Ole Miss Department of Music

05/29/2026

Friday Faculty Feature–Dr. Selim Giray

Dr. Selim Giray, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Orchestral Studies, has been selected as a NATIONAL FINALIST for The American Prize in Orchestral Programming—Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award (college/university division).
The American Prize—Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award in Orchestral Programming honors the memory of the great Lithuanian conductor, Maestro Vytautas Marijosius, music director of the Lithuanian State Opera, and for nearly thirty-five years Director of Orchestral Activities at the Hartt School of Music. The Prize recognizes and rewards the best achievement in the unique field of orchestral programming, where the selection of repertoire by knowledgeable, creative and courageous music directors builds orchestras and audiences, educates young people and adults, and enriches the community.

The American Prize will be announcing winners in the Orchestral Programming division soon. Congratulations and we're cheering for you Dr. Giray!

05/28/2026

As some of you may know, we have a familiar face in the Music Building. Join us in welcoming Carley Wilemon as the new Administrative Assistant for Choir and Opera Theatre!

No stranger to the Music Department, Carley is an Ole Miss alumna (B.M. ‘20, M.M. ‘23). After teaching K-12, she worked in the Office of Admissions as an Admissions Specialist and taught Vocal Methods for Instrumental Majors in Fall of 2025. A lifelong musician, Carley is involved in the Chancel Choir at Oxford-University United Methodist Church, Oxford Civic Chorus, and Mississippi Choral Artists. She is thrilled to return to the UM Music Department as instructor of Vocal Methods and to begin her position as Administrative Assistant for Choir and Opera Theatre.

Sing at the ‘Sip!

05/27/2026

Meet the Director of the LOU Community String Orchestra. Join Dr. Morreale and fellow string musicians and community members on Thursdays beginning May 28th at 7pm for rehearsals. Need more info? Visit https://olemiss.edu/music/community/

05/22/2026

Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out the activities happening at the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest and Festival...click the link in bio or visit oldtimepianocontest.com

05/22/2026

Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out the activities happening at the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest and Festival

MAY 21-24, 2026Oxford, MS PURCHASE TICKETS CONTEST STORE Visit the Official ContestChannel Every year over Memorial Day weekend in Oxford, Mississippi, the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest is held to provide an opportunity for pianists to compete and learn in a stimulating atmosphe...

05/22/2026

05/19/2026

Calling All String Players...Take part in something musical this summer!

Do You play the violin, viola, cello, or bass? The Lafayette Oxford University (LOU) Community String Orchestra is open to string playing adults including alumni, faculty, staff, university students, and LOU community members.

Rehearsals take place on Thursday evenings (7:00-8:30 pm) beginning on May 28th through June 11th and Tuesday, June 16th in Nutt Auditorium. Participation will culminate in a joint performance with Community Band on Thursday,
June 18th.

For more information about LOU Community String Orchestra, or Music's summer programs, visit https://olemiss.edu/music/community/

05/16/2026

In The News: Old Time Piano Playing Contest Tunes Up 10th Year in Oxford.

Ian Hominick, professor of music at the University of Mississippi, helped bring the contest to Ole Miss in 2016. He said that attendees can expect a wide variety of music for the 2026 edition.

"The styles range widely," he said. "Some pieces even lean classical, like George Gershwin or a cakewalk-inspired piece by Claude Debussy.

"There's also traditional jazz, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, Scott Joplin and novelty songs from the vaudeville and Tin Pan Alley eras."

The competitions are set for Nutt Auditorium, and all receptions and after-hours activities are at The Old Henry, 1002 East Jackson Ave. in Oxford. Single-day and all-event passes are available on the festival's website.

Read the full article by visiting https://olemiss.edu/news/2026/05/old-time-piano-playing-contest-tunes-up-10th-year-in-oxford/index.html

05/15/2026

Jennifer Robinson’s passion for teaching began at Florida State University, where she served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. “I had never taught a day in my life and was shaking in my boots, but over time my love and passion for teaching came to equal that which I had for performing. I thrived in the excitement of finding the unique sounds and personality of each singer,” said Robinson.

After years of singing opera and musical theater, she began teaching at Meredith College. For seven years Robinson taught private voice lessons and developed an opera workshop program while honing her skills and moving toward a more holistic teaching approach of training singers much as athletes; integrating breath, body and mind.

Her next step was a move to The University of Mississippi where she spent the next 28 years building memories–time spent in Yoga for Performers working with singers, actors and instrumentalists, traveling to the Czech Republic to perform the role of Queen Gertude in the opera “Hamlet” with Ole Miss Opera Theatre, jovial and funny times with voice faculty during juries and NATS trips, banning together and making teaching work during Covid (like Dr. Schuesselin teaching trumpet in the parking lot), and the honor of performing in so many recitals and concerts with Music’s talented faculty.

In retirement, Robinson looks forward to spending more quality time with family and friends, savoring rest and restoration, serving her church–perhaps through a yoga ministry, and returning to the guitar and folk music genre she began her musical journey with. We wish Jennifer safe travels as she kicks off her retirement with a two week trip to France and Italy!

“The future is wide open with possibilities, and as I move forward, I will take all of you with me in my heart!” –Jennifer Robinson

05/14/2026

We're just one week away from the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest and Festival!

The evening kicks off with an Opening Preview Concert at The Old Henry Thursday, May 21st at 8pm. For a full list of festival events, visit https://oldtimepianocontest.com/