Dear Mason Music Family,

Please join us for fabulous concerts this week featuring our Dewberry School of Music students and faculty. We hope to see you this Thursday, April 24 for our Mason Wind Symphony Concert featuring "Niagara Falls" by composer Michael Daugherty. Purchase tickets now for an unforgettable evening of outstanding music by our Mason Wind Symphony! 

Mason Opera presents "27", an opera depicting Gertrude Stein by American composer Ricky Ian Gordon from April 25-27 in Mason's Harris Theater (Fairfax campus). We are thrilled to announce that composer Ricky Ian Gordan will be joining us for the four Mason Opera performances this weekend. Please purchase your tickets now for this memorable Mason Opera production, accompanied by our Mason Symphony Orchestra.

Celebrate International Jazz Day on April 30 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center (Manassas) with performances by the Mason Jazz Ensemble and the Mason Jazz Workshop. Tickets are still available for this exciting International Jazz Day concert. 

The Mason Concert Orchestra and the Mason Symphony Orchestra (MSO) are proud to present their final concert of the spring term on Monday, May 5 at 8 pm in Mason's Center for the Arts. This thrilling concert features the MSO performing Ravel, Saint-Saens, and Cosma concerti with soloists/winners of the Dewberry School of Music Concerto Competition as well as the brilliant Capriccio Espangol by Rimsky-Korsakov. 

We are pleased to announce our Dewberry School of Music Honors Recital will be on Saturday, May 10 at 8 pm in Harris Theatre. Our Honors Recital showcases our amazing Mason Music Students including solo and small ensemble performances with piano, voice, strings, woodwind, and brass instruments.

We invite you to join us for our many Dewberry School of Music student recitals, small ensemble performances, and special community performances. Your presence and support are deeply appreciated. 

May the music continue to inspire and uplift!

Dr. Linda A. Monson, Director

Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music

Spring 2025 Concert Series

Mason Wind Symphony Concert

Niagara Falls: A Journey Through Power,

Reflection and Motion

Thursday, April 24 at 8:00 p.m.

Center for the Arts Concert Hall

Embark on a musical journey through both natural and emotional forces at Niagara Falls, a program capturing the boundless energy of human expression and the unstoppable power of nature.

The evening begins with "Shoutout" by Roshanne Etezady, an exhilarating fanfare that bursts onto the stage with vibrant energy. Built around a rhythmic motif that mimics the articulation of its title, this piece celebrates motion, community, and momentum, setting an electrifying tone for the concert.

Vittorio Giannini’s Symphony No. 3 follows, a masterwork that bridges neoclassical tradition with the expressive depth of the modern wind ensemble. Rich in sweeping lyricism and intricate motivic development, the symphony moves through moments of elegance, intensity, and brilliance, culminating in a dazzling finale that demands virtuosity from every musician.

John Mackey’s "Some Treasures Are Heavy with Human Tears" shifts the program’s tone to one of deep introspection. Written in response to the 2019 Dayton, Ohio tragedy, this poignant work is not a literal retelling but rather an abstract meditation on grief, loss, and resilience. Through delicate oscillations, haunting melodies, and a powerful emotional climax, Mackey’s music offers a moving reflection on how we process and cope with unimaginable sorrow.

Closing the concert is "Niagara Falls" by Michael Daugherty, a whirlwind of sound inspired by the iconic waterfall’s sheer force and its surrounding tourist spectacle. This cinematic work surges with pulsing rhythms, gothic chromaticism, and blues-infused counterpoint, propelling listeners on a thrilling musical ride that mirrors the power and grandeur of the falls themselves.

Join us for an unforgettable evening as we traverse landscapes of energy, introspection, and unrelenting motion at Niagara Falls—a concert that surges with life.

Tickets: $15 General Public, $10 Seniors, $5 Students

Mason Opera presents "27",

An Opera by Ricky Ian Gordon

Friday, April 25 at 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 26 at 2:00 and 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 27 at 3:00 p.m.

