Connoisseurs Series Presents Free Concerts at Southern Miss
Mon, 02/05/2024 - 02:33pm | By: Mike Lopinto
Connoisseurs Series
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) School of Music presents the 2024 Connoisseurs Series, offering performances by world-class guest artists for the Hattiesburg community.
Three events are scheduled for the spring semester in Marsh Auditorium on USM’s Hattiesburg campus. Through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. James Simrall, Jr. Arts Endowment, the concerts are presented at no charge to the public.
“The Connoisseurs Series is an incredibly enriching set of performances which are meant to engage our student, faculty, staff, and community members with artist performers from around the globe who come to The University of Southern Mississippi to invest in our already-vibrant music community,” said Dr. Colin McKenzie, Director of the School of Music. “I am excited about this year’s offerings, as they represent musical diversity which will take listeners from the established canon of the literature through the newest works being written for any musical medium. I hope that you will make time to join us for these exception performances.”
On Thursday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m. the City of Tomorrow Wind Quintet, performs some of their newest repertoire. An experimental wind quintet with a passion for bold 21st-century music, the quintet members are sought-after music specialists, curators, collaborators, and teachers, performing around the world.
On Thursday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m., the Aya Piano Trio takes the stage. Formed at the Curtis Institute of Music in 2013, the trio of violin, cello, and piano has performed in competitions and venues across the country since their inception. Highlights for the group’s recent engagements include recitals in the Brevard Music Center, Milford Theatre, New York City’s Merkin Concert Hall, the Washington Performing Arts Series, and the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts.
On Tuesday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m., the Grammy Award-winning Parker Quartet makes a stop in Hattiesburg. This string quartet is renowned for its polished interpretations of well-known classics, inspiring performances, luminous sound and exceptional musicianship.
The Connoisseurs Series is a premiere event series representing each applied area (Brass, Jazz, Piano, Voice, and Woodwinds) with annual guest artist performances. These renowned performers augment the training our students regularly receive by the world-class faculty housed within the School of Music and add to the rich musical offerings presented annually to the Hattiesburg and regional community.