Dear Students, Colleagues, Alumni, and Friends,

October greetings from the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music! Please join us for our Black Artist Series this month with extraordinary musicians including Kevin Day, composer; Alfred Watkins, conductor; Isaachah Savage, dramatic tenor; Shawn Okpebholo, composer; and Wycliffe Gordon, trombonist. Our Mason music students will have a unique opportunity to have meaningful discussions with our fabulous guest artists. The Black Artist Series virtual discussions/masterclasses (conducted via Zoom) are free and open to the public. 

We are excited about the wonderful virtual programming through CVPA/Mason Arts at Home, with particular emphasis on the Third Coast Percussion Residency October 19-21, providing an opportunity for our Mason Percussion Ensemble to perform and work directly with these outstanding artists. We are also eagerly anticipating the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Concert (with pianist Anne-Marie McDermott) on October 25th at 7 pm. 

Our Dewberry School of Music is thrilled to host Elisabeth Adkins, violinist, in a Strings Masterclass with our Mason students on October 30th. This marvelous masterclass is free and open to the public. We also look forward to sharing our Mason student recital virtual performances (live-streamed free performances from Harris Theater) throughout this month of October. 

We are so very grateful to our Friends of Music at Mason for your enthusiastic and unwavering support of our Dewberry School of Music students and faculty. We are thankful for your virtual presence at our concerts and events. We are deeply appreciative for your gifts of scholarship support for our gifted student artists.  Our School of Music is immensely enriched by your dedication and devotion to our music students. New Friends are also warmly welcomed!  

Although we are in the midst of a global pandemic, the music from our talented Mason student artists continues to uplift and enhance our world with beauty, creativity, and joy.  We invite you to join us for these special moments of memorable artistic creations.  

Warmest regards,
Dr. Linda A. Monson, Director
Black Artist Series:
October 2020
October 12th, 11:30 AM
Kevin Day, Brass and Composition

An American composer whose music has been “characterized by propulsive, syncopated rhythms, colorful orchestration, and instrumental virtuosity,” (Robert Kirzinger, Boston Symphony Orchestra) Kevin Day (b. 1996) has quickly emerged as one of the leading young voices in the world of music composition today. 
Read about Mr. Day here.
Meeting ID: 845 0700 3786
Passcode: Euphonium
October 13th, 4:30 PM
Alfred Watkins, Conducting

Educator, conductor, clinician, and lecturer Alfred L. Watkins, retired band director at Lassiter High School, in Marietta, Georgia, enjoyed a storied 37-year career that surpassed even his “wildest dreams.” Hailing from the small time of Jackson, Georgia and an alumnus of Florida A & M University (FAMU), Watkins built an outstanding and multi-faceted high school band program of international stature.

Read more about Mr. Watkins here.
Meeting ID: 949 6868 9029
Passcode: 91008
October 16th, 12:30 PM
Isaachah Savage, Dramatic Tenor

Dramatic tenor Issachah Savage is garnering acclaim as a “heldentenor par excellence” with “trumpet-like, clear, open-throated, powerful” singing (San Francisco Examiner). Praised for his “impressive natural instrument” (Opera News), Mr. Savage is the winner of the Seattle International Wagner Competition earning the main prize, audience favorite prize, orchestra favorite prize, and a special honor by
Speight Jenkins.
 
Read more about Mr. Savage here.

Meeting ID: 810 9069 2868
Passcode: CFj7VR
October 29th, 4:30 PM
Shawn Okpebholo, Composition

A widely sought-after and award-winning composer, Shawn E. Okpebholo (b. 1981) has been described by Augusta Read Thomas as "...a beautiful artist ...who has enormous grace in his music, and fantasy and color." Okpebholo comfortably composes in a variety of styles and genres, intentional in creating music that is diverse, dynamic, and genuine.

