Mercer’s Townsend School of Music faculty will come together for a welcome back concert August 29. The event will include exclusive faculty-led performances for new and returning students.
“It’s really fun to collaborate,” said Martha Malone, chair of vocal studies and director of the Mercer University Opera.
The concert will take place at the Neva Langley Fickling Hall on Mercer’s campus and is free and open to the public. The performance will begin at 7:30 P.M.
“It’s a really fun way to start the year,” Malone said.
She said that the Townsend faculty musicians are at-heart performers.
“We all love to perform,” Malone said about her fellow educators.
This concert gives Townsend faculty members the opportunity to do what they do best.
“[The concert] is the only one of its kind. We do it only once a year,” said Townsend Chair of Instrumental Music, Monty Cole.
Cole said that the concert is an introduction to new music students and that many of the freshmen may have never seen a performance like this.
“There is always a minimum of talking and a maximum of music,” Cole said.
The All-Faculty Gala gives students the rare opportunity to see their professors outside of the classroom, on stage and as professionals in their field.
Malone said that Townsend faculty equally enjoys seeing their colleagues play.
“You always hope that everyone does their best,” Cole said about his fellow musicians.
Malone said there will be about 10 to 15 educators performing in the evening soiree.
Cole, who plays the clarinet and saxophone, is planning on playing jazz pieces in a faculty band during the concert.
Malone has a recital coming up in September. She will select songs to preview from the recital at the gala.
“We hope everyone will come,” Malone said. “We love to teach [music]. We love to perform it.”
For more information on the Townsend All-Faculty Gala visit the calendar page on the school of music website.
Mercer Educators to kick off the year in All-Faculty Gala
Martha Malone will perform songs from her upcoming recital at the All-Faculty Gala.
