The Stetson University School of Music has been awarded the 2015 Best of DeLand Award in the Performing Arts category by the DeLand Award Program. This annual awards program determines the winners of each category based on each business’ ability to enhance the DeLand area and make it a great place to live, work and play. There is only one winner within each category in DeLand.

The DeLand Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in DeLand. The organization works with local business owners, trade groups and professional associations. Its mission is to recognize the small businesses that have achieved exceptional marketing success and contribute to the U.S. economy.

The program stated, “Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.”

“The School of Music at Stetson University is very pleased to be recognized for our artistic contributions to the DeLand area and the larger Central Florida community,” said Noel Painter, Ph.D., associate dean of the School of Music, director of music theory and associate professor of music.

“In addition to educating the talented students that we have in the School, part of our mission is to provide our community with opportunities to experience and learn about great music of all types,” Painter said. “To that end, we commit ourselves to making the highest quality musical offerings available to Stetson University and the broader Central Florida population.”

This is not the first year that Stetson’s School of Music has received local recognition for its excellence. In 2014, Stetson’s Community School of Music, founded by former Music Education Professor Ann Small, Ph.D., and featuring the Stetson Children’s Choir, formerly directed by Claudia Gatewood, received the “Best of the West Award” for Music Schools. In September 2014, Amanda Sali, music graduate, class of 2002, was named the new conductor of the Young Singers program within the Community School.

“In order to make more of our performances available to a wide audience, we are offering complimentary admission to many of our concerts in the 2015-16 season,” Painter said. The Friends of Music Recital, which is the 2015-16 Season Premiere Concert, is Friday, Aug. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Chapel, inside Elizabeth Hall, located at 421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. The public is invited; admission is complimentary. The recital will be followed by a reception in the duPont-Ball Library.

We encourage everyone to contact the School of Music office (386) 822-8950, or visit Stetson’s School of Music for information about our full concert schedule,” Painter said.

By Nicole Melchionda