The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony will present a concert at  7 p.m. Thursday at the Natchez Performing Arts Center at Margaret Martin. The program will consist of three famous symphonic works, the Academic Festival Overture and Symphony No. 2 by Johannes Brahms, and Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto.

The piano soloist for the concert is Dr. Ellen Price Elder, Assistant Professor of Piano at the University of Southern Mississippi. She holds a doctoral degree in Piano Pedagogy and Performance and a masters degree in Piano Performance and Literature from the University of Michigan.  She has served on the faculties of the University of Michigan, the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Eastern Michigan University, Schoolcraft College, and William Carey University.  She has taught on the summer piano faculties of the University of Michigan All-State Program at Interlochen and the University of Michigan Summer Arts Institute. Dr. Elder is the winner of many competitions and awards, both for solo performance and teaching.

She has been featured as soloist with the University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and the University of Michigan Philharmonia Orchestra, as winner of the concerto competitions at those institutions.  She has performed as soloist with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, the Mississippi Symphony Chamber Orchestra, and the Hattiesburg City Band.

The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, the oldest orchestra in the state, is a study in international relations as students from across the globe come together for one purpose—music. With an intense performance schedule covering classical to pop musical styles and drawing both students and guest artists from around the globe, the Symphony truly is bringing the world to Mississippi.  The orchestra has in concert with major classical artists such Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Sir James Galway, Joshua Bell, and Plácido Domingo., and many popular artists including Ray Charles, Ricky Skaggs, Patty LaBelle and the Pointer Sisters.

The University of Southern Mississippi School of Music has a longstanding international reputation for musical excellence. The School is recognized for its eminence in musical artistry, education and community service.  Serving more than 450 majors from the United States and 15 countries, the school maintains a strongly diverse student population. The School of Music provides a wealth of valuable opportunities for the professional and artistic growth of our students.

Once again, the concert will be at 7 p.m.  on Thursday at the Natchez Performing Arts Center at Margaret Martin.

Tickets to the concert are $20 (discounted tickets available for youth and military), and may be purchased by going to www.natchezpilgrimage.com , or by going to Natchez Pilgrimage Tours located in the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, 640 South Canal St., or calling 800-647-6742.
Ellen Elder ia an Assistant Professor of Piano at University of Southern Mississippi.