All events are free of charge except as noted. If an event has an asterisk before its name, that means admission is charged. Ticket sales are managed through the Shorter University Box Office (with the exception of the R.O.M.E. Concert Series). For tickets contact:

Shorter University Box Office
315 Shorter Avenue
Rome, GA 30165

Phone: (706) 233-7288 or (800) 868-6980, ext. 7288
E-mail: boxoffice@shorter.edu

Occasional changes in dates for arts events may occur. Visit this page for the latest schedule. All events are on the main Shorter University campus, located at 315 Shorter Avenue, Rome, Georgia, unless otherwise indicated.

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Music One-on-One
Summer Arts Institute


August

Guest Artist Exhibit - “Wholes” Ceramic Sculpture by David Hill
August 18 – September 8, 2011
Arnold Art Gallery

Artist Lecture on September 8 at 11:00 a.m.

An alumnus of Shorter, David Hill recently received his MFA in Studio Art from Clemson University where his concentration was in ceramics. His work makes use of the fragmented form, both abstract and figurative, to explore issues of suffering, mortality, and fragility while alluding to a transcendence over those very things.

Faculty Gala
Monday, August 29, 7:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Join us as our music faculty perform their favorite selections as we begin a new season of the arts at Shorter University.

September

R.O.M.E. Event: In Remembrance of 9/11
Sunday, September 11, 7:30 p.m.,
Rome City Auditorium

Free Admission

Don’t miss this special concert event as the Northwest Georgia Winds and The Shorter Chorale honor the victims and heroes of September 11, 2001.

Piano Masterclass with Dr. Maurice Hinson
Monday, September 12, 7:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

New Music Concert
Monday, September 19, 7:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Join us as faculty and students perform art songs by award winning, multi-talented composer Norman Mathews. The world premiere trio Flights of the Heart will be performed as well as a one-act musical, Lost Empires .

Student Art Exhibit
Monday, September 19-30,
Arnold Gallery

Awards Reception - September 22, 11 a.m.

An exhibition of student artwork completed during coursework and selected by a professional art expert.

* R.O.M.E. Event: Celtic Medley
Thursday, September 22, 7:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

$5 Admission

Concert by Ceilidh Celtic Ensemble and The Blarney Girls.

Guest Artist Recital: Anton Belov, baritone
Monday, September 26, 7:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Belov will be presenting an exciting Russian program titled “Pushkin in Exile: An introspective recital on the life of the great Russian poet.” Works by Glinka, Rimsky-Korsakov, Rachmaninoff, Balakirev, and others will be performed.

*Fall Play: Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
September 29-October 2 & October 6-9,
Callaway Theatre

Thursday-Saturday performances, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees, 2 p.m.

Rebecca is a gothic mystery lush with romantic themes of beauty, love and death. It was Alfred Hitchcock’s first American film and starred Laurence Olivier.

October

Faculty and Guest Recital
Deborah Popham, soprano and Jeffrey Jones, baritone accompanied by Philip Powell, piano
Sunday, October 2, 3 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

From Bel Canto to Bohème and everything in between, some of opera’s most celebrated composers will be represented in this delightful afternoon program.

Guest Recital: Henri-Paul Sicsic, piano
Monday, October 3, 7:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Masterclass
Tuesday, October 4, 3 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Canadian pianist Henri-Paul Sicsic thrills audiences across North America and Europe with his intense, passionate and imaginative performances. A concerto soloist, recitalist, chamber musician and pedagogue, Mr. Sicsic was appointed to the faculty of music at the University of Toronto in 2007.

Guest Artist Exhibit - “Photographs of Record” by Ilia Varcev
October 3 – October 27, 2011
Arnold Art Gallery

Artist Lecture on October 27 at 11:00 a.m.

Bulgarian by birth, Czech educated, and Southern by the grace of God, Ilia Varcev is a photographer of life’s experiences. Whether dizzying, bucket-crane architectural views of modern skyscrapers, agitated political rallies, exuberant public celebrations, intimate vignettes of his Eastern European homeland, or simply people on the street, Varcev’s extraordinary black and white photographs internalize his external reality, giving us a glimpse of the structure and meaning of a world in flux.

* Opera: Die Zauberflöte by W.A. Mozart
October 14-15, 7:30 p.m.,
Rome City Auditorium, Downtown Rome

Shorter University Opera Theatre presents one of Mozart’s most famous operas, The Magic Flute (1791). The fantastical story of a prince seeking his true love with the help of his new bird-hunter friend pits the basic philosophy of good versus evil in a way that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. This opera will be performed with The Chamber Players of the South Orchestra.

Alumni Recital: Elizabeth Claxton, soprano, Kellie Jenkins Van Horn, mezzo-soprano and Greg Bunn, piano
Monday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Join us for a delightful evening of music by three of Shorter’s successful music alums.

