GENERAL INFORMATION
About Mason Music
College of Visual & Performing Arts
Center for Arts & Wellness
Friends of Music
Contact Us
UNDERGRADUATE
Information
Degree Programs
Forms & Materials
How to Apply
GRADUATE
How to Apply
Degree Programs
Exam Materials
CURRENT STUDENTS
Courses & Syllabi
Forms & Materials
Frequently Asked Questions
Music 300 Recitals
PERFORMING ARTS
Opportunities & Ensembles
Private Lesson Teacher/Performer
News & Notes
Calendar of Concerts/Events
Archives
FACULTY & STAFF
Faculty Directory
Forms & Materials
POTOMAC ACADEMY
Summer Programs
Orff Schulwerk/Kodaly Program
News & Notes
June 22, 2009
Commander of The United States Air Force Band Joins Faculty at George Mason University
Colonel Dennis M. Layendecker, commander, music director and principal conductor of The United States Air Force (USAF) Band, will join the George Mason University faculty this summer as the Heritage Chair in Music and director of the University Orchestras in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA).
“We are thrilled to welcome Colonel Layendecker to the faculty of the Music Department and know that he will be a vital asset to the college, the department and our students,” says William Reeder, Dean of CVPA. “His extensive leadership and management backgrounds coupled with incredible artistic abilities will allow Colonel Layendecker to bring resonance to the department and help its faculty reach even higher levels of professional success.”
The Heritage Chair in Music was established in the 1980s by former Mason president George Johnson and his wife Joanne as a way of promoting the arts on campus and within the community. In this role, Colonel Layendecker will give a larger voice to the Music Department by using his artistic and management skills to address the specific needs of each individual faculty member.
Recognized as “America's International Musical Ambassadors,” Colonel Layendecker assumed command of the Washington, D.C.-based USAF Band in July 2002. He will retire this summer after a 26-year career in the United States Air Force having served as a commander, conductor, artistic director, performing musician, public spokesperson, educator and diplomat.
“I am honored to be joining the faculty of George Mason University and excited to be working in the Music Department with some of the most accomplished artist faculty in the country,” says Colonel Layendecker. “I believe there is a very bright future ahead for music and the other fine arts at Mason and I look forward to teaming with my colleagues and our students to make a great program even better.”
Colonel Layendecker has provided direct musical and ceremonial support to the President of the United States and his Cabinet, members of Congress and other high ranking civilian and military leaders nationally and internationally. In addition, he has led the USAF Band and overseen policy for 12 Air Force musical units and has directed more than 6,000 musical performances worldwide in support of public outreach, community relations, troop morale, welfare, and recruiting and retention programs for the Air Force.
“I am delighted with Dr. Layendecker's appointment as Heritage Chair in Music and Conductor of University Orchestras," stated Mark Camphouse, Department of Music Interim Chair. "His distinguished record of service and significant artistic accomplishments will enhance all aspects of music at Mason, in the Northern Virginia community, and beyond.”
Colonel Layendecker holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestra Conducting from the Catholic University of America and a Master of Music in Orchestra Conducting from Northwestern University.
April 17, 2009
Mason Gazette article featured current graduate composition music student Vinny Oppido, who was a part of the creation of the new Mason alma mater.
April 3-4, 2009
Mason sent 29 Vocal Studies students who received honors from the Va. State NATS Competition at Shenendoah Conservatory in March to the NATS Regionals in North Carolina this past weekend. The following 12 Mason students placed First, Second or Third in the 2009 Mid-Atlantic Regional NATS Vocal Competition (held at Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina).
First Place:
Danielle Dean - College Freshmen Women (Category 9A) - Student of Prof. Patricia Miller
Darrick Speller- College Freshmen Men (Category 10)- Student of Prof. Patricia Miller
Mia Rojas - College Sophomore Women (Category 11A) - Student of Prof. Patricia Miller
Terry Barr - Freshmen/Sophomore Musical Theater College Men (Category 24) - Student of Prof. Rick Novak
Jennifer Hegmann -Musical Theater Graduate/ Continuing Education-Women (Category 27) - Student of Dr. Kathryn Hearden
Second Place:
Emma McDermott - College Freshmen Women (Category 9B) - Student of Prof. Debby Wenner
Rebecca Elam - College Sophomore Women (Category 11B) - Student of Prof. Patricia Miller
Jonathan Hoffman - College Senior Men (Category 16) - Student of Prof. Debby Wenner
Third Place:
Ayana Reed - College Freshmen Women (Category 9B) - Student of Prof. Patricia Miller
Briona Jackson - College Freshmen Women (Category 9B) - Student of Prof. Patricia Miller
Kyra Wagstaff - College Freshmen Women (Category 9C) - Student of Prof. Rick Novak
Emma Gorin - College Sophomore Women (Categor 11) - Student of Prof. Debby Wenner
March 6-7, 2009
GMU Vocalists placed in nearly every category at the National Association of Teachers of Singing Virginia State Conference and Vocal Competition. The event was held at Shenendoah Conservatory (on the campus of Shenedoah University) in Winchester, Virginia on Friday, March 7th and Saturday, March 8th, 2009. The Mid-Atlantic Regional NATS Conference and Competition will be held at Appalachian State in Boone, North Carolina on April 3, 4, 2009. All the Mason students listed as winners at the Virginia State level are eligible to compete at the Regional level in April. A feature article was posted in the Mason Gazette featuring these students.
