Sforzando: July, 2024

MAGAZINE FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

HUGH HODGSON SCHOOL OF MUSIC

Imagine

Hugh Hodgson School of Music 2024-25 Performance Season

Possibilities the

2024 Published July, 2024

Plus:

CULTURAL EXCHANGE TO KENYA

SOUTHEAST HORN WORKSHOP

EXCITING GROWTH IN VOICE AND OPERA

EXPANDED OPTIONS FOR GIVING

Hugh Hodgson School of Music Administration

Director (through July 31, 2024)

Peter Jutras

Interim Director (Beginning August 1, 2024)

Daniel Bara

Assistant to the Director

Edith Hollander

SFORZANDO Magazine Staff

HHSOM Director of Public Relations

Shaun Baer

Contact for press:

Hugh Hodgson School of Music

230 River Road, Ste. 324-A Athens, GA 30602

706-542-4752 | shaunbaer@uga.edu

Public Relations Assistant

Rye Harrison

SFORZANDO is published by the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. All photos by Shaun Baer unless otherwise indicated.

FRONT COVER PHOTOS FROM TOP: Alvaro Santos performing in the Latin American Music Ensemble on April 5, 2024

Concerto Competition Winner Michael Chapa performs with the Wind Ensemble on February 20, 2024.

Minesol Hong (left) and Xiaohan Chen perform “Tragedy of Carmen” March 21, 2024.

Carlos Brena (left) and Molly Schneider perform with the UGA Symphony Orchestra on February 22, 2024.

Men’s Glee Club performing an old standard on February 27, 2024.

BACK COVER PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

Chamber Music Athens Orchestra performs with Athens Hip-Hop artist Squallé May 14, 2024.

Madelynn Rayner and Luke Williams perform with Jazz Ensemble II April 3, 2024.

Chorus members sing during “Dona Nobis Pacem” April 26, 2024.(Photo by Easel Images.)

Wind Ensemble performs April 2, 2024.

@ugamusic

IMAGINE THE

POSSIBILITIES

This last academic year, we were inspired by the incredible performances, research, creativity, and passion of our nearly 600 students, instructed by over 70 dedicated faculty. As we head into the 2024-25 academic year, we invite you to “Imagine the Possibilities.”

Commencement this year held a special place in my heart. These graduating students began their journey amidst the challenges of Covid-19. Most of our undergraduate students never had a high school commencement or high school prom. They started college taking lessons via zoom and performing outdoors or through masks. I sincerely hope that, as they leave the Hugh Hodgson School of Music they feel that they have not only recovered from this difficult time, but have begun to thrive as musicians and members of society.

By comparison, I am thrilled to report that our season of performances have indeed not only matched but surpassed pre-pandemic numbers thanks to your increased attendance and commitment to supporting our talented students. This past academic year, our 26 ticketed performances were seen by over 10,050 patrons, over 2,000 more than last year, and we’ve seen a noticeable increase in attendance for our free concerts as well. We have consistently sold out our Annual Holiday Concert and our end of the year Orchestra and Combined Choir concert for the past two years. We hope you will help us continue that trend for our 2024-25 season, which you can read more about in the following pages.

But what we offer our students here goes well beyond our performance stages. This year we graduated our first two students with our new Certificate of Film and Media Scoring and our second Master’s Student in Music Therapy. Several students, alumni, and faculty received prestigious academic and professional awards. The Southeast Horn Workshop was hosted by professor of horn Jean Martin-Williams and assistant professor of horn and brass area chair James Naigus, welcoming horn students from around the region to study from top horn professionals. We also partnered with the UGA Department of Dance and led a group of 22 faculty and students on a cultural music and dance exchange to Kenya.

This year also marks some new beginnings and some departures. Four of our faculty have retired, and six of our faculty and staff have accepted new positions elsewhere. At the end of this month, I will depart for my new position as dean of the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) at the University of Cincinnati. Director of Choral Activities Daniel Bara will serve as HHSOM interim director until a search is conducted.

It has been my joy, honor, and privilege to teach at HHSOM for the past 18 years and serve as director for these past five. It is the nature of our lives to change with each year, with each season. I know you will continue to support the incredible music happening at the Hugh as we all look towards a future filled with possibilities.

Sincerely,

Pete Jutras Director, Hugh Hodgson School of Music

Director Peter Jutras led a team of 22 students and faculty for a music and dance exchange with schools and performers in Kenya.

Four faculty retire, six faculty and staff accept new positions, and three new faculty begin this fall. Learn about all these changes here.

34 SOUND OF HORNS

Professor Jean Martin-Williams and Assistant Professor James Naigus hosted the Southeast Horn Workshop this February.

38 HEARING NEW VOICES

The vocal studies and opera areas are growing and developing in exciting ways, honoring the legacy of retiring faculty, and celebrating alums.

ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS EXPANDING DEVELOPMENT

Awards, citations, new projects, and new music...learn about some of the great achievements of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

Changes to School of Music website allow access to all funds available to support the area of interest for any donors; Director’s Circle information.

& TICKETS

2024-25 CALENDAR OF TICKETED EVENTS

THURS 8/29 *

Thursday Scholarship Series

Faculty Jazz Ensemble

“Birth of the Cool” encore Hodgson Concert Hall page 6

THURS 9/12 *

UGA Symphony Orchestra

“Power in Nature” featuring Beethoven’s 6th Symphony. Hodgson Concert Hall page 10

MON 9/16

Faculty Chamber Recital

Georgia Brass and Wind Quintets “Five by Five” Ramsey Concert Hall page 8

THURS 9/19

UGA Wind Ensemble

“Soundings” Hodgson Concert Hall page 14

THURS 10/3

UGA Symphony Orchestra

“Power in Transformation” Works by Wagner, Hindemith Hodgson Concert Hall page 10

THURS 10/10

UGA Hodgson Singers and University Chorus

Hodgson Concert Hall page 18

THURS 10/17 *

UGA Wind Ensemble

“Made in America” Hodgson Concert Hall page 14

FRI 10/25

ARCO Chamber Orchestra

“It Takes Two: From Baroque to the 20th Century” Hodgson Concert Hall page 13

MON 10/28

Faculty Chamber Recital “Table for Three at Chez Janau: An Evening of Duos &Trios” Ramsey Concert Hall page 8

FRI 11/8 & SUN 11/10

UGA Opera Theatre Fall Opera Hodgson Concert Hall page 21

THURS 11/21 & FRI 11/22 *

Annual Holiday Concert

“...To Be Thankful For!” Hodgson Concert Hall page 12

TUES 1/21

Faculty Chamber Recital Mostly Romantic: Brahms, Rachmaninoff, and Piazzolla Ramsey Concert Hall page 9

THURS 1/30 *

UGA Symphony Orchestra with Concerto Competition Winners Hodgson Concert Hall page 12

THURS 2/13 *

Thursday Scholarship Series

Faculty Follies Soiree - An Evening of Musical Comedy Hodgson Concert Hall page 6

FRI 2/21 - SUN 2/23

UGA Opera Theatre Spring Opera Fine Arts Theatre page 21

TUES 2/25

UGA Symphony Orchestra “Power in Creation” Fine Arts Theatre page 11

THURS 3/13 *

UGA Hodgson Singers “Lux Eterna” Hodgson Concert Hall page 18

MON 3/24

Faculty Chamber Recital Welcome Home: New Faculty Trio Ramsey Concert Hall page 9

FRI 3/28

UGA Symphony Orchestra

Symphonie Fantastique conducted by Michael Stern Hodgson Concert Hall page 11

TUES 4/1

UGA Wind Ensemble “...rising...” Hodgson Concert Hall page 15

FRI 4/4

ARCO Chamber Orchestra All Classic: Mozart and Haydn Hodgson Concert Hall page 13

THURS 4/17 *

Thursday Scholarship Series “Music and Dance” ARCO and UGA Dance Ensemble Ramsey Concert Hall page 6

THURS 4/24

Symphony Orchestra and Combined Choirs Concert Hodgson Concert Hall page 12

* - Indicates Thursday Scholarship Series Concert

2024-25 CALENDAR OF FREE PERFORMANCES

FALL 2024

WED 9/4

Faculty Artist Series

D. Ray McClellan, clarinet

Ramsey Concert Hall page 22

WED 9/25

Repertory Singers

Choral Conducting Students

Ramsey Concert Hall page 19

WED 9/25

Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band

Hodgson Concert Hall page 17

TUES 10/8

Men’s and Women’s Glee

Clubs Fall Concert

Hodgson Concert Hall page 19

WED 10/9

Faculty Artist Series

Angela Jones-Reus, flute

Ramsey Concert Hall

page 22

FRI 10/11

UGA Philharmonia

Nicholas Han, conductor

Hodgson Concert Hall page 13

MON 10/28

Repertory Singers

Choral Conducting Students

Ramsey Concert Hall page 19

WED 10/30

Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band

Hodgson Concert Hall page 17

MON 11/4

Jazz Ensemble I

Jazz Ensemble II

Ramsey Concert Hall page 26

WED 11/6

Faculty Artist Series

Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva, violin

Hodgson Concert Hall page 23

TUES 11/12

UGA Wind Ensemble

Chamber Concert

Ramsey Concert Hall page 15

WED 11/13

Chinese Music Ensemble

Fall Celebration

Hodgson Concert Hall page 24

THU 11/14

British Brass Band

Fall Festival

Hodgson Concert Hall page 28

FRI 11/15

Contemporary Chamber

Ensemble & Composition

Dancz Center for New Music page 28

MON 11/25

African American

Choral Ensemble

Hodgson Concert Hall page 20

MON 12/2

Repertory Singers

Choral Conducting Students

Ramsey Concert Hall page 19

SPRING 2025

TUES 1/14

Faculty Artist Series

Matthew Shipes, tuba Ramsey Concert Hall page 23

TUES 2/4

Faculty Artist Series

Milton Masciadri, double bass

Hodgson Concert Hall page 23

MON 2/10

Repertory Singers

Choral Conducting Students

Ramsey Concert Hall page 19

WED 2/12

Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band

Ramsey Concert Hall page 17

TUES 2/18

UGA Philharmonia

Nicholas Han, conductor Hodgson Concert Hall page 13

TUES 3/11

“I Will Lift up Mine Eyes” University Chorus & Glee Clubs Hodgson Concert Hall page 19

WED 3/12

Faculty Artist Series

James Kim, cello Ramsey Concert Hall page 23

TUES 3/18

Middle East Music Ensemble

Ramsey Concert Hall page 24

WED 3/19

Concert Band & University Band

Hodgson Concert Hall page 17

FRI 3/21

British Brass Band Spring Festival

Hodgson Concert Hall page 28

MON 3/24

Repertory Singers

Choral Conducting Students

Ramsey Concert Hall page 19

MON 3/31

Jazz Ensemble I

Jazz Ensemble II

Ramsey Concert Hall page 26

WED 4/2

African Music Ensemble

Inaugural Performance

Ramsey Concert Hall page 25

MON 4/7

Chinese Music Ensemble

Spring Celebration

Hodgson Concert Hall page 25

MON 4/14

African American

Choral Ensemble

Hodgson Concert Hall page 20

TUES 4/15

UGA Opera Theatre

Opera Scenes Program

Ramsey Concert Hall page 21

WED 4/16

Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band

Hodgson Concert Hall page 17

MON 4/28

Repertory Singers

Choral Conducting Students

Ramsey Concert Hall page 19

MON 4/28

UGA Philharmonia

Nicholas Han, conductor Hodgson Concert Hall page 13

SPECIALTY CONCERTS AND EVENTS

UNIQUE THURSDAY SCHOLARSHIP SERIES EXPERIENCES

In addition to highlighting our top-level ensembles, the Thursday Scholarship Series creates unique opportunities for our faculty to develop exciting and unexpected performances. This season, these three concerts offer everything from the return of our Faculty Jazz Ensemble, to an immersive dance experience with ARCO Chamber Orchestra, and even a comedic competition of orchestral proportions as the faculty challenge each other to a battle of comedic musical prowess.

FACULTY JAZZ ENSEMBLE “Birth of the Cool” Encore

THURSDAY

AUGUST 29, 2024

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$20 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

A collection of pieces written by Gil Evans, Gerry Mulligan, Miles Davis and John Lewis from 1948-50, that was expanding past the “Be-Bop” hard driving small group Jazz music of the time. This encore performance features nine of the UGA performance faculty including David D’Angelo, senior lecturer in Jazz, and Greg Satterthwaite and James Weidman, assistant professors of jazz piano and African American studies.

Faculty “Follies” - An Evening of Musical Comedy

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$20 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

Not since the days of Victor Borge and P.D.Q. Bach has there been such a collision of classical music and side-splitting laughter. Curated by professor of comedy...er...clarinet D. Ray McClellan, this fun-filled evening features faculty and students sharing music that highlights joy and playfulness. Silly situations evocative of a classic “Follies” like variety show promise to unfold. What a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day!

“Music and Dance” - ARCO and the UGA Dance Ensemble

THURSDAY APRIL 17, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$20 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

ARCO Chamber Orchestra and the UGA Dance Ensemble, directed Levon Ambartsumian and Lisa Fusillo respectively, collaborate to create an evening highlighting the intricate relationship between music and dance. The program will feature music by Telemann, Tchaikovsky, Grieg, Piazzolla, Schnittke, and Khachaturian. Angela Jones-Reus, professor of flute, will be a featured soloist. This stunning performance is not to be missed.

THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN LISZT SOCIETY FESTIVAL

HOSTED BY THE HUGH HODGSON SCHOOL OF MUSIC OCTOBER 13 - 16, 2024

EVENT REGISTRATION AND HOTELS

Registration opens on July 10. *

STUDENTS

$25 - ALS student members

$40 - MTNA, NATS, AMS student members

$50 - All others holding a valid student I.D.

