Dewberry School of Music

On the Heels of Previewing Her Debut EP, A CVPA Alum Brings a Crown to George Mason

Emily Schneider — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 15:19:08 +0000

On the Heels of Previewing Her Debut EP, A CVPA Alum Brings a Crown to George Mason Emily Schneider Tue, 07/16/2024 - 11:19

In This Story

Carlehr Swanson

Prof. James Carroll

Dr. Darden Purcell

It’s safe to say that this is a banner year for ��AV College of Visual and Performing Arts alumna Carlehr Swanson. On February 24, 2024, Swanson returned to George Mason’s Fairfax Campus to perform an album preview concert for her upcoming EP, “Growing Pains.” Then, on June 29, Swanson was officially crowned Miss Virginia 2024.

Swanson poses for an official portrait after being crowned Miss Virginia 2024 on June 29.

Speaking to a reporter from WDBJ in Roanoke, Virginia, the day after her crowning as Miss Virginia, Swanson shared that she’s been a participant in the pageant organization for 10 years. Remarking that she found the company of the other participants and their community service commitments to be truly inspiring and one of her favorite parts of the Miss Virginia organization, Swanson discussed her own community service initiative, which began in eighth grade.

After an injury, Swanson’s beloved grandmother was recovering in a rehabilitation center, where Swanson would visit and perform to help lift her grandmother’s spirits. As more and more patients from the center began to gather for these impromptu concerts, Swanson began inviting friends and classmates to join her for these events, to provide an even more engaging experience for the residents. Inspired by the power of music to build community, express deep emotions, and support healing, Swanson founded “Music is Unity” an organization dedicated to spreading musical joy through free performances at schools and nursing homes.

“Music has always been something really close to my heart, and I found that during hard times in my life, music had been that positive outlet for me,” said Swanson. As part of her coming year of Miss Virginia responsibilities, Swanson hopes to start new “Music Is Unity” clubs and initiatives in schools across Virginia, empowering students to share the transformative power of music, creating connections, and supporting their communities.

Now a third year PhD student at the University of Virginia, Swanson’s time at George Mason helped to set the stage for her continued growth and success as a performer, speaker, and entrepreneur. As a student of Darden Purcell, the director of Jazz Studies in the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music, Swanson explored advanced vocal techniques and built upon her already impressive talents, performing with the talented student ensembles led by Dr. Purcell.

Even after Swanson graduated from George Mason, she maintained close ties with her alma mater. Her new EP was partly funded by her win of the 2023 Young Alumni Creative Development Award from the Young Alumni Commissioning Project, an initiative of George Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. Recipients of certain awards from the project are afforded a fully produced event in a George Mason venue to launch their work, in addition to funding to support their project.

Jim Carroll (L) led the pre-show conversation with Swanson prior to her concert in Harris Theater in February 2024. Photo by Emily Schneider

At Swanson’s concert in February, composer, performer, and George Mason professor Jim Carroll led a pre-show conversation with the artist. Swanson shared that one of the many valuable elements of her education at George Mason was the hands-on practice of preparing for performances. Learning how to make sure that charts were ready and could be easily read by other musicians during performances helped strengthen Swanson’s ability to approach events and gigs with other musicians with a higher level of confidence and ease.

As an intern with the Jazz Studies Program in the Dewberry School of Music, Swanson learned about the nuances of promotion and marketing, helping to prepare materials and social media content that would catch the eye and drive ticket sales for various concerts. These experiences supported Swanson as she pursued her graduate education, allowing her to promote and manage her performances more successfully and teaching her peers these essential skills as they built their careers.

With her yearlong reign as Miss Virginia 2024 just beginning, Swanson will continue to share her signature kindness, positivity, and determination with communities throughout the state. See more of her journey on Instagram @car.lee.ah

Topics

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

Dewberry School of Music

Jazz Studies

Miss Virginia 2024

Alumni

Mechanical engineering students build motorized Vitruvian man for a School of Music performance

Shayla Brown — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 20:23:35 +0000

Mechanical engineering students build motorized Vitruvian man for a School of Music performance Shayla Brown Mon, 04/08/2024 - 16:23

In This Story

Dr. Lisa Billingham

Nathan Kathir

A group of ��AV mechanical engineering students are building a motorized Vitruvian man for a Center for the Arts (CFA) performance of "Flying to the Stars," a choral concert dedicated to the beginnings of flight from the time of Leonardo da Vinci to the exploration of space.

Team members Kevin Kuck (left) and David Gosselin working on their project in the Machine Shop. Photo provided.

Lisa Billingham, director of choral activities at the Dewberry Family School of Music, said she wanted the concert to be an immersive experience for the audience, and reached out to the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) for help. There she connected with Nathan Kathir, a mechanical engineering professor, who shared the project idea with his students.

“This project is exciting because we are partnering with another unit at Mason outside of CEC,” said Kathir, who is the director of senior capstone projects for mechanical engineering students.

“There is already a lot of art involved in engineering, and this collaboration between music and our department will be very inspiring for future students,” said Kathir.

The four students assigned to the project are working in the Machine Shop on the SciTech Campus and call themselves The Polymaths.

