Notes from the Director
Dr. Linda A. Monson
Dear Mason School of Music Family,

Our Mason students have been busy performing locally, regionally, and internationally! We are so proud of our University Singers who returned last week from a successful series of concerts in Reykjavik, Iceland. Special thanks to Dr. Stanley Engebretson, Director of Mason Choral Activities, who organized and led our Singers and Friends on this amazing Northern Lights choral journey! Additionally, we are thrilled that four of our outstanding voice students were prize-winners  at the Mid-Atlantic Regional National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition last week. Kudos to Professor Patricia Miller, Director of Vocal Studies, for this phenomenal accomplishment! The Mason Tuba Euphonium ensemble, directed by Dr. Dave Porter, recently performed at the 2018 Mid-Atlantic Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Congratulations to Dr. Porter and our low brass area for this honor!

We are excited about the upcoming concert by the Mason Symphony Orchestra and the Virginia Chamber Orchestra on Wednesday, March 28th and by the terrific upcoming jazz concerts and masterclass, as highlighted in this newsletter. Please join us and know that your support of our Mason Music students truly makes a difference! 

Warm regards,
Dr. Linda Monson
Director, School of Music
Mason Symphony Orchestra Concert
Jazz at Mason
New York based Canadian singer, trumpeter and songwriter Bria Skonberg has been described as one of the “most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation” (Wall Street Journal). Recognized as one of 25 for the Future by DownBeat Magazine, Bria Skonberg has been a force in the new generation with her bold horn melodies and smoky vocals, and adventurous concoctions of classic and new. Read more.

Catch Bria Skonberg in concert with the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, directed by Prof. Jim Carroll, on March 31 in the Center for the Arts! Buy tickets.
University Singers in Iceland
The University Singers choral ensemble, led by Dr. Stan Engebretson, traveled to Iceland last week for their study abroad trip. They presented research and performance workshops/concerts in Reykjavik, Iceland over Mason's spring break while working with local choirs to create a global exchange, learning Icelandic music and customs.
Photo by Dr. Stan Engebretson
Choral performance at the Grafarvogskirkju Church where Mason's University Singers joined with members of the National Philharmonic Chorale to present works by Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, and traditional Celtic and Icelandic songs.
Iceland Travel Blog
Ashlyn Rock '18
"The most resonating and gratifying aspect of our travels was knowing that our music transcended beyond the boundaries of George Mason University." 
The University Singers perform impromptu at a church in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Mid-Atlantic Regional NATS Winners
National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS)
Mason Tuba Euphonium Ensemble at UNC Greensboro
The Mason Tuba Euphonium ensemble, directed by Dr. Dave Porter, recently performed at the 2018 Mid Atlantic Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference (MARTEC) at the University of North Carolina Greensboro.
Graduate student Chris Troiano, euphonium, conducts the ensemble at the
Mid Atlantic Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference.
Spotlight on Concerto Soloists
Six of our outstanding student performers were selected by competitive audition to perform as soloists with the Mason Symphony Orchestra in the  Scholarship Benefit Concert  on Sunday, May 6 at 7:00 PM in the Center for the Arts. Two of our winners will be featured in each of the upcoming newsletters!  Buy tickets.
Natalie Duchen
Natalie Duchen, soprano, is a second year graduate student pursuing a Master of Music in Vocal Performance at George Mason University in the studio of Dr. Kathryn Hearden. While at Mason she has performed the roles of Leila (Iolanthe) and The Dew Fairy (Hansel and Gretel) with Mason Opera and sang La Contessa (Le Nozze di Figaro) for the Mason Opera Scenes program. She can be seen in Mason Opera’s Spring 2018 production of Albert Herring as Cis. 
Linh Trinh An
Linh Trinh was born in Hanoi, Vietnam, and is currently a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate in piano performance at George Mason University where she is privileged to study with Dr. Linda Apple Monson. At age six, Linh became a piano student at the Hanoi Conservatory, now renamed the Vietnam National Academy of Music. Linh earned her bachelor’s degree in music with Cum Laude honors from St. Mary’s College of Maryland as a piano student of Brian Ganz. 
Save the Date: Project Trio
Monday, April 23
12:30-1:30 PM
de Laski Performing Arts Building Room 3001
Free, open to the public

Project Trio is a unique group working and teaching in the music world! The beat boxing flutist, cellist, and bassist perform and teach all over the world and are a fantastic example of the careers one can create in the field of music.
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