Dear Mason Music Family,

We are excited to share incredible music at Mason during these final weeks of our spring semester. We hope to see you tonight, Thursday April 25, for a ticketed performance of Mason Wind Symphony The Blue Marble: An Earth "Concertvation" Experience on our Fairfax Campus.  Please also join us for our Mason Symphony Orchestra concert tomorrow at 8 pm, Friday April 26, featuring our stellar concerto soloists and selections from Bernstein's West Side Story in Mason's Center for the Arts.  

We have many outstanding free chamber concerts and student degree recitals on our Fairfax campus, including Vocal Performance Seminar (today at 3 pm), Healing Arts Ensemble (Saturday at 1:30 pm), Mason Electronic Music Ensemble (Saturday at 5 pm), Strings Chamber Ensemble (Sunday 2 pm) and Piano Chamber Ensemble (Sunday at 6 pm). We invite you to join us for upcoming Piano Masterclasses with Brian Ganz mid-day on Friday, April 26 and Monday, April 29 on our Fairfax campus.  

We are so very proud of our Mason Music students and their incredible work and accomplishments throughout this semester. We hope you will join us for our finale Honors Recital on Sunday May 5, an auditioned recital featuring extraordinary student artists. 

Congratulations to Prof. Anthony Maiello and Dr. Elaine Rendler on their upcoming retirements at the end of this Spring 2024 term.  We are indebted to these faculty members for their many contributions to our Dewberry School of Music for a combined total of 65 years of service! Please join me in congratulating Prof. Anthony Maiello, Distinguished University Professor in celebration of 38 years of teaching, artistry, and service at George Mason University; and Dr. Elaine Rendler, Professor of Music Theory in celebration of 27 years of teaching, artistry, and service at George Mason University. 

Heartfelt thanks to our Friends of Music at Mason for your enthusiastic support of our Dewberry School of Music students and faculty. Words cannot express our gratitude for your continuing support.  

Warm Regards,

Dr. Linda A. Monson, Director

Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music

Mason Wind Symphony

The Blue Marble: An eARTh Concertvation Experience

Thursday, April 25 at 8 pm | Pre-Concert Discussion at 6:30 pm

Center for the Arts Concert Hall

$12 General Public, $8 Seniors, $5 Students

In collaboration with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Mason Wind Symphony presents “The Blue Marble: An Earth Concertvation Experience.” Guest are invited to a Pre-Concert Discussion titled “Mission eARTh – A Call to Action for Artists and Audience in Earth Conservation,” a sustainability marketplace featuring vendors who repurpose goods in unique ways, and to explore emerging research from various Mason disciplines that are tackling issues on climate change, our ecosystem, and impactful initiatives that raise awareness.

The featured Wind Symphony concert presents works that connect themes of our planet and the concert experience. The concert opens with Jun Nagao’s “Earth” from “The Planets” by Trouvère. This thrilling work uses themes by beloved classical composer Gustav Holst imaginatively as a nod to his popular compositions personifying the planets of our solar system.

The Mason Wind Symphony is excited to perform newly hired Professor of Composition Andrea Reinkemeyer’s "Smoulder,” inspired by our ever-increasing concern about climate change as witnessed in forest fires. The work creatively uses the wind ensemble as a medium to challenge audiences to take action on complex issues facing our planet through color, tension, and effect.

The Mason Wind Symphony will welcome to the stage, a retiring professor of the Reva and Sid Dewberry School of Music, Anthony Maiello. Professor Anthony Maiello conducted the Mason Bands with vigor and passion, leading to the growth and artistry that still radiate in the Mason Bands and throughout the School of Music. Maiello will conduct an arrangement of Bob Thiele and George Weiss’ “What a Wonderful World,” made popular by Louis Armstrong.

The concert ends with Julie Giroux’s Symphony No. 6: “The Blue Marble,” a symphony written for a high-definition film that captures the beauty of the history of our planet, the cultures that define it, and the harmony that is required to sustain it. Audiences will be immersed in the sights, sounds, and smells of the rainforest in this thrilling conclusion to the program.

