What an amazing year our 2001-2002 performance season
was. We were blessed with an extraordinary group of Band Scholars, who,
in over sixty [yes, I said sixty] performances throughout the academic
year, were continuing exemplars of excellence, and a singular point of
pride for our Music Department and Georgetown College.
A special highlight of the spring semester was that six of
the Band Scholars were chosen to participate in the prestigious
Kentucky Intercollegiate Band that rehearsed and performed at the 2002
KMEA In-Service Conference in Louisville. Representing our Tiger Bands
were: Andrew Dodson, percussion; Lucy Greenwell, clarinet;
Emily Hales,
flute, Katie McKown, clarinet; Jason Reinhardt, trombone; and
Kim Vogler,
bass clarinet. The 2002 KIB was under the baton of the legendary James
Croft of the Florida State University.
Our Tiger Bands "On the Road" series continued
in March as the "travel roster" members of the "FTGPB"
[aka Fighting Tiger Grrr ... Pep Band] embarked upon Grrr ... Excursion KCI-2002 which took us to
Kansas City. In addition to several memorable
performances at the Municipal Auditorium as we supported our Team and
our College at the NAIA National Basketball Tournament, we had the
opportunity to visit the Truman Presidential Library, the home of Thomas
Hart Benton, the American Jazz Museum, the Kansas City Planetarium, the
Negro League Museum and Fort Leavenworth to name but a few sites of
interest. What a trip it was, and we are grateful to the many, many
"Friends" of our Tiger Bands who made this second Grrr...Excursion
of the year possible.
April brought us the "Get Your Grrr ... On"
CD recording project [please read the special insert regarding the FTGPB
recording] and our annual Spring Concert. The Spring Concert featured
works by Sousa, Holst, Schumann, Leyden, Wiley and Whitacre. Special
highlights of the concert included: Jason Reinhardt, student conductor
on Moorside March; Andrew Dodson, featured soloist on Serenade for a
Picket Fence; the induction of Coach Bill and Ellen Cronin and
Kim and
Sheila Summers as Honorary Members in our Tiger Band Hall of Fame; and
Andrew Dodson named as Outstanding Tiger Band Member of the Year.
And friends, if you think the Triple-Trinity year has
been a good one for our Tiger Bands, wait until our 2002-2003
performance season "The Year of the X."
The Band Scholars and all involved with our Tiger Bands
strive to be true to the historic spirit, mission and intent of
Georgetown College and our "Five-Fold Band Tenets" of:
Academic Excellence
Musical Achievement
Spiritual Values
Leadership Skills
Commitment to Georgetown College
We would like to thank our many, many Band Friends for your ongoing support
of Bands at Georgetown College. Please visit the "TBW" [aka
Tiger Band Web]
http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/larue/bands
"Get Your Grrr...On" Recording Project
During early April the members of the Fighting Tiger
Grrr ... Pep Band were involved in three recording sessions to produce
their new CD - "Get Your Grrr ... On." This recording,
which is a compilation of the greatest hits of the FTGPB, is one of the
most exciting projects in which the Band Scholars have recently been
involved. The recording was engineered and mastered by David Henderson
of Lexington, Kentucky and manufactured by Disc Makers of Pennsauken,
New Jersey. The "Get Your Grrr ... On" recording will be
available at the campus Book Store, the Spirit Shop at the East Campus
Athletic Complex, through the Alumni Office, and orders will also be
taken on the "TBW" [aka Tiger Band Web]. Major funding for the
recording project was provided by the "Friends" of our Tiger
Bands, with additional support from the GC Music Department. Be the
first on your block to own one of these classic recordings [and they
will make great stocking-stuffers].
Tiger Band Member Receives Prestigious Sears Scholarship
Andrew Keith Sturtevant, senior member of our Tiger
Bands, received the prestigious Sears Directors' Cup Postgraduate
Scholarship Award. Andrew is the son of Joel and Carolyn Sturtevant of
of Frankfort, KY and is a four-year member of our trumpet section,
participating in both the "FTGPB" [aka Fighting Tiger Grrr
... Pep
Band] and the Tiger Symphonic Band. Additionally, Andrew studied at
Regent's Park College of Oxford University during the spring of 2001 and
is a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
The National Association of Collegiate Directors of
Athletics (NACDA) awards postgraduate scholarships to colleges and
universities with teams having won national championships, as Georgetown
College has the past two years in football. The scholarships are awarded
to senior students who have maintained a minimum 3.00 GPA and have
demonstrated leadership qualities on the institutional and community
level. Scholarship winners need to have been part of any group that
actively support athletics at its institution (i.e. band members,
cheerleaders, athletic training staff, administrative staff or
managers). As such we are indebted to Coach Bill Cronin and the Tiger
Football Squad for winning back-to-back national championships and Dr.
