The Mississippi University for Women Department of Music invites you to an enchanting season of concerts and recitals, showcasing the talents of faculty, students, and esteemed guests. From the soulful piano recitals by Dr. Julia Mortyakova and Gabrielle Foster to the vocal prowess of Zane Lynn and Ricky Dubuisson II, each event promises a unique musical experience. With celebrations of Black History Month and the renowned Music by Women Festival, immerse yourself in a diverse array of performances that honor both tradition and innovation in music.

Melodies of the W: A Vibrant Musical Season at Mississippi University for Women

Prepare for an exciting lineup of musical events at Mississippi University for Women, where the Department of Music presents a series of captivating performances. From the enchanting Faculty Voice Recital with tenor Zane Lynn to the cultural celebration of Black History Month, the calendar is filled with unique events. The upcoming months promise a diverse mix of genres and talents, including modern compositions, student recitals, and the prestigious Music by Women Festival, offering a platform for female composers. Join us in celebrating both historical and contemporary musical achievements.

A Season of Musical Diversity at Mississippi University for Women

This season, the Mississippi University for Women's Department of Music is setting the stage for a diverse array of musical events. Spanning from February to April 2025, the university will host an impressive lineup of concerts, recitals, and festivals. Highlights include a faculty voice recital by tenor Prof. Zane Lynn, a Black History Month celebration concert, a festival dedicated to music by women, and performances from talented students and ensembles. These events promise to showcase a spectacular blend of traditional, contemporary, and innovative musical expressions.

Celebrating Musical Diversity: A Season of Sound at Mississippi University for Women

The W Department of Music at Mississippi University for Women is set to captivate audiences with a series of unforgettable performances in 2025. From the innovative sounds of the New Music at the W Concert to the enchanting recitals by esteemed students like Gabrielle Foster and Ricky Dubuisson II, the lineup promises a rich tapestry of genres and styles. Additionally, major events such as the 2025 Music by Women Festival and the lively NACUSA Concert will showcase the depth and diversity of musical talent thriving within this vibrant academic community.

Celebrating Diverse Melodies: The W University's Musical Journey in 2025

As spring unfurls its vibrant colors, Mississippi University for Women Department of Music is orchestrating a series of captivating performances. From the dramatics of classic opera scenes to the harmonious melodies of wind and jazz ensembles, the upcoming events promise to engage and entertain a diverse audience. Over the course of four days, music enthusiasts can witness an array of musical expressions that showcase the talent and dedication of the university's music department. Join us for this enriching experience, where each performance offers a unique narrative and a glimpse into the world of classical and contemporary music.

A Musical Journey: Mississippi University for Women's Spring Performances

You are invited to join the W Department of Music for our spring semester’s Jazz Ensemble Concert!

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The W Jazz Ensemble Spring Concert 2025

Mississippi University for Women

You are invited to join the W Department of Music for our spring semester’s Wind Ensemble Concert!

The W Wind Ensemble Spring Concert

The W Department of Music invites you to a fantastical performance, full of drama and engaging scenes from classic musicals and operas.

Opera Scenes

Join the W Department of Music as we host a musical evening featuring an array of musical genres from our talented music majors!

W Music Student Showcase

You are invited to join the W Chamber Singers, conducted by Dr. William Reber for their fall performance!

MUW Chamber Singers Spring Concert

The W Department of Music is proud to showcase our students’ hard work – please join us for a wonderful evening of piano music.

Piano Students’ Recital 2025

The W Department of Music and the Mid-South Chapter of NACUSA (National Association of Composers/USA) hosts a concert featuring new compositions.

NACUSA Concert

Join the W Department of Music as we celebrate senior music major, Ricky Dubuisson II and his academic journey!

Senior Voice Recital – Ricky Dubuisson II, baritone

The W Department of Music is proud to showcase our students’ hard work – please join us for a wonderful evening of music featuring an array of different genres.

Spring Recital

The Mississippi University for Women’s ninth annual Music by Women Festival will be held in the historic Poindexter Hall on the campus of the Mississippi University for Women. The festival will include papers, presentations, lecture recitals, and performances all relating to the subject of music composed, taught and performed by women. The festival will feature concerts of new and historic music written by women composers historically as well as in the present day.

