Uncharted Territory - Southern Miss Symphony Orchestra 2021-22 Season

THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

uncharted territory 102nd SEASON I 2021-22

THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA I 102nd SEASON I 2021-22

Light in this never-ending shade (from Amanda Gorman’s The Hill We Climb)

The best way out is always through (from Robert Frost’s A Servant to Servants)

Reclaiming my time (a quote from Rep. Maxine Waters)

Peace on Earth

(a descant lyric from Bing Crosby and David Bowie’s duet, The Little Drummer Boy)

By the people, for the people (from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address)

Nevertheless, she persisted (quote referencing Sen. Elizabeth Warren)

…and justice for all (from the Pledge of Allegiance)

uncharted territory

Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past.

Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.

- John F. Kennedy

Welcome back! We certainly have missed you, and we hope you have missed us as well. We have always believed that live performance art adds value to our lives, but the past 18 months have proven that to be the case. We are so pleased to be able to provide you with live orchestra music again, and our students have never appreciated the value of your presence as much as they will this season.

The last 18 months have left us all asking, “How do we move forward?” As we return to “normal,” we recognize that we return to a world that has been turned on its head by a series of events unprecedented in our lifetimes.

The pandemic shook our will and made some question their belief in science and facts. An insurrection at our very own Capitol reminded us that our democracy is certainly unfinished. A series of social and racial injustices reminded us we still have so much work to do. Climate change and climate-related catastrophes reminded us that we need to do more to preserve our world for our children and grandchildren.

So, as we come out of the dark of the pandemic and into the light again, we enter uncharted territory.

We enter a world that is very different than it was just two years ago. This USM Symphony Orchestra Season is an acknowledgment that we are in uncharted territory on many different fronts stretching across all social, political, economic and racial spectra. Each season series concert theme is identified by a quote that relates to one or more of the challenges we now face as a civilization, and the music chosen for each concert also relates to that quote. Our final concert of the season, …and justice for all, is the centerpiece of a week-long series of events that will shine a light on the social justice issues in our country and community.

We have an incredibly diverse and entertaining season for you this year. You will hear everything from epic Shostakovich symphonies to bluegrass and pop music. We have major guest artists on every program as we continue our mission of “Bringing the World to Mississippi.” We are so very excited to be back performing for a live audience and training our students to be the best performers in the world. We want to thank you for all of your support over the past year as we live-streamed our concerts, but you can’t imagine the hole it leaves in your soul to finish a wonderful performance and have no one there to applaud and appreciate your effort. The silence is deafening.

We are all looking forward to that moment when your hands come together in uproarious applause in appreciation for our wonderful students.

That will be a large step in healing all of our souls.

We would like to thank all of our faithful patrons for your patience during the pandemic by including a discount of one free concert in the season ticket price!

See you at the Symphony!

Dr. Michael A. Miles Music Director

OPENING NIGHT

Light in this never-ending shade Featuring Christopher Moore and Mark Clodfelter, Trumpets

September 30, 2021, 7:30 p.m.

Bennett Auditorium PROGRAM Fanfare for the Common Man – Copland Appalachian Spring – Copland Carmen Variations – Bizet, arr. Hunsberger The Symphony Orchestra opens its 2021-22 season with a moving night of hope and new beginnings. No piece of music sets the scene for the dawning of a new day filled with the hope of things to come and the insecurity of what the future brings better than Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring. The music depicts the story of a newly married Shaker couple, and their community’s support for a happy life together embodies the hope and apprehension we all have as we move forward into uncharted territory. The evening begins with the triumphant Fanfare for the Common Man, and trumpeters Christopher Moore and Mark Clodfelter bring the night to a fiery close with Carmen Variations, a medley of the best known melodies from Bizet’s opera comique.

Clodfelter

Moore

TICKETS 800.844.8425 601.266.5418 usm.edu/symphony

The best way out is always through Hänsel und Gretel

Presented by the Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company October 28 and 30, 2021, 7:30 p.m.