Ben Oldham, Director of Athletics at Georgetown College, for making the
nomination of a Tiger Band Member possible.
Andrew graduated in May from Georgetown College with a
4.00 GPA as a history and philosophy double-major. He has been accepted
and will pursue his graduate degree in history at the College of William
and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Dr. Peter J. LaRue
* * *
Georgetown College Choral Ensembles Singing Well
The
Chorale experienced a full semester of singing. Beginning in
January with a completely new repertoire (except, of course, “The Lord
Bless You and Keep You”) and several new singers, it sang for the
Founders Day Convocation in the second week of classes, and again March
26 in chapel. March 3 the ensemble participated in two Sunday morning services
at Calvary Baptist Church in Lexington, and then gave a full concert
that night at First Baptist Church of London, KY. The Home Concert was
April 2, followed a week later by the Spring Tour, April 10-14, to
Shelbyville, Crestwood, Louisville and Burlington,
KY, and Dayton, OH.
The tour included performances at five churches and two high schools.
The repertoire ranged from a two-choir motet by Schütz, to hymn
arrangements, to a black gospel piece. One of the many highlights
of tour happened when the Concert Choir from Oldham County High School
joined the Chorale—over 100 voices altogether—in singing “The
Lord Bless You and Keep You” at the close of the Chorale’s
concert for them.
Six members of Chorale sang in the All-Collegiate
Choir at the Kentucky Music Educators Association on February 8, where
they performed Haydn’s Creation with the University of
Louisville Orchestra. Georgetown College students who participated were Julie Sexton, Leslie Cashion, Tim Finley, Brian
Mattingly, Brock Terry (who was also tenor soloist for the
performance) and Clint Miller.
The Concert Choir gave a strong performance of
the choral section of Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 2 (Lobgesang
or Hymn of Praise) with orchestra on April 28. Students sang the
arias, and students and faculty provided the wind instruments and
percussion for the orchestra. Dr. Campbell directed. The intense
forty-five minute program was well received.
For perhaps the first time, the Chamber Singers
presented a full concert of their own on April 18. The seven-voice
ensemble sang some of the most difficult choral music presented this
year, including Psalm 98 by Hugo Distler, a bit of Schubert and
Schumann, a whimsical set of Lullabies and Night Songs by Alec
Wilder, and a light jazz setting of “The Irish Blessing” arranged by
music student Brock Terry. The Chamber Singers represented
the College at a Cincinnati church on February 17, as part of community
Passion Week services hosted by Georgetown Baptist Church, at VIP
Scholars Day, in chapel, and at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce
banquet.
On a personal note, Director of Choral Activities Dr.
John W. Campbell wishes to voice his
appreciation for the kindness and responsiveness students and faculty
have shown him in his first year at GC. The choral ensembles have
experienced significant musical growth, and laid a solid foundation for
years to come of choral music-making at Georgetown College.
Dr.
John W. Campbell
* * *
Handbell Highlights
This year the Handbells acquired a new low bell, increasing the range to nearly five octaves of bells! This bell was
featured in the annual fall Handbell/Chapel Brass concert, a chapel
service, and the Fifth Annual Lessons and Carols Service. This fall also
marked the creation of the “Handbell Quartet,” which featured Abby
Crenshaw, Becca Johnson, Victoria Seyler, and Sarah
Ramsey, four of our
advanced ringers. The fall concert not only featured Christmas
selections, but also some hymn arrangements and original compositions
for bells. The handbell groups are under the direction of Dr. Angela
Easterday.
