The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Symphony Orchestra will present the opening concert of its 102nd Season on Thursday, Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. in Bennett Auditorium on the Hattiesburg campus.
A celebration of a return to live orchestral music after a hiatus of over 18 months, the opening concert, titled “Light in This Never-Ending Shade,” features the dynamic Fanfare for the Common Man and Appalachian Spring by American composer Aaron Copland and welcomes a duo of guest trumpeters performing the exciting Carmen Fantasia.
Individual and season tickets are available now at southernmisstickets.com, 601.266.5418, or at the Pat Ferlise Center on Fourth Street in Hattiesburg.
“We are thrilled to once again be able to provide live orchestral music to our campus, patrons and community,” said Dr. Michael Miles, Director of Orchestral Activities at Southern Miss. “Our students live for these performance opportunities and we know our community of supporters has missed the chance to cheer our students on in their musical pursuits.”
The season, entitled “Uncharted Territory,” explores the complicated landscape we face coming out of the pandemic. Recognizing that the world has been turned on its head by a series of events unprecedented in our lifetimes, the pandemic shook our will and made some question their belief in science and facts.
An insurrection at the U.S. Capitol reminded us that our democracy is certainly unfinished. A series of social and racial injustices reminded us we still have so much work to do. Climate change and climate-related catastrophes reminded us that we need to do more to preserve our world for our children and grandchildren.
Each season series concert theme is identified by a quote that relates to one or more of the challenges faced as a civilization. The music chosen for each concert also relates to that quote. “Light in This Never-Ending Shade” comes from youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman’s inspiring inaugural poem.
Miles states, “No piece of music sets the scene for the dawning of a new day filled with the hope of things to come and the insecurity of what the future brings better than Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring.”
The Symphony Orchestra closes the evening by continuing its mission of “Bringing the World to Mississippi” with trumpeters Christopher Moore and Mark Clodfelter performing Carmen Fantasia, a medley of the best known melodies from Bizet’s opera comique.
“We are delighted to be able to help the USM Symphony Orchestra return to live performances under the baton of Dr. Miles,” said Moore. “I know the reputation of this orchestra well and we are honored to be a part of their return to the concert hall for a night of uplifting music.”
For more information, please visit usm.edu/symphony.
About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 131 universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education’s "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and large event venue safety and security, among others. USM is also one of only 37 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of more than 14,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 37 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 27 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit usm.edu.