“We were thinking about the show’s theme of Leonardo da Vinci and we knew that the Vitruvian man is kind of his staple,” said Mellany Ayala, a senior mechanical engineering student. “I drew a very rough sketch of the Vitruvian man inside a gyroscopic figure, and it ended up being what our team decided to build.”

The device, which will hang from center stage throughout the show, has two spotlights as well as projections that will shine down on the students as they perform.

“We’re aiming for something similar to the immersive Van Gogh experience in D.C.,” said Kevin Kuck, a senior mechanical engineering student and the team leader.

The Polymaths met once a week with Billingham and her student research assistant and choir member, Ross Calvin, to discuss the project and work on a proposal for funding. They applied for and received a grant from Mason’s University Life.

Billingham also created a QR code fundraiser on Facebook and received anonymous donations, she said.

“Hopefully these cool project collaborations keep happening in the future. It was really refreshing to work with people from CVPA; they were so easygoing and in such happy spirits,” said Ayala.

The Polymaths worked with the CFA’s electrician and did a run-through a week before the performance. They will also give a presentation about the project on Capstone Day to showcase the final product.

“This project has been one of the more hands-on experiences I’ve had at Mason so far,” said Kuck. “Being able to build something with my own hands was a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed seeing it go from an idea on a page to something real. I think that's been the most satisfying part for me.”

During the concert, students will perform Jocelyn Hagen's “The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci” and “Leonardo Dreams of his Flying Machine” by Eric Whitacre. A piece by alum Peter Kadeli will also be performed.

Topics

senior capstone projects

Center for the Arts

Dewberry School of Music

mechanical engineering

Tech Talent Investment Pipeline (TTIP)

TTIP

Tech Talent Investment Program

George Mason's Green Machine Ensembles Bring the Rock, the White House Provides the Roll

Emily Schneider — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 16:25:43 +0000

George Mason's Green Machine Ensembles Bring the Rock, the White House Provides the Roll Emily Schneider Thu, 04/04/2024 - 12:25

Students, faculty, and staff of the Green Machine Ensembles pose together in front of the White House at the annual Easter Egg Roll on April 1, 2024. Photo by Joshua Cruse & Nathaniel Henry / Green Machine Ensembles

Being invited to perform at the White House is an exciting honor for any ensemble, but for ��AV’s Green Machine Ensembles, it’s an environment where they are quickly becoming comfortable. Following their inaugural performance at the White House Easter Egg Roll in 2023, the ensembles were invited back for the beloved annual event on April 1, 2024. Despite gloomy weather, the Green Machine Ensembles showed delighted crowds how the rain can’t keep them down with a high-energy performance that kept guests mesmerized.

“Our students are engaged, enthusiastic, and dedicated,“ said Matthew Dievendorf, assistant director of academics, research, and audio production, Green Machine Ensembles. "This performance, however, required another level of preparation, not only in a musical sense but in a professional sense. Our students demonstrated admirably that they were ready to perform in a venue that required punctuality, poise, and responsibility."

“Both years this has been a really fun performance, and what makes it really special is the amount of different people we see that we don’t usually get to perform for,” said Kenny Yi, who will graduate with a BS in finance in May. ”It’s a really amazing way to get to have fun and perform for such a diverse audience. The coolest part for me this year was getting to talk to a Secret Service agent, and he told me he was excited when he heard we were coming back because he loved the variety and diversity of music we play, which is what I believe is truly one of the cornerstones of the Green Machine: celebrating diversity and inclusivity through our music.”

Guests at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll pause in front of the Green Machine Ensembles as they perform. Photo by Joshua Cruse & Nathaniel Henry / Green Machine Ensembles

In the vibrant world of the Green Machine, individuals with diverse skill sets and varying levels of experience come together to create something extraordinary. Comprising musicians, dancers, actors, artists, and more, this remarkable university ensemble celebrates the beauty of individuality while fostering a sense of unity. The initial invitation to perform at the White House Easter Egg Roll came from the ensembles’ previous performance for the Department of Education's Special Projects Division. The students' enthusiasm, talent, and infectious energy made them the perfect choice for this annual family-friendly event on the iconic White House South Lawn.

“It was a really great opportunity to perform at such a prestigious event two years in a row,” said Taye Folk, who is working on an MA in international security. “It was so cool to see how many people were surprised and excited to be welcomed to the White House by our energetic group, and it was really awesome to get to have our picture taken on the White House Lawn! Getting to perform alongside Jonesboro High School was electric and really exciting to see such talented young musicians having such a blast performing.”

