Dear Dewberry School of Music Family,

We were thrilled to welcome new music students and welcome back our returning students at last week's Spring 2021 Convocation. We are looking forward to a wonderful spring semester with student and faculty performances, lectures, masterclasses, guest artists, and new commissioned works to share.  
  
We are proud to announce that twelve Mason students were winners last weekend at the 2021 Virginia State NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) Virtual Vocal Competition. Kudos to our outstanding Vocal Studies Area! How thrilled we were to have our Mason Jazz Studies Faculty featured at the 2021 Jazz Education Network (JEN) National Conference on January 7th with the Shawn Purcell Group! 

How grateful we are to our Mason Music faculty and alumni who serve in our military ensembles and to those who serve in the National Guard. Their intense dedication to music and service to our country is inspiring to all of us. 

Warmest regards,
Dr. Linda A. Monson, Director
Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music
Dr. Dennis Edelbrock's Music Highlighted During Inauguration 
"If you were one of the nearly 40 million people who tuned in to President Joseph R. Biden’s Inauguration on January 20, 2021, chances are you enjoyed a significant amount of patriotic American music throughout the televised event. One of the pieces highlighted at two points during the ceremony—when Former President Barack Obama and Former First Lady Michelle Obama were first introduced, and again when President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden entered the White House—was composed by a George Mason University faculty member." Read the full article here.
Mason Alumnus Featured in
Washington Post and NBC
Congratulations to Mason Music alumnus Dr. Jacob Kohut (MM 2011, DMA 2016) who has been featured on NBC News and in the Washington Post for his service to our country and to his music students!  So very proud of our outstanding Music Alumnus!

Read the full article from The Washington Post here and watch the NBC Nightly News Story here.
Mason Vocal Students Win
Big at NATS Vocal Competition
We are so proud of our Mason Vocal Studies Area for the tremendous awards and honors this past weekend at the Virginia State NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) competition. Kudos to our Mason vocal students and faculty for outstanding work! 
Mason Jazz Faculty Perform at 2021 JEN National Conference
The Shawn Purcell Group, including Mason jazz faculty members Dr. Darden Purcell (Jazz Voice), Prof. Regan Brough (Bass), and Prof. Kevin McDonald (Drumset), recently performed at the 2021 Jazz Education Network virtual conference! Watch their full performance here.
Virtual Clarinet Day
Mason Director of Woodwinds Dr. Kathy Mulcahy led our first virtual Clarinet Day! Honoring the legacy of Dr. Mulcahy's celebrated clarinet teacher and mentor James Pyne, the day featured masterclasses, lectures, performances, and more.
Upcoming Lectures & Masterclasses
A Conversation with Furman University Director of Bands Dr. Sue Samuels
Thursday, February 11th, 4:30 PM
Meeting ID: 921 2688 2106
Passcode: 168840
A Conversation with Distinguished American Composer Frank Ticheli
Tuesday, February 16th, 4:30 PM
Meeting ID: 921 2688 2106
Passcode: 168840
Kudos to Our Students!
Mason Music Education student Fe Miranda was recently profiled in the latest issue of the Mason Spirit magazine, where they discussed the transformative power of the arts and their passion for inclusivity. Read the full profile here and watch a video featuring Fe here.
View Upcoming
Student Recitals
We are proud to present many wonderful virtual student recitals this semester! Tune in on Tuesday, February 9th at 8:00 PM for Doctoral Student Juan Megna's Jazz Percussion Lecture Recital, and be sure to mark your calendars for upcoming recitals. including:

Paul Monserrat, Senior Composition Recital - February 12th

Luke Ratcliffe, Master's Piano Recital - February 14th

Nick Vellanikaran, Junior Guitar Recital - February 19th

Zoey Lamb, Junior Flute Recital - February 22nd

Kanako Chikami, Doctoral Percussion Lecture Recital - February 27th

Marcia McCants, Master's Percussion Recital - February 27th

Gregory Freeman, Doctoral Trombone Recital - February 28th


View the full recital calendar here!
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