Student registrations include discounted tickets to the Marc-André Hamelin recital ($10) ADULTS

$90 - ALS members

$140 - MTNA, NATS, AMS members

$180 - All others

Registrations include discounted tickets to the Marc-André Hamelin recital ($40)

Festival hotels rooms: $169 per night

*Please note that joining the American Liszt Society for 2024, in addition to a lower festival registration fee, offers receipt of the ALS Newsletter and the next issue of the Journal of the American Liszt Society. Go to www.americanlisztsociety.net/join-als.

ALS annual dues: Member - $50, Student Member - $25

Founded by David Kushner, Fernando Laires, and Charles Lee, The American Liszt Society (ALS) was incorporated in 1964.

The purpose of the Society is to promote scholarship and a general understanding of the full creative and historical significance of Franz Liszt in the education and development of both the composition and performance of music throughout the Western World. Each year ALS festivals have presented member talent and outstanding guests celebrating Liszt, his influence, and his ideals.

Throughout its history, the Society has endeavored to bring the ideals and philosophy of Liszt into the contemporary setting to aid and serve colleagues and to promote high standards. The membership has been comprised primarily of musicians, but members have come and continue to come from scores of other professions (for example, medicine, business, journalism, etc.). As Liszt “hurled his lance into the future,” the Society strives to perpetuate and more fully understand Liszt’s contribution and special message.

The Annual Conferences, also known as Festivals, of The American Liszt Society, hosted by various universities or other organizations throughout North America, provide an opportunity to learn more about this fascinating musician through lectures, recitals, master classes, and concerts.

Historically, festivals have been held at a wide variety of locations in the United States and Canada. Festivals are typically hosted by a university, a library, a local ALS chapter, or a music performance organization.

This festival program includes lectures, concerts, an exhibit at the Georgia Museum of Art, a documentary on the life of Josef Hofmann (produced by ALS Medalist Gregor Benko), and a world premiere (commissioned by ALS) of a new solo piano work from festival headliner and ALS Medalist Marc-André Hamelin.

Hopefully, by attending these festivals, an image of Liszt will emerge for you that will contribute to a reassessment of his treasury of uplifting music, his importance in the dissemination of music throughout Europe in the nineteenth century, and his beneficence that allowed both the mighty and the meek to attain a higher spiritual and musical good. We sincerely hope it will be possible for you to join us in an unforgettable musical experience!

- American Liszt Society

For more information or to register visit: music.uga.edu/liszt

ALS Medalist Marc-André Hamelin

BRAND NEW: FACULTY CHAMBER ENSEMBLE SERIES

BRAND NEW SERIES OF CONCERTS HIGHLIGHTS FACULTY COLLABORATIONS

Music is, by its very nature, a collaborative art form. Whether in an orchestra, band, choir, or opera, a strong ensemble is essential for a successful performance. What better way to showcase our faculty than by inviting you to hear them at their best. Working together in stunning chamber ensembles, audiences will be able to experience and understand the true level of technical and artistic mastery the Hugh Hodgson School of Music faculty possess. With a combined professional experience that spans the globe, this is a fantastic and brand-new opportunity to hear world-class music right here in Athens.

Five by Five: Georgia Brass and Georgia Wind Quintets

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2024

7:30 p.m.

Ramsey Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$15 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

Ten of our powerhouse instrumental faculty launch our Faculty Chamber Ensemble Series. Georgia Brass Quintet features Philip Smith and Brandon Craswell, trumpet; James Naigus, horn; Joshua Bynum, trombone; and Matthew Shipes, tuba/euphonium. Georgia Wind Quintet features Angela Jones-Reus, flute; Reid Messich, oboe; D. Ray McClellan, clarinet; Amy Pollard, bassoon; and Jean Martin-Williams, horn.

Table for Three at Chez Janau: An Evening of Duos and Trios

MONDAY OCTOBER 28, 2024

7:30 p.m.

Ramsey Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$15 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

Nine HHSOM faculty present an intimate evening of exquisite music sure to satisfy your appetite. Featuring: Joaquin Turina’s Piano trio #2 op.76, in D minor; “Table for 3 at Chez Janau,” a tonal work with jazz elements by living American composer Paul Ferguson; selections from Spohr’s Op. 103 songs; and selections from Lori Laitman’s cycle, “I Never Saw Another Butterfly.” Don’t miss out on a seat for this delicious performance.

BRAND NEW: FACULTY CHAMBER SERIES

Mostly Romantic: Brahms, Rachmaninoff, and Piazzolla

TUESDAY

JANUARY 21, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Ramsey Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$15 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

Romantic music is a stylistic movement in Western music associated with the period of the 19th century that made greater use of longer, more fully defined and more emotionally evocative themes. This program includes Schubert Songs (violin arrangement), Rachmaninov’s Piano Trio, and Brahms Piano Quartet. Featuring Levon Ambartsumian, violin; Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva, viola; James Kim, cello; and Evgeny Rivkin, piano.

Welcome Home: New Faculty Trio

MONDAY

MARCH 24, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Ramsey Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$15 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

This is a unique opportunity to hear the three newest faculty at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music offer a shared concert. Featuring James Kim, new assistant professor of cello; Brandon Quarles, newly appointed assistant professor of saxophone; and Alan Woo, newly appointed assistant professor of piano; this concert will include a wide range of music that highlights each of their talents and demonstrates their drive for collaboration.

Brandon

Angela Jones-Reus, flute; Elizabeth Johnson Knight, mezzo-soprano; James Kim, cello; Jean Martin-Williams, horn; D. Ray McClellan, clarinet; Reid Messich, oboe; James Naigus, horn; Amy Petrongelli, soprano; Amy Pollard, bassoon; Brandon Quarles, saxophone; Evgeny Rivkin, piano; Matthew Shipes, tuba/euphonium; Philip Smith, trumpet; Alan Woo, piano.

Faculty featured throughout this series pictured from top left in alphabetical order: Levon Ambartsumian, violin; Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva, violin; Joshua Bynum, trombone;

Craswell, trumpet;

ORCHESTRAS

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra (UGASO) is one of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music’s premier performing ensembles, showcasing some of the university’s finest players performing traditional orchestral repertoire in a series of dynamic concerts. In addition to approximately seven annual performances, the UGASO also provides music for the UGA Opera Theatre’s fully staged productions and serves as the lab orchestra for various academic classes, from composition to orchestral conducting. The UGASO is dedicated to the study and performance of significant orchestral music. They often collaborate with faculty and guest soloists in performances of major concerto literature. The orchestra performs under the baton of Mark Cedel and is primarily composed of music majors.

“The Power of Nature”

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2024

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$20 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

The University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra season begins with an evening of Beethoven. The concert opens with the Coriolan Overture and the 3rd Piano Concerto, featuring Alan Woo, new assistant professor in piano. The evening will conclude with Beethoven’s 6th Symphony “Pastoral,” a piece reflecting the composer’s love of nature that is “more the expression of feeling than painting.” Thursday Scholarship Performance

“The Power of Transformation”

THURSDAY OCTOBER 3, 2024

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$15 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

Composer Paul Hindemith composed “Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes of Carl Maria von Weber” shortly after coming to America following very public conflicts with the Nazi government in his native Germany. The piece, going through a few transformations of its own, is regarded as one of Hindemith’s best works. “Metamorphosis” is joined by selections from Richard Wagner’s “Lohengrin” and Felix Mendelssohn’s

“The Power of Creation”

TUESDAY

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$15 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

Each year at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, the Composition Area presents a “composer in residence” who collaborates with one of our large ensembles. This year, they will be working with the University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra to develop a world premiere performance. From the sound and concept of this piece, conductor Mark Cedel will pair additional complementary works for a provocative evening of music.

“Symphonie Fantastique” conducted by Michael Stern

THURSDAY

MARCH 28, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$15 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

Hector Berlioz wrote semi-autobiographical program notes for this piece that allude to the romantic sufferings of a gifted artist who has poisoned himself with opium because of his unrequited love for a beautiful and fascinating woman. The artist’s reveries take him to a ball and to a pastoral scene in a field, which is interrupted by a hallucinatory march to the scaffold, leading to a fantastic dance. This is certain to be an audience favorite.

SPECIAL GUEST RESIDENT CONDUCTOR MICHAEL STERN

Conductor Michael Stern has long been devoted to building and leading highly acclaimed orchestras known not only for their impeccable musicianship and creative programming, but also for collaborative, sustainable cultures that often include a vision of music as service to the community. He also is passionate about working with young musicians not only in music making, but also to incorporate the idea of “service” into their experiences as they become the artists and advocates of the future who will take classical music into the 21st century and beyond.

Stern currently holds three Music Director positions: with the Kansas City Symphony, where he will be concluding his 19-year tenure at the end of the 2023-2024 season; with the National Repertory Orchestra, a summer music festival in Breckenridge, CO which, for over 60 years, has provided an intensive, unique fellowship program for aspiring young musicians, and whose alumni populate every major orchestra across the United States; and with the newly rebranded Orchestra Lumos (formerly the Stamford Symphony). Stern was recently named Artistic Advisor of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, one of Canada’s foremost orchestral ensembles. And, following a 22-year tenure as founding Artistic Director of Iris Orchestra in Germantown, Tennessee, he now serves the newly reimagined Iris Collective as Artistic Advisor.

Stern joins the UGASO as guest conductor for the month of March, 2025.

Imagine

ORCHESTRAS

COMBINED SPECIALTY CONCERTS

The University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra supports a number of collaborative productions throughout the year in addition to their own concerts. These three performances are all part of the Thursday Scholarship Series and feature not only the symphony orchestra, but the university’s top soloists, four of UGA’s choirs, as well as a number of ensembles celebrating the holiday season.

UGA ANNUAL HOLIDAY CONCERT

THURS-FRI

NOV. 21-22, 2024

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$25 - Adults

$10 - UGA students w/ID

A concert to be thankful for! This year, Thanksgiving falls so late in the academic calendar that our Annual Holiday Concert will be the week before Thanksgiving. Forget the Macy’s Parade, join the Hugh Hodgson School of Music for this favorite annual holiday tradition and start the season off right! Thursday Scholarship Performance. Underwritten by Bill Barstow in loving memory of Dolly Barstow.

UGA CONCERTO COMPETITION WINNERS with UGASO

THURSDAY

JANUARY 30, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$20 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

UGA

The soloists performing in this concert are selected after advancing through a rigorous competition process judged by faculty within the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. These winners are selected and announced near the end of the fall semester, so be sure to keep an eye out for our announcement of the winners and their program. Winners will be announced in mid-December.

Thursday Scholarship Performance.

Symphony Orchestra and Combined Choirs

THURSDAY APRIL 24, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$20 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

There is nothing quite like the power of more than three hundred student musicians collaborating on a single concert. The University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra is joined by the UGA Hodgson Singers, University Chorus, UGA Men’s and Women’s Glee Clubs, as well as talented student and faculty soloists. This concert has sold out the past two years, so be sure you get your tickets to this special concert now.

ORCHESTRAS

ARCO CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

The ARCO Chamber Orchestra was originally founded in Russia in 1989 at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory by Levon Ambartsumian. When Ambartsumian joined the University of Georgia’s School of Music faculty in 1995, he remained the artistic director and conductor of the orchestra, moving its home base to the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, where the ensemble has now become a talented international blend of musicians. Since its creation, Ambartsumian has led UGA’s ARCO Chamber Orchestra, commercially releasing 15 CDs and has performed four times in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. In 2011, ARCO was invited to perform at La Fenice, the world famous Opera House in Venice, Italy.

UGA PHILHARMONIA

“It Takes Two: Music from Baroque to the 20th Century”

FRIDAY

OCTOBER 25,

2024

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$15 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

Director Levon Ambartsumian is joined by Nicholas Williams, UGA Wind Ensemble director and director of bands, in leading this evening of music spanning a wide variety of musical eras. Baroque music was a turning point in music performance, and 20th Century music stretched those expectations. Featured performers include: Gabriela McClellan and Thomas LaMon, cello; and Evgeny Rivkin and Anatoly Sheludyakov, piano.

ARCO Chamber Orchestra presents “All Classical”

FRIDAY

APRIL 4, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$15 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

The “Classical” period in music directly followed the Baroque. This concert features two composers who were quintessential in creating the sound known today as Classical music. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a short-lived but prolific composer, creating over 800 works. Franz Joseph Haydn is considered instrumental in the development of chamber music such as the string quartet and piano trio.

As one of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music’s large orchestral ensembles, the University Philharmonia offers an outlet for musical expression to all string players at the University of Georgia. Student string players are openly invited to perform in the Philharmonia, while all other instruments are selected via audition each semester. The ensemble performs three times per academic year. The University Philharmonia is under the supervision of Mark Cedel. The ensemble is also conducted by graduate students majoring in orchestral conducting. The UGA Philharmonia concerts are free. No tickets are required.

All Philharmonia concerts are at 7:30 p.m. in Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

FRIDAY OCTOBER 11, 2024

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2025

MONDAY APRIL 28, 2025

BANDS

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA WIND ENSEMBLE

The UGA Wind Ensemble has earned an international reputation for its artistry, precision, sensitivity, and musicianship. The Wind Ensemble is under the baton of Nicholas Enrico Williams, director of bands at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. Employing flexible scoring, the Wind Ensemble performs chamber works as well as large scale compositions, fresh ink and classics, and music from around the world. Championing the performance of new music, the ensemble has a rich history of commissioning emerging and established composers. In addition to commissioning and premiering new works, the Wind Ensemble tours nationally and internationally, hosts acclaimed guest artists, and records on the Naxos and Mark Custom labels. Recent performances include tours in Argentina, France, and Switzerland, as well as featured appearances at the 2023 National CBDNA conference hosted here at UGA.