Members of the Green Machine Ensembles dance as they play during their performance at the 2024 White House Easter Egg Roll. Photo by Joshua Cruse & Nathaniel Henry / Green Machine Ensembles

Members of the Green Machine Ensembles cheer for the Jonesboro High School Marching Band performing at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on April 1, 2024. Photo by Joshua Cruse & Nathaniel Henry / Green Machine Ensembles

Guests gather in front of The White House on April 1 for the annual Easter Egg Roll. Photo by Joshua Cruse & Nathaniel Henry / Green Machine Ensembles

The theme for the White House Easter Egg Roll for the last three years was “Eggucation,” making this event an even more perfect fit for the Green Machine, whose ensembles are dedicated to learning as a community. Since its creation in 2006, inspired by the Men's Basketball team's epic NCAA Final Four run, the Green Machine has become a vital part of the Mason community. Made up of musicians, dancers, actors, artists, and more, this group creates unforgettable experiences that reflect the values and essence of Mason. The Green Machine has a clear and impactful mission: to deliver diverse and innovative performances for various events and venues. Captivating audiences with its electric energy and unmatched creativity, from exciting sports games to important university ceremonies, lively student recruitment events, and prestigious competitions.

Performers with the Green Machine Ensembles add a little snap to their performance at the White House Easter Egg Roll. Photo by Joshua Cruse & Nathaniel Henry / Green Machine Ensembles

Students performing with the Green Machine Ensembles can't hide their joy at the 2024 White House Easter Egg Roll. Photo by Joshua Cruse & Nathaniel Henry / Green Machine Ensembles

Wet weather at the 2024 White House Easter Egg Roll can't stop the music of the Green Machine Ensembles. Photo by Joshua Cruse & Nathaniel Henry / Green Machine Ensembles

“It was an amazing experience to get to perform at the White House!” exclaimed psychology major Bianca Natal. “Seeing so many people stop and listen to us, dance with us, and cheer with us all while we were at such a prestigious venue was a truly unique and exciting experience.”

Jeremy Freer, associate director of the Green Machine Ensembles, said, “We’ve striven to keep the Green Machine as inclusive as humanly possible for over 17 years now. No matter what instrument you play, audio engineering experience you want to have, or level of commitment, we make a space for you. The result of this policy is a group that has shaped itself over a decade and a half, bringing in amazing human beings and expanding our instrumentation with strings, harp, guitar, keyboard, mallet percussion, auxiliary percussion, vocalists, rappers, and scratch DJ's.”

Green Machine Ensemble performers get into their groove at the 2024 White House Easter Egg Roll on April 1, 2024. Photo by Joshua Cruse & Nathaniel Henry / Green Machine Ensembles

Members of the Green Machine Ensembles can't stop smiling as they put on an incredible performance for the crowds at the 2024 White House Easter Egg Roll. Photo by Joshua Cruse & Nathaniel Henry / Green Machine Ensembles

Their commitment to inclusivity and celebrating individuality makes the Green Machine so unique. No matter your skill level or level of commitment, this fantastic group welcomes anyone with a passion for making music and who wants to be part of something truly extraordinary. In the true spirit of "All Together Different," the Green Machine celebrates the communities’ students are already part of, as well as the ones they form while at George Mason, providing a judgment-free space where students can explore their musical talents, form lifelong friendships, and express themselves artistically.

The Green Machine ensembles are all smiles after their second spectacular performance at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Photo by Joshua Cruse & Nathaniel Henry / Green Machine Ensembles

In This Story

Prof. Jeremy Freer

Learn more about the Green Machine

Topics

Green Machine

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

White House

White House Easter Egg Roll

student performers

Campus News

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) School of Music

Dewberry School of Music

Harmony in Diversity – Mason's Jazz Vocal Ensemble Hits the Global Stage

Lakin Raybuck — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 17:13:48 +0000

Harmony in Diversity – Mason's Jazz Vocal Ensemble Hits the Global Stage Lakin Raybuck Tue, 03/26/2024 - 13:13

In This Story

Dr. Darden Purcell

At ��AV Dewberry School of Music, the Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble, directed by Dr. Darden Purcell, has notably marked the past year with accolades that spotlight not just their musical aptitude but the inclusive spirit that defines the university.

This ensemble, distinctively open to auditions from across the university's diverse student body, stands as a living testament to George Mason's core ethos of inclusivity and the unique opportunities it fosters, perfectly embodying the "all together different" spirit that pulses through the campus.

The ensemble's journey through the year was nothing short of remarkable, crowned by winning the prestigious DownBeat Student Music Award for "Outstanding Performance—Large Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Undergraduate College" in spring 2023. This accolade, recognized globally, spotlighted the ensemble's exceptional talent and unwavering dedication, setting them apart in a fiercely competitive field with submissions spanning the globe.

Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble. Photo Credit: Joyce Boghosian

The ensemble's journey of achievements gracefully flowed into another standout moment as they carried the banner for ��AV at the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) conference in November 2023. Standing as the university's singular musical voice at this event, they beautifully embodied the spirit and talent of Mason. The crescendo of their narrative hit a thrilling peak during their performance at the Jazz Education Network (JEN) conference in New Orleans, LA, in January 2024. Amidst a global gathering of talent, they stood out as one of only six Vocal Jazz groups chosen to perform, solidifying their place as a beacon of excellence in the international jazz community.

The ensemble's composition—comprising 15 dedicated members, including 11 vocalists alongside a rhythm section of piano, guitar, bass, and drums—mirrors the university's academic diversity. With students from Music Studies to Business and Creative Writing, the group exemplifies the rich tapestry of George Mason's student body, their varied backgrounds adding layers of depth and perspective to their music.

