Variety of music events set for spring semester
Article By: Denise Ray
February is the month for music lovers as the University of North Georgia (ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥) begins its spring semester schedule with four performances. The first two will focus on the music of composer, pianist and educator Jane K, whose given name is Evgeniya Kozhevnikova.
The first event highlighting the composer is "A Little Night(hawk) Music Concert," which will be held at the Performing Arts Lobby on ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥'s Gainesville Campus at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7.
The other event focused on Jane K’s work is set for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Gloria Shott Performance Hall on the Dahlonega Campus.
"The A Little Night(hawk) Music series started in 2016 on the Gainesville Campus and showcases a combination of ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ music faculty and guest artists with performances ranging from jazz to opera to traditional instrumental and vocal recitals each year,” Dr. Benjamin Schoening, department head and professor of music, said.
The music department asks all people planning to attend any spring semester concerts to register online at the ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ music events webpage, which links to ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ Connect sign-ups for each performance. All performances are free of charge and open to the public.
Jane K composes in various styles and genres, from classical to jazz and tango, tastefully blending them together. In 2020, she released a jazz-tango album "Tango Avenue." She holds two master's degrees, in music composition and music performance, from Western Michigan University. She is working on her doctorate degree in music composition at the University of Florida.
The A Little Night(hawk) Music series started in 2016 on the Gainesville Campus and showcases a combination of ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ music faculty and guest artists with performances ranging from jazz to opera to traditional instrumental and vocal recitals each year.
Dr. Benjamin Schoening
Department head and professor of music
Jane K has been involved with the ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ music department for some time, Vivian Doublestein, staff accompanist, said. Schoening and Doublestein met Jane K at the Research on Contemporary Composition Conference ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ hosted, and they have collaborated on music for a pair of events since then.
Schoening and Doublestein will be performing songs by Edna St. Vincent Millay during both events.
The recitals will also include three piano trio pieces performed by ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ faculty Dr. Esther Morgan-Ellis, Dr. Serena Scibelli and Doublestein.
A set of jazz pieces that Jane has released on "Tango Avenue" will be performed by the ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ faculty jazz ensemble — which includes Dr. Steven Walker, Dr. Bart Walters, Dr. Luca Lombardi, and Scibelli— with the composer at the piano.
The ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ bands will perform at the Dawson County High School Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22.
The Church Choir Festival, a celebration of music provided by area church choirs and the choral ensembles at ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥, will be held at 3 p.m. Feb. 27 at Dahlonega Baptist Church.
The Sinfonietta concert is set for 7:30 p.m. March 3 at the Shott Performance Hall and will include music for string and full orchestra, with the ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ Jazz Band concert at 7:30 p.m. March 8 at the Shott Performance Hall.
Dr. Joanna Kim, assistant department head and professor of music, will lead a group of musicians for the 7:30 p.m. March 7 International Woman's Day Concert, which will mark that month's "A Little Night(hawk) Music Concert."
The performances are geared to those who enjoy and love to listen to music, whether that be from the ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ or greater north Georgia communities, Schoening said, adding that there will be a wide variety of performances with a little something for everyone throughout the semester.
Visit the ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ music events webpage for a full schedule of upcoming concerts.
Alumnus Mixon earns USG award
Retired Lt. Gen. Benjamin 'Randy' Mixon '75 was honored with the Regents' Hall of Fame Alumni and Distinguished Friends Award on Sept. 12 at the annual ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ (USG) Foundation Gala in Atlanta.
Professor, students published in international journal
Dr. Esther Morgan-Ellis, Abigail Cannon ’24 and Lily Hammond '24 had an article published in 'Choral Journal,' the international journal of the American Choral Directors Association.
Faculty trio to perform at Carnegie Hall
ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ faculty members Mengyao Sun, Dr. Philip Snyder and Yeasol Kang, known as The Crown Mountain Trio, will perform on Oct. 1 at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Music Major for a Day returns to Dahlonega
ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ will host 'Music Major for a Day' on Sept. 18 so curious high school students can experience life as a Nighthawk at ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥'s Dahlonega Campus.