Virginia State University Music Production Technology Program

10/06/2026

The Virginia State University Department of Music is proud to host its Fall 2026 “Music Major for A Day” for interested high school and collegiate band, choir, orchestra, piano, and music production students on Wednesday, October 7th! This event provides students with a first hand look inside the studies of a VSU music student, while also experiencing all that VSU has to musically offer.

This year's event will include additional course observances in jazz studies as well as dedicated sessions for attending parents and directors.

If you know of any students considering majoring in music and looking to attend VSU, invite them to attend our fall event as this is one experience they do not want to miss!

Register today by scanning the QR code or visiting https://bit.ly/VSUMMFAD26

10/04/2026

We have a busy week ahead at Virginia State University!

In addition to our Music Major for a Day Event on the 7th, the VSU Music Production Technology Program and the Department of Music welcome Grammy-winning artist Brent Jones to campus!

From October 5th to the 8th, Brent will be in residence in Davis Hall, working with our students in the studio and the rehearsal hall.

Brent is a Grammy and Stellar Award–winning singer, songwriter, choir director, and professor of music. His recent album "Praise In The Choir Stand" hit #1 on Billboard in January 2026, and his collaboration with Childish Gambino on "Awaken My Love" earned RIAA Platinum certification. Known as the "Hardest Working Man in Gospel," he performs more than 150 dates a year, and we're grateful he's spending this week with our students.

Learn more about Brent: brentjonessound.com

09/22/2026

Our final concert series recordings and videos with the Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra are now live on YouTube! Once again, thank you to the RPO for giving our students these recording opportunities. We look forward to working with you again soon.

We'd also like to thank ADK Microphones for providing us with some of their microphones to test and use for this recording and our Wind Symphony concert (releasing soon).

Please enjoy this phenomenal performance of Rhapsody in Blue featuring Russell Wilson on piano.

Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by Maestro Peter Wilson2...

09/14/2026

Recording history has a new home at Virginia State University. 🎚️

We're thrilled to announce that VSU’s Music Production Technology program has received a landmark equipment donation from John Merchant, a Grammy-nominated producer, recording and mixing engineer, songwriter, educator, Professor Emeritus at Middle Tennessee State University, and Director of Focusrite Group Professional for the Americas.

John began his career at The Bee Gees’ Middle Ear Studios, where he progressed from assistant to chief engineer and studio manager. His credits include the Bee Gees, Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, Dolly Parton, Celine Dion, Coldplay, Lenny Kravitz, and Mika.

At the center of his gift is a pair of Studio Bau:ton monitors assembled in Switzerland and first installed at Middle Ear Studios on Miami’s South Beach. Barry Gibb later gave the monitors to John for his studio in Tennessee. Before offering them to VSU, John checked with Barry, who was thrilled that they would now serve our students and faculty.

The donation also includes one of the first Yamaha DM2000 consoles in the United States and the first in Florida. It has been used across hundreds of sessions with artists including Barry Gibb, Mika, and Barbra Streisand.

Now installed in our redesigned Davis Hall studio, this extraordinary equipment places a piece of recording history in the hands of VSU’s next generation of producers, engineers, and creators.

Thank you, John, for investing in our students and their creative futures. Hail State!

08/21/2026

The Virginia State University Department of Music is proud to host its Fall 2026 “Music Major for A Day” for interested high school and collegiate band, choir, orchestra, piano, and music production students. This event provides students with a first hand look inside the studies of a VSU music student, while also experiencing what all VSU has to musically offer.

This year's event will include additional course observances in jazz studies as well as dedicated sessions for attending parents and directors.

If you know of any students considering majoring in music and looking to attend VSU, invite them to attend our fall event as this is one experience they do not want to miss!

Register today by scanning the QR code or visiting https://bit.ly/VSUMMFAD26

07/25/2026

We have two openings here in the Virginia State University Department of Music! Please contact our department chair, Dr. Samuel Rowley, for more information.

07/22/2026

We’re looking forward to starting the next academic year in a few weeks! One of our favorite opportunities last year was working with the Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra. Our second production, RPO's Winter Masterworks Concert, is now up on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/gZ3sp0Ae9pQ?si=a3mFq3-7h8hPhe_d

Congratulations to our students involved with this project, and excellent work!

Our final production with RPO is almost complete and will be up shortly. Stay tuned!
_

Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by Maestro Peter Wilson
Winter Masterworks Concert – "The American Dream"
Sunday, March 8, 2026
St. Christopher's School Arts Center, Richmond, VA

HOWARD HANSON: Symphony No. 2, Op. 30 “Romantic”
I. Adagio – Allegro moderato
II. Andante con tenerezza
III. Allegro con brio

Learn more at https://www.richmondphilharmonic.org/

Produced by Virginia State University’s Music Production Technology Program

Edwin Benitez - Lead Recording Engineer
Malik Burroughs - Production Assistant
Marcus Overby - Production Assistant
Tinuola Osuntusa - Camera Operator
Dustin Painter - Final Audio and Video

Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by Maestro Peter WilsonW...

06/02/2026

SAVE THE DATE!!!!

We are excited to announce the inaugural VSU Percussion Festival happening April 3, 2027! The Festival will feature HS Solo and Ensemble performances with clinician and adjudicator feedback, masterclasses, collegiate ensembles, and the VSU Percussion Ensemble performing works of a guest composer with a world premier! As we look to encourage total percussion in our schools, what better way than to provide a platform and opportunity for groups to do so!

Registration will begin this fall for interested ensembles and we hope to have you join us for this amazing event!

05/19/2026

Congratulations to our Spring 2026 MPT graduates (pictured left to right): Jason Vance II, Nasim Smith, Theo Scott, Kahlib Newman, and Charity Gould! We can’t wait to see all of the great things you’ll do.

📸:

04/27/2026

VSU MPT representing at the 2026 GrammyU Conference in NYC!

Shoutout to MPT minor Ian Smith and MPT major Osuntusa Tinuola. Y’all are out here making us proud! Congrats on your GrammyU involvement! 🔥