Preparing for such esteemed stages involved an intense rehearsal schedule, pushing the ensemble to explore a repertoire that was as challenging as it was rewarding. This included premieres written expressly for them by Mason Jazz faculty Dr. Shawn Purcell and pieces that demanded a high level of improvisation and professional skill, truly stretching their musical capabilities.

The ensemble's path to these prestigious platforms was paved by the generous support from the Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research (OSCAR) and the Dewberry School of Music Jazz Studies program, alongside proceeds from the annual Jazz4Justice concert. This backing is crucial, reflecting the university's investment in nurturing creative and scholarly pursuits.

Entering these highly competitive events required a submission process that mirrored the professional music world's rigor, emphasizing "live" and unedited performances. This stringent selection criterion underscores the ensemble's excellence and aligns with the university's dedication to authenticity and high standards.

For those within the Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble, the year was transformative, filled with opportunities beyond performances to personal and professional growth. The shared experiences, from rehearsals to stage, fostered a profound sense of unity, highlighting the ensemble's role as not just musicians but ambassadors of ��AV's inclusive culture.

Reflecting on the ensemble's achievements, it’s clear that their story is more than a sequence of musical triumphs. It's a narrative that celebrates the power of opportunity, diversity, and collaboration, reflecting Mason's supportive, dynamic, and diverse environment. Through their musical journey, the ensemble showcased their formidable talents and the rich, empowering backdrop of George Mason, where every student is encouraged to explore, perform, and excel.

Topics

Dewberry School of Music

diversity equity and inclusion DEI

Linda Apple Monson Honored in the Steinway Teacher Hall of Fame

Lakin Raybuck — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 15:08:39 +0000

Linda Apple Monson Honored in the Steinway Teacher Hall of Fame Lakin Raybuck Wed, 11/08/2023 - 10:08

In This Story

Dr. Linda Apple Monson

Extraordinary teachers shape the future of talented students. Among them is Mason’s own Linda Apple Monson, international Steinway Artist and director of the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music at ��AV. Her passion, expertise, and commitment to teaching piano have earned her a place in the prestigious 2023 Steinway Teacher Hall of Fame.

The Steinway Teacher Hall of Fame is a distinguished honor celebrating the dedication and passion of the outstanding piano educators of North America.

During her more than 20 years at Mason, which is an All-Steinway School, Monson shared her profound musical insights with gifted students from across the globe. Her influence extends far beyond the classroom, as she has graced stages across the United States, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Australia with her performances and lecture-recitals.

Pictured above: Gavin English, president of Steinway & Sons Americas with Dr. Linda Apple Monson

"I am humbled and honored to be inducted into the 2023 Steinway Teacher Hall of Fame. My heart is filled with gratitude for this honor and for the incredible privilege of teaching piano, our beloved art form, to the next generation of artists at ��AV," shared Monson.

"As an International Steinway Performing Artist, I am particularly honored to receive this additional prestigious award in recognition of my career as a teacher and mentor to my remarkable piano students," she added.

Gavin English, president of Steinway & Sons Americas, expressed his appreciation at the recent induction ceremony in New York City: "Your passionate commitment to teaching and inspiring young people in their study of piano music is commendable and rare. Through your efforts, you help students lay the foundation for a lifetime of musical and artistic expression."

We celebrate Monson's exceptional dedication and role in shaping the next generation of piano artists. Her inclusion in the 2023 Steinway Teacher Hall of Fame is a well-deserved recognition of her extraordinary contributions to music education and piano artistry.

Topics

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) School of Music

Dewberry School of Music

Faculty and Staff News

Mason Artist-in-Residence Silkroad Ensemble Leads Events Across Campus and Community

Zoe Harr — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 15:52:41 +0000

Mason Artist-in-Residence Silkroad Ensemble Leads Events Across Campus and Community Zoe Harr Fri, 10/27/2023 - 11:52

Buy Tickets

Learn About Mason Artist-in-Residence Program

Returning for their second of three years as a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Silkroad Ensemble and Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens present the world premiere of American Railroad, an initiative that maps American music through the various communities involved in building the late-1800s Transcontinental Railroad and its connecting railways. In its description of the project, Silkroad explains that though corporations and the American government financed the railroad, the people who built it are the focus of this program—Indigenous and African Americans as well Irish, Chinese, Japanese, and other immigrant laborers whose contributions have been largely erased from history. American Railroad highlights untold stories and amplifies unheard voices from these communities.

“The American Railroad project has been years in the making, and the program we've created for our first tour is only the beginning. In it, we shed light on those who have been erased or overlooked throughout American history and merge with it Silkroad's unique ability to amplify voices from a multitude of backgrounds and cultures. The result is a tapestry of stories, traditions, and musics that have shaped our multifaceted cultural identity, and that must be heard and recognized,” stated Giddens.

Want to learn more about the American Railroad project? Read Silkroad Ensemble’s description.

As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Silkroad artists will also work with the community through classes and workshops surrounding the performance, which are detailed below.

