Elgar's Enigma - The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra

NEW WORLDS 2024-25 i 105 th SEASON

THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Gregory Wolynec, Music Director

Elgar’s Enigma

November 7, 2024 – 7:30 p.m.

Bennett Auditorium

SOUTHERN MISS

SCHOOL OF

Music

WHEN YOU THINK MUSIC

EOE/F/M/VETS/DISABILITY

Think SOUTHERN MISS

usm.edu/MUSIC @usmmusic

#usmmusic

Scan here TO LEARN MORE

you are part of our legacy.

your friends and relatives could be the next musicianS on stage before you. tell them about the incredible opportunities at southern miss!

Assistantships, Scholarships and Service Awards ARE available in all vocal and instrumentAL AREAS.

Program THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES SCHOOL OF MUSIC present

Elgar’s Enigma

The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra Gregory Wolynec, music director

Thursday, November 7, 2024 Bennett Auditorium Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) Symphony No. 6 in D Le matin (1761) Adagio – Allegro Adagio – Andante – Adagio Minuet e Trio Finale: Allegro Juan Lincango, violin; Brian Lorett, violoncello Osvaldo Golijov (b. 1960) Songs for Soprano and Orchestra (1999/2002) Night of the Flying Horses Lúa Descolorida Meredith Johnson, soprano

Intermission Edward Elgar (1857-1934) Variations on an Original Theme Enigma I. C.A.E. II. H.D.S.-P. III. R.B.T. IV. W.M.B. V. R.P.A. VI. Ysobel VII. Troyte VIII. W.N. IX. Nimrod X. Dorabella, Intermezzo XI. G.R.S. XII. B.G.N. XIII. “***”, Romanza XIV. Finale: E.D.U.

This program is generously presented with support from Partners for the Arts.

CONDUCTOR’S Notes Greetings and welcome to the second orchestral program of the 105th season of The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. My incredibly talented students and I are excited to share these fascinating selections with you. Our program aims to enlighten and entertain with works that are both simple and complex, which span the range of human emotion and nearly 250 years of musical development. What an enigma!

We begin this evening with our first Haydn symphony together. “Papa” Haydn is widely regarded as the father of the symphony and the string quartet. His music is filled with elegance and wit. It also serves to remind us of a time when orchestras were most frequently court ensembles made up of little more than two dozen musicians, as you will see on stage for this performance.

The “Morning” symphony was written as part of a trilogy (to include “Afternoon” and “Evening”) and opens with the depiction of a sunrise. A solo flute ushers in the allegro that follows, which seems to introduce an entire cast of players from oboes to bassoon and eventually horn. The adagios that bookend the second movement seem borrowed from Baroque Italian composer Arcangelo Corelli. Virtuosic solos for both the violin and the cello abound in the andante between them. The traditional minuet and trio contain more solos, including a prominent duet for the bass and bassoon. The dazzling finale features more virtuosity, with the solo violin again taking the lead.

First-time listeners to this symphony must surely wonder why Haydn wrote so many solos into this work. In 1761, Haydn was just starting his tenure as the musical head of the Esterházy court. A shrewd politician, he recognized the importance of gaining the respect and appreciation of his new colleagues in the orchestra. Prince Paul Anton was known to provide financial reward in the form of a gratuity to musicians who had impressed him in performance. Haydn provided ample opportunity for the musicians to show off their talents. “Papa” Haydn is not just for the history books; it was the nickname he soon earned from his orchestra!

Osvaldo Golijov is one of the world’s most important living composers. From Argentina and of Jewish descent, he has spent decades bridging worlds and producing works of tremendous emotional impact. Over the past two years, I have overseen an ambitious recording project of his landmark “La Pasión San Marcos,” which presents the passion story in a fascinating new light.

Golijov’s inspiration knows no bounds as he merges salsa, flamenco, Gregorian chant and countless folk idioms into new works. I am thrilled to introduce you to this fascinating composer with these two songs alongside my talented colleague, Meredith Johnson.

