This briefs package highlights timely news and events from The University of Southern Mississippi.
• Armed Forces Museum Director Presents in Library Speaker Series Nov. 19
• Former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia to speak at Southern Miss
• Jazz Bands Concert Nov. 18
• Theatre Studio Series Produces “Down the Road”
• Southern Miss Trumpet Ensemble to Perform in Concert
• Tuba/Euphonium Symposium and Concert Presented at Southern Miss
Armed Forces Museum Director Daniels Presenting in Library Speaker Series
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Chad Daniels, a University of Southern Mississippi alumnus who is director of the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, will discuss the history of Camp Shelby and the museum Nov. 19 as the final presenter for the fall 2008 University Library Speaker Series. Daniels’ presentation will be held in Cook Library, Room 123 from 3-4 p.m.
For more information on the University Library Speaker Series, contact Peggy Price at
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Former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia to speak at Southern Miss
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- The inaugural lecture of the Lt. Col. John H. Dale Sr. Distinguished Lecture Series in International Security and Global Policy at The University of Southern Mississippi will feature former Ambassador Wyche Fowler at 5 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Thad Cochran Center ballroom on the Hattiesburg campus.
Now the Chairman of the Board of Governors at the Middle East Institute, Fowler served as United States ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (1996-2001) during the Clinton administration. He will speak on his experiences and of U.S. relationships in the Middle East.
Previously, Fowler, a native of Atlanta, Ga., was elected to the U.S. Senate from Georgia from 1987 to 1993, where he served as assistant floor leader, helping to mold bipartisan consensus for major public issues. Prior to that, he was a U.S. House Representative from 1977 until his election to the Senate.
The lecture is an integral part of the current exhibition, “Breaking the Veils,” at the historic Train Deport in downtown Hattiesburg, hosted by the College of Arts and Letters at Southern Miss.
Presented by The ArtReach Foundation, its Hattiesburg residency was made possible through a generous donation by Southern Miss alumnae, Dr. Beverly Dale, through her late father’s lecture series.
“I am so pleased that the lecture series, established in memory of my father, is being initiated in conjunction with bringing this very important exhibit to the university community,” Dale said. “I trust that these events will highlight the commitment of our university to excellence in international cultural exchange and practical leadership in solving global problems."
Dean of the College of Arts and Letters, Denise von Herrmann, agrees. “The opportunity to bring a speaker of Ambassador Fowler’s caliber to inform and engage our students and the community is tremendous for us at the university. We are grateful for Dr. Dale’s ongoing support.”
The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, call the College of Arts and Letters at 601.266.5922.
Southern Miss Jazz Bands Concert set for Nov. 18
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- The University of Southern Mississippi Jazz Lab Bands I and II will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center on the Hattiesburg Campus.
Under the direction of Larry Panella, associate professor of music and director of jazz studies at Southern Miss, the Jazz Lab I program portion will feature a special selection, “Another Frame,” by Southern Miss alumnus Steve Wiest, who is now on faculty at the University of North Texas.
“Our repertoire for the concert is a mix of things from our library of jazz band music that has some old gems as well as newer material, including Steve’s composition,” said Panella.
Jazz Lab Band II, directed by Beto Vianna, a graduate assistant from Sao Paulo, Brazil, will perform “some older pieces from the pen of Sammy Nestico, a former writer for the Count Basie Orchestra, as well as a funk chart arranged for the Phil Collins Big Band, called ‘Pick Up the Pieces,’” Panella said.
In addition, the bands will perform some big band vocal selections they included in a recent fundraising event for the jazz and choral programs at Southern Miss.
“The interest in jazz vocal music is growing, thanks to artists like Michael Buble and Diana Krall, and we’ve managed to find some students at Southern Miss who are eager to learn to sing in that genre,” Panella said. “It’s quite challenging for singers because of the way jazz musicians think of rhythm is very different than the way classically trained musicians conceptualize it,” Panella added.
Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call the School of Music at 601.266.5543.
Southern Miss Theatre Studio Series Produces “Down the Road”
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- The University of Southern Mississippi Department of Theatre and Dance will present Lee Blessing’s crime thriller “Down the Road” Nov. 18-23 as part of its 2008-09 Studio Series.
Directed by Sean Boyd, assistant professor of acting and movement, the drama is a battle of wills between two reporters and the subject of their interviews, a convicted serial killer. Due to the graphic nature of the material, the play is recommended for mature audiences only.
As the killer recounts his shocking crimes, the two reporters, a husband-wife team, become caught in a downward spiral, testing their working and personal relationship. Blessing’s work leads the audience to wonder how a convicted mass murderer can be turned into a celebrity, and how much is one willing to pay for ambition.
Blessing has amassed an impressive body of works, including “Patient A,” “Fortinbras,” “Cobb” and “Two Rooms.” He has earned a Pulitzer Prize and Tony nominations and has written more than 20 plays in his career.
The production will be presented at 7:30 p.m. each evening Nov. 18-23 at the Gilbert F. Hartwig Theatre. Tickets are $8 per person with general seating; $6 for students. Order tickets online at http://www.southernmisstickets.com or call the Southern Miss Ticket Office at 601.266.5418 or 800.844-8425.
Southern Miss Trumpet Ensemble to Perform in Concert
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- The University of Southern Mississippi Trumpet Ensemble will present its fall concert at 8 p.m. Nov. 20 in Bennett Auditorium on the Hattiesburg campus.
Under the direction of Dr. Daniel Kelly, the ensemble will perform arrangements and original works for trumpet ensembles, ranging from classical to contemporary to jazz, with a touch of holiday cheer.
Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Southern Miss School of Music at 601.266.5543.
Tuba/Euphonium Symposium and Concert Presented at Southern Miss
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- The School of Music at the University of Southern Mississippi will present its second annual Tuba/Euphonium Symposium Nov. 22 at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center on the Hattiesburg campus. Students from four states are expected to attend.
After a full day of activities and master classes, under the direction of Dr. Richard Perry, associate professor of tuba and euphonium at Southern Miss, and guest artist Dr. Kelly Thomas, associate professor of tuba and euphonium at the University of Arizona, a finale concert will be presented at 7 p.m. at Mannoni Performing Arts Center auditorium.
The program will feature selections performed by the Southern Miss Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble, Thomas and the symposium’s mass ensemble. The repertoire includes works from Dvorak to Sousa to John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call the School of Music at 601.266.5543.
About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities. In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world. Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu.