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HATTIESBURG
- Since the mid-1990s, the College of The Arts at The University
of Southern Mississippi has seen an increase in the number of concerts,
theatrical and dance events and visual art exhibitions it provides
each year.
Spring semester
2003 will offer a host of arts events that surely will fit the palette
of any arts enthusiasts—from jazz concerts to symphony concerts,
from art exhibitions to theatrical and dance productions.
As the only
college of the arts in Mississippi and one of only 24 in the United
States nationally accredited in all four arts disciplines, the university
holds the distinction of being the cultural center for south Mississippi
and a mecca for visiting artists.
"One of
our main attractions this semester will be the appearance of Metropolitan
Opera star Roberta Peters Feb. 13 with the Symphony Orchestra,"
said Angela Kilcrease, assistant to the dean for public relations
in the College of The Arts. "In addition to Peters, the college
will host other famed artists like dancer Mark Haim, pianist Kevin
Kenner, and three very talented vocalists, ‘The Three Generations,'
in concert during Black History Month."
"Roberta
Peters is recognized all over the United States and the world as
one of the greatest voices that American opera has ever produced,"
said Jay Dean, musical director of the orchestra. "As the leading
figure in opera and vocal performance throughout the world, there
is no opera aficionado who does not know of Roberta Peters."
Prior to Peters'
appearance with the orchestra, the dance program at Southern Miss
will host Haim in a solo performance Feb. 1 in the Mannoni Performing
Arts Center Auditorium.
"Mark
Haim is a world-renowned dancer/choreographer who has been commissioned
to create new works and restage his choreography for many elite
dance companies," said Suzanne Hirsch, development officer
for the college and a graduate of the university's dance program.
"His performance will include live musical accompaniment by
the composer and pianist, Andre Gribou."
The Mississippi
Arts Commission and the Southern Arts Federation, along with financial
support from Partners for the Arts, awarded supporting grants to
the college for Haim's residency and concert.
During this
three-day visit, Haim will create a new work for the university's
Repertory Dance Company and teach master classes not only at the
university, but at Hattiesburg High School and HattiesburgMiddle
School as well.
The semester
of arts events was to kick off Jan. 9 with the opening of an exhibition
at the Southern Miss Museum of Art of Japanese prints on loan from
the Lauren Rogers Museum. Other noted art exhibitions during the
spring semester will include "Faces of Freedom Summer: The
Photography of Herbert Randall," "Han Tomb Replica Ceramics,"
and the 2003 Student Show and Senior Show.
The spring
theatre season will include three productions—Georges Feydeau's
comedic farce "A Flea in Her Ear" in February, Donald
Margulies' Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Dinner with Friends"
in March, and Shakespeare's classic tragedy "Romeo and Juliet"
in April.
Kilcrease said
the most accessible way to find information about all college events
at any time is through the Southern Miss Web site at www.usm.edu.
An up-to-date calendar of events is available through the university
calendar site or the College of The Arts home page at www.arts.usm.edu.
"As our
events change, and they sometimes do at the last minute, we post
the change on the university calendar," Kilcrease said. "Our
college site also hosts detailed information about our programs
and events that is pertinent for students, prospective students
or arts patrons."
Tickets for
events may be purchased through the Southern Miss Ticket Office
at (601) 266-5418 or 800-844-8425. Tickets may be ordered online
at www.tickets.usm.edu.
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