2025 Music by Women Festival

Join the W Department of Music as we celebrate junior music major, Gabrielle Foster and her academic journey!

Junior Piano Recital – Gabrielle Foster, piano

The W Department of Music presents New Music at the W, a recital of modern and contemporary concert music in a mesmerizing fusion of genres.

New Music at the W Concert 2025

Join the W Department of Music as we celebrate Black History Month – featuring performances by the W Ensembles, Students, and Faculty!

Black History Month Celebration Concert

Join the W Department of Music for a wonderful evening of vocal works performed by Faculty tenor, Prof. Zane Lynn.

Faculty Voice Recital – Zane Lynn, tenor

Join the W Department of Music for a beautiful evening of piano compositions performed by Department Chair and Faculty pianist, Dr. Julia Mortyakova.

Faculty Piano Recital – Julia Mortyakova, piano

Our Performance Techniques Class presents Songs of the Theatre: a concert of vocal solos and semi-staged ensembles from various musical theatre and opera shows!

Songs of the Theatre

You are invited to join the W Department of Music for our fall semester’s Wind Ensemble Concert!

The W Wind Ensemble Fall Concert

You are invited to join the W Department of Music for our fall semester’s Jazz Concert!

The W Jazz Ensemble Fall Concert

Piano Students’ Recital

Fall Recital

MUW Chamber Singers Fall Concert

New Music at the W Concert

Join the W Department of Music as we celebrate junior music major, Ricky Dubuisson II and his academic journey!

Junior Voice Recital – Ricky Dubuisson II, baritone

Please join us for a wonderful evening of music as we host guest pianist, Kris Carlisle.

Guest Artist Recital – Kris Carlisle, piano

Join the W Department of Music for a wonderful evening of vocal works performed by Faculty soprano, Dr. Susan Hurley, accompanied by fellow Faculty member, Dr. William Reber on piano.

Faculty Voice Recital – Susan Hurley, soprano

Join the W Department of Music as we celebrate junior performance major, Johnathan Lollar and his academic journey!

Junior Piano Recital – Johnathan Lollar, piano

The W Department of Music invites you to a fantastical performance, full of drama and engaging scenes from classic musicals and operas.
The performances feature the MUW Chamber Singers and students in the Opera Workshop class performing ensembles from Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, The Magic Flute, scenes from Loesser’s Guys and Dolls, and other selections from musical dramas.

The theme for this year’s concert is “Player’s Choice”. Prof. Ginger Zingara always likes to ask the band members for any suggestions for repertoire to play, and this year this concert is nothing but their choices. Everyone is invited to bring a lawn chair, food and drink to enjoy the music!

Shattuck Lawn

Join the W Jazz Ensemble outdoors for a fun concert, held on Shattuck Lawn, directly in front of Shattuck Hall and Poindexter Hall. Bring your own blanket or lawn chair. and groove to the music!

The W Jazz Ensemble Spring Concert

The W Department of Music invites you to join this spring’s W Chamber Singers concert!

The concert’s theme is “Aspects of Religion” and features a wide variety of genres from Mozart to Zulu Gospel.

The W Chamber Singers Spring Concert

Join the W Department of Music as we celebrate our Music Performance senior, Tiffani Jernigan and her academic journey. Multiple genres will be featured during this concert including a piece written by one of our composition majors.

Senior Voice Recital – Tiffani Jernigan, soprano

The Mississippi University for Women’s eighth annual Music by Women Festival will be held in the historic Poindexter Hall on the campus of the Mississippi University for Women. The festival will include papers, presentations, lecture recitals, and performances all relating to the subject of music composed, taught and performed by women. The festival will feature concerts of new and historic music written by women composers historically as well as in the present day.

2024 Music by Women Festival

The W Department of Music and the Mid-South Chapter of NACUSA (National Association of Composers/USA) hosts a concert featuring new compositions.

Please join us for a fun afternoon of music!

New Music at the W

The W Department of Music is proud to showcase our students’ hard work – please join us for a wonderful evening of music featuring an array of different genres.

This event is free and open to the public.

Our Performance Techniques Class presents Songs of the Theatre: a concert of vocal solos and semi-staged ensembles from musical theatre and opera. Look forward to hearing hits from The Little Mermaid, Into the Woods, Hairspray, and many more!