College Freshmen Women (Category 9A)
Emma McDermott—1st Place | Student of Prof. Debby Wenner
College Freshmen Women (Category 9B)
Danielle Dean—1st Place | Student of Prof. Patricia Miller
Ayana Reed—2nd Place | Student of Prof. Patricia Miller
Caroline Clymer—Honors | Student of Prof. Debby Wenner
College Freshmen Women (Category 9C)
Briona Jackson—1st Place | Student of Prof. Patricia Miller
Kyra Wagstaff—3rd Place | Student of Prof. Rick Novak
College Freshmen Men (Category 10)
Darrick Speller—3rd Place | Student of Prof. Patricia Miller
College Sophomore Women (Category 11A)
Mia Rojas—1st Place | Student of Prof. Patricia Miller
Amanda Cullin—2nd Place | Student of Prof. Patricia Miller
Emma Gorin—Honors | Student of Prof. Debby Wenner
College Sophomore Women (Category 11B)
Anne Marie White—1st Place | Student of Prof. Debby Wenner
Stephanie Edwaards—2nd Place | Student of Prof. Patricia Miller
College Sophomore Women (Category 11C)
Rebecca Elam—2nd Place | Student of Prof. Patricia Miller
College Sophomore Men (Category 12)
Terry Barr—2nd Place | Student of Prof. Rick Novak
College Junior Women (Category 13B)
Jessie Buckman—2nd Place | Student of Prof. Patricia Miller
Sarah Lennertz—3rd Place | Student of Prof. Debby Wenner
College Junior Women (Category 13C)
Camille Crofton—Honors | Student of Prof. Patricia Miller
College Junior Men (Category 14)
Ronnie Bell—Honors | Student of Dr. Kathryn Hearden
Latham Gunn—Honors | Student of Prof. Rick Novak
College Senior Women (Category 15A)
Katelyn Sexton – Honors | Student of Prof. Patricia Miller
College Senior Women (Category 15B)
Christian Yingling – Honors | Student of Prof. Patricia Miller
College Senior Men (Category 16)
Jonathan Hoffman – 1st Place | Student of Prof. Debby Wenner
Advanced College Women (Category 17A)
Claire Sax—Honors | Student of Dr. Kathryn Hearden
Advanced College Women (Category 17B)
Claire Sampson – 2nd Place | Student of Dr. Kathryn Hearden
Ella Ait – 3rd Place | Student of Prof. Patricia Miller
Freshman/Sophomore Musical Theater (Category 23A)
Kyra Wagstaff—Honors | Student of Prof. Rick Novak
Freshman/Sophomore Musical Theater (Category 24)
Terry Barr—2nd Place | Student of Prof. Rick Novak
College Women Jr./Sr. (Category 25B)
Jessie Kohls—3rd Place | Student of Prof. Debby Wenner
Graduate Musical Theater Women (Category 27)
Jennifer Hegmann—First Place | Student of Dr. Kathryn Hearden
February 27, 2009
The Music Department has a feature article in the Mason Gazette, regarding Mason students and faculty featured on the March 1 concert with the U.S. Army Band.
February 16, 2009
2009 Concerto Competition Winners Announced!
The following students have been selected as winners of the 2009 Concerto Competition and will perform at the Scholarship Concert on Sunday, May 3, 2009:
Amanda Cook, flute
Patricia Hussey, voice
Katie Kane, oboe
Sujin Kim, violin
Claire Sampson, voice
Min Son, piano
Congratulations to these outstanding soloists. We encourage everyone to continue to work hard and look towards next year's audition. Best wishes for continued success.
January 9, 2009
The first annual Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition was held in January, 2009, at the NOA Convention in Washington, D.C. Feature article in the Mason Gazette. Additional article featured in The Burke Connection on March 12, 2009. (Note: the Country Club performance in the article is no longer happening)
First place was awarded to George Mason University performing Too Many Sopranos: Act I Finale, by Edwin Penhorwood.
Second place was awarded to Towson University performing The Medium: “Séance Scene” (Act I), by Gian Carlo Menotti.
Stage Director: Rick Davis
Artistic Director: Patricia Miller
Opera Coach & Pianist: Michael Crabill
Too Many Sopranos: Act I Finale Edwin Penhorwood
Dame Doleful—Patricia Hussey
Madame Pompous—Alia Waheed
Miss Titmouse—Adrianna Sgarlata
Just Jeanette—Jessica Buckman
St. Peter—Gregory Hewitt
Gabriel—Darrick Speller
July 7, 2009 4:04 PM