“Night of the Flying Horses” is a colorful song in three parts. The opening Yiddish lullaby starts with solo voice before gradually adding instruments from the orchestra. The following section is referred to by the composer as a “doina.” This is a slow Eastern European melody with progressively increasing ornamentation. Golijov then takes us on a wild ride in the form of a gallop that he admittedly stole from the wild gypsy band Taraf de Haïdouks.

“Colorless Moon” was originally written for Dawn Upshaw in 1999. It then reappeared in “La Pasión” in a gripping moment as Peter expresses his guilt for denying Jesus. The text is from 19th century Galician poet Rosalía de Castro in Gallego, the tongue of her native region of Spain.

This is music of profound simplicity with fascinating instructions from the composer asking the strings to play “infinitely tender,” “quietly radiant” and, my favorite, “as if riding a cosmic horse.” I have enjoyed a handful of conversations with the composer over the past few years, and I find his often-repeated love for the simplicity of Schubert to be at the core of this tender music. As he wrote, I hope it to “bring an echo of the single tear that Schubert brings without warning in his voicing of a C major chord.”

Edward Elgar’s beloved “Enigma” variations serve as musical depictions inspired by friends of the composer.

Each of the variations portrays the character, a scene or an event inspired by these friends. The theme itself is shrouded in some mystery, in large part because of the composer’s choice of title. The melody begins in forlorn fashion but in the rhythm of the composer’s name. The following measure reverses the rhythm and some of the pitches and, well, there may be as many theories about what comes next as there are people who have studied it!

I find the variety of emotions and moods in the work to be fascinating.

The first variation bears the initials of Elgar’s wife and continues without pause from the theme, indicating the connection of husband and wife. The composer notes “romantic and delicate” additions to the melody. This is the essence of how the work will unfold.

In preparing the score for performance this time, I found myself taking special note of the charming tributes to amateur musical friends. VI (Ysobel) includes an exercise for a viola player learning to cross strings while XII (B.G.N.) features passionate writing for the cello. I was also intrigued by various theories surrounding XIII, whose initials are withheld. Perhaps the most compelling story is that this was inspired by Helen Weaver, who broke off her 1884 engagement with the composer and sailed out of his life to New Zealand. The faint quote in the clarinet of Mendelssohn’s “Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage” and rumble of the ocean liner’s engine make this seem entirely plausible. Perhaps if it’s not true, it should be.

I couldn’t end these notes without some mention of IX (Nimrod).

This is one of the most glorious melodies in all of music and was inspired

by Augustus Jaeger. A critic and editor, he had served as a valued cheerleader for the composer at some of his darkest hours. As Elgar relayed, the variation was inspired by Jaeger’s statement that no composer had surpassed Beethoven in the composition of slow movements. Elgar agreed with this assessment and sought to provide a hint of the earlier composer’s famous “Pathetique” sonata. I feel this is inspired music of intense beauty with few equals.

translations Night of the Flying Horses

by Sally Potter

Lúa Descolorida (Colorless Moon)

By Rosalia de Castro

Close your eyes And you shall go To that sweet land All dreamers know

Moon, colorless like the color of pale gold: You see me here and I wouldn’t like you to see me from the heights above.

Take me, silently, in your ray to the space of your journey.

Where milk and honey Always flow And mama watches over you.

Spread your wings My Fegele My darling girl My singing bird Lift your face Towards the sky I will be watching As you fly.

Remember dear When morning comes Your mama’s here: Fly home to me.

The land of dreams Must let you go Your own sweet home Is here, you know.

Star of the orphan souls, Moon, colorless: I know that you don’t illuminate sadness as sad as mine.

Go and tell it to your master and tell him to take me to his place.

But don’t tell him anything, Moon, colorless, because my fate won’t change here or in other worlds.

If you know where Death has her dark mansion, Tell her to take my body and soul together To a place where I won’t be remembered, Neither in this world, nor in the heights above.

ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL Bassoon Violin 1 Violoncello Zachary Howell* João Vitor Gonzaga* Brian Lorett* Nancy Diaz Juan Lincango* Cristian Sanchez Allyson Gomes Mauricio Unzueta Salas Contrabassoon Katarzyna Gwiazda Evelin Lopez Gabe Flores Icaro Santana Gabriel Barros Laura Lopera Kassandra Henriquez Horn Camila Alonso Vivian Herring Brian Alston* Angelina Sidiropoulou Abby Loftin* Casey Macklin Bass Anna Zurawski Grace Pineda Marcus Silva* Chance Rootes Daniel Magalhaes Violin 2 Matheus Ferreira Trumpet Julia Stevenson* de Souza Mariah Atwood* Nohelia Gutierrez Jose Cuellar Clayton Jacocks Paulo Victor Alves Nick Shellenberg Zach Dake Dexter Rodkey Daniel La Mere Ethne Killgore Manuel Jara Trombone Oliver Galager Charlie Levandoski Peter van der Bijl* Paloma Vieira Peyton Brossette Elizabeth Brown Flute Lucas Gonzalez Sarah Hinchey* Bass Trombone Katelynn Ferguson Claudio Palazzi Benjamin Dondanville Aubri Sparkman Ellen Jones Oboe Tuba Darbi George* Taylor Winkler* Viola Josh Strobel* Adelle Paltin* Brynna Ridgell Timpani Ana Sofia Suarez Yu Chih Cherry Chen* Ronnie Ortiz Clarinet Christian Avila Gerby Keiny* Percussion Renata Andrade Caitlyn Austin Shawn Lawrence Alejandro Lopez Coy Edwards Jessica Dykes Bass Clarinet Cameron White Cameron Nix Organ Roger Lowther * denotes principal players

SOUTHERN MISS

SCHOOL OF

Music

When you think music Think Southern Miss usm.edu/music

STRINGS Dr. Borislava Iltcheva, violin Dr. Hsiaopei Lee, viola Dr. Alexander Russakovsky, cello Dr. Marcos Machado, bass Dr. Nicholas Ciraldo, guitar WOODWINDS Dr. Danilo Mezzadri, flute Dr. Pablo Hernandez, oboe Dr. Jackie McIlwain, clarinet Dr. Kim Woolly, bassoon Dr. Dannel Espinoza, saxophone BRASS Dr. Rob Detjen, horn Dr. Tim Tesh, trumpet Dr. Ben McIlwain, trombone Dr. Richard Perry, tuba PERCUSSION Dr. John Wooton, percussion PIANO Dr. Michael Bunchman, piano Dr. Ellen Elder, piano Dr. Hongzuo Guo, staff pianist Dr. Elizabeth Moak, piano Dr. Zhaolei Xie, staff pianist ORCHESTRAL ACTIVITIES Dr. Gregory Wolynec CHORAL ACTIVITIES Dr. Gregory Fuller Dr. Jonathan Kilgore VOICE Dr. Kimberley Davis Dr. Taylor Hightower Dr. Meredith Johnson Dr. Jonathan Yarrington MUSIC EDUCATION Dr. Ashley Allen Dr. Melody Causby Dr. Ian Cicco Stacey Miles

UNIVERSITY BANDS Dr. Catherine Rand Dr. Travis Higa Dr. Cody Edgerton JAZZ STUDIES Larry Panella MUSIC HISTORY Dr. Vanessa Tonelli Dr. Edward Hafer Dr. Joseph Jones MUSIC THEORY Dr. Danny Beard Dr. Joseph Brumbeloe Dr. Douglas Rust DIRECTOR Dr. Colin McKenzie ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS Dr. Joseph Jones Dr. Timothy Tesh ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR Laurie Rinko FINANCIAL MANAGER Finn Langley ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT COORDINATOR Lauren Gerhart GRADUATE COORDINATOR Dr. Melody Causby PR/MARKETING AND EVENT COORDINATOR Dr. Mike Lopinto PIANO TECHNICIAN Carlos Boza

About the Artists Meredith Johnson, soprano and vocal technician, specializes in the belting style of musical theatre, as well as classical voice. As assistant professor of voice at The University of Southern Mississippi, she teaches applied lessons, vocal pedagogy, and musical theatre workshop while also serving on the voice faculty of the Institute of Performing Arts International held in Bavaria, Germany.

