Jay Dean

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Future Stars Award Winners Showcase Talents With Symphony Thursday

Three winners of the William T. Gower Awards Competition will be featured as part of the University of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Future Stars winners include, from left to right: Romina Monsanto, Pablo Sotomayor and Kathleen Westfall (Submitted photo).

Symphony Orchestra’s concert set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17 in Bennett Auditorium.

Showcasing exceptional student talent of the School of Music, this annual concert has become an audience favorite. The 2010-11 winners and “Future Stars” include Romina Monsanto of Venezuela; Pablo Sotomayor of Peru and Kathleen Westfall of New Orleans.

The three competition winners will perform the music that earned them distinction among their peers including Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor featuring pianist Sotomayor; Antonin Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in B minor Opt. 4 featuring cellist Monsanto and “I Want Magic” from A Streetcar Named Desire by André Previn and “Manon’s Gavotte”from Manon by Jules Massenet featuring soprano Westfall.

Guest conductors include Southern Miss students Nathan Lambert and Ivan del Prado.

Ongoing for more than 23 years, the competition was renamed four years ago in honor of William T. Gower, former professor of music at Southern Miss and a widely respected woodwind musician.

Gower, who passed away in July 2003, was an inspiration to many budding musicians through his multitude of career performances at music conventions, high schools, colleges, and universities — often performing on a variety of instruments.

The competition itself is highly competitive within the ranks of the Southern Miss School of Music and quite rigorous. “These very talented students will be our stars of tomorrow,” said Dr. Jay Dean, music director of the Symphony. “Later in life, we will be able to say that we knew them when they were students here at Southern Miss.”

The Symphony’s 2010-11 season is sponsored by BancorpSouth.Tickets for the concert are $16/$18/$20 and may be purchased at the Southern Miss Ticket Office by calling 601.266.5418 or 800.844.8425.

Filed under: Arts, Featured, Hattiesburg, USM, Entertainment/Culture, Jay Dean, Symphony Orchestra, University of Southern Mississippi

Puccini's ‘La Bohéme’ Comes to Southern Miss Stage for Two Nights Only; Nov 9th & 11th

A stunning new opera production about love and romance comes to The University of Southern Mississippi Mannoni Performing Arts Center Nov. 9 and 11.

The four-act Italian tragedy-drama, “La Bohéme” will take to the stage for two performances only beginning at 7:30 p.m. each evening. The Southern Miss adaptation is presented by the Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company with the Southern Miss Symphony Orchestra.

Originally composed by Giacomo Puccini, “La Bohéme” is one of the most frequently performed operas worldwide. Production manager Jennifer Hart feels “La Bohéme” is the perfect production for first-time opera goers to experience.

“It’s shorter than many operas,” Hart explained. “It’s a funny and touching story all at once. Also, the storyline has been used in other notable productions such as Broadway’s ‘Rent’.”

Although the opera is performed in Italian, English subtitles will be provided on a screen above the stage to help audiences understand the story.

“La Bohéme” will hit the Mannoni Performing Arts Center stage at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 9 and 11. (Submitted photo)

“La Bohéme” tells a poignant story about a community of starving artists in 1830 Paris, France. Rodolfo, a poet, forms a romantic relationship with a mortally ill seamstress named Mimi. Their love affair experiences ups and downs caused by Mimî’s flirtatious nature, but Rodolfo finds it hard to leave her because she has a fatal illness.

With the combination of a melodic score, period costumes, clever sets and stellar performances by a talented cast of Southern Miss students, audiences can expect a dynamic opera experience. This particular opera has only been staged in Hattiesburg once before, according to Dr. Jay Dean, music director for the Symphony Orchestra.

“Southern Miss put on “La Bohéme” back in 1971 I believe. On top of the entertainment value, this is an extraordinary opportunity for our students to sing this to help prepare them for a professional career,” Dean said.

Students like senior vocal performance major Mattie Obergon from Marion, Va., jumped at the chance to audition for this performance. Obergon, who plays the role of Mimi, heard about the Southern Miss Vocal Performance program and decided to transfer from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

“I had a teacher in Virginia who sent some students to audition here and he suggested I come as well, so I did,” she said. “Southern Miss fit like a glove. Working on things like ‘La Bohéme’ proves I made the right decision. I’ve been here for three years and I love it.”