Read more about Mr. Okpebholo here.
Meeting ID: 949 6868 9029
Passcode: 910084
October 30th, 11:30 AM Wycliffe Gordon, Trombone

Musical ambassador and interpreter of America’s music, Wycliffe Gordon experiences an impressive career touring the world performing hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz receiving great acclaim from audiences and critics alike. His unmatched modern mastery of the plunger mute and his exceptional technique and signature sound, has solidified Gordon a place in musical history known as one of the top trombonists of his generation.
Read about Mr. Gordon here.

Meeting ID: 894 7873 7235
Passcode: trombone
October Concerts & Events
Third Coast Percussion Virtual Residency
October 19th & 21st
12:30 PM - 2:45 PM

with 
 Mason's Percussion Ensemble 
Prof. John Kilkenny, director
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
with Anne-Marie McDermott, piano
Sunday, October 25th, 7:00 PM

With a Pre-Performance Discussion moderated by
Dr. Linda A. Monson: 6:15 - 6:45 PM

This engaging performance is hosted by CMS Co-Artistic Directors David Finckel and Wu Han and features conversations with the artists. In this performance, pianist Anne-Marie McDermott and flutist Tara Helen O’Connor play Mozart’s Concerto in D minor for Piano, Flute, and Strings. McDermott returns to perform Smetana’s Trio in G minor for Piano, Violin, and Cello.
Elisabeth Adkins Strings Masterclass
Friday, October 30th, 12:30 PM
Read more about Dr. Adkins here.
Meeting ID: 937 2470 2455
Passcode: 313079
Vocal Artist Series
Jazz 4 Justice
Jazz 4 Justice™
Virtual Event
Friday, November 20th
8:00 PM
Established in 2001 by Fairfax, Virginia attorney Edward L. Weiner, Esq. and Founder of Mason Jazz Studies, Jim Carroll, Jazz4Justice™ is an award-winning annual concert presented by Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV) and Mason Jazz Studies. This year's celebration concert will be a virtual highlight of Mason Jazz students and faculty. Proceeds from the evening benefit LSNV to continue its mission of service to the Northern Virginia community as well as providing financial support for the Mason Jazz Studies area for trips, recordings and student projects.
Tuba Euphonium Day
Holiday Concert
Dewberry School of Music Holiday Concert
Sunday, December 6th, 7:00 PM
Free Virtual Performance
Join us for a joyous virtual concert by the Dewberry School of Music as we ring in the holiday season! Showcasing Mason's outstanding ensembles, this evening will feature traditional holiday favorites and festive new works performed by extraordinary student artists.
Kudos to Prof. Nickel's
Flute Studio
Prof. Juliana Nickel's Flute Studio of the Dewberry School of Music performed recently in a Porch Concert Series at the Nickel home with solo flute choir works and flute ensemble pieces. Twelve Mason flutists performed in this 7th Porch Concert from the Nickel house! Neighbors and people from surrounding neighborhoods attend these wonderful free live-music events. So proud of Prof. Julianna Nickel and Mason Flutes for sharing their beautiful music!
Congratulations!
Mason Music Ambassadors
We are thrilled to welcome a new group of Mason Music Ambassadors for the 2020-2021 year, as well as our continuing Ambassadors! The Mason Music Ambassadors are a group of student leaders who have been selected by our faculty to represent their performance and academic areas with distinction. The ambassadors serve as student liaisons for incoming music students. Click here to read about all of our wonderful Student Ambassadors.
Kudos to our Alumni!
Mason Music Jazz Studies alumna Sarah Moyers (BM, 2019) was recently featured on the USAF American Heritage Band social media! Read more about our awesome alumna here.
Mason Music alumna Laura Collier (MM, Composition '15) was recently featured by the District New Music Coalition! Recent accolades include winning the NED Ensemble Call for Scores for Voice and Piano, being selected as a finalist in the Sorodha 7th International Composition Competition, and receiving an honorable mention in the 2019 Arcady Emerging Composer Competition. In addition, her piano composition “Tarantella” was featured in the 2020 “Music by Women Festival” in Columbus, Mississippi.
Stay in the Know