Bernard McDonald, Director of Opera and Marcus B. and Betty Graves Shelfer Professor in Music Theatre and Opera, has drawn plaudits from veteran critics following his début with Indianapolis Opera.
“IO’s ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ approaches the perfection of its reputation.”
“McDonald’s conducting of the small orchestra always had vivid expression and hand-in-glove unanimity with the singing.”
“[T]he variety of music in texture and tempo alike was always appropriate and colorful, never a matter of mere duty”
“[T]he show had the special advantage of guest conductor Bernard McDonald, Director of Opera at Florida State University.”
––Jay Harvey Upstage
“The outstanding 20-member Indianapolis Opera orchestra, under the direction of guest conductor Dr. Bernard McDonald, delivered a flawless performance of Mozart’s timeless score.”
“IO’s production of ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ is sublime.”
––On the Aisle with Tom Alvarez
Coming to FSU this Fall and planning to audition for the Marching Chiefs? If you haven’t done so already, please be sure to visit this link (or the link in the bio) and register for 2026 audition information.
In the meantime, please mark your calendars for an Informational Zoom Meeting for Prospective Members on Monday, June 8 @ 7p. Zoom information will be posted on our social media accounts and emailed out next week.
#mcatdt #gonoles
Save the date! FSU Saxophone Day 2026 will be on Saturday, October 24th! We are incredibly excited to announce our guest artists — and we know you’ll be amazed by who we’re bringing in this year! See you in October, and stay tuned for our artist reveal in June, and the opening of registration!
ICYMI: 2026 book out now. Link in bio. Includes new and improved roll instructions. Check it out today 🎱🔥
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#collegedrumline #fsu #mcatdt #fsuband #drumline
Guest Artist Wednesday | Paul Kantor
It was a privilege to welcome violinist Paul Kantor to campus in Fall 2025, where he worked closely with our students in an unforgettable masterclass experience full of inspiration and collaboration. 🎶
Congratulations to our alumni nominated for the 2027 Music Educator Awards program!
2027 Music Educator Award Quarterfinalists
Michael Antmann (BME 2001, MME 2007)
Jack Eaddy (BME 2002)
Edgar Rubio (BME 1992)
Rebecca Saltzman (MME 2019)
Daniel Shafer (MM 2012)
Cameron R. Siegal (MM 2014)
Ashley Deane (MM 2024)
Ernesta Chicklowski (BME 1999)
2027 Music Educator Award Legacy Applicants
Morgan Luttig (PhD 2022)
Debbie Martinez (MME 2001)
Bill Podolski (MME 2015)
Daniel Smith (BME 2005)
Donald Sorah (PhD 2012)
Sidney South (BME 2017)
Roberto Vidal (BME 2019)
These outstanding educators continue to make a lasting impact in classrooms, rehearsal halls, and communities across the country. Congratulations to all!
Join us May 5th and 6th of 2027 for the 21st Century Music Practice Conference here at FSU!
Hear from our very own Wells Gordon about this unique flipped format conference and conference themes
Congratulations to @theatrefsu + @musicfsu alumna Christiani Pitts on her Tony Award nomination! Nominations were announced Tuesday, recognizing Pitts for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for her role in “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York).”
“A 20+ year old dream has been fulfilled. I've been watching the Tonys since I can remember,” Pitts told New York Theatre Guide. “I have very vivid memories of watching the Tony Awards in summer stock theatres — we all crowded around the TV.”
To read more about her nomination and work on Broadway, visit the link in our bio!
Guest Artist Wednesday | Ricky Ian Gordon
We were honored to host Ricky Ian Gordon in Fall 2025 as he led an engaging masterclass with our students—an unforgettable experience that fostered artistic growth and creative exploration through poetry and music. 🎶
![Bernard McDonald, Director of Opera and Marcus B. and Betty Graves Shelfer Professor in Music Theatre and Opera, has drawn plaudits from veteran critics following his début with Indianapolis Opera.“IO’s ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ approaches the perfection of its reputation.”“McDonald’s conducting of the small orchestra always had vivid expression and hand-in-glove unanimity with the singing.”“[T]he variety of music in texture and tempo alike was always appropriate and colorful, never a matter of mere duty”“[T]he show had the special advantage of guest conductor Bernard McDonald, Director of Opera at Florida State University.”––Jay Harvey Upstage“The outstanding 20-member Indianapolis Opera orchestra, under the direction of guest conductor Dr. Bernard McDonald, delivered a flawless performance of Mozart’s timeless score.”“IO’s production of ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ is sublime.”––On the Aisle with Tom Alvarez](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6727396042216513441072_0_434a02dd70b0e953d6faedbc2baa4096.jpg?o=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&h=80470209e766ad2483a3859bf68353f8)