* * *
Chapel Brass
The Chapel Brass was busy, as always, this spring. In
addition to its usual Spring Concert with the Handbells, the Chapel
Brass Played for a morning worship service at First United Methodist
Church in Frankfort in April, and in an appearance which has become a
tradition in its 13 years of existence, provided music for the
Georgetown College Graduation Ceremony in May. The Chapel Brass is
directed by Dr. H.M. Lewis
* * *
GC Music Students
Delta Omicron
This fall, our Delta Delta chapter of Delta Omicron was
visited by our national officers. We received excellent ratings from
them and were praised for our high percentage of attendance at meetings,
service projects, and musicales (we always have 100%). The chapter was
also given credit for turning in monthly reports with precision and on
time. This fall the chapter presented a Broadway Musicale, featuring
favorite Broadway selections and sang Christmas carols at the Georgetown
Kroger for the Salvation Army. Additionally, several ladies were
featured soloists at the annual Messiah concert: Robyn Delaney, Ashlie
Wrenne, Leslie Conver, Courtney Carter, and Katie Thompson. Two of our
ladies were featured soloists in the Great Hollywood Musical Awards
Show: Jennifer Adkisson and Jill Fackler. The chapter advisor of Delta
Omicron is Dr. Angela Easterday and the chapter sponsor is Dr. Sonny Burnette.
* * *
NATS
Two of our students, senior Brock Terry and freshman
Holly Shepherd participated in the regional National Association of
Teachers of Singing Competition at Austin Peay University in
Clarksville, Tennessee. They were accompanied by our staff accompanist
Glenna Metcalfe. They did an excellent job representing our music
department and college.
* * *
Student Focus
Michael Potapov, a sophomore at Georgetown
College and the son of Matthew and Elena Fray, is originally from
Russia. He began his music studies at the age of four with his
mother, who is an opera singer and music instructor. When he was
seven years old, he continued his music education at Glinka Choir
College in St. Petersburg, Russia. After three years he left the
college and attended regular music school, where he studied piano with
Natalya Limonchenko for four years. He then enrolled at the Music
School of the Music College of the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory in St.
Petersburg and began studying with Dr. Tamara Poddubnaya.
Michael came to the United States in June 1999, when Dr.
Poddubnaya joined the staff of St. John's International School of the
Arts in Maryville, Tennessee. In October 2000, Michael began
studying with University of Tennessee at Knoxville music professor Dr.
Patricia Carter-Zagorski. Michael is currently a student of Dr.
Stephen Tilford at Georgetown College.
Michael received a diploma at the 1997 Maria Yudina
International Piano Competition, and was the winner of the 1999
Rimsky-Korsakov Music College Piano Concerto Competition, both held in
St. Petersburg. In 1999, he was awarded a certificate of
appreciation from the Ducrest International Young Artists Competition in
Louisiana. He was the winner of the Greensboro Music Academy's
11th Annual Piano Competition in North Carolina in February 2000, and
the winner of the Tennessee Youth Piano Competition, held in March
2000. Also in March, Michael won the Blount County Keyboard
Teachers Association Competition. He received awards from WUOT
Young Classical Musician Contests and Tennessee Music Teachers
Association State Auditions in Nashville. Most recently, Michael
won the Key Quest Piano Competition in Montevallo, Alabama. During
the summer, he has attended the Aspen (Colorado) Music Festival and
School. He has also performed with the Knoxville Symphony Youth
Orchestra. More recently, Michael was awarded first place in the
Lexington Bach Competition, bringing his total first-place wins to
fourteen! In addition, Michael performed at the SACS Banquet in
April at Georgetown College and earned the college a commendation from
the committee. We are very proud of all our students'
accomplishments, and wish Michael continued success.
Faculty Focus
H.M. Lewis (1989) musical activities
this Spring have mainly involved the Lexington Brass Band, where he
holds the position of Assistant Principal Cornet, and at Immanuel
Baptist Church, where he leads the orchestra. The Lexington Brass Band
presented five concerts during the 2001-2002 season, including an
appearance as one of the “guest artist” bands a the national
contest of the North American Brass Band Association in Cincinnati, Ohio
in April. This past January 27 and 30 Dr. Lewis presented a guest
artist recital and master class at Appalachian State University, in
Boone, North Carolina working with trumpet students on aspects of
technique and performance practice.
Sonny Burnette (1990) performed with the
DiMartino/Osland Jazz Orchestra (DOJO) and the Pendulum Orchestra
(Louisville) during spring semester. His 2001 KMTA commissioned
composition, The Yellow Saxophone and Others Colors, was
performed on the February Faculty Showcase Recital, and at Transylvania
University in late spring. At the GC East Campus Conference Center,
Burnette performed for three Thomas & King (Applebee's) corporate
Leadership Training seminars, for a Kentucky mathematics conference, and
for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) banquet in
April. He also performed several times at Faith Baptist Church, and for
the GC Women's Association meeting held in the Anne Wright Wilson Fine
Arts Building Gallery. During spring break he served as an adjudicator
for the District 7-11 Symphonic Band Contest held at Singletary Center
in Lexington. His latest flute choir works, George Washington's
Teeth and The Twelve Jazzy Days of Christmas, will be premiered at Open Reading Sessions at the National
Flute Association convention, Washington, D.C., in August. At the
conclusion of spring semester, Burnette was promoted to full professor.
