Mackenzie Taylor, vocalist - Junior Recital
Feb 28, 2026 3:00 PM | FSU’s Music Student Mackenzie Taylor to Present Junior Recital “A Time to Remember”Frostburg State University’s Department of Music, Theatre and Dance is pleased to announce the junior recital of Mackenzie Taylor, mezzo-soprano/alto, entitled “A Time to Remember.” The performance will take place on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in the Pealer Recital Hall of the Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center on the FSU campus. Accompanying Taylor on piano will be Dr. Joseph Yungen. The recital is free and open to the public, with a live stream available for remote viewers. To access the live stream, visit www.frostburg.edu/concerts and follow the provided link on the event date.The program features a diverse and evocative selection of art songs, spirituals and jazz standards spanning classical, romantic and contemporary genres, reflecting themes of love, loss, hope, freedom and celebration.The classical to contemporary first half of the program includes Gabriel Fauré’s “Chanson d’amour”, a gentle, expressive French art song of heartfelt love, set to poetry by Armand Silvestre; “Come away, death” by Gerald Finzi, a poignant setting of Shakespeare’s poem from Twelfth Night, exploring mortality and mourning; Schumann’s “Widmung”, a romantic dedication of love, composed for his wife, Clara; “Songs for the People” from Miss Wheatley’s Garden by Rosephanye Powell, a powerful call for hope and peace, setting poetry by abolitionist and suffragist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper; “Night” by Florence Price, a celebration of the night sky’s beauty, drawing on a poem by Maryland native Bessie Mayle; and “Dream Variations” by Margaret Bonds, from Three Dream Portraits, inspired by Langston Hughes, evoking desires for freedom and self-expression.Jazz standards are the feature of the last half of the program. Taylor is joined by special guest artist the FSU Jazz Combo, directed by Tom Harrison, with Joe Rubens III (drums), Garrett Yoder (guitar), Ray Gibson (guitar), Taylor Bryan (piano), Sam White (trumpet), and Doug Holtz (sousaphone). They will open with “All of Me” by Billie Holiday, a deeply emotional jazz standard of love and vulnerability, followed by the smooth, improvisational big-band classic from 1939 “In a Mellow Tone” by Duke Ellington, lyrics by Milt Gabler. The program continues with “Don’t Know Why” by Jesse Harris (popularized by Norah Jones), a melancholic reflection on absence and sorrow; and “This Masquerade” by Leon Russell, a soulful exploration of fading love and self-realization. The concert concludes with “One Note Samba” by Antonio Carlos Jobim, the iconic bossa nova standard with its signature syncopated rhythm, and “Happy People” by Kenny Garrett, an uplifting fusion of jazz, R&B, and gospel from Garrett’s 2002 album.This recital showcases Taylor’s versatility and artistry while highlighting the rich tradition of vocal music across eras and styles. The Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance invites the community to join in celebrating this milestone in her musical journey.Taylor, a talented vocalist studying voice at FSU with Mr. Michael Welch, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Music with a concentration in Music Performance and is anticipated to graduate in May 2027. Her career aspirations include becoming a singer-songwriter. A graduate of James Hubert Blake High School, Taylor is the daughter of Azya Taylor and Kimberly McCray.For more information, contact the Frostburg State University Department of Music, Theatre and Dance or visit www.frostburg.edu/concerts for event details and live-stream access.
Current Students home