MTSU's Presidential 'Prism' gala concert benefits SUNO
The academic partnership between Middle
Tennessee State University (MTSU) and Southern University
at New Orleans (SUNO) was expressed via sound Thursday,
Oct. 4, during The Presidential 'Prism' Gala Concert,
a music-filled benefit for SUNO that promises to deliver
'sonic surprises.'
Beginning at 7:30 p.m. in MTSU's Tucker
Theatre (Murfreesboro, TN), an array of bands, orchestras
and choral ensembles from the McLean School of Music
- as well as special guests Cedric Dent of the Grammy-winning
Take 6 and David Pruett, world-music percussionist
- teamed to present an evening of diverse musical
performances that pay tribute to the historic institution
whose faculty, students and staff have operated from
45 modular trailers, constructed by FEMA and the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, for more than two years after
its main campus was severely damaged by Hurricane
Katrina.
Victor Ukpolo, SUNO's chancellor,
said the Presidential 'Prism' Gala Concert is but
one of numerous gestures by MTSU that continues to
convey tremendous support for his universityıs rebuilding
and long-term success.
"The relationship Southern University at New Orleans established with MTSU earlier this year greatly assists our institution with enhancing educational opportunities for our students,' Ukpolo said. "More than two years post-Katrina, SUNO remains the only institution of higher learning
in New Orleans that has not returned to its original campus, a goal that is expected to be fully accomplished by fall 2009. But despite this challenge, having this relationship with MTSU is quite special."
Regarding the Prism concert, Dr. George T. Riordan, director of the McLean School, explained, "Just as a prism diffuses flashes of kaleidoscopic colors, this gala event is designed to produce a steady stream of sonic surprises from unexpected places as our band, jazz, choral, string and
world-music ensembles perform a continuous array of music in a 360-degree setting. Our prism concert is destined to become an annual showcase for our music program, but this year we have the added privilege of supporting our fellow scholars in need at SUNO."
Sidney McPhee, president of MTSU, stressed that the benefit concert represents just one component of the partnership with SUNO.
"When we pledged to form an academic partnership with Southern University at New Orleans in February of this year, we did so with purpose and a sustaining intent that was comprehensive in its scope," said McPhee, who visited New Orleans shortly after the hurricane and
toured the SUNO campus earlier this year. "The Presidential 'Prism' Gala Concert is only one collaboration of what will be many between MTSU and SUNO, and this musically rich performance is a cultural event that will benefit not only our respective students, faculty and staff, but also contribute to the boarder arts community in the area."
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