In a session with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), three Silkroad artists—Karen Ouzounian (cello/vocals), Shawn Conley (bass), and Kaoru Watanabe (Japanese flutes/percussion)—will lead a musical morning that includes individual demonstrations and a participatory Q&A with OLLI participants.
Silkroad Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens joins Silkroad artist Mazz Swift in a “Beyond the Note” Roundtable event, cohosted by the Dewberry School of Music, that includes conversation with BIPOC College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) students Darren Badley, Telah Harper, and Alyssa Cabassa, as they discuss the successes and challenges experienced by BIPOC musicians and artists.
As part of Mason’s Folklore Program, the course “Global Folklore” taught by Professor Debra Lattanzi Shutika will be joined by Silkroad artist Kaoru Watanabe (Japanese flutes/percussion) and guest artists on the American Railroad program Pura Fé Crescioni (lap-steel guitar/vocals) and Francesco Turrisi (frame drums/accordion) for a special class session that will include musical demonstrations and a participatory Q&A with more than 70 students in attendance.

Silkroad Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens joins Silkroad Ensemble at the Center on Nov. 5.

In addition to the activities above, multiple Silkroad artists have taken part in a semester-long Mason Honors College course for fall 2023, “The Silk Road and the Railroad: An artistic exploration of the Transcontinental Railroad in American history and culture.” Taught by College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean Rick Davis, this academic course explores the many cultures, histories, music, and narratives of the Transcontinental Railroad, providing context to Silkroad’s newest initiative. Earlier this semester, Silkroad artists visited the class for discussions and will offer an opportunity for students to watch a Silkroad Ensemble rehearsal prior to the November 5 performance.

To learn more about this fall 2023 Honors College course, check out a recent article with Professor Rick Davis.

Get your tickets today and join Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens on November 5 for the powerful world-premiere performance of American Railroad.

Topics

CFA

Mason Artists-in-Residence

Rick Davis

folklore

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) School of Music

Dewberry School of Music

OLLI

Honors College

Campus News

A Contemporary Composer Fuels a New Mason Collaboration

Emily Schneider — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 19:19:10 +0000

A Contemporary Composer Fuels a New Mason Collaboration Emily Schneider Tue, 03/07/2023 - 14:19

In This Story

Lawrence M. Jackson

Dr. William Lake, Jr.

Growing up in the Black church, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Concert Bands, Dr. William Lake, Jr., deeply understands the power of music and movement.

After hearing Come Sunday by composer Omar Thomas, Lake dreamed of bringing this work to life with movement, bringing together the ��AV Bands and the School of Dance. Working on such a project would not only expand his students' musical vocabulary but also create an authentic and expansive cultural experience for the Mason community. Associate Professor of Dance, Lawrence M. Jackson, had similar experiences, growing up in “the southern Black church, a very charismatic church” and reflected on his own upbringing and research into African diasporic dance forms. This collaboration came to life onstage in the Center for the Arts on Mason’s Fairfax Campus on February 28.

Students from Mason's School of Dance performing with the Mason Wind Symphony to Omar Thomas's Come Sunday on February 28. Photo by Will Martinez.

As a composer, arranger, and educator, Omar Thomas works with some of the most respected names in composition and education, including multiple GRAMMY-winning composer and bandleader Maria Schneider, Ken Schaphorst, and Frank Carlberg. Born to Guyanese parents in Brooklyn, New York, Thomas pursued music diligently, completing his Master of Music at Berklee College of Music and becoming the first Black composer to ever receive the National Bandmasters Association/Revelli Award for Come Sunday. His compositions are described as “thought-provoking, multi-layered masterpiece[s],” which made embarking on a partnership around this piece even more exciting for Jackson and Lake.

“I really hold dear my experiences as a musician in the Black church (I started playing the piano for my children’s choir around age 6) to my musical upbringing. Since I know gospel and other sacred music intimately, I can infuse the music with the extra nuances that can’t be described using notation but are true to the style. This piece has been performed by many great ensembles across the country… however, there hasn’t been a performance that centers movement and these great sounds.” said Lake.

Professor Jackson’s career often includes collaborations, a hallmark of his practice at other universities before coming to Mason in the fall of 2022. While the invitation to work with Dr. Lake at the end of the fall semester was a surprise, it also felt reassuring to find this partnership so early on and to begin exploring what this experience would mean for Mason students from both the School of Dance and the Dewberry School of Music.

A student from the School of Dance smiles at the audience during the performance of "Come Sunday" by Omar Thomas, performed by the Mason Wind Symphony. Photo by Will Martinez.

Building a vocabulary for the dancers was an opportunity for Jackson’s students to explore the storied culture of the Black church's sacred space and develop an understanding of the types of movement vocabulary that would reflect the energy and history of these spaces and traditions. From watching Alvin Ailey’s Revelations and clips of a particular scene from the movie Blues Brothers, Jackson offered context to his creative process, “blending contemporary dance forms, African diasporic dance forms, and pedestrian movement that is derived from the Black church, all merged into an amalgamation of movement vocabulary uniquely designed for this work.”

