The fourth annual “Evening of Swing” gala, a dinner/dance event, will get under way beginning at 6:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, in the James Union Building’s Tennessee Room, announced MTSU’s Friends of Music committee members.
The evening’s entertainment will feature the big-band music of the 1930s and ‘40s, as performed by MTSU’s two jazz ensembles, with MTSU music faculty members Don Aliquo and Jamey Simmons directing.
“The Friends’ annual ‘Evening of Swing’ galas have drawn large numbers of community members to enjoy the pre-reception, dinner, dancing and fellowship. We’ve ordered a number of big band music scores for our ensembles that will be familiar to everyone who enjoys swing music, including hits by the likes of Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington and Tommy Dorsey” said George T. Riordan, director, MTSU School of Music, “so bring your dancing shoes.
“The Tennessee Room is a great place for dancing and enjoying music,” he added. “People have been very impressed with the authentic and danceable swing provided by our students in the MTSU jazz ensembles … (so) this is a wonderful forum to introduce the high quality of our musicians to people who haven’t yet enjoyed concerts at the School of Music. And, for a trip down memory lane, some of our MTSU alumni may be reminded of the traditional ‘Fun Nights’ held in the Tennessee Room.”
Riordan said the Friends of Music was designed to encourage community members to take advantage of the 200 concerts presented annually at MTSU and to enable the school to better provide services and opportunities to music students, as well as provide guidance to the school by providing a community perspective.
Proceeds from the ‘Evening of Swing’ have made it possible for MTSU students to take advantage of great professional opportunities that they otherwise would have to miss. The music department is grateful for the foundation that patrons provide to help in its mission of serving students, MTSU and state and local communities.
“We have an active and dynamic leadership committee who are excited about this event, the school and our students,” Riordan remarked.
MTSU’s Evening of Swing organizing committee members include Liz Rhea, Shirley LaRoche, Jane Blakey, Martha Curl, Bobbie and John Duke, Brenda McFarlin, Margie Spangler, Veronica Milnar, Linda Palmer, Robbie Hooper and Aimee Holt. Representing MTSU on the committee are Riordan, Aliquo, Connie Huddleston, Robyn Kilpatrick, Deanna Hahn, Andrea Dawson and Claudette Northcutt.
“To help people polish their moves (as well as to learn the basics), a free group swing-dance lesson session will be offered on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at a dance studio in the MTSU Recreation Center,” Riordan said. “Dale and Chris Ivey have graciously agreed to help us all prepare for the big event.”
•TICKETS: Individual tickets for “Evening of Swing,” which includes dinner and a gala evening of music and dancing, are $85 per person ($35 is tax-deductible). Tables seating 10 are available for $850 ($350 is tax-deductible) and patron and major sponsor tables are available for $1,000, $2,500 and $5,000. |
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