Alumni News Student News

---

Music News

MTSU Symphony News

The MTSU Symphony, directed by Dr.Carol Nies, was honored to feature the internationally well-known Italian mezzosoprano, Caterina Novak, in an outstanding performance of excerpts from Bizet's masterpiece Carmen on the April 22 concert. MTSU School of Music students Sarah Wofford, Katie Spencer, Corbin Phillips, William Duke and Andrew Noble joined Ms. Novak on-stage for this performance. While at MTSU, Ms. Novak also presented two very dynamic vocal masterclasses in vocal performance, stagecraft, and Italian diction for the Voice Department.

Andrew England, MTSU senior, was featured as the horn soloist for the Scherzo of Mahler's powerful Symphony No. 5. MTSU graduate student Tara Kloostra performed the first movement of Mozart's Horn Concerto No. 3 and MTSU senior Maureen Moeller performed Hanson's Serenade for Flute, Harp and Strings with the MTSU Chamber Orchestra.

More Images Here    

MTSU Flute Professor Releases New CD

MTSU associate professor of Flute, Deanna Little, recently released a new CD of 5 Sonatas for flute and piano on a CD titled, Diamonds Uncovered.

Little collaborated with Lipscomb University pianist, Jerry Reed, on the project with whom she has collaborated on several recitals at MTSU, Lipscomb as well as other places.

Pianist Reed said, "...I was excited to be a part of a project that would bring musical works that may never have been heard before to the public, both on the recording and through student performances that will be encouraged by the release of this CD for years to come.";

Diamonds Uncovered, is a collection 20th-century works most of which have never been recorded. It also includes one unpublished work by title composer David Diamond.

In addition to the work by Diamond, the CD's playlist includes sonatas by Thomas Pasatieri, Emma Lou Diemer, Denis Bédard and Samuel Zyman.

Featured composer Diemer, who has been writing music since the 1950s, praised Diamonds Uncovered, "Such gorgeous playing by both of you, and I'm delighted that you included my sonata…. What fun for the music of contemporary American composers to be noticed and made available.";

Little originally wanted to make the CD to add to the flute repertoire available to music students. This is her first solo CD.

"The recording was funded by a research and creative project grant from MTSU," Little said.

To purchase a copy of Diamonds Uncovered or to listen to a sampling of the sonatas visit CDBABY.COM

---

MTSU Women's Chorale to Perform at Carnegie Hall

MTSU Women's Chorale ( Jamila McWhirter, director) is leaving on Wednesday morning (06/03/09) to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York for the 70th anniversary of Shawnee Press Gala Concert (along with several other choirs), at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday night (June 6). They will also be performing a mass and a concert at St. Malachy's Church on Friday morning (in the Broadway district), and the Women's Chorale has been asked to POSSIBLY sing on Saturday morning for the "The Early Show" on CBS. The show runs from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. CDT. The group will be in the audience of the Early Show, and may be asked to perform; they are taping the show beginning at 7:15 a.m. EDT Saturday, and will get a backstage tour at CBS at 9:00 a.m. (posted 06/03/09)

---

Professor Dent and Graduates nominated for GRAMMYs! Read More

---

In the October 2007 issue of Intune magazine MTSU School of Music is listed as committed to having "an excellent music program."

"...aside from the high-profile universities, students should also look at smaller, sometimes lesser-known schools that commit themselves to organizing an excellent music program," says Intune magazine.

"Examples with great reputations include the ... School of Music at Middle Tennessee State University..." the article states.