Nathan Wight, executive director of JOT, accepted an award earlier this month at NOA’s gala banquet in Memphis. In A Garden was presented for the public in the Performance Center in Mason Hall on campus Jan. 15 of last year, and in June, videos were sent to NOA for entry in the national production competition. The entries were judged on musical accuracy, production values and concept, staging and execution of the opera, actors’ and director's sensitivity to music and dramatic style. The singers, Meg Griffin, Gilley and Jacob Cummings, are seasoned singers at JSU, said Teresa Stricklin, Read more: Anniston Star - Artists in Action Jacksonville Opera wins national recognition...

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Jacksonvile Opera Theatre was honored to host the Elementary Choir from the Oxford Elementary School System. They were chosen to perform at the State Convention for Music Educators. We are very proud that they are representing the arts in Northeast Alabama.

The Jacket Sing-Sations, under the direction of Kristina Sisco of OES and Holly Luke of CES presented their Christmas Musical in Anniston at the First Presbyterian Church of Anniston on Dec. 15th. Eric Wilcox (an Oxford graduate), Estafnia Wilcox, and David Lawshe; all students of Jacksonville State University's Opera Theatre also performed. The director of the JSU Opera Theatre, Dr. Nathan Wright, presented Mrs. Sisco and Mrs. Luke with $100 to help support the elementary choir programs in Oxford.

Music, food, children and drama were combined for a successful event on closing night at the children’s opera at JSU, Princess and the Pea, on November 11. The newly formed Board of Directors of the Jacksonville Opera Theatre (JOT) hosted a reception following the popular musical event. It had been performed 3 times at the Ritz Theatre in Gadsden and for the whole student body of Kitty Stone Elementary in Jacksonville.

The Board has been formed to offer some needed support for the large undertaking of producing opera at JSU. Receiving an overwhelming response from audiences since 2003, Dr Nathan Wight, music professor at JSU, saw the need and began organizing the efforts to bring these events to this area. He has been the driving force behind the whole effort. A talented artist, as well as vocal teacher, he has the expertise to design sets, costumes, and to choose the right music for the voices he has at hand. He is also responsible for making decisions about all aspects of the opera productions.

The JOT had its meager beginning in the spring of 2003-2004 school year with two one act operas on the grand budget of $200. Before this it had been 15 years since opera had been performed in Jacksonville. Princess and the Pea is one of twenty operas produced by JOT since 2004. Not only are these productions giving many JSU vocal students valuable experience usually afforded students in larger universities, but they provide the surrounding communities, especially the public schools, with additional opportunities to experience this genre without traveling to Atlanta or Birmingham.

The new Board of Directors will be on hand to support the efforts of Dr. Wight as he attempts to improve music education and artistic culture in this area of NE Alabama---one of his main goals. He includes one children’s opera each year that can be taken into public schools. He is also giving many undergraduate students opportunities to train opera choruses and to actually conduct performances and rehearsals. In addition to teaching the college age singers, Dr. Wight has initiated the high school apprentice program and hopes to entice high school aged performers to attend a summer opera camp in 2013.

In spring 2012, JOT will produce its largest opera yet: Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet. Due to the size of this opera, it will be performed at Wallace Hall at Gadsden State Community College in Gadsden and will be accompanied by the Etowah Youth Orchestra conducted by Mike Garliardo. Performance dates for Romeo and Juliet are March 23-24.