Georgia State Winter Guard Wins World Championship
After an undefeated season of competition, the Georgia State University Winter Guard clinched the prestigious title of World Champion in the Independent A Class at the Winter Guard International (WGI) Championships in Dayton, Ohio.
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Georgia State University's School of Music and the Popular Culture Collective (PCC) proudly present the second annual Sync Meetup, a weekend dedicated to creating, pitching, and placing songs with visual media. Featuring top music supervisors, this event bridges GSU students with industry professionals. MTM Standard, GSU’s student-run Music Group, spearheads the event with faculty advisors Ben Yonas and Al Thrash.
Each year, students throughout the School of Music audition and compete for a spot on the highly coveted Honors Recital which took place on March 9 at the Kopleff Recital Hall. The recital represents years of training, hours of preparation on literature being performed, and rounds of auditions.
From the College of the Arts, the 40 Under 40 Class of 2024 honorees include School of Music tenor John Irvin (B.Mu. ’10) and associate attorney Brittanie Browning (B.A. ’10, J.D. ’14), who received her undergraduate degree in film and video followed by a Juris Doctorate from the College of Law.
In a remarkable showcase of artistic talent, Georgia State students and faculty took center stage in the recent production of Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème by the acclaimed Atlanta Opera. This involvement not only highlighted the depth of talent within the University but also solidified Atlanta's position as one of the top opera hubs in the United States.
Georgia State’s 40 Under 40 program annually celebrates the most influential and accomplished Georgia State graduates who embody the values of the university.
William Tate, an undergraduate music technology student at Georgia State University, has been named a finalist for the 10th Student Recognition Award by the Cinema Audio Society (CAS). The announcement was recently made as the CAS unveiled its finalists for the prestigious award.
In a series of notable accomplishments, Dr. Sergio Gallo's piano studio, has left a lasting impression on both national and international stages. From performances at Carnegie Hall to prestigious scholarships in Paris and Vienna, students like Fernanda Miranda, Hyun-hwa Jang, and Victoria Allen have showcased their exceptional talents. The collaborative spirit extends to the Georgia State MTNA chapter, securing a grant for the 2025 national conference. Partnerships with the Chopin Society of Atlanta bring forth scholarships, recitals, and exciting prospects for the future.
When Isaac Fuller stepped onto Georgia State’s downtown Atlanta Campus two years ago, his mission was to feed his curiosity for the visual arts.
The School of Music graduate alum Royal Teague (M.M. ’23 Music Composition) shares insight into composing the film score for “Rejuvenation” alongside the film’s acclaimed executive producer and TV veteran Tom Luse (B.A. ’74, M.S. ’81).
“Rejuvenation,” a feature film executive produced by film and television veteran Tom Luse (B.A. ’74, M.S. ’81) with a student crew, student co-director and largely student cast, will premiere Thursday, Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Rialto Center for the Arts.
This past summer, four exceptional students from the School of Music chose to embark on an extraordinary journey to Italy this year to further refine their skills as singing actors. Isabella Chaney, Alexander Harshaw, Madison Chambers and David Champion seized the opportunity to study and perform with the Festival of International Opera in Italy, better known as FIO ITALIA.
The four-year NSF grant-funded program, which launches in January 2024, is designed to encourage students to try basic research with the idea of progressing to more sophisticated research in the future.
The College of the Arts at Georgia State University welcomes and congratulates our new cohort of outstanding faculty whose work identifies them as expert scholars and practitioners in their respective fields.
The School of Music is delighted to announce the appointment of David Sweeten, widely known as DJ Burn One, as the newest Visiting Professor of Practice in the Music Industry area. With a remarkable career spanning over two decades, DJ Burn One brings an unparalleled wealth of experience and expertise to our institution, enriching the educational landscape for aspiring musicians.
The Music Video as Black Art: Claiming the B-Side is an upcoming symposium that celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the founding of liquid blackness as a study group on September 21-23. The event explores creative insights that, migrating from music to filmmaking and installation art, from high art to popular culture, from art galleries to digital platforms—and supported by hip-hop global.
Renowned conductor and music educator, Dr. Robert J. Ambrose, recently from a trip to Singapore where he played a significant role in the five-day Woodlands Young Conductors Workshop. During the workshop, Dr. Ambrose had the privilege of working closely with 12 talented conductors from all corners of Singapore, each carrying a unique passion for music and leadership. These young conductors were eager to learn and grow under Dr. Ambrose’s tutelage. The workshop offered daily lectures, and live conducting sessions where participants were able to refine their skills in a live setting by conducting four different ensembles.
