VSU Black History Month Celebration Ends with Special Concert Feb. 29

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University’s celebration of Black History Month will conclude with a special musical event at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 29, in Whitehead Auditorium. Admission is free of charge and open to the public.

Presented by the Department of Music, with support from the African American Studies Program, the concert will feature music written or adapted by Robert G. Patterson, a noted Memphis, Tenn.-based composer and software developer. He regularly plays horn with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and serves as the resident composer for the Luna Nova Music Ensemble. 

Monday’s concert will begin with a performance of Patterson’s whimsical The Cat Menagerie, featuring narration by Carol Mikkelsen, videography by Shannon Lowe, and the instrumental talents of the Bläzer Quintet, comprised of Elizabeth Goode on flute, Susan Eischeid on oboe, Peter Geldrich on clarinet, Shannon Lowe on bassoon, and Kristen Johns on horn.

The evening will continue with a performance of Patterson’s adaptation of Vier letzte Lieder, originally written by Richard Strauss and featuring soprano Tamara Hardesty on vocals, Kristen Johns on horn, and Lyle Indergaard on piano.

Monday’s concert will conclude with Patterson’s American Pierrot: A Langston Hughes Songbook, featuring special guests Susan Hoskins on piano and baritone Earl Coleman on vocals.  

Prior to Monday’s concert, Patterson will spend the day on campus conducting lectures on music composition in Department of Music classes

Whitehead Auditorium is located on the first floor of VSU’s Fine Arts Building, at the intersection of Brookwood Drive and Oak Street.

Please visit https://www.facebook.com/vstatenews/?ref=hl to learn more about the artists performing Monday.

On the Web:

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts/music/welcome.php

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts-sciences/african-american-studies/

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities. 

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals: 

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Goal 4: Foster an environment of creativity and scholarship.

Goal 5: Develop and enhance Valdosta State’s human and physical resources.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.