Mannoni Performing Arts Center Auditorium The Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company presents a new take on Humperdinck’s famed opera that tells the story of two children who become lost in a dark and mysterious forest. In the middle of nowhere, they come across a gingerbread house festooned with candy and sweets, a confectionery castle of delectable delights, which holds a dark secret that threatens their very lives. Using their wit, and each other, the two children outsmart an evil witch and make their escape from the forest. With its beautiful, folk-music inspired themes, including the famous “Evening Prayer,” this opera will delight and charm audiences of all ages.

TICKETS 800.844.8425 601.266.5418 usm.edu/symphony

Reclaiming my time

Featuring Time for Three

November 11, 2021, 7:30 p.m.

Mannoni Performing Arts Center Auditorium PROGRAM Don Juan – Strauss Time for Three selections The Symphony Orchestra welcomes the young, talented and energetic string trio, Time for Three, for an evening that will have you dancing in the aisles!

Defying convention and boundaries, Time For Three stands at the busy intersection of Americana, modern pop and classical music. To experience them live is to hear the various eras, styles and traditions of Western music fold in on themselves and emerge anew. You will be treated to a unique blend of artistry, singing and dancing while performing classical, blue grass, pop and all other genres of music in a fast-paced and energetic show that will leave you cheering, Encore! The Symphony sets the stage for the evening with Richard Strauss’ programmatic and humorous tone poem, Don Juan.

Time for Three

TICKETS 800.844.8425 601.266.5418 usm.edu/symphony

Peace on Earth

Holiday Choral Spectacular November 30 and December 1, 2021, 7:30 p.m.

Main Street Baptist Church A spectacular return of the kickoff to the holiday season!

Your Symphony Orchestra is joined by The University of Southern Mississippi Choral Activities, and area high school singers as they collaborate in our annual community celebration!

TICKETS 800.844.8425 601.266.5418 usm.edu/symphony

By the people, for the people

Featuring Joseph Alessi and Ben McIlwain, Trombone, and the William T. Gower Concerto Competition Winners February 19, 2022, 7:30 p.m.

Bennett Auditorium PROGRAM Gower Competition Winners Concerto for Trombone – Albrechtsberger Concerto for Two Trombones – Molla In our first concert of the spring, we honor the memory of one of the most influential conductors of the Symphony Orchestra by presenting three winners of the annual William T. Gower Concerto Competition in performance with the Symphony. Also, we welcome a very special guest artist, the principal trombonist from the New York Philharmonic, Joseph Alessi. He will perform the Concerto for Trombone by Johann Albrechtsberger and will be joined by our very own professor of trombone, Dr. Ben McIlwain, in Ricardo Molla’s Concerto for Two Trombones.

Alessi

McIlwain

TICKETS 800.844.8425 601.266.5418 usm.edu/symphony

Nevertheless, she persisted

Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5: The Musical

Presented by the Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company March 3-5, 2022, 7:30 p.m.

Mannoni Performing Arts Center Auditorium Dolly Parton’s smash-hit musical is the most fun you’ll have at the theatre all year!

With a rip-roaring score by the Queen of Country, 9 to 5: The Musical tells the story of three workmates pushed to the boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. Concocting a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on their despicable supervisor, will the ladies manage to reform their office or will events unravel when the CEO pays an unexpected visit?

Inspired by the iconic ’80s film and brought to you by Dolly herself, this hilarious new production is about teaming up, standing up and taking care of business!

TICKETS 800.844.8425 601.266.5418 usm.edu/symphony

SEASON FINALE

…and justice for all

Featuring Xavier Foley, Bass and John Uzodinma, Violin April 21, 2022, 7:30 p.m.

Bennett Auditorium PROGRAM For Justice and Peace – Foley Symphony No. 10, op. 93 in E minor – Shostakovich

In our season finale, the USM Symphony Orchestra recognizes the monumental challenges of social justice in our country. As the centerpiece of a week of activities bringing attention to social and racial justice issues, the Symphony Orchestra is joined by Sphinx Competition winner and Avery Fisher Grant recipient, Xavier Foley. Mr. Foley is a double bass soloist, composer and social justice activist. He will be joined by our own John Uzodinma on violin performing Foley’s composition For Justice and Peace.

The Symphony Orchestra continues the theme of the week performing Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10 – the first of his symphonies written after the oppressive Stalin regime had ended. In this work we hear the full range of Shostakovich’s enormous talent free of the suppression of the communist bloc.

