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Date 4-28-06
Music Theater Training Takes the Stage During Summer
Hattiesburg—The
musical theater experience awaits area youth this summer, courtesy
of the University of Southern Mississippi Department of Theatre
and Dance and the School of Music.
Geared for ages
9-13, the Midsummer Musical Theatre Experience will run July 17-29
in conjunction with the Southern Arena Theatre season. The day camp
will run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and
organizers say no experience is necessary.
The experience
will culminate in the production of Through the Looking Glass,
a wacky version of Alice in Wonderland. Camp directors
are Robin Aronson, assistant professor of theater, and Dr. Jennifer
Shank, assistant professor of music education.
"This
is a great opportunity for youth in the area to be able to perform
as part of the Southern Arena Theatre season at Southern Miss,”
Aronson said. “There will be performances scheduled at the end of
the two-week day camp. This musical is so much fun and will inspire
both performers and audiences alike."
Students will
receive vocal coaching, composition classes, set and costume instruction,
as well as movement, dance and acting training. The tuition is $325
per student and some need-based scholarships will be available.
"The Midsummer
Musical Theatre Experience will be two weeks of creative learning
that culminates in a full theatrical production complete with music,
costumes and sets,” Shank explained. “All students are welcome regardless
of previous experience, as it is designed to afford the students
a full artistic experience from beginning to end."
For more information,
contact Aronson at 601.266.6442 or e-mail at robin.aronson@usm.edu,
or contact Shank at 601.266.6944 or e-mail at jennifer.shank@usm.edu.
Music
Festival at Southern Miss Focuses on New Music
Hattiesburg—Bringing
attention to younger composers and revisiting overlooked musical
masterpieces from the past century, the University of Southern Mississippi
School of Music presents the 2006 Integrales Festival May 5-7. The
second installment of an annual concert series, featuring contemporary
music, will feature guest artists and Southern Miss faculty artists.
The festival
includes five musical events, including an opening concert at 7:30
p.m. on May 5 at Bennett Auditorium. On Saturday (May 6), two events
will be held at Parkway Heights United Methodist Church, including
saxophonist David Parks’ guest recital at 2:30 p.m. and a composition
master class and lecture recital at 4 p.m.
Saturday evening,
a concert showcasing composer Phillip Schroeder and visiting pianist
Lynn Raley of Millsaps College will be presented at 7:30 p.m. at
Bennett Auditorium. The closing concert Sunday (May 7) will be given
at 2:30 p.m., also at Bennett Auditorium. Admission is free to all
events, although donations for School of Music scholarships will
be accepted at the door.
The festival
will have something for everyone, whether they think they like modern
music or not, said Alan Thiesen, a Southern Miss master’s student
in music theory. From Jacques Ibert’s famous Flute Concerto to local
composer Everette Minchew’s choreographed electronic ballet, all
audience members are sure to take something memorable from the weekend's
program.
Members of
the Southern Miss music faculty will premiere Schroeder’s Wind Quintet
during the Sunday concert program. Schroeder’s music has been variously
described as wonderfully evocative, continuing a tradition of brilliance
and openness with powerful expressive qualities that focus on subtle
shadings and nuances. Raley will dazzle audiences with his superb
technique and unique programming.
For more information,
call the Southern Miss School of Music at 601.266.5543.
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