Mary Jane Johnson, the international opera star and Amarillo College professor, will be recognized as a Distinguished Alumni at West Texas A&M University’s annual Showcase of Music concert Friday.
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St. Preshow music begins at 7 p.m. in the lobby.
Johnson earned her master’s degree in performance at WT in 1978. She has performed on five continents with some of the world’s most renowned opera companies including Washington National Opera, Teatro San Paulo, Montreal Opera, The Metropolitan Opera and Montreal Opera.
She has performed with the likes of Luciano Pavarotti, Maestro Lorin Maazel and other luminaries, and continues to teach at AC and in master classes across the country. She is the co-founder of the Taos Opera Institute.
Surrounding the honors given to Johnson will be a cavalcade of performances by WT students, including the symphony orchestra, chamber singers, clarinet quartet, trumpet ensemble, concert band, combined choirs, saxophone quartet and the symphonic band.
“(The concert) gives us an opportunity to showcase the full spectrum of talent in our program in one amazing concert, and that makes it fun for everyone involved,” said Doug Storey, WT associate professor of music and Showcase committee member, said in a news release.
Proceeds from the concert benefit student scholarship funds.
Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students. They are available at the WT music office in the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex, Room 202; Tarpley’s Music in Amarillo; or at the door the night of the event.
For information, call the WT School of Music at 806-651-2840.