Dr. Johnson’s passion for both opera and musical theatre is evident in her crossover performance career. Some of her all-time favorite roles include Líu (Turandot), Musetta (La Bohème), Fantine (Les Misérables), Ruth (Pirates of Penzance), Drowsy (Drowsy Chaperone), Witch and Cinderella (Into the Woods). Johnson often appears as a featured soloist with the world-class instrumental and choral ensembles of Southern Miss and the region and is a proud member of the professional theatre troupe, HubCity Players, where recent roles include Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors and Madame de la Grande Bouche in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, which received third place in the 2024 American Prize in Musical Theatre.

The successes of Johnson’s students are a testament to her effective teaching methods. Her voice students can be seen performing roles in national touring musical productions, theme parks, regional theater and opera companies, and international young artist programs, while her pedagogy students thrive as standout music educators and award-winning choral and show choir directors.

Dr. Johnson is an active adjudicator and clinician on a mission to prepare singers for 21st century careers in multiple genres. She presents masterclasses and vocal workshops across the United States and abroad and is the creator of the online programs, Virtual Vocal Academy, Audition Bootcamp and College Choir Audition Assistant.

Gregory Wolynec is the newly appointed director of Orchestral Activities at The University of Southern Mississippi, where he directs the Symphony Orchestra and oversees the graduate program in orchestral conducting.

He also serves as the music director of Middle Tennessee’s acclaimed Gateway Chamber Orchestra (GCO), which he co-founded in 2008. Wolynec previously served as director of instrumental ensembles at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn., from 2003-24.

Over the last 15 years, Wolynec has sought to revolutionize the potential of the 21st century orchestra. His unique programming philosophy received national attention with GCO Producer Blanton Alspaugh receiving two GRAMMY nominations and a win as Classical Producer of the Year. Ambitious multimedia family concerts have been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and the League of American Orchestras. He spearheaded pandemic projects, including the Magical Music & Timeless Tales video series, the YouTube broadcast of the Beethoven @250: Humanity in 2020 concert, as well as America’s Haydn Festival in May of 2021, featuring performances by GCO, the St. Lawrence String Quartet and pianist Henry Kramer, hosted

by Bill McGlaughlin. In 2021, Wolynec also worked with composer Cristina Spinei to successfully launch the first NFT of a musical work commissioned by an American orchestra. This was profiled on NPR’s Marketplace Money. He is currently overseeing a multi-year project in collaboration with Nashville Ballet to create a new Nutcracker, employing the music of Tchaikovsky, Duke Ellington and Vinico Meza. During 2024-25, Wolynec will oversee the groundbreaking release of recordings of Osvaldo Golijov’s massive La Pasión según San Marcos in audio, video and virtual reality formats.

Wolynec holds a B.M. in music education and clarinet performance from SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music, as well as the M.M. and D.M.A. in instrumental conducting from Michigan State University. He was a recipient of a Fulbright Grant to Prague, Czech Republic, where he studied conducting at the Prague Conservatory. There, he also worked with the Karlovy Vary Symphony.