“The Mason School of Dance students are excited to work with the musicians,” said Jackson. “These dancers, most of them, if not all of them, have never had the experience of working alongside a symphony or a band. I’m excited for them to experience the unique energy of the symphony and adapt in the moment.” All of the dancers performing in this piece are seniors in their final semester with the School of Dance, which made Jackson that much more eager to share this experience with them before they embark on the next stage of their careers.

The dancers are not the only ones expanding their understanding and skills with this performance. “The jazz and gospel musical vocabulary is foreign to my students,” said Dr. Lake.

“It’s inspiring to see how invested our students are in something that they realize is new and different. My hope is that through music and collaborations, my students have a gateway to appreciate cultures different than their own,” Lake adds.

Dancers from Mason's School of Dance perform Professor Lawrence M. Jackson's original choreography to Come Sunday by Omar Thomas, performed by the Mason Wind Symphony on February 28. Photo by Will Martinez.

Unlike most concerts, the Wind Symphony will be moved further upstage than normal and without the acoustic shell to allow for the choreography to be presented downstage. This has resulted in the assistance of the Center for the Arts Artistic Staff to add audio, lighting, and stage-managing support. This unique concert has been chosen as one of the Mason Arts at Home features that will be captured via six cameras in the hall and even GoPros! Dr. Lake shared, “I’m jealous of the audience, I won’t get to experience the concert from their vantage point – I’m thankful that the School of Music and the College of Visual and Performing Arts have agreed to record, edit, and professionally mix our hard work”.

The duo is optimistic that this is just the beginning of collaborations between the Mason School of Dance and the Dewberry School of Music.

You can watch an in-depth interview with Jackson and Lake on the College of Visual and Performing Arts YouTube channel, including behind-the-scenes footage of rehearsals leading up to the performance.

The Wind Symphony’s performance from February 28, 2023, including Come Sunday featuring the School of Dance, will be available to watch from March 28 through April 28, 2023 exclusively through Mason Arts at Home.

Topics

College of Visual and Performing Arts

Mason Arts

Dewberry School of Music

College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Dance

University Day service awardees honored for driving Mason’s progress

Colleen Rich — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 18:10:10 +0000

University Day service awardees honored for driving Mason’s progress Colleen Rich Thu, 11/10/2022 - 13:10

The ��AV community united recently to celebrate colleagues who have served Mason and/or the Commonwealth of Virginia from five to 45 years.

Mason’s annual University Day Service Awards recognized 652 individuals with food, music, mingling, and pictures with Mason President Gregory Washington and the Patriot mascot.

The Nov. 8 “green” event honored those with five, 10 and 15 years of service. The Nov. 9 “gold” event honored those with 20 to 45 years of service.

Glenn Smith (center, green tie) celebrates University Day with College of Visual and Performing Arts colleagues. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

“During the 20, the 30, the 40, to even 45 years of service that many of you have been involved with this institution, [Mason] has made some remarkable progress,” Washington said during the Nov. 9 ceremony. “That progress is due to every single person in this room. Your contributions are the reason for our success.”

This rings especially true for the two employees who were celebrating 45 years of service: Glenn Smith, director of theory and composition in the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music, and Abdulaziz Sachedina, International Institution of Islamic Thought (IIIT) professor and chair of Islamic studies in the Department of Religious Studies.

Smith and Sachedina said they joined Mason because of its potential for growth.

“When I came to Mason, it was so new, and I decided that I was going to do what I could to bring this university into the 21st century,” said Smith, who started at Mason in 1976.

One way he accomplished this was by bringing quantum physics and neuroscience to music, and creating Mason’s music for well-being programs, focused on vibrational healing with sound.

“I teach students energy psychology because everything is in a state of vibration,” Smith said. “If you’re a musician, you’re controlling vibrations, and you’re very powerful. You have to be careful how you use music, so I use it for healing.”

Abdulaziz Sachedina with President Gregory Washington. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

Smith created and directs the related music and well-being minor, as well as Mason’s Healing Arts Ensemble, which he founded in 2007 and allows students to apply music healing principles in performance.

Sachedina, who joined Mason in 2012 after teaching at the University of Virginia for 36 years, said Mason allowed him to “see other dimensions of higher education in Virginia” and grow his experience with what is now the largest public research university in the state.

His research and teaching on Islamic studies has expanded to larger issues of humanity, he said.

“My goal is making people aware of the idea of coexistence: that human beings need to learn to live together,” Sachedina said. “I want to see that our humanity shines through in a global society.”

Mason helped him travel to Iran to teach, which was important, he said, because “we need education to be the bridge of connection in the world.”

For both 45-year service awardees, their reasons for staying at Mason are simple: the students.

Students ask some of the best questions, Sachedina said, “and we learn from them as much as we teach them.”

That is why, Sachedina said, he wants to stay in Mason’s classrooms as long as he can.

Smith said that not only does he “get to play music and hear professionally played music every day,” he also gets to “help students grow into professionals in a relatively short period of time.”

President Washington ended his remarks on Nov. 9 by congratulating everyone on their milestones.

“I want to thank you, again, for your many many years of service,” he said. “Go Patriots.”