“Soundings”

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$15 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

“Made in America”

THURSDAY OCTOBER 17, 2024

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$20 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

Cindy McTee’s “Soundings: Transmission” is an out-of-control, jazzy and audacious work. Joining the Wind Ensemble is Mark Davidson, former principal trombone for the Melbourne (Australia) Symphony and current principal trombone of Utah Symphony, on “Sonorous Trombone Concerto” by Quinn Mason. This concert also includes Ron Nelson’s “Rocky Point Holiday,” Julie Giroux’s “To the Bells of the Berlin Cathedral” and more.

Join us for an evening of the best American composers. Multiple GRAMMY Awardwinning composer Michael Daugherty has achieved international recognition as one of the ten most performed American composers of concert music, according to the League of American Orchestras. Hear his work “Niagara Falls,” David Maslanka’s Symphony No. 4,Aaron Copeland’s “Quiet City,” and more. Thursday Scholarship Performance.

UGA Wind Ensemble Chamber Winds “Old Wine in New Bottles”

TUESDAY

NOVEMBER 12, 2024

5:30 p.m.

Ramsey Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

This concert is free.

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA WIND ENSEMBLE JANUARY PERFORMANCES

“Old Wine in New Bottles” is a suite for woodwinds, trumpets and horns, written for the St. Bees Festival Orchestra by Gordon Jacob in 1959. Each movement is based on an Old English folk song. This and other gems will be featured in this chamber reduction of the UGA Wind Ensemble, creating more unique opportunities for the students in the Wind Ensemble this semester.

The UGA Wind Ensembles is honored to be included in a number of conference and festival performances in the month of January, 2025. These opportunities are wonderful experiences for the students and excellent recruitment tools for the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. We look forward to seeing you at our February collaboration with Eighth Blackbird (see next page) and our concert in April.

Athens Hosts US Navy Band at Classic Center

FRIDAY

MARCH 14, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Classic Center

300 N Thomas St

classiccenter.com

This event is in partnership with the Classic Center and the UGA Performing Arts Center. More details can be found at classiccenter.com

The United States Navy Concert Band, the premier wind ensemble of the U.S. Navy, presents a wide array of marches, patriotic selections, orchestral transcriptions and modern wind ensemble repertoire.

“...and the mountains rising nowhere...”

TUESDAY

APRIL 1, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$15 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

“... and the mountains rising nowhere” was written by Joseph Schwantner for Donald Hunsberger and the Eastman Wind Ensemble with the aid of a Composer Fellowship Grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts. It was based on a poem by Carol Adler. This and other pieces, including “Rise” by Adam Schoenberg, evoking complex imagery, intricate melodies and juxtapositions, fill this exciting Wind Ensemble performance.

SPECIAL GUEST RESIDENT EIGHTH BLACKBIRD - COLLABORATION WITH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Eighth Blackbird (8BB) is a four-time Grammy Award-winning contemporary music group that has been hailed as “one of the smartest, most dynamic ensembles on the planet” (Chicago Tribune). Through performances in its Chicago home base and at venues across the U.S. and around the world, Eighth Blackbird has brought innovative presentations of works by living composers to tens of thousands of music lovers.

In addition to chamber music performance, the members of 8BB value their roles as curators, educators, and mentors. Beginning exclusively as a chamber music ensemble, 8BB has expanded in recent years to represent numerous mission-driven initiatives.

In 2017, Eighth Blackbird inaugurated its boldest initiative yet: The Blackbird Creative Lab, which is an inclusive two-week professional development immersion for performers and composers, and an ongoing community of practice for contemporary classical musicians and composers. The Lab fosters expansive artistic vision, collaboration, mentorship, and building a viable life as an artist. Brandon Quarles, UGA assistant professor of saxophone, and Amy Petrongelli, UGA assistant professor of voice, are both alums of this program.

In addition to their performance, the Eighth Blackbird sextet will be working with the UGA students in several master classes and composition seminars. “The students don’t know what they’re in for,” said Nicholas Williams, UGA director of bands, “but they’re about to have one of the best opportunities of their college experience. Working with this level of guest artist is a rare opportunity that can elevate and inspire a student musician for their entire career.”

Eighth Blackbird and UGA Wind Ensemble

THURSDAY

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road Athens, GA 30602

pac.uga.edu

706-542-4400

This event is part of the UGA Presents series of performances, in partnership with the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. Tickets are only available through the UGA Performing Arts Center.

The group’s UGA Presents debut includes a performance of Atlanta composer Viet Cuong’s exhilarating Vital Sines in collaboration with the University of Georgia Wind Ensemble.

BANDS

WIND SYMPHONY & SYMPHONIC BAND COMBINED CONCERTS

As one of the University of Georgia’s large wind bands, the Wind Symphony has performed extensively throughout the Southeast, including concerts at regional conferences of the College Band Directors National Association and the annual Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conferences. The Wind Symphony meets year-round, performing the finest standard and new repertoire for wind band at several concerts each season in the UGA Performing Arts Center. The Wind Symphony regularly features outstanding guest artists and performs collaborative concerts with Georgia high school bands.

WEDNESDAY

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 30, 2024

Experienced undergraduate music majors, minors, and non-majors from across campus participate in the University of Georgia Symphonic Band, one of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music’s large wind bands. The Symphonic Band focuses on the classic band repertoire as well as exciting new music, and has recorded for C. Alan Publications.

These concerts are at 7:30 p.m. in Hodgson Hall

UGA Performing Arts Center, 230 River Road. They are free with no tickets required.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2025

WEDNESDAY APRIL 16, 2025

CONCERT BAND and UNIVERSITY BAND

WEDNESDAY MARCH 27, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road This concert is free.

The Concert Band is a Spring Semester ensemble made up of UGA’s most talented non-music majors. An enjoyable musical outlet for students from throughout campus, the University Band provides fellowship and creative self-expression via large concert band performance. This is where you will find many of our Redcoat Marching Band performers off-season.

CHOIRS

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA HODGSON SINGERS

The international award-winning Hodgson Singers is UGA’s premier choral ensemble made up of many of the university’s most talented and dedicated singers, primarily advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Because of its more rigorous schedule of rehearsals and performances both on and off-campus throughout the year, this ensemble requires students to make a fullyear commitment. The Hodgson Singers perform under the direction of Daniel Bara. In 2014, the UGA Hodgson Singers won the prestigious International Choral Competition Ave Verum in Baden, Austria. In 2023 the UGA Hodgson Singers were invited to compete in the 18th Marktoberdorf International Chamber Choir Competition against eleven other choirs where they were awarded the highest level of achievement – Excellence at an International Level - and won the 2nd place prize.

UGA Hodgson Singers and University Chorus

FRIDAY

OCTOBER 10, 2024

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$15 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

This Fall Choral Concert features a shared concert between the UGA Hodgson Singers and the University Chorus. Daniel Bara will conduct the Hodgson Singers. The University Chorus performance will introduce Daniel Shafer, our new interim associate director of choral activities, . Shafer is a current Doctor of Musical Arts student at UGA in Choral Conducting who conducted “Requiem for the Living” in Fall 2023 with the University Chorus.

UGA Hodgson Singers “Lux Aeterna”

THURSDAY

MARCH 13, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$20 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

The Hodgson Singers spring concert will feature Morten Lauridsen’s “Lux Aeterna,” a multi-movement choral/orchestral work of great reassurance and lyricism that is set to Latin texts from the Requiem Mass, Te Deum, O Nata Lux, and Veni, Sancte Spiritus, all of which ruminate on themes of light, a universal symbol of illumination at all levels – spiritual, artistic, and intellectual. Thursday Scholarship Performance.

The Hodgson Singers will also appear in the Holiday Concert and the Combined Concert with the UGA Symphony Orchestra. Those concerts appear on page 10.

CHOIRS

UNIVERSITY CHORUS AND UGA GLEE CLUBS

The UGA University Chorus is UGA’s largest mixed choral ensemble and is comprised of university students as well as faculty, staff, and Athens community members. Singing a wide variety of choral and choral/orchestral music, University Chorus often combines with several other UGA choirs to collaborate with the UGA Symphony Orchestra on major works. These concerts are free with no tickets required.

The UGA Women’s and Men’s Glee Clubs perform repertoire for treble and tenor/bass voices, respectively, and perform several times a semester both as individual ensembles and as part of the UGA combined choirs. The Glee Clubs are home to undergraduate and graduate music majors, minors, and students from majors across the university. These concerts are free with no tickets required.

REPERTORY SINGERS

UGA Men’s and Women’s Glee Clubs Fall Concert

TUESDAY

OCTOBER 8, 2024

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

This concert is free.

Join two of the university’s oldest musical ensembles – the tenor/bass Men’s Glee Club, and the soprano/alto Women’s Glee Club as they present a varied and spirited program under the baton of Daniel Shafer. Men’s Glee Club remains the oldest musical performing group on campus. It was first organized in 1890, and then transformed by Hugh Hodgson in 1926. Women’s Glee Club was founded in the mid-1920s

Shared Choral Concert “I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes”

TUESDAY

MARCH 11, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

This concert is free.

This concert features the UGA Glee Clubs and University Chorus. Thom Dixon will conduct his DMA recital with the University Chorus – repertoire to include Adolphus Hailstork’s choral/orchestral cantata, “I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes,” composed in memory of the great Undine Smith Moore, often referred to as the Dean of Black Women Composers. Daniel Shafer will conduct the Glee Clubs along with graduate conducting students.

The Repertory Singers is a mixed chamber choir directed by graduate student conductors. Its format offers laboratory rehearsal and performance experience for conductors and singers alike. The ensemble is designed to appeal to students who wish to be part of an ongoing conducting masterclass environment. This group provides students with the opportunity to build knowledge and skill in the areas of sight-reading, conducting gesture, rehearsal techniques, and choral repertoire. These concerts are at 3:30 p.m. in Ramsey Hall, UGA PAC, 230 River Road. These concerts are free with no tickets required.

WEDNESDAY

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

MONDAY

FEBRUARY 10, 2025

FRIDAY OCTOBER 25, 2024

MONDAY MARCH 24, 2025

MONDAY DECEMBER 2, 2024

MONDAY APRIL 28, 2025

CHOIRS

AFRICAN AMERICAN CHORAL ENSEMBLE

From its rich beginnings in the early 70’s as the Pamoja Singers, the University of Georgia African American Choral Ensemble (AACE) has endeavored to keep concert halls and churches filled with the powerful sounds and wealth of indigenous musical treasures birthed from the African American experience. Since its inception at UGA, AACE has been a beacon tower of fellowship and friendship for the university community. Herein, people of many cultures come to share and learn the messages of hope, love, and liberation that have sustained a people and this nation. Conductor Gregory Broughton has been conducting the choir for over 35 years. African American Choral Ensemble concerts are free. No tickets are required.

African American Choral Ensemble Fall Concert

MONDAY NOVEMBER 25, 2024 7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

This concert is free.

This fall, the African American Choral Ensemble concert arrives after the Annual Holiday Concert as we head into Thanksgiving Break. Join us for a more intimate and reflective concert as we share with one another what we are truly thankful for. Our repertoire includes spirituals, hymn tunes, and gospel music by African American composers. Concert underwritten by Rhonda Lucile Hicks.

African American Choral Ensemble Spring Concert

MONDAY APRIL 14, 2025 7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

This concert is free.

The spring concert for the African American Choral ensemble gives many of our ensemble members an opportunity to express themselves in other ways than just singing. Some may conduct, some may create original arrangements of existing works or brand new pieces. Join us as we also celebrate our graduating singers and wish them well on the next steps on their journey. Concert underwritten by Rhonda Lucile Hicks.

OPERA

UGA OPERA THEATRE

Reimagined by international opera star Frederick Burchinal in 2006, the UGA Opera Theatre has spent the last eighteen years growing and developing, providing graduate and undergraduate students the opportunity to stretch the boundaries of their voices as they explore new and challenging repertoire. In 2021, Daniel Ellis, international director of opera and theatre, joined the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, bringing his expertise as a professional director and acting teacher. He has crafted all the wonderful operas at UGA for the past three seasons.

There is always a time in a university opera ensemble when so many graduations at once lead to a fresh start. Now is one of those exciting moments. As we welcome our incoming graduate students in vocal performance, as well as continue to develop our undergraduate singers, we are still selecting a piece that will support their professional growth. Tickets are already available with the general titles “Fall Opera” and “Spring Opera” at the time of this publication. We have narrowed down our short list and will have a separate announcement coming soon once rights and permissions have been confirmed.

Fall Opera

THURS - FRI NOV. 8 at 7:30 p.m. NOV. 10 at 3 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

$20 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID

Spring Opera

Opera Scenes

Fine Arts Theatre

255 Baldwin St

$20 - Adults

$3 - UGA students w/ID FRI - SAT FEB. 21-22 at 7:30 p.m. SUN FEB. 23 at 3 p.m.

TUESDAY APRIL 15, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.

Ramsey Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

This performance is free.

There have been a number of developments in the area of voice and opera performance, with exciting awards and opportunities for our faculty and alumni, along with some retirements and a resurgence in donor support. You can read about it on page 38.

FACULTY ARTIST SERIES

FACULTY ARTIST SERIES: NOW FREE WITH RECEPTION TO MEET THE FACULTY

Throughout the year, many of our faculty offer recitals. Sometimes they do it to try out new repertoire, sometimes to demonstrate a technique to their students, or sometimes just because of the joy of playing music for an audience. Every year, however, we offer an elevated experience for our audiences...our Faculty Artist Series. For the coming season, we are offering this series in a different way. Tickets for these concerts are now free, but we invite you to join these six highlighted faculty after their recitals for a meet and greet reception. There, you can meet the faculty and discuss their playing and teaching, and be introduced to some of their students as well. Mark your calendars now and don’t miss this great chance to meet our incredible faculty, including James Kim, new assistant professor of cello.

