CONGRATULATIONS EAST TENNESSEE MALE FESTIVAL CHOIR
Our congratulations go to area school and civic choirs and their directors for their performance in the 225 voice EAST TENNESSEE MALE FESTIVAL CHOIR.  The choir under the direction of Dr. Thomas Jenrette, Director of Choral Activities at ETSU, performed Randall Thompson's "Testament of Freedom" and included the return of many ETSU music alumni.  The concert was presented together with the ETSU Chorale and ETSU Chamber Winds at First Presbyterian Church in Johnson City before a standing room only audience on Sunday, November 4.  Dr. Christian Zembower, Director of Bands at ETSU, conducted the first half of the program in Vincent Persichetti's "Celebrations."  Area choirs and directors included ...

Abingdon High School, Rose Payne, choral director
The Appalachian Express Chorus, Tony Bowman, director
Cookeville High School, Michael Choate, choral director
ETSU Men's Ensemble and Alumni, Dr. Thomas Jenrette, director
Elizabethton High School, Deborah Gouge, choral director
Greeneville High School, Kathryn May, choral director
Chuckey-Doak High School, Sonya Solomon, choral director
Johnson City Civic Chorale, David Hendrickson, director
Sullivan Central High School, Denise McReynolds, choral director
Sullivan East High School, Kim Lundin, choral director
Sullivan South High School, Christy Iacino, choral director
University School, Joe Borden, choral director
Walters State Community College, Victor Thompson, choral director

ETSU ALUMNI included ...
Clay Bailey
Daniel Boner
Jordan Burris
Stephen Church
Dr. Brian Cinnamon
Jacob Cook
David Crockett
Stephen Farrior
Chris Fitzwater
Jess Helton
Tom Hopson
Matt Mahaley
Zach Marshall
Josh McKinney
Tyler Parkhill
Brian Sharp
Jared Shipley
Chris Smith
Jody Smith
Anthony Terry
Seth Thomas
Caleb Walker
John Mark Woodard

MUSIC DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES WEB SITE
Welcome to the new web site for the Department of Music at East Tennessee State University.  Feel free to navigate through the site and see what's happening within our department. 

Click on the calendar to the right and find information about our many concerts.  Alumni can keep us abreast of their activities with the new "where are you" button and keep in touch with friends with the "where are they" button.

Let us know about our web page ... and thanks for visiting ETSU's Department of Music.


ETSU MUSIC DEPARTMENT TO BECOME "ALL-STEINWAY SCHOOL"
In an announcement made by ETSU President, Dr. Paul Stanton, the Music Department will soon become an "All-Steinway School."  This initiative is due to generous gifts from donors with matching funds from the university.  Over the next four years all Music Department pianos will be replaced with new Steinway manufactured pianos.  "Some of our pianos are over 50 years old and in some cases rust has taken over the operation of the pianos while other pianos are beyond repair," stated Dr. Frank Grzych, Chair of the Department of Music.  "Being an All-Steinway School is a mark of excellence.  It tells students that the university is committed to helping them receive the best education possible.  It allows students the opportunity to develop their skills and talents on quality equipment in a department dedicated to preparing them for the competitive market place.  This is a great day for our students and their future ..." Dr. Grzych continued.  The ETSU President stated that being an "All-Steinway School" will draw students from across the nation and around the world interested in pursuing a quality music education.  When this "All-Steinway Initiative" is complete, ETSU and the Department of Music will have a $1.2M inventory of pianos that will include rehearsal, practice room, and studio pianos.

ALUMNI RETURN TO MUSIC DEPARTMENT

On Friday, October 19, 2007, East Tennessee State University celebrated the 21st Annual "Alumni Return to the Classroom" program.  This was a special day sponsored by the ETSU Alumni Association in which alumni would return to campus and share information with current students about their careers and developments in the job market.  The Department of Music was honored to have three music alumni return and serve as "Professor for a Day."  Those three alumni were: (L) Dan McGuire, Assistant Director of Bands at Science Hill High School, Johnson City, TN; (C) Sheila King, Director of Bands at Rye Cove High School, Clinchfield, VA; and (R) Lee Ruffin, Director of Bands at Happy Valley High School, Elizabethton, TN.  The morning started with breakfast and pictures with ETSU President Paul Stanton, followed by informal lectures in various music classes where the three shared information about their careers and what to be thinking about as future first year teachers.  After lunch at Firehouse Barbeque, the tree alumni returned to campus for more pictures before taking off to their home schools.  The Department of Music was honored to have these alumni return to campus and share their stories enriching the education of all music students.  Our thanks to Mr. McGuire, Mrs. King and Mr. Ruffin.