LEGACY LIFETIME MEMBERS Gold Legacy Society - $25,000 Gail and Larry Albert Mo and Dick Conville Becky and Doug Montague Dr. Steven Moser Mrs. Sandra and Dr. R. Greer Whitacre Silver Legacy Society - $12,500 Dr. Shannon Campbell Tammy and Arthur Martin Pam and Doug Rouse Bronze Legacy Society - $5,000 Alexander Brady Foundation Jennifer Brannock and Dr. David R. Davies Dr. Amy Chasteen Erin and Dennis Granberry Lt. Col. Jason Hillman in honor of Carole Marshall Amy and Don Hinton Carole Marshall in memory of John Ivany Marshall Stace and Andy Mercier Drs. Stacey and Michael Miles Dr. and Mrs. Joe Paul Dee and Toddy Tatum in memory of Dr. and Mrs. A.T. Tatum Becky and Doug Vinzant ANNUAL MEMBERS PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE - $5,000+ College of Arts and Sciences GRAND BENEFACTOR - $2,500 Beltone Hearing Care Centers Cadence Bank Citizens National Bank Beverly Dale in honor of Colin McKenzie Chad and Catherine Edmonson Dr. Stella Elakovich in memory of Drs. Dana Ragsdale and Karen O. Austin Gil Schwartz Foundation Gulf South Productions Hancock Whitney Dick Jordan and Allen Williams in memory of Mary Garrison Jordan, Sonia Jordan and Sonyna Jordan Fox Lincoln Road Package Store The Linda Becker Smith Trust Dr. and Mrs. Jiménez Dr. and Mrs. J. Larry Smith in memory of Mrs. Jane Becker Heidelberg Kate Smith and Hank Mazaleski Southern Oaks Venue & Catering Dr. and Mrs. Chris Winstead BENEFACTOR - $1,000 Anonymous Myrle-Marie Bongiovanni Diane and Peter Ciurczak in memory of Lillian, Helen and Regina Mo and Dick Conville Drs. Sabine Heinhorst and Gordon Cannon

Brian J. Horsch Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Leader Charles and Jane Lewis Dr. and Mrs. Aubrey K. Lucas Cody and Joan McKeller Keith and Carolyn McLarnan Lance and Ruthie Nail Amanda and Kris Powell Rush Law Firm Larry Marshall Sams Signature Magazine Southern Miss Alumni Association Taylor Rental William L. Thames in memory of Lou Rackoff Dr. Virginia Angelico Tatum DDS Charitable Fund Mrs. Sandra and Dr. R. Greer Whitacre SUSTAINER - $750 In memory of Dr. William Odom Drs. Sergey and Veronica Dzugan PATRON - $500 Albert Architects Elizabeth Mee Anglin Dixie and Dennis Baum Rebecca Bedell Michael Boudreaux Dr. Shannon Campbell Gwen and Perry Combs Mary J. Cromartie Drs. Jeremy Deans and Alyson Brink Iris Easterling Allyson Easterwood Sabrina and Eric Enger Forrest General Hospital Stanley Hauer Lt. Col. Jason Hillman Chem and Wayne A. Hughes Althea and Raoul Jerome in memory of Dr. Patricia Malone Robert Y. Lochhead John M. and Carolyn Lopinto Sr. Carole Marshall Dr. Colin and Mandie McKenzie Celia Faye Meisel Becky Montague Mrs. Virginia M. Morris Drs. Jeanne and William Morrison Brenda O’Neal Lambert Matthew Wayne Pennington Dr. and Mrs. Tom Puckett Connie and Robin Roberts Teejay and David Shemper Signs First Delois L. Smith in memory of J. Lavon Smith Dr. Douglas F. Thomas Jane and Stephen Thomas Russ Willis DONOR - $250 Paula and Allen Anderson Drs. Katie Anthony and Daniel Smith Dr. Angela Ball Linda and Larry Basden Dr. and Mrs. David W. Bomboy Linda Boutwell-Griffith and John Griffith LTC Raylawni Branch Joanna and Biljac Burnside Card My Yard Fran and Gene Carothers Peg and Bob Ciraldo Rachel and Nicholas Ciraldo Carolynn and Lewis Clark Dr. Eyler Coates Jr. Dr. David Cochran Amber Cole