Harris Theatre

Mason Opera presents "27" An Opera by American Composer Ricky Ian Gordon from April 25-27. "American Writer, Gertrude Stein and her wife, Alice B. Toklas weather two wars in their famed Paris at 27 Rue de Fleurus. As the paintings sing, we meet Picasso, Matisse, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and others among the great artists and writers that Stein hosted and mentored." We are thrilled to announce that composer Ricky Ian Gordan will be joining us for the performances! This is a performance you won't want to miss!

Professor Patricia Miller, Producer; Professor Richard Leech, Director;

Dr. Soo Han, Music Director

Tickets: $20 General public, $15 Seniors, and $5 Students

International Jazz Day Concert

Wednesday, April 30 at 8:00 p.m.

Hylton Performing Arts Center

Share the vibrancy and vitality of jazz music with Mason Jazz students and faculty on April 30! George Mason University, Jazz Studies celebrates International Jazz Day with performances by the Mason Jazz Ensemble (Jim Carroll) and The Jazz Workshop (John Kocur).

The Mason Jazz Ensemble, directed by Jim Carroll, offers opportunities for improvisation, performance, recording, writing, leadership and service. This ensemble has performed at venues including the Shanghai Concert Hall (Beijing, China), Center for the Arts, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Jazz4Justice™ concerts, Blues Alley, Chantilly Jazz Festival, Law Day and the Jazz Education Network/ JENerations Jazz Festival (New Orleans, LA and Orlando, FL).

The Jazz Workshop explores the intersection of improvisation and composition in an atypical jazz ensemble. The Jazz Workshop big band, directed by John Kocur, performs music by Charles Mingus, Horace Silver, Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, Thad Jones, Benny Carter, Mike Tomaro, Alan Baylock, Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich, Burt Bacharach, Count Basie, Neal Hefti and many others.

Tickets: $15 General Public, $10 Seniors, $5 Students

Mason Symphony Orchestra

Concerto Competition Winners

Monday, May 5 at 8:00 p.m.

Center for the Arts Concert Hall

The Mason Orchestras are proud to present the final performance of the 24-25 season. The Mason Concert Orchestra will perform a variety of works ranging from a classical era symphony composed by Joseph Bologne to a Swedish contemporary vocal tune learned by rote. The Mason Symphony Orchestra will feature three winners of the 2025 Mason Concerto Competition: Bolun Zhang (piano) will perform the third movement of Saint-Saëns' Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor; Nathan Plapinger (euphonium) will perform the first movement of Cosma's Euphonium Concerto; and Kai Shi (piano) will perform the first movement of Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major.

The MSO will conclude the season with the brilliantly entertaining Capriccio Espangol by Rimsky-Korsakov. We're excited to share one more evening celebrating the hard work of our students to conclude the 24-25 academic year!

Tickets: $15 General Public, $10 Seniors, $5 Students

Concerto Competition Winners for May 5 Concert

Bolun Zhang, pianist, is pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance in the Dewberry School of Music at George Mason University, under the tutelage of Dr. Linda Apple Monson, International Steinway Artist. Bolun serves as a Graduate Assistant in Collaborative Piano at Mason, where he works with many singers and instrumentalists throughout the Dewberry School. He has enjoyed many solo piano performance opportunities at Mason, including the Grand Piano Celebration, Arts by George, Dewberry School of Music Honors Recital, and Friends of Music at Mason Musicales. Bolun is particularly thrilled to perform as soloist with the Mason Symphony Orchestra in Saint-Saens Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor. 

Bolun earned his master’s degree in piano performance in the Boyer College of Music at Temple University, Philadelphia. He was invited to participate in an interview on Channel 6 ABC as a graduate student of Dr. Charles Abramovic, Chair of Keyboard Studies at Temple University. A native of Inner Mongolia, Bolun earned his bachelor’s degree in piano performance at Tianjin Conservatory of Music. He won second prize in the Hong Kong International Piano Invitation Competition, second prize in the Macao-Asia Pacific Youth Piano Competition, and second prize in the International Piano/Voice Point Festival Competition in Westminster Choir College in recent years. 