D. RAY McCLELLAN, professor of clarinet

WEDNESDAY

SEPTEMBER 4, 2024

7:30 p.m.

Ramsey Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

This concert is free.

D. Ray McClellan is acclaimed for “a remarkable technique, tone and lyricism.” Prior to his appointment at University of Georgia, he held professorships at James Madison University and Henderson State University. McClellan is a former clarinetist and soloist with “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, he has appeared internationally in recitals and as concerto soloist in Canada, Taiwan, Japan, Italy, Brazil, Kenya, and Tanzania.

ANGELA JONES-REUS, professor of flute

WEDNESDAY

OCTOBER 9, 2024

7:30 p.m.

Ramsey Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

This concert is free.

Angela Jones-Reus is currently professor of flute at the University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson School of Music and Principal Flutist of the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra. She is active as a soloist, chamber artist, orchestral player and teacher with appearances throughout the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom, Asia and South America. Among Jones-Reus’ performances are a concert in Carnegie Hall with Jean Pierre Rampal and Julius Baker.

SHAKHIDA AZIMKHODJAEVA, academic

WEDNESDAY

NOVEMBER 6, 2024

7:30 p.m.

Ramsey Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

This concert is free.

FACULTY ARTIST SERIES

professional, violin

Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva began violin studies at the Tashkent State Conservatory’s Special Music School. At age eleven, she made her debut with the Uzbekistan Symphony Orchestra and won the Uzbekistan National Violin Competition. Azimkhodjaeva graduated from the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory where she studied with Professor Irina Medvedeva. While attending school, she performed with the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory Symphony Orchestra under direction of such conductors as Zubin Metha, and many others.

MATTHEW SHIPES, associate professor of tuba and euphonium

TUESDAY

JANUARY 14, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Ramsey Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

This concert is free.

Matthew Shipes is the assistant professor of tuba and euphonium at the University of Georgia and tubist with the Georgia Brass Quintet. A dedicated advocate of tuba and euphonium performance and pedagogy, Shipes works in several roles with the International Tuba Euphonium Association (ITEA). He both writes and edits articles as an associate editor of the ITEA Quarterly Journal “Experts’ Excerpts” column, and also serves as Membership Marketer, communicating with an international audience of enthusiasts, students and professionals.

MILTON MASCIADRI, professor of double bass

TUESDAY

FEBRUARY 4, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Ramsey Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

This concert is free.

Milton Masciadri is a third generation double bass player. Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, he began his studies with his father and by age 17 was co-principal Bassist with the Porto Alegre Symphony in Brazil. At 19, he was already on the faculty at Brazil’s Federal University. He completed his Master’s and Doctorate Degrees with work under Gary Karr, Julius Levine and Lawrence Wolfe. In addition to being professor of double bass, Masciadri is also coordinator of the Hodgson School’s International & Study Abroad Italy Program.

JAMES KIM, assistant professor of cello

WEDNESDAY

MARCH 12, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Ramsey Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

This concert is free.

Praised for possessing “admirable purity of tone and accuracy” (James Oestreich, The New York Times) and hailed as a “miracle” (Harris Goldsmith, New York Concert Review), James Kim has performed concerti with orchestras such as the Boston Symphony and Royal Philharmonic, working with conductors David Zinman, Michael Sanderling, Alexander Shelley, Keith Lockhart, Tan Dun, and others, making appearances at Stern Auditorium, Zankel Hall, and Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and at Symphony Hall and Jordan Hall in Boston.

ETHNOMUSICOLOGY ENSEMBLES

ETHNOMUSICOLOGY AREA ENSEMBLES

The Hugh Hodgson School of Music proudly offers a number of ensembles each year that feature musical traditions from many areas of the world. Students develop cultural knowledge within a region and gain musical skills on a diverse range of instruments. During performances at UGA and in the community, these ensembles present songs and musical pieces from the region’s core repertoires. These ensembles are a foundational component for a global music education. Participation is open to all students.

CHINESE MUSIC ENSEMBLE Fall Concert

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2024 7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

This concert is free.

Under the direction of Vicki Lu, several distinguished guest artists join this ensemble which features instruments such as the erhu, guzheng, pipa, hulusi and the yangqin.

MIDDLE EAST MUSIC ENSEMBLE

TUESDAY MARCH 18, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Ramsey Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

This concert is free.

Directed by Jared Holton,assistant professor, this ensemble features music, rhythm, and dance mainly from North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean. Students perform on regional instruments such as the oud (Arabic lute), nay (reed flute), riqq, daff, and tabla. Performances often include a special guest artist with expertise in the region’s musical styles and repertoires, such as Ali Jihad Racy, Distinguished Professor of Ethnomusicology from UCLA. (Provided photo right)

ETHNOMUSICOLOGY ENSEMBLES

AFRICAN MUSIC ENSEMBLE

WEDNESDAY

APRIL 2, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Ramsey Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

This concert is free.

UGA Professor of Ethnomusicology Jean Kidula will be offering the African Music Ensemble this spring as an opportunity for students to discover and explore musical history, instrumentation, and expression that is rooted in African cultures and traditions.

CHINESE MUSIC ENSEMBLE Spring Concert

MONDAY

APRIL 7, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road

This concert is free.

Under the direction of Vicki Lu, several distinguished guest artists join this ensemble which features instruments such as the erhu, guzheng, pipa, hulusi and the yangqin.

SUPPORTING ETHNOMUSICOLOGY AT UGA

There are many specialized ways to support the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, including area-specific funds. You can read more about this on page 45. One such fund supports the Ethnomusicology area, who are working hard to provide all of our students a diverse and well-rounded musical education.

Ethnomusicology And Music Cultures Of The World Area Fund

This fund supports the Ethnomusicology area broadly. Funds may be used for but not limited to, purchasing instruments from diverse cultural backgrounds, funding visiting artists, performers, and/or experts, funding teaching assistant positions, and providing travel funds for students and faculty. The expenses may also include anything that furthers the purposes of the ethnomusicology research, performance, education, and scholarship.

To support this fund, scan the QR code here or visit music.uga.edu/giving-and-alumni for a complete list of our available scholarships and funds.

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA JAZZ ENSEMBLE I

Jazz Ensemble I is the Hugh Hodgson School of Music’s advanced level big band, and as such is made up of advanced students. The group is comprised of traditional big band instrumentation: saxophones, trombones, trumpets, and a rhythm section featuring drums, piano, guitar, and bass. The band performs music of a variety of styles, including swing, be-bop, Latin, and contemporary jazz. Performances take place both on campus and at off-campus events by invitation. Jazz Ensemble I is conducted by David D’Angelo.

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA JAZZ ENSEMBLE II

Jazz Ensemble II introduces students to the experience of performing in a traditional big band. By participating in Jazz Ensemble II, students study the evolution of big band music, familiarize themselves with stylistic comparisons, and refine their improvisational skills. Like Jazz Ensemble I, this ensemble is made up of traditional big band instrumentation, and plays music of various styles both on campus and in the community. Jazz Ensemble II is co-conducted by Greg Satterthwaite and James Weidman.

UGA Jazz Ensembles I & II Shared Performances

MONDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2024

Both performances are at 5:30 p.m.

MONDAY MARCH 31, 2025

Ramsey Concert Hall, UGA Performing Arts Center

These performances are free.

FACULTY JAZZ ENSEMBLE “Birth of the Cool” Encore

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall, UGA Performing Arts Center

Learn more about this Thursday Scholarship performance on page 6.

SPECIAL GUEST JAZZ PIANIST JASON MORAN SEASON

Collaboration with UGA Performing Arts Center

Pianist and composer Jason Moran is a risk-taker and trendsetter who has become “the most provocative thinker in current jazz” (Rolling Stone). His incomparable talent and unyielding drive for innovation have earned him a prestigious MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellowship and the title of Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz.

Frequently influenced by the wider world of art as his muse, Moran has found inspiration in edgy 20th century painters like Jean-Michel Basquiat (“JAMO Meets SAMO” from Soundtrack to Human Motion, as well as his ongoing series of “Gangsterism” compositions); Egon Schiele (whose painting “Facing Left” provided the eponymous title to Moran’s second album); and Robert Rauschenberg, whose chaotic refinement inspired Moran’s third album Black Stars, featuring Sam Rivers.

During his time at UGA, Moran will rehearse and perform a concert with the Hugh Hodgson School of Music Jazz Ensemble as part of the UGA Presents series. “The art of improvisation is a challenging concept for students to explore,” said UGA senior lecturer in Jazz David D’Angelo, “and for our students to work alongside someone at this level is an amazing opportunity.”

Director of Hugh Hodgson School of Music Peter Jutras shares D’Angelo’s enthusiasm. “This season of performances includes some incredible collaboration opportunities for our students. We are glad to work with the UGA Performing Arts Center to facilitate these amazing guest artists working with and inspiring our students. We are truly set up for an amazing year.”

Photos by Clay Patrick McBride.

Duke Ellington: My Heart Sings

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2025

7:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall

UGA PAC, 230 River Road Athens, GA 30602

pac.uga.edu

706-542-4400

In his first UGA Presents appearance, Moran is guided by Duke Ellington’s great canon in an extraordinary celebration of the composer’s enduring legacy 125 years after his birth. In both a solo set and a collaboration with the UGA Jazz Ensemble, Moran reveals the timeless genius of Ellington’s music in this brilliant reimagination of his work.

MID-SIZE ENSEMBLES

BRITISH BRASS BAND

The British Brass Band, under the baton of Bandmaster Philip Smith, has become an Athens fan favorite. The repertoire encompasses a wide variety of styles including excellent original works, marvelous transcriptions of orchestral works, as well as marches and other light pieces. Smith is retiring at the end of December (see page 37) but he will continue to conduct the BBB into the spring semester. British Brass Band concerts are free. No tickets are required.

CONTEMPORARY CHAMBER ENSEMBLE

British Brass Band Fall and Spring Festivals

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2024

MONDAY MARCH 31, 2025

Both performances are at 7:30 p.m. Hodgson Concert Hall, UGA Performing Arts Center These performances are free.

The University of Georgia Contemporary Chamber Ensemble (CCE) is a performance group composed of graduate and undergraduate students. Since 1979, the ensemble has focused on the performance of modern masterworks and recent music. The ensemble has performed at many major metropolitan centers in the Eastern and Southeastern United States, including Carnegie Recital Hall in New York City, the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina, the Society of Composers, Inc. National Convention in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Atlanta, Georgia. Be sure to visit music.uga.edu for additional concerts as they are scheduled. Contemporary Chamber Ensemble concerts are free. No tickets are required.

Contemporary Chamber Ensemble Fall Concert

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15 7:30 p.m.

Dancz Center for New Music, HHSOM Building 250 River Road This concert is free.

This performance will highlight composition students’ development while juxtaposing their work opposite compositions that have inspired growth and change in modern music. In addition to world premieres by UGA student composers, CCE will perform the Grammywinning work “Meanwhile: incidental music to imaginary puppet plays,” by Stephen Hartke, and Mary Kouyoumdjian’s haunting electroacoustic piece, “The Vanishing Dark.”

SMALL ENSEMBLES

Throughout the year, small student and faculty ensembles offer concerts and performances both on and off campus. You can learn about some of these ensembles here. Please visit our website at music.uga.edu once the school year begins to learn when and where these fine small groups will be performing. The small ensemble concerts are free. No tickets are required.

Bulldog Brass Society

The Bulldog Brass Society is the premier graduate brass quintet at the University of Georgia. The Bulldogs were started by Frederick Mills, founding member of the Canadian Brass and professor of trumpet at the Hodgson School from 1996 to 2009.

Hodgson String Quartet

This graduate quartet, consisting of two violins, viola, and cello, will perform several concerts and recitals throughout the year, both on and off campus.

Southern Wind Quintet

The SWQ represents some of the finest instrumental musicianship on campus, appearing in UGA recitals and televised campus events. This premiere group features graduate students on flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and horn.

INSTRUMENTAL AREA ENSEMBLES AND RECITALS

UGA Bassoon Ensemble Halloween “Bassoon Spooktacular”

Wednesday, October 23 at 7:30 p.m. in Ramsey Hall

J.S. Bach Solo Violin Sonatas and Partitas

Monday, November 11 at 6 and 7:30 p.m. in Edge Hall

UGA Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble

Monday, November 18 at 5:30 p.m. in Ramsey Hall

UGA Saxophone Studio

Monday, November 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Ramsey Hall

Paganini 24 Solo Violin Caprices

Monday, February 17 at 6 and 7:30 p.m. in Edge Hall

UGA Percussion Ensemble

Friday, April 5 at 5:30 p.m. in Edge Hall

UGA Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble

Monday, April 14 at 5:30 p.m. in Ramsey Hall

Continue to visit music.uga.edu for updates on other areas, including Viola Choir, Horn Choir, Trombone Ensemble, and the UGA Flute Ensemble Sara Del Bene Memorial Concert.

Purchase tickets through our website any time for your convenience.

UGA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER BOX OFFICE

Tickets for the Hugh Hodgson School of Music (HHSOM) ticketed performances are sold and managed by the UGA Performing Arts Center (PAC) Box Office. However, for the most up-to-date information on all of our concerts, including online ticket purchases, please visit the HHSOM website at music.uga.edu

For in-person ticket purchases, or to order tickets over the phone, please visit or call the PAC during normal business hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., as well as one hour prior to performances. The PAC box office phone number is (706) 542-4400.

If ordering by mail, you can remove the form from the inside of this brochure, complete the form, and mail it to the UGA Performing Arts Center, 230 River Road, Athens, GA, 30602-7280.

GENERAL ADMISSION

Call the UGA Performing Arts Center Box Office Mon.- Fri.