Peter LaRue (1993) In addition to his
ongoing work and efforts for and towards the Tiger Bands, Dr. LaRue this
summer again served as Director of the Georgetown College Summer
Programs & Camps. This SP&C season saw approximately 6000
campers involved in thirty-two varying camps attend Georgetown. In his
continuing role as Music Director & Conductor of the Central
Kentucky Concert Band, he has recently conducted the "Three B's
& Friends" concert at Transylvania University [February]; the
"Orffans All" concert at the Lexington Opera House [May]; and
four Summer Pops Series concerts at Georgetown College, the Scott County
Park, the University of Kentucky Arboretum and the Clark County Court
House in June and July. Additionally, in May LaRue was again the
featured guest on "Curtains at 8" as hosted by Nick Lawrence
on WUKY. He continues to play his beloved trombone here and there, and
for the fifth consecutive year was named Georgetown College Fraternity
Advisor of the Year for his ongoing efforts with the gents of Lambda Chi
Alpha.
Angela Easterday (1995) was promoted this
fall to Associate Professor of Music with tenure.
She is still serving as Coordinator of Vocal Studies and Church Music.
Activities during fall included a number of solo performances in area
churches, at weddings, and at a variety of campus events. Additionally,
she filled in for Ministers of Music in various churches. In the fall, Dr.
Easterday, along with Professor George McGee of the Communications Arts
Department, directed “The Great Hollywood Musical Awards Show” the
last weekend in September and the first weekend in October. This show
included a chronological representation of famous musical numbers
featuring solos, duets, ensembles, and entire cast numbers.
Additionally, she was the soprano soloist for the world premiere of Dr.
Sonny Burnette's song cycle The Yellow Saxophone and Other
Colors at the Kentucky Music Teachers’ Association at Eastern
Kentucky University. She also performed for the Georgetown Women’s
Association November meeting and was the guest soloist with the Central
Kentucky Concert Band on its “Red and Green” concert in December,
performing “Caro Nome” from “Rigoletto” and the “Sussex
Mummers’ Christmas Carol.” She also was the coordinator of the Fifth
Annual Lessons and Carols Service at the college. She remains an active
member of Lexington Singers, performing on the ensemble's fall concert,
the
annual performance of Messiah, and the Kentucky Christmas Chorus.
Dr. Easterday was married to Dr. Timothy Holder on August 10, 2002!
Stephen Tilford (1999) performed
piano recitals in the spring for Kentucky Christian College, Shelbyville Baptist
Church, the Scott County Women’s Club, Georgetown Baptist Church and
the Pastor’s conference at Georgetown College. In addition, Tilford
performed on the KMTA Composer’s Concert, the Faculty Showcase Recital
at Georgetown College, and accompanied the Georgetown Choral Society
Spring Concert. In the community, Tilford performed at the Martin Luther
King Service and was a guest performer on a local piano recital. Tilford
continues to serve as the accompanist for the Georgetown Choral Society
and is the organist/choirmaster at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in
Georgetown.
John W. Campbell (2001) gave solo vocal performances on the
Faculty Showcase Recital on Feb. 3 (bringing along a football on that
Super Bowl Sunday for his rendition of the “Toreador Song” from
Bizet’s opera, Carmen), and as guest soloist with the Central
Kentucky Concert Band on Feb. 24. He joined Dr. Angela Easterday
for a duet in chapel on Feb. 12. Other vocal appearances included solos
at Faith Baptist Church, and barbershop quartet lead for performances at
Faith and for Bob Snyder’s retirement banquet. Other
professional activities in the spring included attendance at the
Kentucky Music Educators Association, and serving on the planning
committee for the 2003 KMEA.
* * *
Staying in Touch
Jonathan '96 and Wendy '97 Creech are the proud
parents of one Austin Murphy Creech, born June 15, 2001.
Michael Houchens '97, has been Minister of Music
at Central Baptist Church in Winchester since June 2001, following his
graduation from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Alums, send us your news (and photos)!
* * *
If you would like to be added to our Nunnelley
Notes newsletter mailing list, please contact the Music
Office via e-mail or telephone: 502-863-8100.
* * *
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