Foley

Uzodinma

TICKETS 800.844.8425 601.266.5418 usm.edu/symphony

music director

Dr. Michael Miles is a unique brand of musician whose career includes a blend of musical and academic positions. Dr. Miles’ academic career includes appointments at Western Carolina University and Florida International University. He also served for seven years as chair at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and six years as Director of the School of Music at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Dr. Miles’ interest in arts advocacy and education in the community has led him to administrative positions in several community and state organizations. He served on the Hattiesburg Concert Association staff, and as Executive Director and founder of the Red River Arts Academy, an intensive summer arts training experience for students 14-18 years of age. Dr. Miles also served eight years as President of the Board of Directors of the Red River Arts Council in Durant, Oklahoma.

Dr. Miles’ appreciation for all forms and styles of music are evident in the variety of performing, conducting and music directing positions he has enjoyed. As a trumpet artist Dr. Miles has performed with dozens of symphony orchestras as featured soloist and principal trumpet, and released a compact disc recording of new music for trumpet and piano by Robert Suderburg and James Wintle titled Reflections in Times’ Mirror. In addition to his current duties as Director of Orchestral Activities at Southern Miss, Miles’ conducting appointments include Music Director of the Hattiesburg Civic Light Opera Company, Music Director of the Oklahoma Youth Symphonies, and Music Director of the Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival.

Miles recently conducted the USM Chamber Orchestra in its Carnegie Hall debut and served as Guest Conductor of the Festival Orchestra at the

ORDER NOW

We would like to thank all of our faithful patrons for your patience during the pandemic by including a discount of one free concert in the season ticket price!

V Clinicas Instrumentalis in Cartegena, Columbia.

In 2013, Dr. Miles served as guest conductor with The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra backing the legendary Beach Boys at the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. Dr. Miles has also served as guest conductor with the Xinghia Conservatory Orchestra of Guangzhou, China, Vidin (Bulgaria) Philharmonic, Springfield Symphony, Tulsa Philharmonic, Tallahassee Symphony, New Mexico University Symphony and Oklahoma Youth Orchestra.

In his career, Dr. Miles has served as music director/conductor for over 190 musical theater performances involving 55 different musical theater productions, including the recent highly acclaimed Southern Miss productions of The Drowsy Chaperone, The Phantom of the Opera, Magic of the Musical Stage, West Side Story, Mary Poppins, Ragtime, Showbiz Showstoppers, Showbiz Harmony and Sweeney Todd.

Dr. Miles served as music director of HCLO’s recent productions of Into the Woods, Cabaret, Wizard of Oz, Camelot, and Tommy. Dr. Miles also served as chorus master for the Hub City Players production of Rock of Ages, and music director for their production of James and the Giant Peach. The Phantom of the Opera and James and the Giant Peach productions were awarded the prestigious American Prize for Musical Theater in 2018.

In his tenure at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Dr. Miles led an award-winning Jazz Ensemble that was recognized by the Oklahoma State Legislature as the “Official Jazz Ambassadors of Oklahoma.” This ensemble made three concert tours of the People’s Republic of China.

SEASON TICKETS PLATINUM $160 includes one concert free!

GOLD $140 includes one concert free!

SILVER $110 includes one concert free!

Service Fee $5

Please have your credit card ready and be ready to choose: • Hansel and Gretel on October 28 or 30, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.

• Holiday Choral Spectacular on November 30 or December 1, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.

• 9 to 5 on March 3, 4 or 5, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.

Individual tickets go on sale September 1.

ONLINE southernmisstickets.com Click on SOUTHERN MISS ARTS EVENTS, then SYMPHONY SEASON and select your events.

PHONE 800.844.8425 or 601.266.5418 IN PERSON Southern Miss Ticket Office Pat Ferlise Center W. Fourth Street and Golden Eagle Avenue

Nonprofit Organization US Postage Paid Hattiesburg, MS 39402 Permit No. 148

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 118 College Drive #5081 Hattiesburg, MS 39406

EOE/F/M/VETS/DISABILITY

usm.edu/symphony