Davis Architects Guest Artist Series Offers Impressive Spring Line-Up

Published on January 23, 2018 by Ashley Smith

Jamie Barton

Samford University’s Davis Architects Guest Artist Series will feature world-class artists this spring starting with opera mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton Feb. 2 in Brock Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m.

Co-sponsored by Dr. Chandler and Jane Paris Smith, Birmingham Chamber Music Society and Opera Birmingham, Barton’s concert is one of the highlights of the Samford Arts season. She has claimed virtually all of the highest awards in the world of opera including the Beverly Sills Artist Award, Richard Tucker Award, Cardiff Singer of the World and was the winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. The Grammy Award nominee is an excellent example of the talent the School of the Arts brings to Birmingham to enhance our students' experience and enrich the lives of our community patrons, according to Joe Hopkins, School of the Arts dean.

“We are grateful to Davis Architects, Birmingham Chamber Music Society, Opera Birmingham, and other season sponsors for providing the School of the Arts an opportunity to bring guest artists from all over the world to work with our students and perform for our community,” Hopkins said. “Interaction with industry professionals is one of the cornerstones of our Catalyst curriculum and this generous support makes it possible.”

Following Barton will be the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in Brock Recital Hall. Vienna To Hollywood includes pieces by Schubert and Korngold performed by piano, cello and violin artists. The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center is one of 11 constituents of the largest performing arts complex in the world.

The Davis Series season closes with Sō Percussion March 20 at 7:30 p.m. This inspired percussion ensemble performs innovative, multi-genre selections. Sō Percussion is the Edward T. Cone Ensemble-in-Residence at Princeton University, where they offer educational work and present an annual series of concerts. They are also codirectors of the percussion department at the Bard College-Conservatory of Music.

In addition to their performance, guest artists will work with students in master classes during their visit to Samford.

For tickets and more information visit tickets.samford.edu.

Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.