Community Bank Anna and Ryan Copeland Bettie Cox and David Powers Linda and Robert Cox Joelle Crook in memory of George T. Crook Charles Cullefer Drs. J.P. and Lisa Culpepper Kimberley Davis Beejee and Andy Dickson DeAnna Douglas Chad Driskell Muriel Everton Kim Gallaspy Wes Hanson Dr. and Mrs. Robert Heath in honor of Sarah K. Heath Richard D. Hudson Betty Jo D. Ison Rebekah and Jeff Johnson Dr. Jameela Lares LBJ Properties LLC Dr. Mike Lopinto in honor of Carolyn and John Lopinto Maureen K. Martin in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Aubrey K. Lucas Megan McCay Jennifer and Kennard McKay Drs. Bitsy Browne and Marvin Miller Drs. Diane and Jim Miller Drs. Suzanna and Andrew Nida LTC and Mrs. E. Walker Nordan Candace and Kent Oliver David Ott Clay Peacock Jacquelyne and Brad Pittman Bob and Betty Press Petra and Curt Redden in memory of Irma Schneider Sharon and David Richardson Dr. and Mrs. Douglas M. Rust Mr. and Mrs. Sam Sackler Sabrina and Alex Schuerger Carolee and Seth Scott Mark Shows Mary and Eric Sumrall Martha and Tommy Thornton Debra and Richard Topp Mr. and Mrs. Ric Voss Barbara and Kenneth Waites Diane and Jerry Waltman Amelia Watkins Sharmon and John Wichman Alissa Wiggins Paige and Pat Zachary CONTRIBUTOR - $150 Area Development Partnership Lynne and William Baggett Billie Ballengee Ashton Beightol Drs. Diana and Joshua Bernstein Mrs. Anita and General Buff Blount Katherine Boone Mr. Joe Bost and Dr. Katie James Mary Glenn and Todd Bradley Jewel Brantley Tucker in memory of Samuel Tucker The Rev. Laurie Brock Charles A. Brown in memory of Mirneal C. Brown Jennifer and Sam Bruton Margaret and Ron Chapman Mitch and Marcia B. Cochran Jacob Cotton Jennifer Courts LuAnn Knight Crenshaw Alice Crotwell

Dr. and Mrs. Randall Currie Bethanie and Jerry DeFatta Andrew Dews Patricia Faler Racheal Fowler James and Lauren Gerhart Phillip Brian Goe Cheryl Goggin Nancy Guice in memory of Dr. John D. W. Guice Julie Hammond Benjamin Hardy Gene Hortman Elizabeth Hughes Dr. Luis A. Iglesias Dr. and Mrs. Richard A. Johnson Rosi and Dex Johnson Nicolle Jordan and Tom O’Brien Ivonne Kawas Lorinda S. Krhut Linda and Mike Kuykendall Drs. Maryann Kyle and Jay Dean in memory of Jack and Sara Dean Dr. Francis Laatsch and Susan Reiter Marcia M. Landen Vicki R. Leggett Kelly Ferris Lester Mr. John Logan Melinda and Alan Lucas Marcos Machado Jackie and Milo McCarthy Bill McHugh Jackie and Ben McIlwain Ellen McKenzie Mary Virginia McKenzie Bill and Bebe McLeod in memory of Dr. John A. McLeod III Margaret and Larry McMahan Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Messer Jr. in honor of Dr. Mike Lopinto Louise and John Meyer Danilo Mezzadri Dr. Mark Miller Deborah and Steve Moore Kathryn and Robert Morrow in honor of Rob Wheeler John and Mary Mullins in honor of Jim Meade Astrid Mussiett in memory of Gladys S. Mussiett Heath Nobles Hal and Teresa Odom Dr. Roderick and Eula Posey Charles and Anita Price Ellen Price-Elder Jann and George Puckett in honor of DeAnna Douglas Mr. and Mrs. William K. Ray Sherrie Mitchell Richmond Mark Rigsby and Melanie Eubanks Marc Edward Rivet Barbara Ann Ross Ellen Ruffin Dr. Jae-Hwa Shin and Dr. Richard Lewis Carol and Ken Simpson David Sliman Mike and Michelle Smith Tayvi Smith Lorraine A. Stuart Barbara and Sidney Sytsma Dr. Timothy J. Tesh Jennifer Torres Sharon and Carey Varnado Lisa and Greg Vickers Jacqueline and Michael Vlaming Brittney Westbrook Aissa Wiggins Larry G. Williamson

