Dear Mason School of Music Family,

The School of Music is in full swing with fantastic concerts, lectures, masterclasses, lessons, ensemble rehearsals, and research projects. We are thrilled to have welcomed our largest class ever with 115 new music majors for our Fall 2018 semester. 

We hope you will join us this Sunday, September 23rd, 3 pm, as we kick off our School of Music Concert Series with our Grand Piano Celebration. Enjoy solo piano works by Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Liszt, Ginastera, and Lutoslawski, and chamber works featuring voice, clarinet, and piano, including Schubert's beloved "Shepherd on the Rock." The concert also include duo-piano works and compositions for 8 hands! Please enjoy a very brief excerpt from yesterday's rehearsal with four of our piano faculty.  

Watch video here

Our students and faculty are also busy preparing for Arts by George on September 29th, a not-to-be-missed event! Please purchase your tickets now! We look forward to sharing our music with you!

Warm regards,

Dr. Linda A. Monson

Director, School of Music

Grand Piano Celebration

Sunday, September 23, 3:00 pm, Center for the Arts

Mason Jazz Ensemble

Monday, September 24, 7:30 pm at Jammin Java

Watch the Mason Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Professor Jim Carroll with an exciting off-campus performance at Jammin Java. Full dinner and drink menu available during the performance. Tickets on sale now!

Arts by George

Saturday, September 29, 5:00 pm

Come see a number of Mason School of Music ensembles perform at this year's Arts by George! The event also includes performances from Mason students throughout the College of Visual and Performing arts, and concludes with a performance by The Manhattan Transfer in the Concert Hall. Proceeds benefit student Scholarships within the College of Visual and Performing arts.

The School of Music will be represented at Arts by George! with numerous student showcases and exciting performances, including Mason's Wind Symphony, Opera, Musical Theater, Jazz, Piano, Choral, Classical Guitar, and Green Machine Small Ensemble!

The Manhattan Transfer Masterclass

Friday, September 28, 6:00 pm, Monson Grand Tier

Meet renowned vocal jazz ensemble The Manhattan Transfer and understand their road to success as they work with current Mason students!

Symphonic Band and Percussion Ensemble

Thursday, October 4, 8:00 pm, Harris Theatre

The Mason Symphonic Band under the vibrant musical leadership of Professors John Kilkenny and Denny Stokes, provides music majors and increasingly growing numbers of non-music majors an opportunity to study and perform a wide variety of traditional and contemporary wind band literature.

The Percussion Ensemble will perform works by John Cage and Rudiger Pawassar.

Mason Symphony Orchestra

Wednesday, October 10, 8:00 pm, Center for the Arts

Faculty Artist Showcase

Sunday, October 14, 3:00 pm, Harris Theatre

Free Admission

Choirs prepare for busy and exciting year

University Singers step out of the Choir Room

University Singers, under the direction of Dr. Stan Engebretson, took a moment this past week to step out of the rehearsal hall and sing Only in Sleep by Erik Esenvalds in our deLaski lobby!

Watch Video Here

Fall Choral Retreat

Members of Mason's choirs gathered for a picture during their retreat on Saturday, September 15. The group discussed goals and important topics on their way to another successful academic year. The choirs are under the direction of Dr. Stan Engebretson and Dr. Lisa Billingham.

Dr. Billingham and Mason students heading to Carnegie Hall

The School of Music is very excited and honored to have members of University Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Lisa Billingham, travel to perform in Carnegie Hall on Monday, May 27, 2019. The registration deadline is October 1. Please contact Dr. Billingham ([email protected]) if you are interested in participating.