poulenc’s Sonate pour violoncelle et piano and Prokofiev’s Sonata in C Major, op. 119, as well as two works by Canadian composers: Colin Eatock’s Canterbury and Jocelyn Morlock’s Halcyon.
Professor Burkhead works with a percussion student at ABOP
Outside the CLASSROOM
UM Music students are given the chance to experience life-changing opportunities by traveling both internationally and all over the United States. These opportunities allow our students to broaden their horizons, meet new people, and enhance their academic experience in unique a way.
Concert Singers in Europe. Their 10-day tour made multiple stops in Belgium and France. The singers performed in cathedrals in both countries, including the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp, Chartres Cathedral in Chartres and the Church of Saint-Etienne-du-Mont in Paris. The Concert Singers participated in worship services followed by concerts of sacred repertoire, and gave standalone concerts. They also visited Omaha Beach to offer a sung memorial at the American cemetery.
The Mississippians in Europe. The 20 musician student jazz ensemble, headed back to Europe for a tour that featured performances at three renowned music festivals in France and Spain. The journey to this summer’s European festivals began with an agent submitting The Mississippians’ recordings to a panel for each festival. The Mississippians were selected from a pool of submissions from multiple countries. “This a great way to commemorate the 100 years of jazz at Ole Miss and gives us the opportunity to publicize our remarkable legacy to an international community of jazz fans,” said Michael Worthy, Professor of Music and Director of The Mississippians.
Sarahfest Artist-in-Residence. In 2021, the Sarah Isom Center, Department of Music, and Living Music Resource established the Sarahfest Artist-in-Residence Program with the goal of providing a select cohort of UM students the unique opportunity to learn from working professional artists. The Fall 2023 Artist-in-Residence welcomed animator Elizabeth Ito (Netflix, Cartoon Network) and the Spring 2024 residency brought composer Marilyn Shrude to campus. This program strengthens the community as it celebrates and brings together unlikely collaborators. Twining the arts and education enables the experience to create dynamic spaces for creativity, change, growth, and inspiration.
The Living Music Resource in Las Vegas. The Living Music Resource remains dedicated to providing students with career development opportunities that connect them with industry experts. Dream Team members Antoin Marshall, Benton Donahue, and Professor Nancy Maria Balach travelled to Las Vegas to engage with leading industry professional Bradford Cobb (Direct Management Group) and teaching artist Linda Lister (University of Nevada). They also attended the final show of Katy Perry’s Vegas residency.
The Living Music Resource in New York City. The entire Dream Team traveled to New York for a memorable end to the fall 2023 semester. They experienced the Radio City Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular, saw Back to the Future: The Musical, which featured music by Ole Miss alumnus Glen Ballard, visited with members of the cast, took a private back stage tour of the Metropolitan Opera House, and were audience members for a taping of Live with Kelly and Mark. They also spent an intensive evening with Tony Award-winning composer Adam Guettel in his studio learning all about his compositional approach to his new Broadway musical, Days of Wine and Roses.
MUSIC MUSIC
hosts a wide variety of programs, concerts, and events all year long. Here’s what what the 2024-2025 year has in store!