6:30 pm-7:45 pm Sustainability Marketplace Opens to the Public

6:30 pm-7:30 pm Pre-Concert Discussion: Mission eARTh – A call to action for artists and audiences in Earth Conservation

8:00 pm-9:30 pm Mason Wind Symphony Concert: “The Blue Marble”

Mason Orchestras: Concerto Competition Winners Concert

Friday, April 26 at 8 pm

Center for the Arts Concert Hall

$20 General Public, $15 Seniors, $5 Students

The Mason Orchestras invite you to join us for our final performance of the season! Conducted by Dr. Soo Han, Clem Pearson, and Michael Stern, this performance will feature both the Mason Concert Orchestra and Mason Symphony Orchestra performing a vast array of musical styles, from Puccini to pop and everything in between! This performance will also celebrate the winners of the 2024 Dewberry School of Music Concerto Competition: Jamilah Barnes (soprano), Ya Chi Tang (piano), Andrew Bell (bassoon), and Michael Abernathy (marimba). The evening will conclude with music from Bernstein’s beloved West Side Story. We hope you can join us on Friday, April 26, at 8:00 p.m. in the Center for the Arts Concert Hall!

Jamilah Barnes, soprano, is a native of Washington D.C. and a graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts. In 2018, she graduated from West Virginia University with a dual focus in Music and Sociology. She has been recognized for her talent by receiving multiple awards from the National Association of Teachers of Singing, as well as receiving an Encouragement Award at the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Voice Performance at George Mason University as a student of Prof. Richard Leech. Jamilah will be featured in a leading role in the Mason Opera production of Mozart’s Impresario as Madame Goldentrill.

Ya-Chi Tang, pianist, is a native of Taiwan. Ya-Chi is pursuing a master’s degree in Piano Performance at George Mason University under the tutelage of Dr. Linda Apple Monson, International Steinway Artist. With a dual bachelor’s degree in Learning and Materials Design and Piano Performance from the University of Taipei, Taiwan, Ya-Chi graduated with distinction in Piano Performance and in Design. Starting her piano journey at age six, Ya-Chi excelled in Taiwan's Special Music Program and later embraced the viola, undergoing professional training throughout her years in junior high school. Driven by a passion for exploration, Ya-Chi revels in experimenting with various expressions and styles, finding joy not only in solo piano but also in collaborative piano. Her first year at George Mason University was immersed in performance opportunities, including solo piano and collaborative piano roles. She performed in Christopher O’Riley’s Piano Master Class and collaborated with the Mason Wind Symphony. With joyful anticipation, she looks forward to sharing her passion for music and zest for life through her performance of Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto with the Mason Symphony Orchestra. 

Andrew Bell, bassoonist, is a native of Falls Church, Virginia. He has over 11 years of experience playing the bassoon and has held many musical honors throughout his life. He received the Director’s Award in Middle School for most outstanding band student and held District X honors 5 times from Middle School to High School. He is a Monson Scholar at GMU, and, most recently, was a finalist for the MGL Concerto Competition (2023, 2024). Currently at Mason, Andrew holds the position of Principal Bassoonist for both the Symphony Orchestra (2022-present) and Wind Symphony (2021-present). He also regularly performs in various chamber ensembles, including a VMEA Professional Development Conference performance in the 5-2-5 Woodwind Quintet. Andrew is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Music in Bassoon Performance at George Mason University and is a student of Christopher E. Jewell.

Michael Abernathy, marimbist, is from the small town of Waxhaw, near Charlotte, North Carolina. Michael earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Western Carolina University in 2016 and earned his Master's Degree in Percussion Performance at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, in 2018. Michael is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Musical Arts (DMA) in Percussion Performance at George Mason University. Michael was the drummer for Depot Street, a funk-rock band based in Boone, NC. He was instrumental in releasing their 2021 debut album, Home, Sweet Home, He is currently recording his solo debut album, a funk-rock album titled To the Wind featuring 13 original songs, due to be released in 2024. ​Michael has served as the Front Ensemble Instructor for the Marching Mountaineers at Appalachian State University. He now serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at George Mason, teaching Musics of the World and Class Percussion. He also serves as a Front Ensemble Instructor at West Potomac High School. As an arranger, he has written front ensemble and full percussion books for a variety of marching bands and indoor percussion ensembles. He composes a new show of entirely original music every season for West Potomac High School Indoor Percussion.

Vocal Performance Seminar Recital

Thursday, April 25 at 3 pm

Center for the Arts Monson Grand Tier 3

Free and Open to the Public. No tickets or registration required. 

Come hear Mason's vocal students present a recital featuring German Lieder and French Mélodie of Brahms, Schubert, Duparc, and Fauré.

Piano Masterclass on Friday, April 26 at 11:30 am - 1:20 pm in Choral Room

Chopin Lecture-Recital on Monday, April 29 at 12:30 pm in Harris Theatre

Piano Masterclass on Monday, April 29 at 1:30 pm -2:30 pm in Harris Theatre

These masterclasses and lecture are free and open to the public.

