MANSFIELD, PA— The Mansfield University Symphony Orchestra, 
conducted by Jeff Jacobsen, will perform its winter concert on Sunday, February 16 at 2:30 p.m. in Steadman Theatre.
The concert is free and open to the public. Donations of winter clothing for My Neighbors Closet to help raise funds for educational projects sponsored by Partners in Progress in Mansfield will be accepted.
The concert will feature Joyeuse Marche and España by Emmanuel Chabrier and Starodávný from Six Lachian Dances by Leoś Janáček.
The program will also include Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns, which will be conducted by graduate student Julia Federico.
Jacobsen is associate professor of Music Education/String Specialist at MU. In addition to conducting the MU Symphony Orchestra, he serves as artistic director and conductor of the Binghamton (NY) Community Orchestra.
Jacobsen has conducted numerous All-State and All-Region Honor Orchestras as well as professional orchestras in Europe. He served as the music director of the Orchestra of the Pines and director of Orchestral Activities and Opera at Stephen F. Austin State University.
Jacobsen founded the Blue Valley Chamber Orchestra and was a conductor for the Youth Symphony of Kansas City. He taught in the public schools of Kansas, Colorado, and Virginia. Jacobsen’s ensembles have performed at state music conventions, and national and international music festivals. These same ensembles consistently earned highest ratings at competitive festivals and, at several, Jacobsen was named outstanding director.
He received the Mary Taylor Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching and was twice profiled on KCNC-TV’s “Teachers Who Make a Difference.” Jacobsen received the Teacher Recognition Award from the University of Kansas, and was named the Outstanding Orchestra Director for the Kansas Music Educators Association. He is listed in multiple editions of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and Who’s Who in America.
Jacobsen earned his Masters at the University of North Dakota and his Doctorate at the University of Northern Colorado. Post-doctoral studies in conducting were taken at several universities as well as in Europe. As a professional musician, Jacobsen has served as principal bassist for numerous orchestral ensembles as well as performing in jazz clubs across the nation. He received a Grammy nomination for his work on the jazz recording Hot IV.
The MU Symphony Orchestra is supported through Student Activities Fees.