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Rising Senior Kitty Fields Cooks Up New Music for Mason and Beyond

Emily Schneider — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 14:56:57 +0000

Rising Senior Kitty Fields Cooks Up New Music for Mason and Beyond Emily Schneider Mon, 08/01/2022 - 10:56

In This Story

Prof. Mark Camphouse

When Anne Catherine “Kitty” Fields (Music, 2023) isn't at her piano composing, she is engaged in a wide array of interests, from studying neuroscience to reading Carl Jung to enjoying bird songs on nature walks, in addition to cooking and baking.

Fields at her piano, exploring her next musical work.

On the surface, her many interests may seem unrelated, but Fields finds inspiration in her non-musical endeavors, which feeds her as an artist. Fields says that process of composing is akin to seasoning a red sauce. “You taste it and say ‘The prosciutto adds depth, but it needs some basil and parsley to brighten it, with a dash more of red wine and a pinch of salt, I think we’ll be closer to what we want.’ “said Fields. “In the same way, composers have agency to say what a piece needs: ‘The bass drum will reinforce this downbeat, but we need the reeds and flutes to brighten the texture, with bells doubling here and pianissimo crotales, I think we’ll be closer to what we want.’”

With several impressive compositions under her belt, including the premiere of her first work for a large ensemble in the spring of 2022, Fields stands on the cusp of her senior year, reflective of the road that led her to Mason and enthusiastic about what lies ahead.

The native Northern Virginian began composing small-scale works in high school. Her piano teacher, the classical pianist and church organist Olga Teulter, introduced Fields to the works of Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Ravel, and more. The richness and depth of their music profoundly impacted how Fields listens to music. Discovering the meaningful ways that other composers used musical elements to express ideas from their faith, bringing the influence of nature into a piece and evoking movement and emotion from the listener laid the foundation for Kitty’s understanding of how compositions are devised. Repeatedly listening to pieces and growing her understanding of their structure enhanced her desire to learn, driving her to discover more about theory and harmony so that her own ideas could come to life on the page. Another crucial influence was the Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi, best known for writing the soundtracks to films produced by acclaimed animation company Studio Ghibli. Fields says she “was always fascinated by the way a score could bring out the emotional undertones of a scene and suggest to the viewers where to direct their attention through auditory cues.”

Fields had countless ideas for new music but knew that continuing to study would bring her to a place where she could transform those ideas into fully-fledged works.

Putting what she hears in her mind's ear onto paper has taken training and patience. Repetition and exploration are central to her process. She plays through musical ideas multiple times at the piano as she brings the various elements into alignment, spending time with the music to discover whether it conveys what she intends in each piece, before she can begin to develop it fully. She then weaves these musical ideas together, creating colors through the orchestration, and conveying emotion through the pacing and structure of the piece.

Fields with her mentor, Professor Mark Camphouse. Camphouse is an acclaimed composer and retired from the Dewberry School of Music after 16 years in spring 2022.

Fields undertook her first composition explorations as a local high school student attending the Mason Community Arts Academy summer composition workshops with acclaimed composers Mark Camphouse and Vincent Oppido. Professor Camphouse retired in 2022 after 16 years with the Dewberry School of Music, while Oppido, a Mason alumnus himself, is an award-winning composer with credits that extend from video games and film scores to the Academy Awards ceremonies, in addition to his concert music catalog. She says, “I clicked with Professor Camphouse immediately and saw I had so much to learn from his vast experience in the field; his incredible talent and expertise in composing and conducting; and his warm and kind spirit.” Fields met Dr. Anna Balakerskaia, her current piano teacher, through Teulter and was “completely in awe of her musicality and intuition.” When it came time to select a university to continue her studies, Fields' choice of Mason made perfect sense.

Fields received her first song commission from Mason's own Professor Joseph Walsh in 2021, “The Hand and the Light,” in which she performed and recorded the vocals and piano accompaniment. The Fantasy for Piano and Wind Symphony is Field's first large ensemble work, and her eloquence is as apparent in her writing as it is in her musical compositions. She describes Fantasy as “partly inspired by reading the memoirs of the aviator, writer, and poet Antoine Saint-Exupery and by various stories told by pilots and adventurous souls [I’ve] encountered personally. In this work, Fields attempts to capture the exhilaration and profound beauty of soaring through the heavens and the loneliness that may haunt someone who is never in one place for long.”

The second movement of Fantasy, titled “Night Flight”, is a favorite in her portfolio.

“It evokes the unease of flying over a large body of water at night. The piece plays with fear, light, darkness, life, and death. The slow, deliberate beginning of the movement feels as though it is suspended in the air, only drifting, as an ascending motive makes gradual entrances. The ascending motive is then juxtaposed with the Lux Aeterna Gregorian chant from the Requiem Mass (played by the piano), almost like a prayer for light to scatter the strangely inviting darkness. The low brass comes in, roaring to depict the depth of the water, an abyss that could swallow one instantly. Throughout the piece, there are many images and moods that Fields leaves open to the listener to interpret. One thing is for sure, though: at the end, when the Lux Aeterna takes its final form as a resplendent fanfare, the light does not merely illuminate the darkness but shatters all fear.”