*Northwest Georgia Choral Festival
Monday, October 24, 7 p.m.,
Winthrop-King Centre

We celebrate 16 years of the popular Northwest Georgia Choral Festival for students in grades 4-6 and 9-12. The clinic is an all-day workshop for outstanding young singers held on the Shorter University campus. Clinician Craig Hurley will return as the conductor for the Elementary Choir, and the High School Choir will be led by Dr. Martha Shaw. Both honor choirs will be joined by a guest choir and The Shorter Chorale for a delightful evening of choral music. (Applications for music teachers can be located on the Shorter University website.)

R.O.M.E. Event: Play It Again, Sam
Tuesday, October 25, 7:30 p.m.,
Rome City Auditorium

Celebrating the 25th season with some of the Northwest Georgia Winds’ Greatest Hits.

Senior Recital: Alejandra Guillen, mezzo-soprano and Sarah Weaver, soprano
Friday, October 28, 3:10 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

*Fall Fundraiser for Student MTNA Chapter
Monday, October 31, 7:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Featuring Music of PDQ Bach and Other Musical Mayhem, this fundraiser is sponsored by the student chapter of Music Teachers National Association. The event will benefit students wishing to attend the MTNA conference in March 2012 in New York City. While there, students will learn from some of the premiere pedagogues and performers worldwide.

Senior Research Exhibitions
October 31 – December 2, 2011
Arnold Art Gallery

November

Student Recital
Friday, November 4
Brookes Chapel

* Shorter University Chorus Fall Concert
Sunday, November 6, 3 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Join us as we welcome conductor Stefanie Cash to Rome and to the Shorter community.

Faculty and Guest Recital: Matthew Hoch and Christina Howell
Monday, November 7, 7:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Matthew Hoch and Christina Howell, assistant professor of voice at Clayton State University, will perform all 46 songs of Hugo Wolf’s Italienisches Liederbuch . This song collection is comprised of miniature masterpieces representing some of the finest songwriting of the late Romantic era. They will be accompanied by Shorter music faculty member Ben Harris.

* Fall Musical: She Loves Me
by Masterfoff, Bock and Harnick
November 10-13 and 17-20
Callaway Theatre

7:30 p.m., Tuesday - Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday

This intimate, charming romantic musical comedy follows the budding romance of two pen pals, Georg and Amalia. She Loves Me was the seed for such movies as You’ve Got Mail .

Senior Recital: Chelsea Cross, soprano and Kelsey Mauldin, soprano
Friday, November 11, 3:10 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

* The Shorter Chorale Fall Concert
Saturday, November 12, 7:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

The Shorter Chorale is thrilled to announce that we have been invited to perform for the 2012 Southern Division Conference of the American Choral Directors Association. Join us for a preview of our performance featuring works of Bach, Byrd, Badings, Rachmaninoff and other great composers.

Guest and Faculty Chamber Concert I: The Balkan String Quartet with Jerico Vasquez, piano
Sunday, November 13, 3 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Featuring Johannes Brahms’ magnificent Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34 and other selections.

Faculty Recital: Rebekah Jordan-Miller, piano
Monday, November 14, 7:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Experience an evening of enchanting piano repertoire by Granados, Chopin, Debussy, Beethoven, and contemporary composer, Alexina Louie.

Faculty Lecture and Recital: Patricia DeWitt, recorder
Friday, November 18, 3:10 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

A journey through history with one of the simplest of wind instruments, but one with an established place in early music.

Shorter Preparatory Department Recital
Sunday, November 20, 2 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

* Feaste of Caroles
Sunday, November 27, 6 p.m.,
Garden Lakes Baptist

The Feaste of Caroles tradition continues as The Shorter Chorale, the Shorter University Chorus and the Garden Lakes Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir welcome the Christmas Season. From sacred to secular Christmas favorites to audience sing-a-longs, this concert is sure to please.

Winterlude Play: Uh Oh, Here Comes Christmas
November 30-December 2, 7:30 p.m.,
Callaway Theatre

Adapted by Zulia and Caldwell and based on the book by Robert Fulghum, author of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten , Uh-Oh Here Comes Christmas is a funny and heartwarming look at the struggle to find the true meaning of Christmas.

December

R.O.M.E. Event: Community Christmas Candlelight Procession and Concert
Tuesday, December 6, 7 p.m.,
Rome Forum

The Northwest Georgia Winds, Mass Choir, Handbells, and Narrator present Lessons and Carols.

January

*Faculty Opera
January 8-9,
Callaway Theatre

Sunday, 2 p.m.; Monday, 7:30 p.m.