Fish Brosmer, a trumpet performance major at Georgia State, attended the prestigious National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute in Washington D.C. and performed in the Kennedy Center.
Jeremiah Brown, a talented undergraduate music education student at GSU, has been selected as a participant in the prestigious Lift Every Voice Symposium held at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This mentoring program aims to nurture and support young choral conductors from underrepresented groups. This year’s program is specifically tailored to serve conductors of color, and Jeremiah selection highlights his exceptional talent and potential in the field of choral conducting.
Professors Al Thrash and Ben Yonas have created a student-run distribution and licensing company that is enjoying early success and teaching young artists how to build careers in the music business.
The Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University announced its 2023-24 Rialto Series, "Holding The Light," exploring how the arts inspire hope in challenging times.
The emerging technology taught by Georgia State’s Creative Media Industries Institute is arming students with the filmmaking tools of tomorrow.
The School of Music at Georgia State University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jack Thorpe as the Artist Affiliate of saxophone. A distinguished alumnus, Thorpe brings a wealth of talent, experience, and passion to his new role.
Six faculty members undertaking research, scholarly and creative activity in the arts and humanities have been awarded internal grants to support their work.
Provost Nicolle Parsons-Pollard has appointed three faculty members to important leadership positions within the College of the Arts, including an interim dean, an interim associate dean, and a permanent director for the Ernest G. Welch School of Art and Design.
In a dazzling display of vocal harmony and musical brilliance, the Georgia State University Singers embarked on an extraordinary journey to Istanbul, Turkey, to perform at the prestigious 2023 World Symposium of Choral Music this past April.
Burgeoning opera star Maria Valdes (B. Mu. ’12), a 2023 Georgia State 40 Under 40 honoree, is living her dream on some of the world’s biggest stages.
The Southern Division of the College Band Directors National Association has officially announced Dr. Robert J. Ambrose as President! Serving a two-year term, Robert will lead the upcoming regional conference at the University of Memphis from February 29 to March 2, 2024. With his extensive experience as the State Chair for Georgia and his contributions to national initiatives, Robert brings a wealth of expertise to his new role.
Jadyn Green, an undergraduate music education major, has been chosen to attend the highly esteemed 2023 Collegiate Leadership Advocacy Summit. This prestigious event will provide Jadyn with invaluable leadership and advocacy training, as well as the opportunity to meet with legislators on Capitol Hill.
The Georgia State University School of Music is pleased to announce the appointment of Benjamin DuPriest as Assistant Professor in Music History with a specialization in Popular and World Music.
This spring semester, students from music, visual arts and film converged into an interdisciplinary course by the name of “Integrated Studies Lab,” that focused on creating performance-based work and culminated with performances at Pasaquan, the visionary art environment in Buena Vista, GA.
The recipients of the 2023 Outstanding Faculty Awards are Dr. Philip Lewis for Outstanding Faculty Award in Research/Creative Activity, Wesley Harvey for Outstanding Faculty Award in Service, Al Thrash for Outstanding Faculty Award in Teaching and Jill Frank for Outstanding Junior Faculty Award.
The Office of Faculty Affairs at Georgia State University awards Dr. Jennifer Sengin, Lecturer and Associate Director of Choral Activities at the School of Music, a 2022-2023 Georgia State University Non-Tenure Track (NTT) Faculty Achievement Award.
Georgia State University's School of Music hosted a weekend of all things Sync, featuring some of the top music supervisors in the industry. During an exclusive listening session, a handful of GSU students who have recently launched their music with the MTM Standard label presented their music in an exclusive listening session with six of the top music supervisors in the country.
Senior Abigail Cook, a double major in Studio Art and Film and Media, is working to ensure those formerly incarcerated aren’t blocked from accessing higher education.
School of Music’s rising tenor made his milestone solo debut in the nation's capital at Kennedy Center with The Washington Chorus in "Free at Last! A Musical Tribute to Dr. King's Legacy."
The Georgia State Trumpet ensemble, led by Dr. Alexander Freund, has returned to Atlanta after a thrilling trip to the University of Colorado, Boulder as a competitor in the 2023 National Trumpet Competition. The competition was held from March 25-27, 2023, and featured various events, including solo and ensemble performances, masterclasses, and lectures. The Georgia State Trumpet Ensemble showcased their skills in the small ensemble division, performing “Moonshot,” written for the ensemble by Georgia State alumnus Ryan Ragsdale. They were one of 40 small collegiate ensembles to compete this year.