August
FacultyRecital|MicahEverett
Thursday, August 29 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
September
LionsBandready
Saturday, September 14 | Nutt Auditorium
FacultyChamberRecital
JOsMilton&AustinSmith
Thursday, September 26 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
October
AdriennePark|SonicExplorations
Tuesday, October 1 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
GuestArtistRecital
Dr.AllisonAdams
Thursday, October 3 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
SaxophoneMasterClass
Dr.AllisonAdams
Friday, October 4 | 1:00pm | Nutt Auditorium
LMRLive!WithGuestJulieWilliams
Wednesday, October 9 | 1:00pm | Nutt Auditorium
SongwriterMasterClass
JulieWilliams
Wednesday, October 9 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
WindEnsembleConcert
Thursday, October 10 | 7:30pm | Ford Center
SaxophoneStudioRecital
Monday, October 14 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
FacultyChamberRecital
YoojungKim
Tuesday, October 15 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
UMOperaTheatreTheTieThatBinds: ScenesofLoveandConflict
Friday, October 18 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
Sunday, October 20 | 3:00pm | Nutt Auditorium
Men’sandWomen’sGleeConcert
Tuesday, October 22 | 7:30pm
North Oxford Baptist Church
JazzCombos
Tuesday, October 29 | 7:00pm | Proud Larrys
November
MusicMajorAdvantageDay
Friday, November 1 | all day | Music Building
LMRLive!WithGuestDr.Carolineyoung
Monday, November 4 | 1:00pm | Ford Studio Theatre
AdriennePark|SonicExplorations
Monday, November 4 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
JazzEnsembles|TheCollegians AndTheMississippians
Thursday, November 7 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
VeteransDayConcert
Monday, November 11 | 7:00pm | Nutt Auditorium
PercussionEnsemble|SteelDrum
Tuesday, November 12 | 7:30pm | Band Hall
LOU Orchestra performs conducted by Dr. Selim Giray
UM Opera Theatre performers mingle at Medal for the Arts
ConcertSingers
Thursday, November 14 | 7:30pm
North Oxford Baptist Church
USArmyJazzAmbassadors MasterClass
Monday, November 18 | 1:00pm | Nutt Auditorium
UMOperaTheatre
AnEveningofArias
Tuesday, November 19 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
LowBrassEnsembles
Wednesday, November 20 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
WindEnsembleConcert
Thursday, November 21 | 7:30pm | Ford Center
SideBySideConcert
Friday, November 22 | 7:30pm | Ford Center
December
FacultyRecital
JosMilton&AmandaJohnston
Tuesday, December 3 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
OxfordStringProjectand YouthSymphonyConcert
Saturday, December 7 | 2:00pm | Nutt Auditorium
HolidayConcert
Saturday, December 7 | 7:30pm | Ford Center
February
Tenor/BassChoirFestival TrebleChoirfestival
Monday, February 3 | 8:00am – 4:30pm
FacultyRecital|BradRobinson
Friday, February 7 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
PianoMasterClass
Friday, February 14 | 1:00pm | Nutt Auditorium
FacultyRecital|TheNewFive
Wednesday, February 19 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
MusicMajorAdvantageDay
Friday, February 28 | all day | Music Building
March
Spring ‘24 Wind Ensemble performance at the Ford Center
April
FacultyRecital|MichaelRowlett
Thursday, April 3 | 8:00pm | Nutt Auditorium
UMOperaTheatreDoubleFeature
Sunday, April 13| 3:00pm | Ford Center
Friday, April 11 | 7:30pm | Ford Center
ChoralConcert OMADDEPerformance
Thursday, March 6 | 7:30pm | North Oxford Baptist Church
GuestRecital|RoyaFarzaneh
Friday, March 21 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
JazzCombos
Tuesday, March 25 | 7:00pm | Proud Larrys
Monday, April 14 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
PercussionEnsembles
Tuesday, April 15 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
LowBrassEnsembles
Monday, April 21 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
TheCollegians
Tuesday, April 22 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
TheMississippians
Thursday, April 24 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
OxfordStringProjectand YouthSymphonyConcert
Wednesday, April 30 | 7:30pm | Nutt Auditorium
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164 Music Building University, MS 38677
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Sofia is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Education (clarinet). She is a member if the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, and the Luckyday Scholars Program. She is the Drum Major for the Pride of the South Marching Band and plays bass clarinet in the UM Wind Ensemble.
Meet Our Student Ambassadors
Benton is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Education (voice). Benton is involved with the Living Music Resource, Concert Singers, and is Vice President for Ole Miss ACDA. He actively plays for several schools and the Oxford Civic Chorus.
Linna is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance (violin), and is on the Pre-Dental track. She is a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, the Luckyday Scholars Program, Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, as well as several UM music ensembles.