Townsend School of Music to Offer Another Season Filled with Free Community Concerts

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MACON – Townsend School of Music at Mercer University opens its fall music season with the following concerts that are free and open to the public.

Unless otherwise noted, performances begin at 7:30 p.m. in Fickling Hall at the McCorkle Music Building on Mercer's campus.

For a complete schedule of events, visit www.mercer.edu/music, or become a fan of our Facebook page for upcoming performances and audio links for upcoming concerts by the faculty and students at Townsend School of Music.

Tuesday, Aug. 29

Townsend All-Faculty Gala will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m. The Townsend concert season opens with a showcase of performances by distinguished faculty artists in a festive, gala concert event. Admission is free and open to the public.

Monday, Sept. 4

The Robert McDuffie Labor Day Festival for Strings and Closing Concert

The 2017 Labor Day Festival is an intensive, hands-on, three-day workshop with Center faculty, limited to just eight rising high school seniors: four violinists, two violists, and two cellists. Participants will take part in master classes, coaching and rehearsals as they prepare for the festival's closing concert, when they will perform string quartets as well as play with the Center String Ensemble. The closing concert will take place at 3 p.m. in Fickling Hall, which will also feature performances by Robert McDuffie, Ward Stare, Amy Schwartz Moretti and the McDuffie Center Ensemble. Admission is free and open to the public.

Thursday, Sept. 7

Faculty Artist Recital: Martha Malone, soprano; Carol Goff, piano

Music expresses all of life, from the sublime to the hilarious, from rags to riches – from lullabies to dirges. In this eclectic program, you'll hear quite a variety of styles and genres, from Purcell to Sondheim. Prepare to be surprised!

Tuesday, Sept. 12

Mercer University Faculty Brass Quintet

The Mercer University Faculty Brass Quintet will be up to its normal “Brass Tactics” this concert season featuring a wide gamut of brass literature sure to fit the tastes of music lovers from across Middle Georgia!

Friday, Sept. 15

Mercer Wind Ensemble Presents Mad About Chamber Winds I

The 16th annual presentation of Chamber Ensembles comprised from the Mercer University Wind Ensemble will offer up a program from every imaginable setting! 

Saturday, Sept. 23

Townsend Presents a special community concert featuring The Georgia Brass Band

Since its founding in 1999, the Georgia Brass Band has performed at concert halls, churches and colleges throughout the Southeast. Like most brass bands in the United States, the Georgia Brass Band is made up of a dedicated group of volunteer musicians from all walks of life. Members are selected by audition and travel from all over the Metro Atlanta area to rehearse and perform with the band. Admission is $10 or free with student I.D. at 7:30 p.m. in Neva Langley Fickling Hall.

Tuesday, Sept. 26

Robert McDuffie Center for Strings Fabian Concert Series presents

Dvořák Viola Quintet in E flat major, Op. 97

Featuring: Rebecca Albers, viola; Lawrence Dutton, viola; Annie Fullard, violin; Paul Watkins, cello; Amy Schwartz Moretti, violin; and Elizabeth Pridgen, piano

Paul Watkins, newest member of the Emerson String Quartet, joins Lawrence Dutton and other distinguished Center faculty in a once-in-a-lifetime performance of Dvořák's Viola Quintet.

Tickets cost $15 each; Mercer University faculty, staff and students with a valid Mercer I.D. receive one ticket free. Purchase season tickets and save. Call (478) 301-5470.

Saturday, Sept. 30, 11 a.m.

Family Weekend Gala Concert
A gala concert of the Townsend School of Music, hosted by the Mercer Singers.

About Townsend School of Music

Mercer University's Townsend School of Music, the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings and the Townsend-McAfee Institute for Graduate Studies offer undergraduate and graduate professional music studies in a comprehensive university environment. Townsend is nationally recognized for its outstanding faculty, award-winning students, performance ensembles and state-of-the-art facilities. The McDuffie Center, a special institute within Townsend School of Music, is a highly selective program that prepares string students for success in the real world. Students study with some of America's most renowned string musicians, receiving music instruction of conservatory quality, while earning an academically well-rounded education from a comprehensive, nationally recognized university. For more information and a complete listing of this season's concerts please visit www.mercer.edu/music, or call (478) 301-2748.