Lyceum Series

The famous Harlem Gospel Choir, known for its foot-stomping, hand-clapping blues, jazz and gospel spirituals, is one of the pre-eminent gospel choirs in the world, traveling the globe and sharing its joy of faith through its music and raising funds for children's charities. The choir is a gathering of the finest singers and musicians from various black churches in Harlem and the theme of every performance is "bringing people and nations together and giving something back." The choir's success led to it being granted a private audience with Pope John Paul II in 2003 in recognition of its work for charity, around the world. Over the years, the Choir has performed with such famous artists as Bono, Sinead O'Connor, Simple Minds, Live, Robin Gibb, Lyle Lovett, Diana Ross, Harry Belafonte, Brooks and Dunn, Ashford and Simpson, Jimmy Cliff, and the Chieftains. The choir has been featured on many TV shows, including Good Morning America, the Today Show, Good Day New York, Top Chef, and the Colbert Report. In 2008, the choir performed for 60,000 people at Yankee Stadium for Pope Benedict XVI.
www.harlemgospelchoir.com

To Kill a Mockingbird

October 21, 2009 • Wednesday • 7:30 p.m. • Bettersworth Auditorium, Lee Hall

Noted as one of the oldest and most respected touring companies in the country, Montana Repertory Theatre brings the richness and intimacy of live theater to the stage with its eloquent and provocative rendition of "To Kill a Mockingbird." Audiences find themselves transported to a sleepy Southern town in the 1930s and discover that the issues of that time--prejudice, racism and human values--are issues of all time. Providing top-quality theater to audiences across the country since 1968, the mission of Montana Repertory Theatre is to tell the great stories of our world to enlighten, develop and celebrate the human spirit in an ever-expanding community. The group has a long history of touring American classics including works by Tennessee Williams, Wendy Wasserstein, Neil Simon, Arthur Miller, Eugene O'neill, Horton Foote, Ken Ludwig, and William Gibson. Quoted in the Chieftain, Pueblo, Colo., "Excellent performance by the Montana Rep...from the opening to the closing. 'To Kill a Mockingbird' was powerful and gripping...the acting was up to the impressive writing."
www.montanarep.org/bird.html

Chamber Orchestra Kremlin

February 15, 2010 • Monday • 7:30 p.m. • Bettersworth Auditorium, Lee Hall

Critically acclaimed as one of the finest string ensembles in Russia today, the warmth and high energy of Chamber Orchestra Kremlin create addictive performances that stay with listeners long after the last note has been played. Founded in 1991, the orchestra, comprising Russia's leading virtuosos, has carved a niche for itself under the creative baton of its founder and music director Misha Rachlevsky. With 17 years of excellence under its belt, a devoted audience in its home base of Moscow, an awards-winning catalog of more than 30 CDs, and an increasing demand for performances internationally, Chamber Orchestra Kremlin enthusiastically continues its busy schedule of concerts, festivals, recordings and touring. Quoted in the Diapason-France, "I will wager these Russians are not yet done astonishing us."
www.chamberorchestrakremlin.ru/orch/index.htm

TAO

March 2, 2010 • Tuesday • 7:30 p.m. • Bettersworth Auditorium, Lee Hall

Gaining fans across the globe with its powerful, dynamic and unique presentation of a totally new genre, the Japanese drum ensemble TAO is a mixture of drum, dance and music that uses and transcends wadaiko and taiko. Athletic bodies and contemporary costumes meet explosive taiko drumming and innovative choreography that has critics waxing lyrical about TAO's extraordinary precision, energy and stamina. They bring together the rhythm of an opera and a melody that summons images of classic landscapes to give a performance with the sophistication of a musical. The skills of their performances stimulate the senses, permeate the soul and give an unforgettable global feeling to everyone. As quoted by the Chicago Tribune, TAO is "Extraordinarily talented...incomparable muscular zeal".
www.drum-tao.com/en/

Parsons Dance

March 31, 2010 • Wednesday • 7:30 p.m. • Bettersworth Auditorium, Lee Hall

With sleek athleticism, exuberant personality and joyous movement, Parsons Dance creates and performs contemporary American dance of extraordinary artistry that is entertaining and enriching to diverse audiences. Internationally renowned with a repertory of more than 70 works, the most prestigious theaters, festivals and presenters the world over engage Parsons Dance hoping to tap its audience power. Among them: Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, D.C.), Maison de la Danse (Lyon, France), Teatro La Fenice (Venice, Italy), and Teatro Municipal (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). They have been featured on PBS, Bravo, A&E Network, and the Discovery Channel and millions watched them perform live in Times Square as part of the internationally broadcast, 24-hour millennium New Year's Eve celebration. "[The] dancers are picked for their virtuosity, energy and sexiness. They attack the audience and stage like gangbusters," said Clive Barnes of the New York Post.
www.parsonsdance.org/