Graduate choral conducting students Thom Dixon, Dennis Lau and Emily Halbert will be traveling to California State University this July as conducting Scholars in the Chorus America Choral-Orchestral Conducting Academy.
The School of Music is delighted to announce the appointment of Talise Trevigne as Lecturer in Applied Voice, effective Fall 2023. The American soprano is a renowned vocalist who has performed in some of the most prestigious opera houses and concert halls in the world. She has also worked with some of the most distinguished conductors and directors in the field and has received critical acclaim for her vocal artistry and dramatic interpretation.
Professor Craig Drennen of the Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design takes on the curatorial lead for Paula Crown’s two-part exhibition #solotogether at Manhattan’s landmark Rockefeller Center.
“Songs We Love” is arranged as a journey through the first 50 years of jazz song with the musical direction of trombonist Mariel Bildsten. Three guest vocalists will join an all-star band made up of New York’s rising stars discovered by Wynton Marsalis.
Marking a return to the venue’s roots as an urban movie palace, the Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University has announced the installation of a new digital film projector and cinema screen.
Now in its 6th year, the SoundNOW Contemporary Music Festival presents performances by 12 of Atlanta’s best new music ensembles in a seven-concert series beginning from Sunday, March 26 through April 1.
MTM Standard, the newly established record label with the Georgia State University School of Music, debuted four student recording artists March 3. This is the first series of releases with more coming throughout March and April.
In celebration of Black History Month, School of Music student Jeremiah Brown not only performed and emceed the concert but was also the brainchild behind “'Till Victory is Won.”
The fellowship condenses years of on-the-job experience and skills development into a single year.
Dr. Alex Freund and his professional brass quintet, M5 Mexican Brass, traveled to Spain to participate and perform in the 2023 FESTMUS, an international music festival. Their performance included the world premiere of Juan Vasquez's "La Topa", written for M5 and commissioned by Freund.
José Alberto Azurdia Lamadrid, a graduate conducting student studying with Dr. Deanna Joseph, is headed to Istanbul, Turkey not only to perform with the Georgia State University Singers but also to participate in the highly competitive conducting masterclass as part of the conference. He is one of six participants selected for this opportunity.
Georgia State Music Management professor, Al Thrash, meets up with School of Music alum Carlos Simon at the 2023 Grammy Awards.
This past weekend, the Georgia State University Jazz area brought together "a gaggle" of jazz trumpet players to perform a tribute concert in Dorham's honor. The family of Kenny Dorham, with all five daughters in attendance, led the standing ovations, along with friends, extended family and the audience in appreciation of hearing some of their most beloved compositions performed beautifully.
Alumnus Timothy Richardson’s (M.A. '21) recent film, "Through Our Lens" centers on the importance of photography for Black liberation and how images have brought truth to power by capturing the Black experience.
Kevin Bales, jazz piano instructor at GSU, will be performing in the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York on February 18, 2023. He will be backing legendary blues artists such as Russell Gunn and the Royal Krunk Orkestra.
Dr. Jennifer Sengin, Associate Director of Choral Activities at Georgia State, releases an album with professional women's choir, mirabai.
Hundreds of music educators in the state gathered in Athens, Georgia for the annual Georgia Music Educator In-Service Conference at the end of January. Similar to years past, the Georgia State School of Music was presented and well accounted for!
From rave reviews and busy opera seasons to dozens of solo concerts nationwide, alumna Maria Valdes (B.Mu.'12) adds another accolade to her list of achievements with the honor of being named to Georgia State University (GSU) 40 Under 40 Class of 2023.
Started in 2018, Georgia State’s 40 Under 40 program annually celebrates the most influential and accomplished Georgia State graduates who embody the values of the university.
The new book “Ocean Gleaning” is published by Fall Line Press and tracks 15 years of Professor Longobardi's art practice, research, and activism from around the world.
The Choral Union, a choral ensemble made up of 115 music majors and non-music majors, will be performing alongside acclaimed artist Callie Day at Central Presbyterian Church of Atlanta on February 5th.
On January 14th, the GSU trumpet studio performed the world premiere of a new work at the Trumpet Festival of the Southeast 2023 at Berry College in Rome, GA. The piece "Moonshot" was written for the students by GSU alumnus Ryan Ragsdale.
Music Composition Alumnus, Michael C. Standard, was recently accepted into the National Band Association's Young Composer Mentor Project for his piece titled "Five Frames for Redemption."
Dr. Jennifer Sengin and a few choral conducting grad students were honored to participate in the joint choir at Ebenezer Baptist Church for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. commemorative celebration.