Tickets to “La Bohéme” are available online at www.southermisstickets.com or by calling 601.266.5418. For more information, call 601.266.4001.A stunning new opera production about love and romance comes to The University of Southern Mississippi Mannoni Performing Arts Center Nov. 9 and 11.

Filed under: Arts, Featured, Forrest County, Hattiesburg, USM, Entertainment/Culture, Jay Dean, Jennifer Hart, Mattie Obergon, Musical theatre, University of Southern Mississippi

Forrest General Presents Spirit of Women Events

HATTIESBURG- Forrest General’s Spirit of Women is proud to present a special series of events that will offer attendees the opportunity to renew their focus on the beautiful basics of life, such as music, art, reading and enjoying the comforts of home. These sessions will also remind attendees to keep the basics of their health under control and always a priority! Each session will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Hattiesburg Country Club. Lunch will be served.

Session One: “Annie Glass, Pottery, Pewter, Oh My!”

September 8, 2010 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Hattiesburg Country Club

This session will feature guest speakers Tinyke Cooper from A Gallery/Plums along with Catherine Strange and John David Williams, co-authors of the Fearless Entertaining Series. Learn the beautiful basics of serving and entertaining pieces in your home, including everything from silver to Vietri! Guests will learn how to introduce tradition yet enjoy versatility in their own home. Whether you have entertained for years, want to learn ideas to share with your family or are new at entertaining, this session is for you!

Session Two: “The Beauty of Art”

October 20, 2010 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Hattiesburg Country Club

In this session, special guest George Bassi of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art will discuss knowing the beautiful basics of art and how to surround yourself and your home with pieces you love. Whether you have collected art for years, want to learn more about art or introduce someone to art this session is for you.

Session Three: “The Magic of Music”

November 10, 2010 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Hattiesburg Country Club

Join special guests Jay Dean and Mike Lopinto from the University of Southern Mississippi Department of Music, along with a quartet of musicians to learn about the beautiful basics of music and how it moves our soul and makes us dance. Learn what our area has to offer and how using music as a theme can turn your event into one of inspiration.

Session Four: “The Well-Read Home”

January 12, 2011 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Hattiesburg Country Club

Join Donna Davis of the Hattiesburg Library to learn about the beautiful basics of the literary classics from Emily Dickinson to Beatrix Potter. Attendees will learn how to determine the best loved books for you and for your family….adults, teens and children.

Session Five: “Incredible Interiors”

February 9, 2011 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Hattiesburg Country Club

Learn from Ellen McKenzie of McKenzie’s on Main and John David Williams about the basics of home furnishings and antiques, as well as what to look for at auctions!

Session Six: “Garden Gorgeous”

March 9, 2011 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Hattiesburg Country Club

Thomas H. Eaves, Registered Landscape Architect, will offer interesting information on how to keep your garden looking gorgeous year round. Green thumb not required!

Session Seven: “Fashion Forever”

April 13, 2011 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Hattiesburg Country Club

Learn about the newest trends and hottest looks for women of all ages, as well as tips on how to stay fashionably fabulous without breaking the bank from local personality Chalie Ray and Phillip Pitts, owner of Parris Jewelers.

Session Eight: “Travel Talks”

May 11, 2011 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Hattiesburg Country Club

Details coming soon!

All sessions are $15 for Spirit of Women members and $25 for non-members. Sign up now for all Beautiful Basics events and save! Register at one time for all eight events and only pay for the price of seven, plus receive a FREE Spirit of Women membership! For more information on these sessions, please visit forrestgeneral.com. To register for one or more of these sessions, please call FGH OnCall at 1-800-844-4445.

Filed under: Featured, Lifestyle, A Gallery, Beatrix Potter, Catherine Strange, Chalie Ray, Donna Davis, Ellen McKenzie, Emily Dickinson, Forrest County Mississippi, Forrest General, George Bassi, Hattiesburg, Hattiesburg Country Club, Hattiesburg Library, Hattiesburg metropolitan area, Hattiesburg Mississippi, Jay Dean, John David Williams, Lamar County Mississippi, Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, Main David, Mike Lopinto, mississippi, Parris Jewelers, Phillip Pitts, University of Southern Mississippi, University of Southern Mississippi Department, University of Southern Mississippi Department of Music, Women