The Natchez Festival of Music Chairman, Ronald McGowan, and The Natchez Festival of Music Board of Directors are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. George Hogan as artistic director for the 2009 Natchez Festival of Music.

Hogan succeeds the Founding Artistic Director Dr. David S. Blackburn after his death on Sept. 28. Hogan has distinguished himself internationally as a performer, singer and educator.

He will continue the tradition of outstanding quality productions Dr. Blackburn provided for the past 18 years.

When asked to comment on the position, Hogan said, “I know I could never replace Dr. Blackburn. He was a mentor who helped me to understand the gift of music. He was the teacher who taught me to sing with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. He was a surrogate father who showed me that with a positive spirit, sacrifice, and diligent work, dreams are possible. I would like to express my gratitude to the festival board, its chairman, Ron McGowan, Sara Blackburn, and the community of Natchez, which I love deeply, for this opportunity and for their continued support of the festival.

I also wish to convey my appreciation to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor for affording me the opportunity to accept this position while continuing to serve UMHB as a full-time professor. Finally, I am very excited and look forward to continuing to dream big dreams for this wonderful festival.”

Hogan began his relationship with Natchez in 1991 when he participated in the very first performance of the festival as Don Quixote in the “Man of La Mancha.” That same season, he and his wife, Penny Hogan, joined together to present the festivals’ first recital, “The Songs of the River.”

George and Penny are well known and loved in Natchez. Over the years, audiences of the festival have seen Hogan perform Figaro in “Le Nozze di Figaro,” Sparafucile in “Rigoletto,” Mephistopheles in “Faust,” Timur in “Turandot,” and most recently in the 2008 festival as Don Alfonso in “Cosi fan Tutte.”

McGowan said the he and the members of the Festival of Music Board are fortunate that George Hogan is assuming the artistic directorial position for the 2009 festival season.

“It is extremely important that this relationship has been forged, especially since George Hogan is so well musically rounded, with a firsthand knowledge of Natchez, its residents and the Festival of Music. We look forward to a close working relationship with him, and in our team efforts to produce an exceptional 19th season.”

Hogan has received many awards and recognitions throughout his career.

He made his operatic debut at the young age of 19 for a PBS filming as Theseus in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Since that time he has performed operatic roles at nearly every opera house in North America, including the famed Australian Opera House in Sydney, Australia, and in Europe.

He has been heard and seen live on broadcasts from Live from Lincoln Center, National Public Radio, and Public Broadcasting System Television Specials. He can be heard on the EMI and APAD recording labels.

Hogan is currently the resident vocal artist, director of opera activities and associate professor of voice at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas.

His wife, Penny, is a soprano and instructor of music also at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

The couple have two teenage boys, Max and Joey.

Rena Jean SCHMIEG is affiliated with the Natchez Festival of Music.