As many of you know,
MacDowell Colony was Alpha Chi Omega's first philanthropy and one that we continue to support nationally and locally.
Events featuring two Tallahassee area MacDowell Colony Fellows take place this month. Friday evening, FSU celebrates the Ruby Diamond Grand Reopening, the College of Music's 100th anniversary, and the start of the 2010-2011 concert series with four commissioned works performed by the FSU University Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble and Combined Choirs (over 600 voices!).
One of the 4 commissioned works that will be performed was composed by MacDowell Fellow Ellen Taaffe Zwilich. She is both an FSU faculty member (the Francis Eppes Professor of Music) and an FSU alumna (and fellow Panhellenic sister, a member of Zeta Tau Alpha). Zwilich is also the first woman composer to receive a Pulitzer Prize for composing.
From
FSU News:
Zwilich has a special, longstanding connection to Ruby Diamond.
"I first entered Ruby Diamond Auditorium as an FSU freshman, playing violin in the orchestra and trumpet in the band," Zwilich said. "During my years at FSU, this was the place where I encountered so much of the repertoire, playing under Ernst von Dohnányi and Pablo Casals to name two of the most memorable conductors, and playing in everything from the Opera to the unofficial Lab Band, since at that time jazz was not yet a part of the curriculum. This was a place that profoundly affected my life, and I was deeply honored to receive this commission."
In keeping with the momentous nature of the celebration, the Oct. 8 concert at Ruby Diamond is black tie optional.
Tickets for the event are $25 general admission ($15 for FSU students with ID) and may be purchased through the FSU College of Music Box Office, located in the lobby of Ruby Diamond. For ticket information and box office hours, please call the College of Music Box Office at (850) 645-7949 or visit the website at www.music.fsu.edu/boxoffice.
Our second featured Tallahassee area MacDowell Fellow is acclaimed wood sculptor
Mark Lindquist. A 40-year retrospective of his work is on display at the
Gadsden Arts Center in Quincy through October 23rd. To give you an idea how impressive he is, his 25-year career retrospective was hosted by the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.!
You might also be interested in other MacDowell related posts
MacDowell Month: AXOs Appreciating the Arts
MacDowell Month: It's Almost Here
Supporting Sisters in February
of Gamma Iota Ashley, married 
