Athens, Ga. – Student musicians from the University of Georgia will perform concerts and a master class for high school students during the inaugural UGA Sounds Across Georgia tour in Perry and Americus.
The UGA Sounds Across Georgia performances, featuring student musicians in the Hodgson Wind Ensemble, will be held at Perry High School’s Theatre for the Performing Arts on Feb. 20, and at the Rylander Theatre in Americus on Feb. 21. Both concerts start at 7:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public.
Cynthia Johnston Turner, director of bands at the UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music, will lead student musicians as they perform military marches, show-tunes and original compositions. The performance will also feature guest artist Phil Smith, former principal trumpet of the New York Philharmonic.
“Getting out of the practice room and off the campus to share music with communities is what it’s all about,” said Turner. “The high school musicians have the opportunity to play with and learn from university musicians, and we have the opportunity to serve, perform and learn.”
The events will also feature the Bulldog Brass Society, UGA’s premier graduate brass quintet. Earlier in the day on Feb. 21, Turner and university students will offer a master class at Perry High School for the community’s young musicians. This session will be specifically designed for high school instrumentalists, allowing up-and-coming young artists to interact and perform alongside UGA’s band members.
“It’s important for all of the university’s music majors-graduates and undergraduates, those focusing on performance, education, therapy, etc.-to realize that the 21st musician must be versed in many different areas,” said Turner. “Performers as educators, educators as performers.”
UGA Sounds Across Georgia is a new music outreach program, designed to introduce world-renowned music faculty and gifted student performers from the Hodgson School to people throughout the state. During the next few years, choral, band, chamber and orchestra ensembles will perform for the enjoyment of communities and will provide Georgia’s school-aged youth access to professional musical assemblies and hands-on instruction.
“Taking the many resources of the university into Georgia communities is the role of a land-grant institution like UGA,” said Jennifer Frum, vice president for pubic service and outreach. “Adding music to the broad array of programs and services we offer throughout the state will only enhance the work we are doing to improve the quality of life for all Georgians.”
UGA Sounds Across Georgia is a collaboration between the University of Georgia’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music, Office of Academic Programs, Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, Performing Arts Center and Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. As one of the Southeast’s premier institutions for aspiring performers and engaged patrons of the arts, the Hodgson School of Music is helping fulfill UGA’s land-grant and public service mission to “enhance the quality of life in Georgia by applying the knowledge of the university to the state’s evolving economic, social and community needs.”