Dear Mason Music Family,
Happy New Year! We are excited to launch our Spring 2022 Dewberry Faculty Artist Series with free Sunday concerts in Harris Theater on February 13, 20, 27 and March 6. We are also pleased to announce our Spring Concert Series featuring our outstanding instrumental and vocal ensembles within the Dewberry School of Music. We are thrilled to present the Mason Jazz Festival on Saturday, February 26th with a closing concert by the United States Army Blues Jazz Ensemble.
We are so very proud of our 23 Dewberry School of Music graduates who were recently honored at the University Winter Graduation Ceremony (12 undergraduate degrees in music, 8 masters degrees in music, 1 graduate certificate, and 2 doctor of musical arts degrees). Congratulations to our newest Mason Music Alumni!
We are pleased to welcome Emily Craine as our new full-time Audition and Recruitment Coordinator for our School of Music! We are proud of our Mason Music faculty and student delegation that recently attended the JEN (Jazz Educator Network) Conference in Dallas and the VMEA (Virginia Music Educator Association) conference in Norfolk.
We look forward to the start of our new spring semester. We move forward, albeit cautiously due to the ongoing challenges of Covid. We remain committed and intent on our mission to deliver a transformative and world-class education to our music students.
With my best wishes for health, safety, and beautiful music,
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Dr. Linda A. Monson, Director
Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music
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Spring 2022 Dewberry
Faculty Artist Series
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Spring 2022 Concert Series |
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Mason Jazz Festival
Saturday, February 26th
George Mason University Fairfax Campus
The Mason Jazz Festival is an invitational event open to middle school, high school, collegiate and community Jazz ensembles. This festival will take place Saturday, February 26, 2022 on the George Mason University Fairfax campus.
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Welcome to New Audition and Recruitment Coordinator |
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We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Emily Craine as our new Audition and Recruitment Coordinator! A Mason alum, Ms. Craine has most recently been serving as the Manager of Music Education and Community Engagement for the Jacksonville Symphony, Florida. She oversaw the Jacksonville Symphony’s six youth orchestras, coordinated music education programs, organized auditions, maintained the scholarship database, and assisted in the organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
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Kudos to Our Recent Graduates! (Honored December 2021) |
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Congratulations to Mason Director of Percussion Studies John Kilkenny (pictured above left), who has recently accepted the position of Executive Director of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera (effective March 1st). We are thrilled for this new opportunity for Prof. Kilkenny and are deeply grateful for his many contributions to Mason's School of Music.
We are pleased to announce that Prof. Jon Bisesi (pictured above right) will assume the role of Interim Director of Percussion at Mason (effective March 1st). Prof. Bisesi will be directing the Percussion Ensemble as well as teaching applied percussion lessons.
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Earlier this month, Mason jazz percussion faculty Dr. Kevin McDonald presented his research at the annual Jazz Education Network conference in Dallas, TX! His research presentation was titled "Hearing the American Civil Rights Movement in the Music of Max Roach". |
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Mason Students Attend
JEN Conference
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The Dewberry School of Music Jazz Studies Area was well represented at the Jazz Education Network conference in Dallas, Texas. Thanks to Dr. Darden Purcell, Director of Jazz Studies, and to our jazz students Allan Fogelson, Nathan Hockey, Dominique Bianco, Raymond Mason, and Gabe Martinez for attending! |
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Mason Students Attend
VMEA Conference
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In November 2021, our music education students had the wonderful opportunity to attend the annual Virginia Music Educator's Association conference in Norfolk, VA! Dr. Charles Ciorba, Director of Music Education, asked our students about their experiences:
"Attending VMEA has always been a highly educational experience and this year was no different. Each session is unique, and the presenters offer a different perspective on the many aspects of music education. From instrument repair to classroom management, there is something for every music education student to learn!" - Zoey Lamb, Senior
"I had a great time at VMEA! It was nice to hear perspectives and learn from teachers throughout the state of Virginia. I learned a TON and I can’t wait until next year!" - Robert Katz, Junior
"I had such an amazing time getting to attend the 2021 VMEA conference this fall. I learned so much about the world of music education and enjoyed connecting with the amazing music educators that were in attendance." - Lily Chartrain, Senior
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Mason Arts in
the Community
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Annandale High School teacher Annie Ray works with Kevin Juramillo, on right,
as Max Fay, on left, watches. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)
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A recent Washington Post article, highlighting the power of music for children with special needs, featured an outstanding music educator who worked with the Mason Community Arts Academy "Instruments in the Attic" program. Our School of Music is deeply grateful for Jason and Jenna Day [Day Violins] for their partnership with our Music Education strings program. Read this powerful and heart-warming article here.
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