Nathaniel Plapinger, euphoniumist, is pursuing a master's degree in performance at the Dewberry School of Music of George Mason University, where he is a student of Dr. Mark Jenkins, Principal Euphonium of the United States Marine Band. Nate's most recent accomplishments include winning the GMU Orchestra Concerto Competition, semifinalist at the U.S. Marine Band audition, finalist at the U.S. Coast Guard Band audition, and finalist at the U.S. Army Field Band audition.

A native of Portland, Oregon, Nate earned his bachelor’s degree at The University of North Texas, where he studied with Dr. Brian Bowman, former euphonium soloist with the Air Force Band, Navy Band, and Bicentennial Band. His other influential teachers include Fred Sautter, Dr. Patrick Nyren, Thomas Ruedi, and Timothy Heichelheim. In his final year at UNT, he was the youngest semifinalist at the 2016 Army Ceremonial Band audition. Following his graduation from UNT, Nate was a euphoniumist in the U.S. Navy Fleet Bands, where he was stationed in Naples, Italy, and Newport Rhode Island. During his time in the U.S. Navy Fleet Band, he performed in over 15 countries.

Kai Shi, pianist, is a second-year Doctor of Musical Arts candidate in Piano Performance at George Mason University, where he is privileged to be taught and mentored by Dr. Linda Apple Monson, Steinway Artist and Director of the Dewberry School of Music. Kai also serves as a Collaborative Piano Graduate Assistant at Mason, working closely with vocalists and instrumentalists in the Dewberry School of Music. Kai holds a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of South Florida and a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from Shandong Normal University.

During his time at George Mason University, he has performed at prestigious venues and events such as the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, the Chinese Embassy Spring Festival Gala, the Grand Piano Celebration in Mason's Center for the Arts, 2024 Dewberry School of Music Honors Recital, Arts by George, and musicales for the Friends of Music at Mason. He has also participated in master classes with Christopher O’Riley, Jeffrey Siegel, Brian Ganz, and Jeremy Denk while at Mason. He is particularly thankful to have the opportunity to perform Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major with the Mason Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Soo Han. 

Kai’s dedication and talent have earned him numerous honors and awards, including recognition in the Shandong Province Piano Competition, the Qilu Instruments Competition, and the Prime Golden Bell Awards in Shandong Province. His piano performances have taken him to multiple cities in Asia and throughout the United States, showcasing his solo piano and collaborative piano artistry to diverse audiences.

Honors Recital

Solo and Chamber Student Artists

Saturday, May 10 at 8:00 p.m.

We are pleased to announce our Dewberry School of Music Honors Recital will be on Saturday, May 10 at 8:00 p.m. in Harris Theatre. Our Honors Recital showcases our amazing Mason Music Students including solo and small ensemble performances with piano, voice, strings, woodwind, and brass instruments. These outstanding student artists (soloists and chamber musicians) have been selected for this prestigious Honors Recital by audition.

Free and open to the public. MUSI 300 Credit offered.

Small Ensemble Concerts

Mason Jazz Combos and Steel Pan Concert

Wednesday, April 23 at 8:00 p.m.

Center for the Arts Concert Hall



Combo 338/Combo 217 (directed by Wade Beach) and the Steel Pan Ensemble (directed by Victor Provost) perform their spring 2025 concert!

Wednesday, April 23 at 8:00 p.m. in the Center for the Arts Concert Hall.

This performance is free and open to the public. MUSI 300 Credit offered.

Guitar Ensemble Concert

Sunday, April 27 at 2:00 p.m.

deLaski 3001

Our Dewberry School of Music Guitar Ensemble Concert will be on Sunday, April 27 at 2:00 p.m. featuring Mason Music Guitar Students. The Guitar Ensemble is directed by Prof. Matt Trkula, Professor of Classical Guitar. Free and Open to the Public.

MUSI 300 credit offered.

Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Concert

Friday, May 2 at 7:00 p.m.

Center for the Arts Lobby

Piano Chamber Ensemble Concerts

Friday, May 2 at 6:00 p.m. &

Sunday, May 4 at 4:00 p.m.