Sopranos Deborah Popham and Rebecca Salter and Matthew Hoch, baritone, and Ben Harris, piano, present a double-bill of The Telephone by Gian Carlo Menotti and La voix humaine by Francis Poulenc. The Telephone comically tells the story of a young man who wants to propose to his girlfriend, but keeps getting interrupted by her friends calling on the telephone. La voix humaine recounts the story of a young woman continuously being interrupted during a telephone call from her boyfriend of five years, who is leaving her for another woman.

Guest Artist Exhibit - "Ian Childers: Recent Works"
January 9 – February 2, 2012
Arnold Art Gallery

Artist Lecture on February 2 at 11:00 a.m.

Ian Childers is the Shorter University Art Department Artist-in-Residence and a graduate of the prestigious University of Massachusetts College of Art and Design with a Master of Fine Arts in Art. When asked about his artwork, Ian Childers explains; “My work balances production and performance. It is a dance with material, a poetic interaction about the intrinsic value of skill, knowledge and phenomenon that become one through the urgency of making. My vocabulary comes from my hands; clay and fire are the materials with which I speak. My interest is in gravity, motion, and fluidity: to create a delicate balance between form and chaos. The energy and tension of each piece is divided between the verticality of the form and the contrasting fluidity of the slip and glazes and how gravity can affect them, coaxing the glazes to flow with the form and to allow them to accentuate the surface.”

R.O.M.E. Event: The Clock Tower Jazz Ensemble in concert for the District 7 Jazz Honor Band Clinic
Friday, January 13, 7:30 p.m.,
Ford Auditorium, Berry College

Faculty Recital: Peter DeWitt
January 23, 7:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Titled “An Organist’s Journey,” this program features works from every century of organ music (14th through 21st) with a break for muselar music in the 16th and 17th centuries. Please join us for Dr. DeWitt’s final faculty recital at Shorter as he plans his retirement at the end of this academic year.

Guest Recital: Daniel Weeks, tenor & Naomi Oliphant, piano
Monday, January 30, 7:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Weeks and Oliphant are both avid performers on national and international levels as well as members of the music faculty of the University of Louisville. This recital will feature works of Franz Liszt honoring the 145th anniversary of his death in 1867.

February

Senior Recital: Ryan Ferguson, piano
Friday, February 3, 3:10 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Guest Artist Exhibit - “ In Stasis:  Photographs by Doug Clark and Sarah Cusimano Miles”
February 6 – March 1, 2012
Arnold Art Gallery

Artist Lecture on March 1 at 11:00 a.m.

Doug Clark and Sarah Cusimano Miles, both Professors from Jacksonville State University Department of Art, join their artwork together in this cohesive exhibit titled In Stasis. Doug Clark selected works from his 1:1 Series use macro photography to explore the surfaces and shapes of objects from our landscape. Sarah Cusimano Miles’ photographs from Solomon’s House, examine specimens from the collections repository at the Anniston Museum of Natural History. These two artists explore the tradition of the still life and beauty in stasis.

Guest Recital: Chaconne Trio
Monday, February 6, 7:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

This ensemble will be presenting a concert featuring European Masters and will be performing on authentic period instruments.

* R.O.M.E. Event: Heart and Soul V
Saturday, February 11, 7:30 p.m.,
Rome City Auditorium

The Clock Tower Jazz Ensemble and guest vocalists perform Big Band love songs and Motown hits. All seats $5.

* Spring Play: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
February 16-19 & 23-26,
Callaway Theatre

7:30 p.m., Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m., Sunday

This witty and timeless romantic comedy is faithfully adapted from Jane Austen’s classic novel.

Junior Recital: Cody Bowers, counter-tenor, & Matthew Queen, baritone
Friday, February 24, 3:10 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Guest and Faculty Chamber Concert II
Friday, February 24, 7:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

The Balkan String Quartet with Shorter Music Faculty present works by Vaughan Williams, Rossini and more.

* William and Mary Ann Knight Scholarship Competition
Monday, February 27, 7:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

R.O.M.E. Event: Comedy Tonight
Tuesday, February 28, 7:30 p.m.,
Rome City Auditorium

The Northwest Georgia Winds and guests take a walk on the Lite Side.

March

R.O.M.E. Event: American Classics
Friday, March 2, 7:30 p.m.,
Rome City Auditorium

Saturday, March 3, 7:30 p.m.,
GEM Theatre, Calhoun

Sunday, March 4, 3 p.m.,
Creative Arts Guild, Dalton

The Chamber Players of the South Orchestra presents Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue , featuring Rebekah Jordan-Miller, pianist. Tickets: 706-233-7285 (Rome), 706-629-2599 (Calhoun) and 706-278-0168 (Dalton).

