Dear Mason School of Music Family,

We have exciting news to share from our Jazz Studies area! Welcome to John Kocur, saxophonist, as our new Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies, effective August 2020. Congratulations to the Mason Latin American Ensemble, directed by Juan Megna, for winning a DOWNBEAT Student Music Award "Outstanding Graduate College Performance - Latin Group!" Also be sure to watch a marvelous virtual performance of Mason's Vocal Jazz Ensemble (below). 

We are thrilled to highlight our Mason Wind Symphony, Healing Arts Ensemble, and Steel Pan Ensemble in upcoming features via our Mason Arts at Home initiatives. Be sure to save the date of Saturday, May 16 for a special School of Music virtual concert celebration. 

Congratulations to two of our outstanding faculty, Prof. Rick Parrell and Prof. Steven Gerber, on their upcoming retirements. Their extraordinary service to our School of Music is deeply appreciated by all of us.  

We wish you good health and safety as we continue to navigate these challenging times. We are grateful that "the music continues!"  

Warmest regards,

Dr. Linda A. Monson

Director, School of Music

[email protected]

Enjoy a virtual performance by Mason's Vocal Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Darden Purcell! The ensemble performed "I'm Old Fashioned" with jazz faculty members Shawn Purcell (guitar), Reagan Brough (bass), and Kevin McDonald (drumset).

Saxophonist, composer, and educator John Kocur is Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at George Mason University. He previously taught at Northern Virginia Community College where he directed the NOVA Nighthawks Jazz Ensemble. He serves as a saxophonist with the 257th Army Band of the D.C. National Guard, “the Band of the Nation’s Capital.”

A Mason Wind Symphony Feature

Friday, May 1st, 12:00 PM

Streaming on the Center for the Arts Facebook Page

Introduced by Mark Camphouse (Director of Concert Bands), this 2018 Wind Symphony performance at Schlesinger Concert Hall includes musical excerpts from Saint-Saëns, Gillingham, and more. Join us for an exciting rewind to this stirring performance and keep an eye out for future highlights from Mason’s School of Music next week!

Repertoire:

Be Thou My Vision, David Gillingham

Marche Militaire, Camille Saint-Saens

Rolling Thunder March, Henry Fillmore

Music for Well-Being Feature

Friday, May 8th, 12:00 PM

Streaming on the Center for the Arts Facebook Page

Tune in to the Center for the Arts Facebook page on May 8 at 12:00 pm for a video from the Mason Healing Arts Ensemble and director Dr. Glenn Smith. Using powerful visual imagery and the power of intent, the Mason Healing Arts Ensemble will showcase JC Cantrell’s (MM Composition 2018; Certificate Music for Well-Being 2020) "Dissolution, Resolution, and Awakenings"as they ponder the coronavirus dissolving out of existence. With an introduction by Dr. Glenn Smith and JC Cantrell himself, this video is sure to ease and uplift during these uncertain times.

Steel Pan Ensemble

Monday, May 11th, 12:00 PM

Streaming from the Center for the Arts Facebook Page

Congratulations to the Mason Latin American Ensemble, directed by Juan Megna, for winning at DOWNBEAT Student Music Award "Outstanding Graduate College Performance - Latin Group!" This marks two years in a row and we are so grateful to DownBeat magazine and the Student Music Award adjudicators!

Congratulations to 2 of our wonderful School of Music professors on their retirements! Thank you both for your many years of service.

Prof. Rick Parrell

Jazz Saxophone

Prof. Steve Gerber

Music Librarian

Mason Arts at Home

Alumni Cocktails and Conversations with the Dean:

Using Your Creative Arts Degree Outside

of the Creative Industries

Monday, May 4th, 5:00 PM

Streaming on the CVPA Alumni Facebook Page

A college degree in the arts provides an exceptional skill set, solid work ethic, and opportunity for intense study of a creative passion. Hear from three School of Music alumni who have successfully parlayed their arts training into industries and positions outside of the arts.

Scheduled panelists (subject to change):

Sean Attebury

Aundi Moore

Isaac W.K. Thweatt