FRIEND - $50 Michael Aderibigbe Nikki Acord Kimberly Ainsworth Dr. Jenna and Mr. Daniel Barton Richard Edward Beckford Elizabeth and Chris Bedenbaugh Kaylene Behm in memory of Dennis Behm Cindy Bivins Day Bookout Dr. Cherie and Mr. Lance Bowe Chris and Lisa Bowen Dr. and Mrs. Bob Brahan Lauren Bridges Rashonda Brown-Hughes Joe Brumbeloe Joanne Burnett William Byars Kathy and Ben Carmichael Stephanie and Matthew Casey in memory of Anna Marie Pousson Dr. Adam Clay Darcie Conrad Brooke Cruthirds John Cummings Mr. and Mrs. Charles Daughdrill Melissa Jean David Becky Pruett Denham Dannika Dewhurst Diane Dobson Mary and Steve Dryden Helen Edwards Kelly Ellis Elissa Ernst Carol and Gardner Fletcher Barbara Jane Foote Andrea Ford David Fortenberry Olivia Clare Friedman Emily and Joel Gallaspy in memory of Jane Bradley Gorman Gamma Chi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi Jennifer and John Garriga Monika Gehlawat Melinda and Bob Gohlson Heather and Ken Graves in memory of Jeremy Lespi Jeff Greene Bruno D. Griffin Barbara L. Hamilton Diana and George Hardin Anita Hearon Frances B. Hegwood Dr. and Mrs. Wendell Helveston Brenda Hesselgrave Marsha Hester Mrs. Sarah and Dr. Eddie Holloway Emily and Dale Holmes Wanda J. Howard in memory of Mrs. Beth Curlee Cheryl D. Jenkins Jane W. Jones Lisa Jones Dr. and Mrs. Charles Junek Kailey Kemp Simpson H. Kendall Penny and Gene Kochtitzky Wendy Kulzer Karl Langenbach in memory of Betty Langenbach Karen LeBeau Hsiaopei Lee Linde and Jeff Lynn Jessica Magee Kelli McCloskey Judi McQueen Robert Angus McTyre

Medley Law Group Holly Miller Kristie Murphy Caroline Neese Christa Nelson Chuck Nestor in memory of Dr. Charles Nestor Sr. Katherine Olexa Kathy Owens Mr. and Mrs. Ken T. Pace Robert Pierce Kathy and Peter Pikul Amy Rogers Pelton in memory of Betty C. Rogers Morris James Pettis in memory of Linda C. Pettis Nellie and Charles Phillips Mr. and Mrs. Zeke W. Powell Jr. Ashley Price Lt. Col. Sheena Puleali’I and Dr. Katlyn Woods Charles Ray Jackie and Eric Ray Julie Reid Dr. Alexander Russakovsky Richard Mark Russell Rosalie and Bill Schoell Elizabeth and Scott Schwartz Allie and Chris Seay Linda Seifert Erin Sessions Ann and Bill Simmons Valerie C. Simmons Dana William Skelton Carroll and Dura Smith Blaise Sonnier Rebecca G. Stark Joseph Steadman Edward N. Stephens Virginia and Kenneth Stevens William K. Stevens Katie and David Sullivan Sally and Garland Sullivan in memory of Garland H. Williams Hayden Tharpe Gabby Theriot Janet and Pat Tidmore David Tisdale Joanne Tran Susannah J. Ural and John Rasberry in memory of Dr. William F. Ural Krystyna Varnado Betty Lynn and Joe Ed Varner in memory of Virginia H. Culpepper Kisha Welford Anne G. Wilkins in memory of Bert Wilkins Cory R. Williams Dr. John Wooton As of August 29, 2024

If you would like to join PFTA, visit usm.edu/partners-arts.

