Dr. Michael Miles

HATTIESBURG — The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Symphony Orchestra plans historic 99th concert season for 2018-19. In the season, titled “Tribute,” the Symphony pays homage to a variety of composers, performers, conductors and cultures. With a renewed dedication to provide the very best in orchestral performances for the community and region, the orchestra transfers from the incredible leadership of Dr. Jay Dean to the interim direction of longtime collaborator, professor of music, Dr. Michael Miles.

“In my role as Interim Director of Orchestral Activities, I am dedicated to continuing the fine work of Dr. Jay Dean and his commitment to the highest quality of orchestral performances” Miles said. “We want to ensure that our talented students are provided the opportunity for a quality orchestral experience while sharing wonderful performances with our patrons and community.”

Dean, who recently retired amid many accolades as director of the orchestra and opera, is remaining with USM as Associate Dean for the Arts in the College of Arts and Sciences. In this capacity, he will have a more hands-on role in helping the already dynamic arts program with a more global involvement. He is also excited to be able to enjoy the Symphony as an audience member.

“I am looking forward to having the opportunity to work with arts colleagues in addition to music” Dean said. “I am a huge fan of all of the arts and cannot wait to enjoy the wonderful experiences in store and find ways to support them all.”

This season, audiences will enjoy everything from Beethoven to Gershwin, and from Debussy to Bernstein. The season will also feature two outstanding School of Music faculty, Dr. Michael Bunchman on piano performing Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue, “and Dr. Marcos Machado on bass performing a new work from Chinese composer Tan Dun titled “Wolf Totem.” The annual Future Stars concert, featuring the winners of the William T. Gower Student Concerto Competition, will pay tribute to the best student performers. Of course, the tradition of providing the community with a joyous celebration of the holiday season will continue with the Holiday Spectacular featuring the Southern Chorale and Hattiesburg Civic Chorus.

As part of the season, the Southern Opera and Musical Theater will present two light-hearted productions. In the fall, the Tony Award-winning “The Drowsy Chaperone,” a comedy that pays tribute to the roaring ’20s with one high-energy song and dance number after another, will take to the stage, crafted by the team that brought you the acclaimed “Mary Poppins” and “The Phantom of the Opera.” In the spring, “Too Many Sopranos,” an opera by contemporary composer Ed Penhorwood, fills the air with dynamic song. Based on the premise of there being too many sopranos wanting to get into the heavenly choir, this fast-paced opera satirizes all the stereotypes and musical styles in the operatic genre.

Season tickets and individual tickets are now on sale at the Southern Miss Ticket Office, 800-844-8425, 601-266-5418 or southernmisstickets.com.  

Full season and descriptions follow or visit www.usm.edu/symphony.

 

Opening night!

Bernstein!

Michael Miles, conductor

Michael Bunchman, piano

Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Bennett Auditorium

In the opening night gala, the Symphony pays tribute to the greatest American-born musician, Leonard Bernstein, in honor of the 100th anniversary of his birth. Tonight, we pay homage to Bernstein’s contributions as a composer, performer, and teacher. Featuring his own compositions, works that he loved to perform, and the final symphony he conducted at his beloved Tanglewood, we celebrate his legacy and that of the USM Symphony Orchestra’s 99th season.

• Bernstein — “Overture to Candide”

• Gershwin — “Rhapsody in Blue”

• Beethoven — “Symphony No. 7”

 

“The Drowsy Chaperone” 

Michael Miles, music director

Mike Lopinto, director

Oct. 25, 26 and 27, 7:30 p.m., Mannoni Performing Arts Center

 Winner of five Tony awards, this Jazz Age musical is a loving send up to the roaring 1920s. Featuring side-splitting laughs and one show-stopping song and dance number after another, the team from last year’s The Phantom of the Opera presents a hysterical change of pace in the Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company’s special, limited engagement performances.

 

Viva La Mexico!

Jorge Perez-Gomez, conductor

Marcos Machado, bass

Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m., Bennett Auditorium

Tickets 601-266-5418, 800.844.8425, southernmisstickets.com

Exotic tunes and ancient culture musically intertwine in this exciting evening of music. Guest conductor Jorge Perez-Gomez takes to the podium with Southern Miss faculty artist Marcos Machado on bass to ignite beautiful folk melodies and driving rhythmic sensations that will whisk the audience away on a musical journey.

• Tan Dun — “Wolf Totem”

• Moncayo — “Huapango”  

• Revueltas — “Sensemaya”

• Marquez — “Danzon No. 2” 

 

Holiday Choral Spectacular

Michael Miles, Greg Fuller and Jonathan Kilgore, conductors

Nov. 27 and 29, at 7:30 p.m., Main St. Baptist Church

Tickets 601-266-5418, 800-844-8425, southernmisstickets.com

Your symphony orchestra is joined by the University of Southern Mississippi Choirs, the Hattiesburg Civic Chorus and Hattiesburg area high school singers as they collaborate in the annual holiday community celebration!

 

Future Stars Goes Pops!

Michael Miles, conductor

Feb. 28, 2019, at 7:30 p.m., Bennett Auditorium

Tickets 601-266-5418, 800-844-8425, southernmisstickets.com

Honoring the memory of William T. Gower, this annual concert celebrates the winners of the annual competition in performance with the Symphony.  The program will also feature more popular fare from the orchestral repertoire as the orchestra performs two works that are sure to please everyone’s palate.

• Berlioz — “Hungarian March from Damnation of the Faust”

• Copland — “Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo’”

 

Too Many Sopranos

Rob Mulholland, director

Ivan del Prado, music director

April 4 and 6, 2019, at 7:30 p.m., Mannoni Performing Arts Center

Tickets 601-266-5418, 800-844-8425, southernmisstickets.com

“Too Many Sopranos” tells the tale of a group of sopranos trying to get into heaven, but there is no more room in the heavenly choir. Something has to be done, and it looks like some will be sent to hell! An opera in two acts in English by Indiana University Jacobs School of Music faculty member, Edwin Penhorwood, “Too Many Sopranos” features a myriad of songs from opera’s various periods in a lovely, light evening at the opera.

 

Season finale!

Music of the Night

Michael Miles and Gregory Fuller, conductors

April 30, 2019, at 7:30 p.m., Main Street Baptist Church

Tickets 601.266.5418, 800.844.8425, southernmisstickets.com

The Symphony Orchestra and the Southern Chorale join forces to present two haunting works based on themes associated with the night.  Beautiful, haunting and entrancing sounds emerge from the orchestra in works by Impressionist and contemporary composers. When light fades the night truly comes alive in this evocative close to the season.

• Debussy — “Nocturnes”

• Kōrvits — “Moorland Elegies”

 

About the University of Southern Mississippi

Founded in 1910, the University of Southern Mississippi is a comprehensive doctoral and research-driven university with a proud history and an eye on the future. A dual-campus university, Southern Miss serves students on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, in addition to five teaching and research sites in Mississippi and through Online at Southern Miss.

Since 2006, USM’s students have collected three Truman Scholarships and 18 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships. USM students also lead Mississippi with 21 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Our Drapeau Center for Undergraduate Research affords students meaningful research opportunities, and as a proven leader in innovation, the university conducts transformative research that translates into real-world solutions.

As one of only 36 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music, USM is a haven for creativity and artistic expression. In the classroom or lab, on the playing field, or in the performance hall, the university strives to have a positive impact not only on its students, but also the world. Further information is found at usm.edu.