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

MAIL (706) 542-4400

With the exception of our Annual Holiday Concert and our UGASO and Combined Choirs Concert in April, all of our concerts are general admission seating. This means you may sit wherever you would like in the spaces that are open. However, you may be asked by house management to adjust your seats to make sure everyone with a ticket can find a seat comfortably.

CANCELED OR POSTPONED PERFORMANCES & TICKET REFUNDS

Stop by the UGA Performing Arts Center Box Office Mon.- Fri. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

230 River Road Athens, GA 30602-7280

Send your order form and payment to the UGA Performing Arts Center Box Office.

Occasionally, events are canceled or postponed due to weather conditions or situations affecting the faculty, students or audience. When this occurs, the Hugh Hodgson School of Music makes every effort to ensure you have received notice of a cancellation or postponement through email, phone call and notice on our website. If an event is canceled, we will communicate all options including credits and exchanges that can be used throughout the current season or a prompt refund of the ticket price, if applicable. Fees are non-refundable. If the event was moved or rescheduled, the tickets will be honored for the rescheduled date. Contact us for specific instructions.

Patrons me exchange tickets for another performance until 5 p.m. on the business day prior to the day of the performance. We are unable to refund tickets.

DISCOUNTS

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Our season ticket options are the very best way to save on our ticketed performances. The options include a complete season purchase, Pick-12 and Pick-6 options, the Thursday Scholarship Series and the Opera Theatre season.

UGA STUDENTS: UGA student tickets are available for $3 for almost every concert. UGA Student tickets for our Annual Holiday Concert are $10.

UGA MUSIC MAJORS: UGA music majors receive an “All-Events” pass at the beginning of each semester. This entitles them to one (1) free ticket for each performance, excluding the Annual Holiday Concert.

HELPFUL INFORMATION

LARGE GROUPS

Save 10% on tickets to most performances when purchasing ten or more tickets to a single event in one transaction. Some restrictions apply. Contact the Performing Arts Center Box Office for details.

WILL CALL

Tickets purchased in advance and left for collection at “will call” will be available for pick up at the PAC box office during regular business hours or beginning one hour prior to the start of the performance.

SEATING

All of our performances are general admission and you are encouraged to sit wherever you feel most comfortable. The only exceptions are our Annual Holiday Concert and the UGASO and Combined Choirs Concert, which do have assigned seating. The best seats available will be assigned to each patron as advance ticket orders are received. If you have specific seats you want to purchase for this concert, you can do this online or by calling the box office.

FEES

Georgia 8% sales tax and restoration fees (PAC only) are included in all ticket prices. Additional service fees for online or phone orders and ticket delivery may apply.

PARKING

Free parking is available in the two surface lots around the PAC and the HHSOM. There is a charge for parking in the PAC multilevel parking deck Monday through Friday until 10 p.m. For questions regarding parking, please call UGA Parking Services at (706) 542-7275.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND RECORDING

Unless otherwise noted, photography, video, and/or audio recording of any kind are strictly prohibited during all performances.

USE OF LIKENESS

Patrons may be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded by Hugh Hodgson School of Music or PAC staff for archival, promotional, and/or other purposes. By choosing to enter any of our performances and venues, you hereby consent to such photography, filming, and/ or recording and to any use, in any and all media in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with this venue. You understand all photography, filming, and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent given by you by entering this area. If you do not agree to this, please contact the house manager.

LATE SEATING

Late seating is subject to the discretion of the house manager.

CHILDREN

Children ages six and older are welcome to attend all performances, unless indicated for specific events. Children under the age of six and babies are welcome, however house management reserves the right to request a parent step out of the theatre should a child become disruptive. Parents and guardians are encouraged to exercise personal judgment when determining if programs are appropriate for their children. Please contact the School of Music at (706) 542-3737 with questions.

ACCESSIBILITY

Venues are accessible to people using wheelchairs or with restricted mobility. Please contact the box office to make special arrangements if you require special assistance. Parking spaces designated for handicap use are located near the entrance to the PAC lobby.

LARGE-PRINT PROGRAMS

Large print programs are available by calling the School of Music office at (706) 542-3737 at least 72-hours in advance of the performance.

DIGITAL PROGRAMS: BYO TABLET

As part of a green initiative to limit the number of paper programs wasted, we are encouraging patrons to come prepared with their tablets. We are using Issuu, an app that makes viewing online programs easier and more convenient. While this app is compatible with smart phones as well, they are best viewed on a personal tablet.

ASSISTED LISTENING DEVICES

Hearing augmentation headsets are available in the Performing Arts Center and may be checked out with a photo ID at the coat check desk in the lobby.

FOOD AND DRINK

Concessions may be available for purchase in the Performing Arts Center lobby for ticketed events. Food and drink are prohibited inside the performance venues. Complimentary cough lozenges are available at the coat check desk. Please do not unwrap lozenges during performances.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Please silence all mobile phones and other noise-making devices. Texting during performances is prohibited.

CULTURAL EXCHANGE WITH KENYAN SCHOOL

Story by Shaun Baer | Photos provided by UGA Faculty and Students

Spring break is known for being a pause in the semester for most students and faculty to recharge their batteries. But for 22 students and faculty from the Hugh Hodgson School of Music and the UGA Department of Dance, spring break 2024 gave them an inspirational opportunity of a lifetime.

Led by HHSOM director Peter Jutras, this group embarked on a cultural and musical exchange to Kenya. For that week, lessons in western instruments were taught by UGA students and faculty at the Moi Girls School in Nairobi, Kenya. In addition to teaching classes, the UGA group performed with and for local musicians, took classes in local music and dance traditions, and many experienced life in a different part of the world for the first time.

This was the fourth trip Jutras led. Prior to these trips, music education student Benita Gladney taught at the school for several weeks and helped initiate a program of instrument donations. In 2015, the school approached the leadership of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music with a request: can you help us with our piano curriculum? Jutras, then a professor of piano, thought about offering advice but then proposed going one step further. Perhaps the university could provide not just keyboards, but screens and internet access to allow UGA piano pedagogy students to teach piano remotely.

“Little did we know five years later we would all be teaching remotely,” said Jutras. “At the time, this idea was pretty radical.” Jutras made

the first journey in March of 2015. The second took place a year later, with six students making the trip along with Jutras and Skip Taylor, associate professor of music education. This trip expanded the project from piano to include guitar, strings, and wind instruments. Another took place in 2019, along with an exchange opportunity for students from Kenya to study on UGA’s campus.

“And then came covid,” said Jutras. The pandemic thwarted the fourth visit until March, 2024. “By this point, interest in the opportunity had grown to a fever pitch.”

“One of my former teaching assistants went on a spring break trip to teach at Moi Girls School in 2016 with Dr. Jutras and it was a lifechanging experience for her,” said Emily Gertsch, senior lecturer in music theory. “I knew it would be the same for me, so when the opportunity came up, I signed up to share this amazing experience with some of my current students.

“I’ll never forget arriving on campus our first day for the welcome ceremony only to hear 2,000 young women sing us a beautiful welcome song. A smaller group of just music students sang the same song for us on the last evening before we left. I still get choked up when I watch the video of them singing to us,” said Gertsch.

Levon Ambartsumian and Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva had the opportunity to play with the Nairobi Symphony Orchestra, a first for

them, under the talent and mastery of conductor Mr. Levi Wataka.

“This was a visit of firsts for me,” said Ambartsumian, “I’d never been to Africa, and I got to meet with a legend of my youthOlympic Champion Kipchoge Keino, who won both Mexico and Munich Olympics as a long- distance runner in 1968 and 1972. Such a memorable experience.”

For a few months prior to the exchange, UGA students like Alyssa Cagle (MM ‘24 Piano Performance and Pedagogy) had been teaching a few piano students from the Moi Girls School over Zoom. “It was during these lessons that I got a small glimpse of the highly active and rich musical culture that exists in Kenya, and the incredible kindness and curiosity to learn of these students.”

Winnie Mburu (PhD, ‘26) was also moved by her experience.

“The cultural exchange with Moi Girls was a brilliant way to pay it forward. I was a beneficiary of a similar program in high school, and it changed my life. Taking part in this exchange could make the same difference in another girl’s life.” She added, “The experience will remind me to always be grateful for the opportunities I have received in life because not all children from Kenya have access to the same. Seeing how eager the girls were to learn strengthened my resolve to help make quality music lessons more accessible to all children in Kenya.”

UGA Department of Dance faculty Jason Aryeh and Lisa Fusillo and three of their students participated as well, exploring the rich local expressions in dance and culture.

Jutras hopes this exchange program can be a model for other universities and music educators. “ We have so much we can learn from each other,” said Jutras, “and those of us in US higher education have an opportunity to facilitate these kinds of moments on a global scale.” Several other universities have been reaching out to the HHSOM for assistance in developing similar programs.

“I am quite sure that we learned as much or more from them as they learned from us,” Gertsch shared. “The students at Moi Girls are talented, smart, and incredibly hard working. They are also the kindest and warmest group of people I have ever met, and I am very much looking forward to their future visits to UGA and to our own future trips to Kenya to teach at their wonderful school.”

CLOCKWISE FROM PREVIOUS PAGE:

All but one of the complete group of students and faculty from UGA at the equator line in Nairobi, Kenya.

Levon Ambartsumian and Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva with the Nairobi Symphony Orchestra,conducted by Mr. Levi Wataka.

Greg Satterthwaite demonstrating on a keyboard for a group of students at the Moi Girls School.

Braden Rymer (center) presenting a guitar to one of the Moi Girls School students while the Headmaster (right of Rymer) and Pete Jutras (far right) conduct the gift ceremony.

Alan Woo (left) takes a selfie with Peter Jutras, Alyssa Cagle, Emily Gertsch, Greg Satterthwaite, and several students from the Moi Girls School.

SOUTHEAST HORN WORKSHOP HOSTED AT UGA

Story by Shaun Baer | Photos provided by UGA Faculty

This spring, Jean Martin-Williams, Meigs professor of horn and associate dean in the Franklin College and James Naigus , assistant professor of horn, co-hosted the Southeast Horn Workshop (SEHW) at the UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music (HHSOM). This regional workshop of the International Horn Society has been held every year at different universities since 1978 and provides horn students a range of experiences from master classes and performances, to competitions, networking, and professional development.

At this year’s workshop, the HHSOM hosted nearly 300 students for the three-day period. While most were from the Southeast, several students also attended from Texas, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Indiana, and more.

A major component of the SEHW are the student competitions and several students from UGA placed in some of the top categories. Cal Hughes (BMUS ‘24/ BS ‘24) was named first place in the Undergraduate Solo Competition and Joshua Wood (MM ‘24, DMA ‘27) placed first in the Graduate Student Solo Competition. The UGA horn quartet, including Hughes, Wood, Marianna Schwark (BMUS ‘26), and Jake Wadsworth (BMUS ‘25), was runner-up in the Quartet Competition.

“At this year’s Southeast Horn Workshop, all events seemed to point to one idea; the best music is achieved upon belief in yourself and your abilities,” said Wood. “I believe that this workshop inspired creativity,

as many pieces that were performed were either arranged or composed by horn faculty and students. I am certain that those in attendance found themselves inspired to create pieces like this as well.”

“The Southeast has a rich tradition of horn workshops serving the collegiate and avocational players of our region,” added Naigus. “Hosting the 2024 Southeast Horn Workshop was a wonderful opportunity to provide musical and educational experiences not only for our community, but especially for our students at the HHSOM. We are so proud of not only how our students handled the tremendous tasks of hosting, but also their level of preparation and performance during the workshop itself.”

Seven renowned guest artists contributed to the master classes and performances for the event, including headliners Richard Deane and Victoria Knudtson.

Deane joined the New York Philharmonic as associate principal horn in September 2014. Previously, he served as third horn of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra since 1987, participating in more than 80 recordings, including 20 Grammy Award winners, for Telarc International. He also performed with the Atlanta Chamber Players and was a member of the Atlanta Symphony Brass Quintet, with which he toured Norway as part of the Olympic cultural exchange between Lillehammer and Atlanta.

From left: UGA assistant professor of horn James Naigus, guest artists Richard Deane and Victoria Knudtson, and Meigs professor of horn and associate dean in the Franklin College Jean Martin-Williams before a performance at the Southeast Horn Workshop February 23-25, 2024.

Knudtson is currently serving as the Assistant Principal/Utility Horn of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. As a soloist, Knudtson performed with the Indiana University Symphony Orchestra and the Yale New Music Ensemble, and frequently appeared in recitals on the Curtis stage. Knudtson was a horn fellow at the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan with music director Valery Gergiev in 2018 and the Boston Symphony’s Tanglewood Music Center in 2019.

“UGA has hosted the Southeast Horn Workshop in the past, but the 2024 version seemed especially terrific,” said MartinWilliams. “We had students from over thirty different colleges and the attentiveness, curiosity, and camaraderie shown was quite heartening. The future of the horn looks very bright!”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP:

• James Naigus (right) conducts the UGA Horn Choir during a performance at the SEHW in Edge Hall.

• Students gathered for a master class presentation in the Choral Suite in the School of Music Building.

• Richard Deane (left) giving instruction during his Horn Workshop master class.

• The Cortado Horn Quartet, featuring Anne Marie Cherry (Columbus State University), Lanette Compton (Oklahoma State University), Patrick Hughes (The University of Texas at Austin) and James Naigus (University of Georgia), enjoying a coffee break during the SEHW.

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

Story by Shaun Baer

Retirements, departures, and new arrivals

DEPARTING FACULTY: PETER JUTRAS, HHSOM Director

The University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson School of Music (HHSOM) announced today that Peter Jutras (pictured above left), PhD, NCTM, professor of piano and piano pedagogy and director of (HHSOM), has accepted a position as dean of the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) at the University of Cincinnati. His last day at HHSOM will be July 31, 2024. His wife Kristin Jutras, HHSOM Community Music School director, will be joining the CCM faculty as well.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to work with all of you,” Jutras said at a faculty meeting April 10, 2024, “I am so proud of the work that all of you have done and will continue to do at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music.”

