Morehead State University’s School of Music, Theatre, and Dance and the Theta Pi chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia will present the fifth biennial Contemporary Music Festival, April 18-20.
The Contemporary Music Festival is a three-day event which hosts a renowned contemporary composer on the MSU campus to work with students and faculty members.
This year, John Mackey will be the “composer in residence.” Mackey holds a Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and has had performances of his music featured all around the world.
As a frequent collaborator, Mackey has worked with a diverse range of artists, from Doug Varone to David Parsons, from Robert Battle to the U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swim Team. He served as music director of the Parsons Dance Company from 1999-2003, and he taught at Cal State Long Beach in 2008-09.
During his residency at MSU, students will be exposed to a variety of contemporary music through performances and workshops.
The schedule will be:
April 18, 6:15 p.m. – Masterclass/Workshop with John Mackey – Baird Music Hall, Room 121.
April 19, 7:30 p.m. – Chamber Ensemble Concert – Performances of John Mackey’s music by students and faculty – Duncan Recital Hall in the Baird Music Hall.
April 20, 7:30 p.m. – Combined Concert Band/Symphony Band Concert – Under the directions of Dr. Thomas Singletary and Dr. Susan Creasap, performances of John Mackey’s music – Duncan Recital Hall in the Baird Music Hall
All events are free.
The festival is sponsored by Buckner and Sally S. Hinkle Endowment for Humanities, Phi Mu Alpha, MSU Percussion Club, National Association for Music Education, Sigma Alpha Iota and Chi Mu Delta.
For more information, contact Nicholas Barron at npbarron@moreheadstate.edu or call the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at 606-783-2473.