To request a correction to this list, contact Kate Smith, Partners for the Arts, at 601.266.5095 or kate.smith@usm.edu.

ENDOWMENTS When it comes to making a long-term impact on Southern Miss, there are many giving options to choose from besides simply writing a check.

To find a charitable gift that best meets your family's goals and supports Southern Miss for years to come, please contact us and join this family that will sustain the Symphony for generations.

Edna and Dave Perkins Endowed Scholarship in Strings

Beau Rivage Orchestral Chair Scholarship

Harry Wells McCraw Violin Scholarship Endowment

Mary Jordan Symphony Orchestra Scholarship Endowment

Harold Luce Orchestra Scholarship Endowment June Ross Vardaman Violin Chair Orchestra Endowment John P. and Ellen Moseley Scholarship Endowment Hilda and George McGee Endowed Music Scholarship Tennessee Ernie Ford Music Scholarship Endowment Tom and Claire Brantley Trombone Scholarship William T. Gower Orchestra Scholarship Endowment Mississippi Orchestra Teachers Association – Sara Dean Music Scholarship Endowment Jamie Jimenez Endowed Cellist Scholarship

Gertrude C. Ford Orchestra Scholars Endowment Chisholm-Lindsey Orchestra Chair Scholarship Endowment Garland and Sally Sullivan Symphony Orchestra Brass Scholarship Endowment Herbert Allen Hart Symphony Percussion Endowment Allen Hale Southern Mississippi Symphony String Scholarship Endowment Jay Dean USM Symphony Woodwind Scholarship Endowment Hattiesburg Civic Association Orchestra Scholarship Endowment

Partners for the Arts Orchestra Scholarship Endowment

Mary Bess Matthews Memorial Orchestral Annual Scholarship

Elizabeth M. Irby Orchestral Chair Scholarship Endowment

Jay Dean International Music Scholarship Endowment

John N. Palmer Foundation Orchestral Scholarship Endowment

Joe B. Price Horn Scholarship Endowment

Richard Fabian and Katherin Smith McCarthy Violin Scholarship Endowment Hattiesburg Coca-Cola Symphony String Scholarship Endowment Orpheus Orchestral Scholarship Endowment Voice of the Century Centennial Orchestra Scholarship Endowment Rebecca Smart Montague Symphony Scholarship Endowment J. Larry and Linda B. Smith Music Scholarship Endowment

The University of Southern Mississippi Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to serving the University community by overseeing fundraising efforts to raise private support for scholarships and other academic needs at Southern Miss. The Foundation manages donor dollars to provide the most advanced educational opportunities available to students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of Southern Miss.

CONTACT

Amy Antoinette Batiste 601.266.6114 amy.batiste@usm.edu

‘Tis the S Holiday Choral Spectacular

Season!

December 3 and 5, 2024 Main St. Baptist Church Don’t miss this annual community celebration of the season with choir and orchestra. Featuring several ensembles within Southern Miss Choral Activities, including the Southern Chorale, Southern Miss Concert Choir, and Southern Miss’ pop a cappella ensemble, Spirit of Southern, the program also includes area high school and middle school choirs in an audience favorite kick off to the holidays!

UPCOMING Holiday Choral Spectacular December 3 and 5, 2024 Main St. Baptist Church

Future Stars

March 13, 2025 – 7:30 p.m.

Thomas V. Fraschillo Stage at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center PROGRAM Ivette Herryman-Rodriguez – Un danzón a mi manera William T. Gower Concerto Competition Winners Igor Stravinsky – Petrushka

Season Finale

Majestic Sibelius

April 24, 2025 – 7:30 p.m.

Thomas V. Fraschillo Stage at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center PROGRAM Jessie Montgomery – Starburst Jean Sibelius – Violin Concerto featuring Borislava Iltcheva Kareem Roustom – Ramal Jean Sibelius – Symphony No. 7 in C EOE/F/M/VETS/DISABILITY

EOE/F/M/VETS/DISABILITY