Choral Room

The Piano Chamber Ensemble Concert on Friday, May 2 at 6:00 pm in The Choral Room will feature the students of Dr. Eunae Ko Han, Professor of Piano performing works by Brahms, Gregson, and Baroque ensemble pieces with Harpsichord.

The Piano Chamber Ensemble Concert on Sunday, May 4 at 4:00 pm in The choral Room will feature the students of Dr. Anna Balakerskaia, Professor of Piano and Chamber Music performing works by Moszkowski, Poulenc, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Saint-Saens, and Grieg.

Both concerts are free and open to the public. MUSI 300 credit.

Piano Studio Recital

Saturday, May 3 at 5:00 p.m.

deLaski 3001

The Piano Studio Recital on Saturday, May 3 at 5:00 p.m. in deLaski 3001 will feature students from the studio of Dr. Anna Balakerskaia performing piano works by Saint-Saëns, Chopin, Scriabin, Mozart, Ravel, Beethoven, and Rachmaninoff.

Free and Open to the Public.

MUSI 300 Credit Offered

MEME Ensemble Concert

Sunday, May 4 at 6:00 p.m.

deLaski 3001

Mason Electronic Music Ensemble (MEME), directed by Dr. Robert Gillam (Director of Music Technology), will present popular music arrangements, Metal, hip hop, electronic dance music, and original student compositions. This "laptop orchestra" concert is free and open to the public.  MUSI 300 credit is offered. 

String Studio Concert

Tuesday, May 6 at 6:00 p.m.

Harris Theatre

The String studio Concert on Tuesday, May 6 at 6:00 pm in Harris Theatre will feature the students of Professor June Huang, Director of Strings performing works by Mozart, Vieuxtemps, Kabalevsky, Kreisler with GaYoung Lee, Collaborative Pianist.

Free and open to the public.

MUSI 300 Credit.

String Chamber Concert

Tuesday, May 6 at 8:00 p.m.

Harris Theatre

The String Chamber Concert on Tuesday, May 6 at 8:00 pm in Harris Theatre will feature student performances of works by Smetana, Dvorak, and Moszkowski. Free and open to the public. MUSI 300 credit.

Community Events

Mason Jazz Ensemble

Tuesday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m.

Blues Alley, Washington D.C.

The Mason Jazz Ensemble, directed by Jim Carroll, performs at Washington D.C. historic Jazz club, BLUES ALLEY as part of the Big Band Jam educational week! The performance is on Tuesday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m. at Blues Alley and tickets are available to the public.

George Mason University Tuba/Euphonium and Mason Percussion Ensembles:

Saturday, April 26 at 8:00 p.m.

Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center

The George Mason University Tuba Euphonium and Percussion Ensembles collaboration will feature music from the World War II Era. Including: Hollywood influential tunes, ragtime, swing, patriotic, and two special selections--one by a prisoner of war and another by a new age composer.

This performance is part of Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts.

Free and open to the public.

Departmental Recitals and Events

Student Kudos

Christopher Bell wins 2025 Commencement

Fanfare Competition for University Commencement

The Mason Bands are excited to announce the 2025 Commencement Fanfare Competition Winner, Mr. Christopher Bell, for "Memory Cascades." Christopher's new work will be premiered at George Mason University's 2025 Commencement Exercises at Eagle Bank Arena on May 15, 2025. Christopher Bell is a Washington, D.C.-based composer and producer of opera, dance-theatre, and contemporary music. Christopher began an MM in Composition at George Mason University in Fall 2024. In May 2024, Christopher’s opera “Daughter of God” received a workshop performance at the Curtis Institute of Music. His works have been performed by LOAM, The Orchestra Now, Viano Quartet, George Miller, Joanne Evans, Kevin Newbury, New Dialect Dance Company, Chatterbird Ensemble, Studio 153 (Red Hook), Black Squirrel Club, and Interlochen Center for the Arts, among others. Christopher is a student of Dr. Andrea Reinkemeyer, Professor of Composition at George Mason University. The Mason Bands wish to thank Stellan Hinz, "Towards the Horizon" and Sebastian Perry, "Mile Six" for submitting compositions for this year's competition.