Peter Jutras, an award-winning professor and educator, has been a member of the HHSOM faculty for 18 years and served as associate director for research and graduate studies prior to being named director in 2019. Within seven months of his time as director, he found himself facing unprecedented challenges of making and teaching music, as well as leading a team of 70 faculty and over 500 graduate and undergraduate students, through a contactless pandemic lockdown.

Daniel Bara, director of choral arts, was selected by Franklin College of Arts and Sciences to serve as interim director for the next academic year as the school prepares to engage in a search for the permanent position.

ARRIVING FACULTY: JAMES KIM, CELLO (pictured right)

Praised for possessing “admirable purity of tone and accuracy” (James Oestreich, The New York Times), James Kim has performed concerti with orchestras such as the Boston Symphony and Royal Philharmonic. Winner of the 2006 David Popper International Cello Competition and Salon de Virtuosi’s 2012 Sony Career Grant, Kim is a top-prize and special-prize winner of the 2015 Isang Yun International Cello Competition. Kim begins as assistant professor of cello this fall.

ARRIVING FACULTY: BRANDON QUARLES, SAXOPHONE

Brandon Quarles is a teacher and music-maker who believes in the power of interdisciplinary and cross-genre collaborations. Prior to his appointment at UGA, Quarles was the Associate Lecturer of Classical Saxophone at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has performed with Eighth Blackbird, Ensemble Dal Niente, and the Zafa Collective. Quarles was a founding member of ~Nois, a Chicago-based saxophone quartet. Quarles begins as assistant professor of saxophone this fall.

ARRIVING FACULTY: ALAN WOO, PIANO

Praised by the New York Times as a pianist with “assurance and vitality,”

Alan Woo made his Lincoln Center debut at Alice Tully Hall performing with the Juilliard Orchestra under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin. He has since collaborated with conductors Daniel Hege, Miguel HarthBedoya, and Tito Muñoz in solo appearances with the Houston and Fort Worth Symphonies, and the Music Academy of the West Festival Orchestra. Woo begins as assistant professor of piano this fall.

Both Quarles and Woo have been serving in temporary lecturer positions and were offered these positions after an extensive search.

RETIRING FACULTY: FREDERICK BURCHINAL, OPERA

Frederick Burchinal (pictured left), was the first recipient of the Wyatt and Margaret Anderson Professorship in the Arts in 2006, when he joined the HHSOM after a distinguished operatic career that included a 22-year presence at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. During his 18-year tenure at the HHSOM, Burchinal oversaw tremendous growth in the Opera Program, leading successful performances and mentoring students who have achieved significant professional successes in opera.

RETIRING FACULTY: DAVID STARKWEATHER, CELLO

David Starkweather retires as professor of cello at the University of Georgia Hodgson School of Music in Athens where he has been on faculty since 1983. In 1985, Starkweather spent six months in Switzerland with Pierre Fournier, receiving the French cellist’s accolade, “Pure talent as an interpreter... one of the best cellists of his generation.” Starkweather’s research of the Bach “Six Suites” was selected for a UGA Creative Research Medal in 2010 and the Albert Christ-Janer Creative Research Award 2022.

DEPARTING FACULTY: SARAH FROOK GALLO, CHOIRS

Sarah Frook Gallo was the interim associate director of choirs at the University of Georgia, where she conducted the University Chorus, UGA Choral Project, Men’s and Women’s Glee Clubs, and taught courses in conducting. She was also a DMA student in choral conducting. Upon graduating this summer from UGA, Gallo accepted a position at the Lehigh University College of Arts and Science Department of Music in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

DEPARTING FACULTY: JACLYN HARTENBERGER, BANDS

Jaclyn Hartenberger has served as the Associate Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at the University of Georgia. In addition to serving as the conductor for the Wind Symphony, she has taught undergraduate and graduate conducting, and collaborated with the Performing Arts Center to offer family friendly concerts. Hartenberger is leaving UGA to become the Director of Wind Bands at the University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music in Melbourne, Australia.

FACULTY: PHILIP SMITH, TRUMPET (RETIRING DECEMBER)

Philip Smith (pictured center) joined the HHSOM as the William F. and Pamela P. Prokasy Professor in the Arts in 2014, following a significant career as the Principal Trumpet of the New York Philharmonic. Known the world over for his recordings and unmistakable sound, Smith has had tremendous teaching success, founding the UGA British Brass Band, leading faculty and student quintets, and mentoring students who have gone on to earn collegiate teaching and symphonic positions.

RETIRING FACULTY, KATHRYN WRIGHT,

OPERA

Kathryn Wright (pictured left) joined the faculty of the HHSOM Opera program in 2011, following a distinguished international career in opera, where she worked at the Oper der Stadt Köln under James Conlon, the Semper Oper in Dresden under Guiseppe Sinopoli, and at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. Wright’s coaching, teaching, and invaluable musical input have helped to significantly shape HHSOM Opera productions while preparing students for professional careers.

DEPARTING FACULTY: KRISTIN JUTRAS, CMS

Kristin Jutras has directed the UGA Community Music School for the past 18 years, during which time the student population grew by more than 500%. As a master teacher and the only certified Suzuki Violin Teacher Trainer in the state of GA, she also oversees undergraduate and graduate certificate programs in Suzuki Violin Pedagogy for HHSOM students. She will join the faculty at the University of Cincinnati this fall to teach Suzuki pedagogy, string pedagogy, and music education.

RETIRING STAFF: ROB AKRIDGE, BANDS

This is Rob Akridge’s second retirement. Before serving as Band Festival Director at UGA, Akridge was band director at North Oconee High School in Bogart, GA. A former Redcoat, Akridge received his Bachelors (1987) and Masters (2010) of Music Education from the University of Georgia. He was a Star Teacher state finalist in 1998. Akridge is an active drill writer, consultant, and adjudicator. His professional affiliations include GMEA, NAfME, and NBA.

HEARING NEW VOICES

Story by Shaun Baer

Vocal Studies, Opera, and Musical Theatre at UGA

A number of changes are in store for the vocal studies area for Fall, 2024. “The vocal performance area is going through an exciting transitional period,” said Elizabeth Johnson Knight, associate professor of voice and vocal area chair, “which gives us a great opportunity to set the area up to address the pedagogical and experiential needs of our students in the changing landscape of performance careers.”

Study Abroad Cultural Immersion in History and Performance

The UGA Maymester often provides several opportunities for students to experience concentrated learning experiences during intense offcampus travel. One such annual program takes HHSOM students to study in one of the hearts of music history, Italy.

Advanced Music Performance in Italy is an immersive performance opportunity, so all of the participants take applied lessons with either participating UGA faculty or professors from the conservatories visited by the students. Knight joined the group in Turin this year, giving private lessons as well as teaching two masterclasses for singers attending Conservatorio Statale di Musica Giuseppe Verdi. UGA students and faculty performed in concerts at several venues as well.

“Working with the conservatory teachers and interacting with their students there gave our students insight on a tradition very different than what they know,” said Knight. “Some of them also collaborated with pianists from the conservatory, so they had to work to express themselves across language barriers.”

Maymester Provided Concentrated Learning Opportunities

Also during the 2024 Maymester, Michael Hadary, lecturer in voice (musical theatre), and David D’Angelo, senior lecturer in jazz, took students on a whirlwind tour of the musical theatre and jazz scene

in New York City. “The objective was to prepare them for musical theatre auditions,” said Hadary, “and to get a taste of life in the most competitive U.S. market, New York City. We saw shows, took workshops, met industry professionals and took in the sights.”

Hadary worked with the musical theatre students in the weeks before the trip exploring the differences in vocal technique between the different eras and styles of musical theatre.

Looking Ahead in Opera and Musical Theatre

Daniel Ellis, academic professional in opera and musical theatre, joined the UGA faculty in 2021 as an academic professional in opera and theatre for the Hugh Hodgson School of Music and the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences’ theatre and film department. Since that time, he has directed eight university productions between both departments, in addition to his professional work.

Spring semester of 2024 was busy for Ellis, starting with him directing the professional production “Elixir of Love” at the Minnesota Opera in St. Paul, Minnesota in January. Ellis and a team of professional designers received the 2021 OPERA America Robert L. B. Tobin Director-Designer Prize for their concept of this opera before Ellis began at UGA, which Minnesota Opera commissioned for their season. Ellis then returned to UGA to direct “The Tragedy of Carmen” for the School of Music, and “Little Shop of Horrors” for the Department of Theatre and Film Studies. Students from both schools were involved in each production.

“I have the joy of working with singers and actors in both departments, from undergrad to doctoral students at so many different stages of their development,” said Ellis. “My favorite part is watching them all learn with and from each other. It’s about meeting the students where they are at that moment in time.”

From Left: Taya Tenacity Taylor (BMUS ‘26), Garrett McCord (AB ‘25), Kennedi Nichols (AB ‘25), and Bella Smith (AB /BS ‘25)perform in “Little Shop of Horrors” directed by Daniel Ellis April 12, 2024.

Director of Opera Theatre Frederick Burchinal and Voice Coach Kathryn Wright both retired at the end of the 2023-24 academic year (more on page 37). Ellis will be at the helm for UGA Opera Theatre this fall, and a process has begun to hire a new voice teacher for the voice department

Awards and Accomplishments

For Gregory Broughton, associate professor of voice, 2023-24 marked his 35th year at UGA conducting the African American Choral Ensemble. “Oh, it’s not really about me,” Broughton said, “this is all about the students and their work. I’m just here to support them.”

One of Broughton’s former students, Clay Hilley, tenor, received the prestigious Richard Tucker Award this May, an honor shared by the likes of Lawrence Brownlee and Renée Fleming. (Read more on page 40).

For their work on “Little Shop of Horrors,” Ellis has received a Kennedy Center American College of Theatre Festival Citation for Directing alongside collaborative pianist Rachel Townes, who received a citation for musical direction. Ellis was also named a 2024 finalist for The American Prize for direction of the UGA Opera Theatre performance of “The Bear” from 2021. This fall, Ellis will also be receiving the 2024 Odyssey Award from his undergraduate alma mater, Hendrix College.

Two of assistant professor of voice Amy Petrongelli’s students also had notable achievements this semester. Theodora Schramm (BMus ’24) was selected as a semifinalist for the National Association of Teachers of Singing National Auditions, taking place in Nashville, TN at the end of June due to winning 2nd place in the Southeastern Regional NATS competition in March.

Zaria Doss (BME ’26) won 2nd place at the National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM), Inc. Regional Competition which took place in Atlanta, GA this past February. Schramm also won 3rd place in the NANM regional competition.

Hadary’s student Garrett McCord (AB ‘25) won the John Alexander Vocal Competition at Opera Mississippi in the Musical Theatre category and is for the second time a semi-finalist in the NATS National MT competition, awaiting results for a potential next-step due in June.

“Having the privilege to perform at UGA in Little Shop, NATS, and other settings showed me a life in the arts is attainable,” said McCord, “UGA taught me that life isn’t a solo act - far from it. At its best, it’s a collective effort that strives for improvement, people lifting those next to them up to reach higher together.”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP:

• Keven Quillon (“Sweeney Todd,” “Shrek,” “Grease,” and more) did a dance/movement class with the Music Theatre students in New York City during the Maymester. (Photo by Mike Hadary).

• Carmen(Xiaohan Chen) and Don Jose (Minesol Hong) in “Tragedy of Carmen” March 21, 2024. (Photo provided by Xiaohon Chen).

• Sophomores Ava Bogarde, Elle Dignam, De’Nasia Thomas, Katie Beth Brewer, and Lilian Sims enjoy lunch in Turin with UGA faculty Elizabeth Johnson Knight (center)

• Dulcamara (2019 UGA guest artist Stefano de Peppo, “Don Pasquale”) addresses the crowd in Minnesota Opera’s production of “Elixir of Love” directed by Daniel Ellis in January, 2024. (Photo by Cory Weaver)

ALUMNI ACCOMPLISHMENT

UGA Vocal Performance Alumnus

Clay Hilley Named Recipient of 2024 Richard Tucker Award

Original article by Hannah Gallant, courtesy of Columns, the online newspaper. You can read the full story at: music.uga.edu/news

UGA Vocal Performance alumnus Clay Hilley (BMus. ‘04) has been named the winner of the 2024 Richard Tucker Award. The award comes with a $50,000 cash prize as well as the ongoing support of the Tucker family and foundation. It is hoped that the award acts as a well-timed catalyst to elevate the selected artist’s career to even greater heights. The Richard Tucker Award is selected by conferral, rather than audition.

“The Richard Tucker Music Foundation is proud to announce that tenor Clay Hilley is the recipient of the 2024 Richard Tucker Award,” remarks Barry Tucker, President. “The purpose of this award is to recognize an artist poised on the verge of a major international opera career, and Clay Hilley fits that description perfectly. Clay has developed into that rarest of singers, a true Heldentenor, specializing in the almost unsingable roles of Wagner and Richard Strauss. His breakthrough moment was stepping into the opening of a new production of Götterdämmerung at the Bayreuth Festival in 2022, and his performances of the leading Wagner and Strauss roles at Bayreuth, the Deutsche Opera Berlin, the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, and with the Berlin Philharmonic have announced him as a leading Heldentenor of his generation. We are proud to support and honor this impressive singer who we believe will continue the legacy of the Richard Tucker Award.”

Clay Hilley shares, “I am stunned and thrilled to learn that I’ve been selected to receive the most coveted of all singer prizes, the Richard Tucker Award. Being counted among the elite singers who’ve claimed this award over time is an ecstatic thing. I humbly thank the Board of the Richard Tucker Music Foundation for finding me worthy. I also cannot fail to thank the One from whom all talent flows. Soli Deo gloria.”