Faculty & Guest Recital - POSTPONED UNTIL FALL 2012
Monday, March 12, 7:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Jeanie Darnell, associate professor of music and vocal studies at Florida Gulf Coast University and Shorter’s own Julie Bearden, pianist, will present I Hear America Singing: An Evening of Vocal Music by American Composers . 

* Spring Opera: Opera Scenes
March 15-18,
Callaway Theatre

7:30 p.m., Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m., Sunday

Shorter Opera Theatre will present a fully produced collection of scenes from various operas. This event will showcase some of the finest scenes from operatic literature, from the serious to the comical and everything in between. Scenes in foreign languages will be enhanced by the use of supertitles.

Student Art Exhibit
March 19 – March 30, 2012
Arnold Art Gallery

Awards Reception on March 22 at 11:00 a.m.

Faculty Recital: Steven Wooddell, organ
Tuesday, March 20, 7:30 p.m.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

Mr. Wooddell will be performing various works by Howells, Reger, Bach, Messiaen and other masters.

Junior Recitals: Anne Marie Kelly, soprano and Sarah Blake Hicks, soprano
Friday, March 23, 3:10 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Junior Recitals: Josh Bartolotti, baritone and Joseph Sokohl, baritone
Friday, March 23, 4:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Junior Recital: Katie Simmers, piano
Sunday, March 25, 3:10 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Junior Recital: Susanna Polley, piano & Kali Berry, piano
Friday, March 30, 3:10 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

April

Senior Recital: Texas Galan, piano
Sunday, April 1, 3 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Senior Recital: Ryan O’Leary, tenor
Monday, April 9, 7:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

* Spring Musical: It’s the Talk of the Town: A Musical Tribute to Jerry Livingston
April 10-15,
Callaway Theatre

7:30 p.m., Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m., Sunday

It’s the Talk of the Town is a fun, upbeat musical revue of tunes loved and adored by children ages 9-94! The American songwriter, Jerry Livingston, composed music for Broadway, television and film including: Mairzy Doats , Casper the Friendly Ghost and the film score for Disney’s Cinderella.

Shorter University Wind Ensemble Spring Concert
April 12, 7:30 p.m.,
Rome City Auditorium 

FREE, open to the public.

Junior Recital: Kara Norris, soprano and Mystie Bennett, mezzo-soprano
Friday, April 13, 3:10 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Senior Recital: Elijah Cliett, baritone, Bryan Thomas, piano & Harris Wheeler, Jr., baritone
Friday, April 13, 4:45 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

R.O.M.E. Event: Across the Big Pond XII: Gael Force WINDS
Saturday, April 14, 7:30 p.m.,
Rome Forum

Annual Celtic Gala with the Northwest Georgia Winds, bagpipes, dancers, soloists, and much McMore.

Senior Recital: Trey Smagur, tenor
Sunday, April 15 at 6 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Senior Recital: Sarah Dunham, soprano
Monday, April 16, 7:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Dark Night Series: Various Playwrights
Tuesday-Thursday, April 17-19 at 7:30 p.m.,
Callaway Theatre

Students present readings from new plays.

Junior Recital: Jonathan Parham, tenor, Tareva Moore, mezzo-soprano and Emily Alderman, soprano
Friday, April 20, 3:10 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Senior Art Exhibition: "Witness: Hope in Southeast Asia" by Laura Watson
April 16-20, 2012 in Arnold Art Gallery
Reception on Monday, April 16 at 6 pm

*Shorter Chorale in Spring Concert
Saturday, April 21, 7:30 p.m.,
First Baptist Church, Rome

The tradition of sacred music in England is one that is rich and glorious. This stunning concert will feature works of Tallis, Britten, Handel, Tavener and Chilcott. The concert will also feature the magnificent work of organist and chorale accompanist, Steven Wooddell.

Senior Recital: Bradley Harris, piano
Monday, April 23, 7:30 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

* Shorter University Chorus in Spring Concert
Sunday, April 22, 3:00 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Join us as we present a collection of well-known classics.

Senior Art Exhibition: "Eight Arms to Hold You" by Angelica McClain
April 23-28, 2012 in Arnold Art Gallery
Reception on Monday, April 23, 2012 from 6-7:30 pm

Senior Showcase: Sarah Brackett, mezzo-soprano/belter and Chris Vizurraga, baritenor
Saturday, April 28, 7:30 p.m.,
Callaway Theatre

Shorter Preparatory Department Recital
Sunday, April 29, 2 p.m.,
Brookes Chapel

Senior Showcase: Mariel Villarreal, soprano and P.J. Woods, actor
Sunday, April 29, 7:30 p.m.,
Callaway Theatre

See Past Seasons

2010-2011 Season
2009-2010 Season
2008-2009 Season
2007-2008 Season