Stage directed by Dr. Susan Hurley, accompanied by Dr. William Reber on piano, and featuring a performance from the W Chamber Singers – this concert will also be livestreamed via our Virtual Concert Series page.

Join the W Department of Music as we host Special Guest Artist Dr. Elijah Pugh, collaborative pianist Lillian Wesley, and W Faculty member Max Hughes for a fun evening of music.

Trumpet Duo Recital – Dr. Elijah Pugh & Max Hughes

Join the W Department of Music as we celebrate our Music Composition senior, Kelanie Frazier and her academic journey.

Senior Composition Recital – Kelanie Frazier, composer

Join the W Wind Ensemble as they put on a lovely show featuring classics, old and new.


The W Wind Ensemble – Classics: Old and New

You are invited to join the W Department of Music for our fall semester’s Jazz Concert, conducted by Dr. Ginger Zingara.

Join the W Department of Music as we celebrate our Music Performance senior, Aaron Rishel and his academic journey.

Aaron Rishel is a senior studying vocal performance at The W. Aaron was very active performing in musical theatre for the past decade on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He was a student of Westley Hodges for voice, piano, and saxophone; Brandon Ring for voice, MGCCC Perkinston Campus; and currently studies under the tutelage of Dr. Susan Hurley.

Senior Voice Recital – Aaron Rishel, baritone

The W Department of Music and the Mid-South Chapter of NACUSA (National Association of Composers/USA) hosts a concert featuring new compositions. Please join us for a fun afternoon of music! This event is free and open to the public.

You are invited to join the W Chamber Singers, conducted by Dr. William Reber & accompanied by Faith Nance, for their fall concert.

The W Chamber Singers Fall Concert

The W Department of Music is proud to showcase our students’ hard work – please join us for a wonderful evening of piano music. This event is free, open to the public, and will be livestreamed on our Virtual Concert Series page.

The W Department of Music is proud to showcase our students’ hard work – please join us for a wonderful evening of music featuring an array of different genres. This event is free and open to the public.

Join the W Department of Music as we celebrate our Music Education senior, Shakia Butler and her academic journey.   This event is free and open to the public.


Senior Voice Recital – Shakia Butler, soprano

Join the W Department of Music for a musical afternoon as our talented music faculty and majors perform in Fant Memorial Library. You can take a study break, grab a book and a coffee at the library’s cafe, and enjoy some wonderful tunes with us!


Music in the Library

Fant Memorial Library

The Department of Music unexpectedly lost a member of its musical family over the summer, Dr. Joe L. Alexander.  Professor Alexander has been teaching at the W since 2016.  Over the years, he has taught numerous music theory, music history, brass, music composition and music appreciation courses.   Dr. Alexander loved teaching and he was beloved by generations of his students.

Joe L. Alexander Tribute Concert

Join the W Department of Music for a musical afternoon as our talented music faculty and majors perform in Fant Memorial Library. You can take a study break, grab a book and a coffee at the library’s cafe, and enjoy some wonderful tunes with us!

AIDS Quilt Songbook: A Lecture Recital features music from the landmark national arts project, the AIDS Quilt Songbook, including art songs by both established and lesser-known American composers including Ricky Ian Gordon, Gilda Lyons, Scott Gendel and many others. Poetic themes, handouts, and lecture content will address topics that range from information about poets and composers to AIDS history, origins of the AIDS Quilt Songbook, information about the current HIV pandemic, and more.

AIDS Quilt Songbook: A Lecture Recital

You are invited to join the W Chamber Singers, conducted by Dr. William Reber, for their spring concert.


Spring Choir Concert

You are invited to join the W Department of Music for our spring semester’s Wind Ensemble Concert, conducted by Dr. Ginger Zingara.
This event is free and open to the public.


The W Wind Ensemble

You are invited to join the W Department of Music for our spring semester’s Jazz Concert, conducted by Dr. Ginger Zingara.

Mississippi University for Women Department of Music

Apr 29, 2025

The W Jazz Ensemble Spring Concert 2025

Apr 28, 2025

The W Wind Ensemble Spring Concert

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Mississippi University for Women Department of Music