University of North Texas

The 2013 College of Music Gala, The Theatre of Debauchery, Deception and Delight, brings together students, faculty and alumni for the annual event that raises funds for student scholarships.

UNT’s Symphony Orchestra, directed by David Itkin, will be joined by student, faculty and alumni vocal soloists and the University Singers for the concert at 4 p.m. Oct. 13 at Winspear Performance Hall in the Murchison Performing Arts Center in Denton. Fort Worth Opera General Director Darren K. Woods will serve as guest master of ceremonies for the concert.

Tickets for the concert are $25. Purchase tickets online at www.theMPAC.com/tickets or by calling the Murchison Box Office at 940-369-7802.

Enter to win a pair of tickets to the gala. Send an email with “Music gala” in the subject line to inhouse@unt.edu by 5 p.m. Oct. 4. Winners will be chosen at random from all responses.

This is the biggest fund-raising event of the school year for UNT College of Music students’ scholarships.

Raymond Rowell, assistant dean for scholarship services and external affairs, said the concert is a great opportunity to hear some extremely talented students perform.

“This is a great opportunity for faculty and staff to do good for the College of Music students, while having a great time at a great concert,” Rowell said.

The program includes song selections from opera and musical theater, including Bizet’s Carmen, Verdi’s La Traviata, Puccini's Tosca, Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, and the Tony Award-winning musical Les Misérables. The song “Caruso,” written by Lucio Dalla and dedicated to opera singer Enrico Caruso, will also be performed by student soloist Nereida Garcia with Itkin at the piano.

Also of note will be performances by vocal professors, Jeffrey Snider, baritone, and Carol Wilson, soprano, Itkin said. Snider, along with student vocalists, will perform in both the sextet from Jacques Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffman and, adding the University Singers, a scene from Tosca. Wilson will be joined by two students for the famous trio from Richard Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier.

For those who cannot attend, the concert will be live streamed at www.UNTMusicLive.com, and donations to College of Music scholarships can be made by calling Pam Acker at 940-369-7979.

--Margarita Venegas, news promotions

Above, College of Music vocal students are seen performing in the 2012 UNT Opera production of Roméo et Juliette. Student and faculty vocal soloists will take the stage with the Symphony Orchestra and University Singers at the College of Music gala.