Winning critical acclaim for “vocal heft, clarion sound and stamina” (New York Times) and for performances described as “close to perfection – powerful, subtle, intelligent, every word crystal clear” (Financial Times), American Heldentenor Clay Hilley continues to garner success in an ever-growing list of opera’s most monumental heroic roles. After stepping into the premiere of Bayreuth’s new Götterdämmerung at one day’s notice in 2022, Hilley returned to the Bayreuth Festival last summer as Tristan, one of several Wagnerian

roles now featuring prominently in his operatic diary. The 202324 season included his debut as the title role of Tannhäuser at the Edinburgh International Festival in a concert performance with Sir Donald Runnicles and at the Deutsche Oper Berlin later with fullystaged performances in Berlin led by Pietari Inkinen; a house debut at the Bayerische Staatsoper in the title role of Parsifal, conducted by Adam Fischer; and features a return to the Deutsche Oper Berlin as Siegfried in a revival of Stefan Herheim’s production of Der Ring des Nibelungen. Additionally, the tenor joined the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and Music Director Karina Canellakis for a concert performance of Siegfried at Amsterdam’s venerable Concertgebouw. Beyond Wagner, Clay Hilley also appeared this season as Beethoven’s Florestan (Fidelio) for the Canadian Opera Company, with conductor Johannes Debus, Strauss’s Bacchus (Ariadne auf Naxos) at the Hong Kong Arts Festival with the orchestra of the Bayerische Staatsoper under Patrick Lange, and made his Staatsoper Hamburg debut as Laca in Janáček’s Jenůfa, in performances conducted by Tomáš Netopil.

Past winners of the Richard Tucker Award include Angel Blue, Jamie Barton, Stephanie Blythe, Lawrence Brownlee, Joyce DiDonato, Renée Fleming, Christine Goerke, Isabel Leonard, Lisette Oropesa, Matthew Polenzani, Nadine Sierra, and Deborah Voigt. Read Hilley’s full biography at music.uga.edu.

Clay Hilley (Submitted photo)

ALUMNI ACCOMPLISHMENT

UGA Alumni Ensemble

Lineage Percussion

Named Fischoff’s 2024

Ann Divine Educator Award Winner

The Fischoff National Chamber Music Association is delighted to announce that Lineage Percussion has been selected as the winner of Fischoff’s 2024 Ann Divine Educator Award. This national award recognizes the educational outreach work of Fischoff Competition alumni who have demonstrated outstanding and imaginative programming for children and youth in the United States. It honors musicians who have established professional careers in chamber music, and have proven their ability to successfully build a career in both chamber music performance and educational outreach.

Named in honor of retired Executive Director, Ann Divine, this award recognizes her visionary leadership in cultivating community outreach through chamber music. As winner of the Ann Divine Educator Award, Lineage Percussion will receive a coveted endorsement from Fischoff, a cash award, and a weeklong residency in St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties in Indiana. Taking place in Fall 2024, Lineage Percussion will conduct workshops and perform interactive concerts in schools, community centers and libraries. The week will include multiple performances of Fischoff’s flagship program, Stories and Music: S.A.M. I Am, which musically reenacts a children’s book and will be featured as part of the St. Joseph County Public Library’s story time programming. Lineage Percussion will also work with Fischoff’s Chamber Music Academy and Elkhart County’s El Sistema (ECoSistema) students to dig deeper into the art of chamber music with children and teens who would otherwise not have access to these opportunities.

Lineage Percussion, comprised of Trevor Barroero, Lauren Floyd, and Wesley Sumpter, is an exciting trio that spreads its roots into many facets of the chamber music industry. Founded in 2014 in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia, Lineage Percussion is deeply rooted in a rich history of orchestral percussion. Whether they are playing marimbas, snare drums, bongos, or household objects, their identical training results in a uniform approach to each and every percussion instrument resulting in the trio’s distinctive sound.

Social advocacy and justice are important facets of the group. Through their commissions, as well as compositions of their own, Lineage Percussion aims to uplift communities and ideas that need support from the arts. Central to them is the idea that music must be representative of the current times and this belief has resulted in more than a dozen new works commissioned and premiered by Lineage Percussion. Professionally endorsed as educational artists with Black Swamp Percussion, Remo Drumheads, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks and Dragonfly Percussion, they have presented clinics, recitals and outreach events for elementary schools, high schools, retirement communities, and private organizations in Maryland, Georgia, Arizona, and most recently at the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival in South Africa.

Fischoff Education Director, Kara Kane, remarked, “Lineage Percussion made history in 2016 when they were the first percussion ensemble to win a medal in our Senior Division, bringing home the bronze medal. Percussion chamber music has exploded since 2017, as seen with multiple percussion ensemble GRAMMY wins and nominations, so we are thrilled to be able to highlight incredible chamber music repertoire for this instrumentation. Lineage Percussion’s creative, interactive approach to music making will empower and inspire students to find their own inner musician. We can’t wait to see what creative twists Lineage Percussion introduces to our Stories & Music program and how they will reach even broader music making communities in our area.”

On behalf of Lineage Percussion, Wesley Sumpter responded to the award, “Fischoff’s commitment to education and community engagement is quite extraordinary. It truly aligns with our vision and core values as a group in continuing to increase and expand accessibility to music for young audiences around the world…We can’t wait to share our love for music and percussion with many students.”

Fischoff’s Educator Award Residency is generously made possible by lead sponsor Shein Charitable Trust.

Photography credit: Kathleen Dreier Photography

Story by Kara Kane Fischoff Education Director

Several UGA Alums met at the TMEA convention in February, 2024, including from left: Tyler Ehrlich (MM ‘16), now a DMA wind conducting student at the University of Texas (UT); Dr. Susan Thomas (former professor of musicology and women’s studies at UGA, now Director of the Butler School of Music at UT); J.D. Burnett, former associate director of choral activities (DCA) at UGA, now DCA at UT; Chris Mason, MM ‘18 (now Interim DCA at SMU); Eric Newell, MM ‘20 (now DMA choral conducting student at UT); Matt Taylor, DMA ‘24 (now DCA at Lipscomb Univ).

UGA Alums Amy Knopps, University of Missouri; Brad Barnes, DeMoulin Bros Uniforms, Inc.; Matthew Sadowski, University of California, Berkeley; Jack Eaddy, Western Carolina University; and Brett Bawcum, University of Georgia at CBDNA Athletic Band Symposium 2024.

Alumni and 2024 Graduates highlights

Danny Alford (DMA ‘24) has been invited to perform at the 2024 International Trombone Festival.

Connor Austell (DMA ‘22) is continuing his tenure-track position at University of South Carolina Lancaster.

Sangwon Moon (DMA ‘22) continues as an adjunct faculty at Konkuk University in Seoul, South Korea.

Kyle Moore (DMA ’23) was appointed as Assistant Director of Bands & Instructor of Low Brass at Holmes Community College.

Anna Hawkins (DMA 2024, aural skills TA) won a tenure-track assistant professor in piano job at Adams State University.

Joe Himmelberg (BM Saxophone Performance and Music Theory ’24) will begin his Master of Music degree at the Eastman School of Music in Fall 2024.

Craig Hurley (Ed.D, 2019) is president of the GA-ACDA, has just been appointed the Artistic Director for the Spivey Children’s Choir and recently had published the 4th article in a series of research studies on teaching expression in young singers.

Andrew Taylor (BMus ‘20) joined the U.S. Navy Band Northwest and received the Outstanding Instrumental Achievement Award upon graduating from the Navy Music School.

Elizabeth Toles (MM ‘24) was appointed as Visiting Assistant Professor of Trombone at Oklahoma State University.

Faculty highlights

Josh Bynum, professor of trombone was named as a University of Georgia Senior Teaching Fellow.

Brandon Quarles, lecturer in saxophone, performed at the 2024 North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference at Oklahoma State University. He also served as a judge for the 2024 Music Teachers National Association’s Senior Woodwind, Young Artist Woodwind, and Chamber Winds competitions at its national conference in Atlanta, GA. Quarles was also accepted the position of assistant professor of saxophone at the University of Georgia beginning Fall, 2024.

Emily Gertsch, senior lecturer, music theory, was selected as a 2024-2025 Fellow for Transformative Teaching by the UGA Center for Teaching and Learning.

James Naigus, assistant professor of horn, received the Michael F. Adams Early Career Scholar Award from UGA Research.

Professor Emeritus Roger Vogel’s song cycle “The Devil’s Songbook” is featured on a newly released Albany CD entitled Rendezvous in the Salon (TROY1956). The performers are Natalie Mann, soprano; Alexander Charles Burns-Chay, bassoon; and Bruce Mangum, piano. The recording is also available on Spotify and other streaming services.

Tom Hiel, assistant professor of commercial music and media, composed the score to the film “Last Night on Earth,” which debuted theatrically on May 31 and began streaming July 2. The soundtrack is available on Spotify.

Student highlights

Marco Cubillas Bolado (MM ‘24) (pictured above, right) received 1st place in the National Trumpet Competition Mock Military Audition and received 2nd place in the National Trumpet Competition Graduate Solo Competition.

Michael Chapa (DMA) has been appointed to the faculty of Southeast Missouri State University as the Assistant Professor of Saxophone and Athletic Bands.

Wueliton Dal Pont (DMA), double bass performance student was accepted to participate in a Sumer program in the Chicago Opera

Jacob Evarts (BMus ‘25, Media Composition and Horn) composed “An Opening Fanfare for 4 Horns and Brass Band” which was performed by the UGA British Brass Band at the Southeast Horn Workshop February 24, 2024. The UGA Wind Ensemble performed version of “An Opening Fanfare for 4 Horns and Wind Ensemble” on April 23, 2024.

Victor Pires (DMA ‘26) (pictured above center) was a semi-finalist in the National Trumpet Competition Mock Military Audition.

Jeremy Smith (DMA ‘24, Wind Conducting) was just hired as Assistant Director of Bands at Oklahoma State University Greenwood School of Music.

Will Tomaszewski (2023 Cora Find Arts Scholar) (pictured above left) received 2nd place in the National Trumpet Competition Mock Military Audition.

Bianca Wilson (BMus), double bass performances was accepted to the Fresno Summer Orchestra Academy, Fresno California and follow by being accepted to the National Symphony Orchestra Summer music Institute in Washington DC

Redcoat Marching Band Student highlights

Majorette Erin Smith (BS ‘24) won the Phyllis Dancz Award.

Mary Kimbell (BSED ‘24) won the Cassie Moates Flagline Memorial Award.

Katja Rintamaki (BMUS / BBA ‘26) received the Dennis Askew Satin Silver Sousaphone Scholarship.

Drum major Sarah Secrist (BMUS ‘24) won the Ruth Kiney Memorial Award.

2024 Cora Nunnally Miller Fine Arts Scholars

The Franklin College has named three current first year undergraduates as 2024 Cora Nunnally Miller Scholars in the Fine Arts. Each student will receive a $3000 scholarship, in addition to any scholarships they currently receive. The support is continuous to the student in each of the future three years as long as they continue to be majors in the arts with good academic standing.

The purpose of the scholarship, made possible as part of a $17 million gift to the university upon Miller’s passing in 2015, is to recognize exceptional artistic talent, to foster interdisciplinary collaborations in the arts, to promote the arts on the UGA campus and beyond and to give special opportunities to the students in the cohort.

The 2024 cohort of Cora Miller Scholars in the Arts are:

Bethany Barner, a department of dance and advertising (Grady College) double major

• Gregory Lown, a BFA student in the Lamar Dodd School of Art

Caroline Malcom, a piano performance major in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music (pictured below).

“Dean Stenport and I are delighted to welcome these undergraduates to the Cora Miller Fine Arts Scholars,” said Jean Martin-Williams, professor and associate dean in the Franklin College. “In their first year of study at UGA, they have distinguished themselves as exemplars of artistic achievement and creativity. The generosity of Cora Miller will enable them to enrich their artistic study.”

Photography credit: Kathleen Dreier Photography

NEW DEVELOPMENT

Story by Shaun Baer

Director’s Circle Event Celebrated a Year of Growth

On April 26, 2024, a couple hours before the final concert of the year, Director Peter Jutras and the faculty and staff welcomed donors to the 2023-24 closing Director’s Circle event. These special events are available for donors who have given support at or above the Director’s Circle level to one of the many scholarships, support funds, and endowments that provide invaluable support to the students.

The evening began with new development associate Levi Hopkins Dean, who rolled out a new and easier way to support the School of Music. “Our website has been redesigned,” said Dean, “and you can now review all available support funds and provide resources for the area of your choice.

“This new web page, music.uga.edu/giving-opportunities-0, explains the different kinds of funds, links to a detailed “How to Give” instructional page, and then breaks down funds into the following categories: director priorities, school-wide funds, ensemble funds, and music area funds.” Dean highlighted some new funds for the African American Choral Ensemble and Ethnomusicology.

Ellyn Evans, assistant professor of music therapy, spoke next about the goals of developing partnerships elsewhere on campus, in particular with the newly established School of Medicine. To bring this point home, Maddie Alexander (BMus ‘24) and Ale Sayers (BMus ‘24) shared stories about the patients they worked with in their practicums that benefited from their work.

Liza Stepanova, professor of piano, shared the details of the 2024 Chamber Music Athens Festival, and introduced students Alexis Boylan (BS, BM ‘23, MM ‘25), violin and Thomas LaMon (MM ‘23, DMA ‘26), cello, before the trio played a piece by composer Antonín Dvořák.

