Monday, August 21, 2006

Writer/contact: Julie Caldwell, 706/540-0042, jpowell@uga.edu

UGA’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music announces 2006-2007 2nd Thursday Scholarship Series

Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music announces its 2006-2007 2nd Thursday Scholarship Series – a monthly concert series designed to raise scholarship funds that features the school’s top ensembles, faculty, and guest artists.

The idea for the 2nd Thursday Scholarship Series began in 1928 when Hugh Hodgson brought his “Music Appreciation Hours” to the UGA Chapel.   Hodgson, the first music professor hired at UGA and the music school’s first director, originated the lecture-recital programs while he was teaching at the Lucy Cobb Institute.  Upon coming to the university, he presented weekly lecture-performances for the next 32 years, during which he analyzed, discussed, and demonstrated salient features of the music. (Photo: Hugh Hodgson conducting one of his "Music Appreciation Hours.")

Through these Thursday evening programs Hodgson influenced the cultural lives of countless students, faculty, and townspeople.  In 1980, the concerts grew into the 2nd Thursday Concert Series, a showcase of the Hodgson School’s top ensembles and a primary fundraiser for scholarships. The name was changed to the 2nd Thursday Scholarship Series this year to reflect that purpose.

The series is offered at a subscription price of $40 and an individual ticket price of $15.  All concerts are in Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall in the UGA Performing Arts Center beginning at 8 p.m.  Tickets are available at the box office before concerts or by phone at 706/542-4400.  Donations to the scholarship fund can be made at the box office as well. (Photo: 2nd Thursday Scholarship Series concert.)

With 66 faculty members, 55 graduate assistants, 350 undergraduates and about 150 graduate students, the Hodgson School is one of the largest units in UGA’s Franklin College.  The school offers majors in music composition, music education, music performance, conducting, musicology, music theory and music therapy. It is also home to more than 30 faculty and student instrumental and vocal ensembles. For more information, visit www.music.uga.edu.
 
Note:  A complete schedule follows.

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Sept. 14:  UGA Symphony Orchestra
The UGA Symphony Orchestra presents Mozart’s Concerto for Violin No. 5 with soloist Levon Ambartsumian and Shostakovish’s Symphony No. 10.  The symphony will be under the direction of guest conductor Christian Badea, former director of Savannah Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Ohio Symphony Orchestra, Metropolitan Opera, among others.

Oct. 12: An Evening of Tangos
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Milton Masciadri (double bass), Thomas McCutchen (percussion), Levon Ambartsumian (violin), and performers from Argentina collaborate with Mark Wheeler (dance) to present an exciting evening of tangos.

Nov. 9: Mozart: Gran Partita, Mass in C Minor
Celebrating the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth, the UGA Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Choruses join forces to present a powerful evening of the music of Mozart. 

Nov. 30, Dec. 1: Holiday program
UGA Symphony Orchestra and Choruses present a festival of holiday favorites.

Jan. 11: Evgeny Rivkin, piano
The Tchaikovsky Competition Finalist and artist par excellence performs in an evening of classical masterpieces.

Feb. 8: Wind Band Classics
This performance features the music of Joseph Turrin with artist-soloists Fred Mills (trumpet; formerly of the Canadian Brass), Stephanie Tingler (soprano), and UGA alumnus and member of the West Point Band Jason Ham (euphonium).

March 8: Georgia Brass
This brass extravaganza consists of the UGA Georgia Brass with trumpeter Fred Mills and the 10-piece Belgian Brass ensemble, under the artistic direction of trumpeter Manu Mellaerts.

April 12: ARCO Chamber Orchestra
Covering three centuries of chamber music, this performance features music by Grieg, Elgar, and Russian composer Michael Bronner, who will be in residence as a 2007 -2008 UGA Willson Center for Humanities and Arts grant recipient.