Fields' college career has been marked by the pandemic. She says, “Lockdowns happened the second semester of my freshman year, and when we came back to school after a year and a half of trying to make music over Zoom, I realized what I had missed through most of my time here: the forging of musical relationships through collaboration and ensemble playing.” She explains that the most rewarding part of being a composer is working in partnership with other musicians who breathe life into her creations. Fields got to experience this in full last April when the Mason Wind Symphony premiered Fantasy. She says, “The energy was incredible that night. I also performed the piano part, which meant I not only got to hear my peers play my music, I also got to play with them. The experience of that musical synergy is unforgettable!”

Fields at the premiere of her piece "Atmospheric Study No 1", which has been accepted for publication and distribution by C. Alan Publications.

Her summer has continued to build on the energy of collaboration and the enriching relationships that evolved during her time at Mason.

Two of her compositions have been accepted by C. Alan Publications for distribution, one of which is her Fantasy. The other is titled Atmospheric Study No. 1, for piano and vibraphone—a minimalist piece that experiments with the timbres the two instruments can create together, at times focusing on one instrument, at others blending the two into an indistinguishable sound. Fields attended the National Band Association Young Composer/Conductor Mentor Project as an observer just a few weeks ago. The program is the brainchild of Mark Camphouse, offering young composers and conductors a three-day intensive partnership with an experienced working mentor from the field. At the event, Fields connected with renowned composers Thomas Duffy, Viet Cuong, and Kevin Day, among others. Currently, Fields is working on a setting for soprano and orchestra of the beloved American classic “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” by Robert Frost.

For the rest of the summer, she hopes to write lots of chamber music that will be performed during her senior recital in the spring of 2023, after which she plans to continue her studies in graduate school. Fields' goal for her final year at Mason is to continue to foster as much of this collaboration as possible and continue cultivating these supportive and transformative friendships through the binding power of music.

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Alumna Aundi Marie Moore, a 2023 Sphinx Medal of Excellence Recipient

Pam Muirheid — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 21:53:07 +0000

Alumna Aundi Marie Moore, a 2023 Sphinx Medal of Excellence Recipient Pam Muirheid Tue, 07/19/2022 - 17:53

Learn More About Aundi Marie Moore

Aundi Marie Moore

Mason alumna Aundi Marie Moore has been named by the Sphinx Organization as one of the 2023 recipients of the Sphinx Medal of Excellence. This annual award is the highest honor bestowed by the Sphinx Organization, bestowed in recognition of extraordinary classical Black and Latinx musicians. The award, which includes a $50,000 career grant, celebrates artists who demonstrate outstanding work ethic, a spirit of determination, artistic excellence, and an ongoing commitment to leadership and their communities. Moore will be presented with this honor at the organizations official ceremony on March 1, 2023, alongside the other two recipients of this year's award, Thomas Mesa and Joel Thompson.

The Sphinx Organization is "a social justice organization dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts.

Focused on increasing representation of Black and Latinx artists in classical music and recognizing excellence, Sphinx programs serve beginner students to seasoned classical music professionals, as well as cultural entrepreneurs and administrators.

Based in Detroit, Michigan, but with nationwide reach, Sphinx envisions a day where the classical music field looks like our communities: where every young person has the opportunity to express themselves and learn classical music; where audiences reflect the people we see on our streets; and where leadership—on stage and off—includes all deserving voices."

Soprano Aundi Marie Moore established herself as an exceptional talent with her Metropolitan Opera debut as Strawberry Woman in the Met’s 2020 production of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. Previous operatic stage career highlights include Donna Elvira Don Giovanni at L'Opéra de Monte Carlo for her international debut, Nedda in I Pagliacci at Sarasota Opera, and Mimi in La Boheme at the Amalfi Coast Festival.

A member of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program at the Washington National Opera, Moore has appeared in numerous operas at WNO, including as the Fifth Maid in Elektra under the baton of Heinz Fricke, and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni conducted by Placido Domingo.

Moore completed her Masters of Music at the University of Michigan and her Bachelors [of Music] degree at ��AV. She participated in the Salzburg Music Festival Young Artist Program in 2008, covering the roles of Donna Anna in Don Giovanni and the title role of Rusalka, and appeared as a featured soloist in the Gala concert conducted by Ivor Bolton. Concert highlights include her performance with the New World Symphony for Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 under the baton of Steven Jarvi, as well as the National Symphony Orchestra’s featured guest soloist for the Christmas Pops concert conducted by Marvin Hamlisch.

Moore has won various accolades including the 2016 Bronze Medal at the American Traditions Competition in Savannah, Georgia, First Place at both Florida Grand Opera Young Patronesses Voice Competition and Vocal Arts Discovery Series of Washington D.C., and was a finalist at Operalia.

Copied from a Sphinx Music story.

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Rising Senior Kitty Fields Cooks Up New Music for Mason and Beyond

In This Story

Fields had countless ideas for new music but knew that continuing to study would bring her to a place where she could transform those ideas into fully-fledged works.

Her summer has continued to build on the energy of collaboration and the enriching relationships that evolved during her time at Mason.

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Alumna Aundi Marie Moore, a 2023 Sphinx Medal of Excellence Recipient

Learn More About Aundi Marie Moore

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