HHSOM director of public relations Shaun Baer spoke next. “With the introduction of ‘Sforzando,’ a regular ad campaign in Flagpole, and an uptick in social media,” Baer said, “we’ve seen a 25% increase in ticket sales and a 20% increase in overall attendance for our concerts.”

Donors were also excited to hear S. Jack Hu, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, make his case for supporting the School of Music. With increased support from the Office of the Provost, the School of Music will be able to replace nearly 15 upright pianos in its practice rooms, with a goal of replacing an additional one or two pianos each year.

“But the School of Music needs your support for so much more of what they do,” he said. Hu and his wife have been generous supporters of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music as well as the UGA Performing Arts Center.

Director Peter Jutras closed by celebrating the donors, faculty, and students, sharing a heartfelt farewell as he announced his departure for Cincinnati. He assured everyone that “the School of Music is well in hand and will continue moving forward.”

We are excited to announce that our next Director’s Circle event will be on October 17, 2024. Please stay tuned for more information and invitations. For those of you who are interested in joining and remaining a member of the Director’s Circle, please reach out to Levi Dean, levi.dean@uga.edu. Generally, annual donations totaling $1,500 or more guarantees you membership in the Director’s Circle. Additionally, those who have created an endowed fund for HHSOM have a permanent membership to the HHSOM Director’s Circle.

Director Peter Jutras (left) greets HHSOM donors. (Photos by Easel Images)

Provost Jack Hu addresses the Director’s Circle crowd.

SUPPORT THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

JOIN THE DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE FOR AN INSIDE SCOOP

All it takes is a gift, pledge, or promise of $1,500 for the 24-25 academic year to participate in the Director’s Circle events for the coming year. With your donation, you will receive:

• A guaranteed listing in our annual Director’s Circle Honor Roll, included in the July 2025 issue of Sforzando Magazine. This year’s listing is on the following two pages.

• Invitation to the October 17, 2024 Director’s Circle event, immediately preceding the Thursday Scholarship Series Wind Ensemble performance “Made in America.” You can see details about the concert on page 14.

• Invitation to the spring Director’s Circle event. This will be a different format and a stand-alone event with exclusive performances by students and faculty to be determined.

• Unique email communications tailored to your connection to the Director’s Circle throughout the year.

There are several ways to join the Director’s Circle:

Visit music.uga.edu/giving-and-alumni, or scan one of the QR codes on the right, and make a donation of $1,500 or more.

• You can also select the “$1,500 option on your Ticket Order Form at the center of this magazine and include the $1,500 donation with your total purchase amount.

Establishing an endowment fund includes permanent inclusion in the Director’s Circle. If you are interested in making a larger gift, please reach out to Melissa Roberts at 706-254-2111 or roberts@uga.edu.

Why not make your gift an annual pledge and guarantee your space in the Director’s Circle? You can check “I want to keep my generosity going with automatic payments” when donating online and select “Annual” in the drop down menu, or check the box indicated on the enclosed ticket order form.

UNDERWRITING A CONCERT OR SPECIAL EVENT

The Hugh Hodgson School of Music is a hub for musical performances throughout the academic year at the University of Georgia. During our upcoming 2024-25 season, we have 23 ticketed performances and 36 free concerts scheduled. Additional performances are always enhancing our season along the way.

Unlike professional companies, our ticket sales are committed entirely to student scholarships. Your gift of $5,000 guarantees you:

• Two free tickets for your underwritten concert with reserved seating.

• Participation in the Director’s Circle events for the current concert year.

• Names added to one event poster: “This concert underwritten in part by ___”

Name and dedication in that event program.

• Name and dedication on our website season donor page.

• Listing in our annual thank you to donors in our new School of Music magazine “Sforzando.”

To underwrite one of our events, please reach out to Levi Hopkins Dean at 706-542-4232 or levi.dean@uga.edu.

DIRECTOR PRIORITY FUNDS

As mentioned in the article on the previous page, there are well over seventy funds available to support the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. Below are a few of the priorities of director Peter Jutras. As the HHSOM heads into a year of transition, donor support is more important than ever to insure that operations and scholarships continue to grow.

Scan these QR codes to donate directly from your phone or tablet. If you are interested in making a larger gift, please reach out to Melissa Roberts at 706-254-2111 or roberts@uga.edu.

HHSOM ENHANCEMENT FUND

This fund provides general support for the entire School of Music, including student support, instrument repair and maintenance, providing honoraria for guest artists, and more. Furthermore, your donations support operations in the school, including instrument purchases, student travel, research, performances, and funding for external concerts and events, along with showcasing the work of our students and faculty to the community and the world.

MILLER-HODGSON MUSIC FUND

This endowed fund includes support for operations and also provides support for student scholarships and assistantships. Endowed funds are permanent and have a lasting and perpetual impact on the Hugh Hodgson School of Music community.

HHSOM SCHOLARSHIP FUND

This fund supports both undergraduate and graduate music students. Donations here help us with our goal of giving every first-year student with scholarships and presenting current students with need-based and performance-based support.

PREFER TO CHOOSE A MORE SPECIFIC AREA OF THE HHSOM TO SUPPORT? Scan this QR Code to see our complete list of available funds, ranging from school wide needs, scholarship funds, ensemble funds, and music area funds. If you don’t see a fund for something you are passionate about, reach out to Levi Dean or Melissa Roberts to discuss establishing a new fund that fits your favorite area of music.

DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE ROLL CALL

The Hugh Hodgson School of Music offers a very special thank you to our Director’s Circle members. Thank you for your continued annual support of our students, scholarships, and performances. Members of the HHSOM Director’s Circle give annually at or above $1,500 or have created an endowment fund. This list includes members of the Director’s Circle from: June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024.

Anonymous (5)

Altamira Guitars LLC

Mrs. Sylvia Harley Arant

Mrs. Kimberly AsKew and *Dr. Dennis W. AsKew

Saul P. and Nellie Z. Axelroad Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Ms. Karen J. Baker

*Dr. Leonard V. Ball Jr and Mrs. Phyllis R. Ball

Dr. William E. Barstow

Dr. Barbara A. Bennett and Mr. Stephen P. Walag

Ms. Leslie Lauer Berghoef

Mr. Brad Bishoff and Ms. Jackie E. Bishoff

Mr. Glenn J. Black Jr. and Ms. Nancy Black

Miss Anna K. Blissit

Mr. Vincent P. Bond and Mrs. Pamela Bond

Mr. and Mrs. William F. Brunson III

Mrs. Sandra C. Bussell

Mr. Matthew C. Burril and Mrs. Barbara Hedrick Burril

Mr. Robert C. Cagle and Mrs. Ellen K. Cagle

Mr. and Mrs. C. Merrell Calhoun

Mrs. Cary Ripley Calhoun and Mr. Charles Calhoun

Mr. Charles T. Cantrell and Mrs. Nanette L. Cantrell

Dr. John M. Casey

Ms. Sara G. Chadwick

Charles Loridans Foundation, Inc.

Ms. Eui J. Chung and Mr. Tae Kim

Dr. Daniel O. Claassen and Ms. Esther Claassen

Dr. Rose M. Coleman and Ms. Rosemary Segreti

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry

Mrs. Carol L. Corina

Mr. Robert D. Corina and Mrs. Sandra Corina

Mr. John C. Cosson

Dr. Allen C. Crowell and Mrs. Phyllis M. Crowell

Mr. Donald W. Curtis

Dr. Joan C. Curtis

Mr. John R. Curtis Jr. and Ms. Lisa A. Cooper

Curtis Foundation, Inc.

Mr. Steven Lee Dancz and Dr. Vicki Lynne Birchfield

Mr. Kenneth I. Daniels

Ms. Jennifer L. Decinque

Ms. Elisabeth DelBene

Ms. Joanne DelBene and Mr. Everil Loyd

Ms. Patrice Devereaux and Mr. David R. Devereaux

Mr. Brian C. Dill and Mrs. Carmen B. Dill

Dr. Steve Dillon

Dillon Music

Mrs. Barbara Dooley and Mr. Vincent J. Dooley Estate

Mr. Charles Ashby Dorminy and Ms. Caroline Dorminy

John Henry Dorminy Foundation, Inc.

Mrs. Katarina B. Dorminy

Mr. William J. Dorminy

Mr. John H. Dorminy IV and Mrs. Ann W. Dorminy

The Roy and Janet Dorsey Foundation

Mr. Shami Dostmohamed

Mr. William J. Dull and Ms. Cathleen E. Dull

Dr. Deborah Peterson Durrence and Mr. Paul Durrence

Mrs. Mary C. Eagan

Mary Frances Early

Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Edge

Extra Special People, Inc.

Mrs. Danelle J. Faust and Mr. Jeremy W. Faust

Dr. Sarah E. Fillebrown and Mr. Jerry Fillebrown

Dr. Joan G. Fischer

Dr. Stephen M. Fischer and Dr. Rachael A. Fischer

Ms. Connie L. Gaines

Ms. Susan J. Gallimore

Ms. Jennifer L. Ged and Mr. Charles Ged

Georgia Music Hall of Fame

Mr. John R. Giaquinto and Ms. Kay Giaquinto

Ms. B. Joyce Goodwin

Dr. Gregory M. Graham and Mrs. Mildren Battle Graham

Dr. Roy E. Grant and Ms. Beatrice W. Grant

Dr. Franklin P. Green Jr. and Mrs. Rachel L. Green

Mr. H. G. Greenhill and Mrs. Hannah M. Greenhill

Mr. Wayne M. Grinstead

Mr. Donald A. Gruel Jr. and Mrs. Amanda Noel Holland

Mr. Charles M. Hairston and Dr. Michelle Parker Hairston

Mr. Dave Hanson

Mr. John C. Harriman and Mrs. Monica Harriman

Dr. Joseph K. Harriman III

Mrs. Mary A. Harriman

Mr. Bill B. Harris

Dr. Valerie A. Hepburn and Mr. George D. Hayes

Mrs. Carol I. Heyward

Ms. Rhonda L. Hicks

Ms. Anne Hodgson

Ms. Elizabeth P. Hodgson

Ms. Mary K. Hodgson

Mrs. Laura K. Hogan

Ms. Marjory E. Holder

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Allan Holland

Ms. Delores K. Houser

Mr. Doug Howell

Dr. Robert E. Hoyt and Mrs. Patricia G. Hoyt

Provost Shixin J. Hu and Ms. Jun Du

Mrs. Sandra S. Hudson and Dr. Cecil C. Hudson

Ms. Laura Huffman

Ms. Martha T. Hughes

Mrs. Mary Denmark Hutcherson

Dr. Thomas H. Jackson Jr. and Mrs. Sharon B. Jackson

Mr. John E. Johnnidis

Dr. Jonathan B. Johnnidis

Mr. Christopher L. Jones

Mr. Kenneth L. Justice and Mrs. Elizabeth F. Justice

Ms. Fern Jutras

Dr. Peter J. Jutras and Ms. Kristin E. Jutras

Dr. John L. Keller and Mrs. Jo A. Keller

Mr. Walter T. Kesler III and Mrs. Teresa A. Kesler

Ms. Donna Kibbe

Mr. Christopher J. Kiley

Ms. Mary A. Killen and Mr. Clint B. Castles

Ms. Carol Killough and Mr. Billy C. Killough

Ms. Clare Kranzmann and Mr. Richard Kranzmann

Lead Guitar

Ms. Rebecca E. Lee

Michael Lehman

Dr. Per Ljungdahl

Dr. John A. Maltese

Mr. William H. Marlow and Mrs. Laura Smithwick Marlow

Dr. and Mrs. John A. Mayo

Ms. Sasha Graham-McWaters

Mr. Richard Maul

Merrick & Company

Mr. Charles P. Miller

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mills

Mr. and Mrs. Jere G. Mills

Mr. Michael E. Mills

The Mills Foundation

Mr. Francis W. Milward and Mrs. Benedicte D. Milward

President Jere W. Morehead

Mr. Raymond D. Moore

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Michael Norrell

Mr. Robert A. Padgett

Padgett Residential Design, Inc.

Dr. Craig B. Parker and Mrs. Susanna Hays Parker

Mr. Jerald D. Phillips

Dr. Robert W. Placek and Mrs. Joyce Placek

Mr. Christopher T. Plummer and Ms. Gretchen M. Plummer

Ms. A. Elizabeth Powell

Mrs. Doris Adams Ramsey

Ms. Peggy A. Randolph

Redcoat Band Alumni Association, Inc.

Nora L. Redman Fund

Mr. David K. Reesman and Ms. Laura Reesman

Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Kenneth Reeves

Ms. Angela Jones-Reus

Dr. Doris E. Ritchey and Dr. Roger C. Vogel

Mrs. Elizabeth H. Schempf

Mr. James M. Self

Mr. Charles L. Simpson

Mr. S. James Simpson and Rev. Jeanne Simpson

Mr. Carl B. Singmaster and Mrs. Amy Singmaster

Dr. John S. Strobel

Dr. Caroline D. Strobel

Mr. George L. Strobel II and Mrs. Judith Golden

Mr. Robert I. Sutherland

Mrs. B. J. Sutherland

Mr. Roy K. Sweat and Mrs. Susan Sweat

Mrs. Erica Swinnie

Richard B. and Sherrie Taylor

Mr. Lindsey Thornhill

Mrs. Ruth Estes Trager Estate

Mr. Terrence M. Tumpey and Ms. Abbigail J. Tumpey

Dr. Jimmie B. Vaught and Dr. Irene B. Glowinski

Mrs. Clara S. Waln

Dr. Craig C. Wiegert and Dr. Adrian P. Childs

Mr. Lawrence B. Willson and Mrs. Beverly J. Willson

Ms. Jane H. Willson

Mr. William H. Willson Jr. and Mrs. Susan Willson

Mr. Charles D. Woods and Dr. Arlene Hargrove Woods

Dr. Robert F. Wootton

* - deceased

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