It's a busy time at the School of Music at Wichita State University.

Mark Laycock, director of orchestras, will conduct the school's production of Mozart's "Cosi fan Tutte" in Miller Concert Hall in three weeks, then turn around and lead Menotti's "Amahl and the Night Visitors" with Opera Kansas on Thanksgiving weekend.

Paul Brodene Smith, assistant professor of voice at WSU, will spend the coming days helping young singers prepare for debuts in the upcoming shows.

Across the street in Jardine Hall, Rodney Miller, dean of the College of Fine Arts, will toil at administrative duties, office work necessary to keep the School of Music and other departments running.

All three educators, though, will step away from their daily routines to work on an off-campus project — Wichita Grand Opera's production of "The Mikado."

Gilbert & Sullivan's frothy comic opera will be presented next weekend. Laycock, Smith and Miller will play significant roles in the production.

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