Released September 11, 2003

SEPT. 11, 2003

GUITARIST TO RAISE FUNDS FOR HIS STUDENTS

HATTIESBURG - To raise scholarship money for his classical guitar students, John DeChiaro, professor of music and renowned classical guitarist at The University of Southern Mississippi, will present the 18th annual Café DeChiaro Sept. 18-19 at the R. C. Cook Student Union, rooms A, B, C. Some of DeChiaro's student guitarists will join him on the program, many of whom moved from the rock genre to classical when they began their studies with him. DeChiaro describes the atmosphere of the Café as that of a coffee shop, with soft lighting and refreshments - free soft drinks and pizza at $2 per slice - and a concert of an eclectic mix of music. The café begins at 8 p.m. each evening, and tickets are $10 general admission and $5 for students and senior - available only at the door on the nights of the performance. Proceeds will be applied to the John DeChiaro Guitar Scholarship fund. For more information, call DeChiaro's studio at (601) 266-5401.

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GULF COAST FOOTBALL FANS CAN SEE HOMETOWN STARS AT SOUTHERN MISS-MEMPHIS FOOTBALL GAME SATURDAY

LONG BEACH, Miss. - Gulf Coast Golden Eagle fans, get ready to see your hometown stars Micky D'Angelo, Rod Davis and others in action at home this Saturday. The University of Southern Mississippi will host the University of Memphis in its first home football game of the 2003 season. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at M.M. Roberts Stadium, "The Rock," in Hattiesburg. Southern Miss Gulf Coast encourages all faculty, staff, students, alumni and the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast community to attend the game. Help and show support for the Golden Eagles in their first home game of the season. For ticket information call 1-800-844-TICK.

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SYMPHONY CONCERT AIRS ON PUBLIC TELEVISION

HATTIESBURG - The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra's "Mississippi: the Birthplace of America's Music" was performed live in May 2003 as part of their 2002-2003 season. Mississippi Educational Television will air the performance twice this month - Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 22 at 9:30 p.m. The event, sponsored by BancorpSouth, was created to pay tribute to Mississippi's musical heritage. The concert showcased gospel, blues, jazz and patriotic music. Featured performers include the Mississippi Mass Choir; Mississippi bluesman Vasti Jackson of Hattiesburg; a 1,200-voice Mississippi college, university and high school choir; the "Mississippi Fiddler," Mickey Davis; television and film actor Gary Grubbs and jazz artists Larry Panella and Bill Murphy.

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SOUTHERN MISS GUITARIST PREVIEWS CONCERT IN NEW YORK

HATTIESBURG - John DeChiaro, professor of music and classical guitarist at The University of Southern Mississippi, will give a preview concert Sept. 23 of his upcoming solo guitar concert Sept. 29 at Carnegie Hall in New York City. His concerts, both in Hattiesburg and in New York, will be an all-Scott Joplin program. Having transcribed Joplin's complete works into a four-volume compact disc set, his compilation is the only known one of its kind for guitar and is published by Centaur Records and Mel Bay Publications. While in the New York area, DeChiaro also is scheduled to perform on WRTI Radio in Philadelphia on their program "Crossover," on WNYC Radio in New York City on their program "Soundcheck," and on WABC-TV's "Good Morning, New York," performing selections from his Carnegie Hall concert. DeChiaro's recital Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. will be held at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Tickets are $10 general admission and $5 for students and senior - available only at the door on the night of the performance. All ticket proceeds will be applied to the John DeChiaro Guitar Scholarship fund. For more information, call DeChiaro's studio at (601) 266-5401.

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SCOTT AQUARIUM SERVES UP CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAY PARTIES

BILOXI - Julius Squeezer is ready to party at The University of Southern Mississippi Scott Aquarium. The Florida pine snake - or another live coastal critter - is one of the attractions during youngsters' birthday parties now being scheduled at the Scott Aquarium here. The birthday festivities, offered for children 3 years old and older, are hosted by an aquarium educator and include the up-close-and-personal visit with a live coastal animal, a guided aquarium tour and fun activities appropriate to the birthday child's age. The celebrations are available by reservation with start times for parties between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Cost is $100 for a group of 10 children. Included in the fee is admission to the aquarium, space for the party, materials for all activities, a gift for the birthday child and small goody bags as party favors. For groups larger than 10, the price of general admission is charged for each additional child. Parents provide all food and beverages. For more information or to reserve a date, contact (228) 374-5550 or scott.aquarium@usm.edu.

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SEPT. 18 FACULTY RECITAL SET AT SOUTHERN MISS

HATTIESBURG - The School of Music at The University of Southern Mississippi will present a voice faculty recital Sept. 18 in Bennett Auditorium featuring the talents of soprano Mary Ann Kyle and tenor Clint Nichols. The 7:30 p.m. program, titled "The Vocal Music of Brandenburg, Saxony, and Bavaria," features all German music. Mary Ann Stringer, professor of music, will collaborate with the duo on piano. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the office of choral activities at Southern Miss at (601) 266-4092.

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