Our Music For Well-Being Program's Healing Arts Ensemble will present "Restorative Sounds" on Saturday, April 27 at 1:30 p.m. in deLaski 3001. All Educators are invited as our VIPs in appreciation for all you do! MUSI 300 credit offered.

Mason Electronic Music Ensemble (MEME)

Saturday, April 27 at 5 pm in deLaski 3001

Please join the Mason Electronic Music Ensemble (MEME) for "Nightcall," a concert of pop tunes, film music, and classical favorites arranged for electronic instruments. The program includes music from the film Transformers, Kavinsky, Owl City, Eurythmics, Men at Work, Satie, and Everglow. Free admission and MUSI 300 credit offered.

Strings Chamber Ensemble Concert

Sunday, April 28 at 2 pm in Harris Theatre

Don't miss our Strings Chamber Ensemble Concert on Sunday, April 28 at 2 pm in Harris Theatre under the direction of Prof. June Huang, Director of Strings and featuring the works of Schumann and Beethoven. Free admission and MUSI 300 credit offered.

Piano Chamber Ensemble Concert this Sunday, April 28 at 6:00 p.m.in the Choral Room. MUSI 300 credit and open to the public.

We are pleased to announce our Dewberry School of Music Honors Recital will be on Sunday, May 5 at 3 pm in Harris Theatre. Our Honors Recital showcases our amazing Mason Music Students including solo and small ensemble performances with piano, voice, strings, and woodwind instruments. Free Admission and MUSI 300 credit offered.

All student recitals are in person and live-streamed.

The 3rd Annual Fairfax Muster

Veterans Amphitheater in the City of Fairfax

Sunday April 28, 2024 at 1pm

Hosted by the Green Machine Ensembles from George Mason University, the City of Fairfax, and Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts

Congratulations to Prof. Anthony Maiello and Dr. Elaine Rendler on their upcoming retirements at the end of this Spring 2024 term.  We are indebted to these faculty members for their many contributions to our Dewberry School of Music for a combined total of 65 years of service! 

Prof. Anthony Maiello, Distinguished University

Professor in celebration of 38 years of teaching, artistry, and service at George Mason University

September 1986-May 2024

Dr. Elaine Render, Professor of Music Theory in celebration of 27 years of teaching, artistry, and service at George Mason University

September 1997- May 2024

Summer Session: Opera Workshop and Audition Seminar with

Professor Richard Leech

Opera Workshop

May 20 – June 6 | Monday – Thursday, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Meets two hours per day, four days per week for three weeks

In this intensive workshop, students will explore the process of preparing and presenting a scene. They will learn how to create a character for a role that is organic to them. They will also study many of the elements of stage movement and stagecraft that are somewhat unique to opera. Scenes will be assigned, rehearsed, and presented at the end of the workshop.

Audition Seminar

May 20 – June 6 | Monday – Thursday, 2 – 4 p.m.

Meets two hours per day, four days per week for three weeks

This class will focus on the process of auditioning. At all levels: undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and emerging professional, the standards in place for auditions and professional materials are important to understand. Students will work to hone their audition performances in a masterclass setting and work with faculty to refine their repertoire choices and the layout and content of their resumes. Best practices for the making of the all-important audition videos will also be shared, and a video of one piece will be made in the last week of class.

For registration information, please contact Dr. Carrie Ann Delaney at cdelane2@gmu.edu.

Professional Learning Opportunity 

for all Performing Arts Educators

*including pre-service & studio teachers*

Mason Community Arts Academy is hosting a three-day professional development workshop on Performing Arts Educator Well-Being and Artistic Social Emotional Learning. This opportunity is for pre-service and in-service teachers in Music, Dance, and Theatre. 

We invest much time, energy, passion, and love into our students, our art form, rehearsals and performances. Students, like our world, were forever changed by the pandemic and that the return to the classroom and studio has brought new challenges to how we engage students in learning, manage behaviors, and keep our own well-being in an optimal place.

Dr. Scott Edgar and Rita Gigliotti are collaborating this Summer on July 1, 2, and 3 to provide an opportunity to come together to restore our well-being, learn how to maintain a reduced stress day and engage students in practices that will improve focus, artistry, performance and well-being. 

Inservice teachers and graduate students can opt to take this workshop for 1 college credit. 

To learn more about this program and see a sample schedule please visit:

Engage, Elevate, Empower: Teacher Well-Being & Artistic Social Emotional Learning (SEL) for the Performing Arts Educator.

This program is being sponsored by Mason Community Arts Academy, GIA Publications and is in conjunction with Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music at George Mason University.

For Questions: academy@gmu.edu