Music Education PhD student, Ashante Griffin, presents How Have Equity Issues in Music Education Been Identified and Acknowledged in Articles Published by NAFME Journals From 2001- Present Day at 2022 Graduate Research Conference.
In fall 2022, Dr. Maria Gindhart led a four-week course at the High entitled “Rodin: Myths, Methods, Monuments, Museums” to examine the sculptor Auguste Rodin, his oeuvre, and his artistic context and influence.
Professor Ben Yonas and eleven Music Production & Audio Recording students traveled to New York for the AES convention held in the Javits Center.
Sarah Griffin, 2023 MM in Saxophone Performance, won the Musical Performance division at the Inaugural Graduate Conference for Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity for her performance of Chia-Yu Hsu's Chasing Shadows (2013) for Solo Alto Saxophone.
Educators from Georgia State are empowering teachers and students across the state to incorporate the arts into traditional science and math studies.
After graduating from Georgia State University and enrolling in the Georgia Film Academy, Melany Tejada (B.A. ’22) earned a spot on the set of one of the biggest movies of the year, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
Jarius Cliett (M.Mu.’17) discusses his high-profile engagement to date and being on the road for the Tony Award-winning musical, “The Book of Mormon.”
Playing open-mic nights on the side and filling notebooks full of lyrics between classes led him to investigate what it would look like to pursue a full-time career in the music industry.
As a major ambassador of the euphonium, Adam has more than one hundred and twenty works that have been composed or specifically arranged for him.
Senior Lauren McCartney is set to make her TV debut Monday, Nov. 21.
José Antonio Ayllon Miranda will have the opportunity to perform his winning piece in the prestigious Carnegie Hall theater in New York City on June 10. This competition is designed for solo performers and ensembles to challenge themselves in a very competitive environment
School of Music alumna Margaret Maurice (M.Mu. Piano Pedagogy ’08) was invited to Nashville to be recognized as one of 30 nationwide Music Teachers of Excellence awarded by the CMA Foundation.
Trumpet Assistant Professor Dr. Alexander Freund will participate and perform as a featured musician at the Hanoi Brass Week Festival 2022 from Nov. 20-30.
Georgia State undergraduate music student Demetrious Sampson is making his name known in the opera scene across the nation.
Film, Media & Theatre Ph.D. graduate Andy Kemp-Wilcox takes his video game career to new heights after earning his degree at Georgia State University.
Film, Media & Theatre Ph.D. graduate Shady Radical turns her passion into excellent work for Tyler Perry Studios and Spelman College.
The Georgia State University School of Music will have two ensembles perform at the 2023 Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) annual in-service conference: the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Treble Choir – a very high honor for music ensembles across the state.
Interior Design Assistant Professor Hoa Vo and Academic Professional in Theatre Mary Emily Deal are awarded 2022-2023 CETLOE Mini-Grants to support their class programs.
The American Choral Directors Association awarded Dr. Sengin, Associate Director of Choral Activities, a 2023 International Conductors Exchange Program fellowship and is among six recipients nationwide to be honored with this prestigious fellowship.
After graduating in 2018, film production alumnus Camilo Diaz worked on numerous film projects, co-founded CineAstra, and soon landed a plum project as cinematographer for "Level 34,” a short sci-fi thriller by Make-A-Wish recipient and 17-year-old filmmaker Zach Breder.
Georgia State Alumni Association Welcomes New Members to Board of Directors and Young Alumni Council
The Georgia State University Alumni Association has named three new members to its Board of Directors and 18 new members to the Young Alumni Council board.
Early this summer, the Georgia State University Tenor-Bass Choir, under the direction of Dr. Patrick K. Freer (Professor of Music Education), was invited to present a virtual concert at the XIV International Festival CORHABANA 2022 in Havana, Cuba.
The Georgia State University School of Music is proud to announce the appointment of Jessica Petrasek as the new artist affiliate for flute.
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has appointed and reappointed seven faculty at Georgia State with the designation of Regents’ Professor, the highest professorial rank within the state’s system of public colleges and universities.
White served as the school’s director from 2012-2018 and returns to the leadership role beginning Aug. 1.
The Women’s Philanthropy Network (WPN) at Georgia State University selected a diverse set of college and unit-level initiatives to receive grants ranging from $10,000 to $75,000 to foster student success and improve student opportunities.
The School of Music is proud to be among the four promising research and creative undertakings for its "Panther Music Distribution" proposal and will receive a $50,000 award in seed funding.