Spaghetti Western Orchestra

April 20, 2010 • Tuesday • 7:30 p.m. • Bettersworth Auditorium, Lee Hall

Armed with more than 100 instruments, five brilliant multi-instrumentalists perform music from the movies that made Clint Eastwood a star. Sharing a passion for the music of the famous composer-conductor Ennio Morricone and fascinated by the sound effects and Foley techniques used in Spaghetti Westerns, this ingenious gang of comic maestros performs classic compositions from motion pictures such as "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly," "For a Few Dollars More" and "Once Upon a Time in the West." They underscore them with hilarious sound effects, such as blowing on bottles, crushing cornflakes, "playing" coat hangers, apples, squeaky toys, rubber gloves, bicycle pumps, nail clippers, and many more - recreating every punch, gunshot and jangling spur that define the gun-slinging west. Audiences across the world have stood and cheered this highly original international sensation that has spawned a new genre of concert performance. What Stomp does with rhythm and "made instruments" and Cirque du Soleil does with circus and acrobats, Spaghetti Western Orchestra does with film soundtracks and musicians.
www.spaghettiwesternorchestra.com/

MSU LYCEUM FACULTY CHAMBER SERIES

Tickets • Key dates

Season Ticket Renewals • September 14-21

New Season Tickets • September 22-30

Individual Reserved Tickets • October 1

Season tickets(reserved seating) are $60 and include both the MSU Lyceum Series and the MSU Lyceum Faculty Chamber Series. They must be purchased in advance by sending a check and a stamped, self-addressed envelope to MSU Lyceum Series Season Tickets, P.O. Box HY, Mississippi State, MS 39762.

MSU Employee /Senior Citizen Season Ticketsare $50 with proof of age or MSU employment. This ticket includes both the MSU Lyceum Series and the MSU Lyceum Faculty Chamber Series. Tickets must be purchased in advance through the mail by sending a copy of proof of age or MSU employment, a check and stamped, self-addressed envelope to Lyceum Series Season Tickets, P.O. Box HY, Mississippi State, MS 39762

Individual Reserved Tickets may be purchased beginning Thursday, October 1, at www.mstateathletics.com, or by mailing a check and a stamped, self-addressed envelope to MSU Lyceum Series Individual Tickets, P.O. Box HY, Mississippi State, MS 39762. For discounts, proof of age or MSU employment should be included. There are a limited number of reserved tickets available.

Individual General Admission Tickets if available are available at the door before each program. For questions or more information, call 662-325-4201.

Tickets ordered by mail or purchased at the door
Adults: $15
Senior citizens (65 and over by request) and MSU faculty and
staff: $12; Children* (3-12 years of age): $8.
*Children must be accompanied by an adult.

All online tickets: $15

MSU Student Ticketsare free to MSU students with a valid MSU I.D., and should be picked up at the door before each program. These tickets are general admission.

MSU Lyceum Faculty Chamber Seriesfeatures performances by the faculty of the Department of Music. General admission is $5; MSU students are admitted free with proper identification.

SUPPORT FOR SERIES
The Mississippi State University Performing Arts Committee welcomes contributions that will enhance its ability to maintain the Lyceum Series. For more information, contact Lynn Shurden at the MSU Foundation at 662-325-8918. For gifts, please make checks payable to the MSU Foundation and mail to P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762, noting support for the Lyceum Series. The PAC thanks the MSU Student Association for its generous support of the series; Ida and Dominic Cunetto and Maridith and Rod Geuder for their individual support.

The MSU Lyceum Series is supported, in part, by contributions from the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center and the Shackouls Honors College. Members of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia contribute their time to serve as ushers for all performances.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Telephone the MSU Lyceum Series at 662-325-4201 or visit the Web Site at www.msstate.edu/dept/lyceum. For more information on the MSU Lyceum Faculty Chamber Series, telephone 662-325-3070.

Harlem Gospel Choir

October 12, 2009 • Monday • 7:30 p.m. • Bettersworth Auditorium, Lee Hall