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A Word from the Chair

Things have certainly changed around Nunnelley Music Hall this year! With the recent gift from the Littrell estate and other sources, a number of improvements have been made. Our primary classroom, NMB 21, has a completely new look! Room 21 now has a new tile floor & drop ceiling, new professor and student desks, as well as white boards. The transformation has been much appreciated by students, who have expressed their satisfaction regarding the improved learning environment. There is also new hallway seating throughout the building, and new carpeting in the bandroom. And for the first time, Nunnelley actually has instrument storage lockers in the downstairs hallway! But perhaps the most noticeable change is to the exterior of our beloved building. Nunnelley is now sporting all new, energy-efficient windows—75 of them! Photos will be available on the web version of the newsletter. I hope you will have time to check them out. Click here

The department faculty is excited about hiring a new voice professor for Fall 2006. We are examining applications even now, and the pool of candidates looks very promising.

Brand new for Fall 2006 students is the Music Audition Grant! By scheduling an audition on one of three specific dates, students will automatically receive $250 per year in addition to other awards for which they may be eligible. Please see Auditions on our music web page, or call the Music Office, for details.

Our annual Faculty Showcase Recital will be held in Hill Chapel on Sunday, January 29 at 3:00 p.m. We hope to see many of you there!

Please be reminded that we are now publishing only a single newsletter each year, but you may stay in touch with current departmental happenings via our website, which is updated regularly: http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music.

Dr. Sonny Burnette

Audition Dates

Please click here for information regarding our new Music Audition Grant (February 1, 2006 deadline)!!

Music scholarship audition dates for Fall 2006 entry are right around the corner:

• Saturday, February 11, 9a-1p
• Saturday, February 18, 9a-1p
• Monday, February 20, 10a-noon

Individual arrangements may also be made if the above dates are inconvenient.

Music scholarships are potentially available to all GC students, regardless of major.

For more information, or to schedule an audition, please call Mrs. Betty Barkley in the Music Office at 502-863-8100.

To facilitate the awarding process, students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. For information, please call our Office of Student Financial Planning at 1-800-788-9985.

… Your Assistance Please

If you are aware of a high school student who may wish to receive information about the music program at Georgetown College, we would appreciate your providing us with contact information. Thank you!

Music Department Chair
Georgetown College
400 East College Street
Georgetown, Kentucky 40324-1696
Sonny_Burnette@georgetowncollege.edu

http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/

http://www.georgetowncollege.edu

Admissions: 1-800-788-9985

Curry Award for Faculty Excellence

On Tuesday, January 24th at the annual Founder’s Day Convocation, Dr. Sonny Burnette, Chair of the Music Department, received the inaugural “Curry Award for Faculty Excellence.” As the first-ever recipient of this honor, the contributions of Dr. Burnette to the college, the students and the profession were acknowledged.

The Curry Award is named for Ralph and Gwen Curry, long-time and cherished faculty members at Georgetown College and …“is intended to recognize the elements of faculty life that were important to the Currys: service to faculty, excellence in scholarship, and dedication to students. The winner is a faculty member who best emulates the qualities demonstrated by Dr. Ralph Curry and Dr. Gwen Curry.”

Cited at the presentation of the award, was the work and effort Dr. Burnette has given to Georgetown College including many years as Department Chair, as well as Division Chair and Chair of the Faculty; his commitment to excellence in teaching as expressed by his innovative class design; and his well-known work as a performing artist and widely-acclaimed composer.

GC Ensembles

“Blow It & Bang It” News of the Band Scholars and our Georgetown College Tiger Bands

2005 has been a banner year for our Tiger Bands, filled with a veritable plethora of experiences which we shall always cherish. During the Spring Semester the Band Scholars were very busy with many performance obligations – but the highlights surely included the continuation of our “Tiger Bands on the Road Series” with Grrr… Excursion KC II [aka Kansas City, Take Two] during which time the members of our much-beloved FTGPB gave what we now call the “Hall of Fame” performance at Municipal Auditorium at the NAIA National Basketball Tournament. In addition to several other great performances, the Grrr… Excursionnaires toured the Truman Presidential Library, the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum, The American Jazz & Negro League Baseball Museums and the Jesse James Farm [to name but a few of our educational/historic sites]. It was a great time. We concluded the Spring Semester with a landmark performance of our Tiger Symphonic Band as we featured Student Conductor, Adam Nance on the “Gold Rush Rag” and Darron McNutt, Piano Soloist on the incomparable “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin.

We began the Fall Semester, “Grrr… Op. 13”, with our now standard Band Leadership Event & Barbecue. The Band Scholars have worked with great diligence to ensure that the standards which have been set for our Tiger Bands are maintained. In addition to performances supporting community events [Festival of the Horse Parade] and special campus events [Lady Tiger Habitat for Humanity Classic & the Jim Reid Classic Tournament], the Band Scholars conducted their annual Fall Food Drive [admission to the fall concert] as we celebrated 161 years of Bands at Georgetown College. A special highlight of the Fall Anniversary Concert was as we featured Michelle Ginn, junior bassoon soloist, on the “Rondo” from the Mozart Bassoon Concerto. Very special events of the Fall Semester also included a performance of the FTGPB for the President’s Dinner [prior to our GC Tigers taking on the UK Wildcats at Rupp Arena] and our newest project, our discussion/reading groups of the incredible book, “Certain Trumpets” by Garry Wills.

As we look towards the Spring 2006 Semester we are delighted and honored that five Band Scholars have been chosen to participate in the prestigious Kentucky Intercollegiate Band. Michelle Ginn – bassoon, Ken Marotte – mallets, Jon Myers – trombone, Shana Noe-bass clarinet and Nora Whitehead – bass clarinet shall represent our Tiger Bands and Georgetown College in this 105-member honor ensemble, representative of the finest collegiate band members from across the Commonwealth. The KIB shall rehearse and perform at the 2006 KMEA In-Service Convention in Louisville, and this year shall be under the baton of the renowned, Dr. Ronnie Wooten, Director of Bands at NIU. We will have the privilege and pleasure of supporting our Tigers and Lady Tigers in conference and post-season play – plus performances at many other special events. We shall round out the spring semester with our annual concert of the Tiger Symphonic Band which shall take place on Thursday, April 27th at 8:00 PM in the John L. Hill Chapel featuring the incomparable artistry of senior Ken Marotte on mallets and our Woodwind Choir. Special features shall also include the Alchettes and Bahb’s Family with a special musical dedication to the memory of Rosa Parks, as we perform “A Movement for Rosa” by Camphouse. This is a concert you shan’t want to miss.

We of the Tiger Bands remain committed to our 5FBT [aka Five-Fold Band Tenets] …..

• Academic Excellence
• Music Achievement
• Spiritual Values
• Leadership Skills
• Commitment to Georgetown College

….. and are always on the lookout for extraordinary prospective “Fledglings” who might be a great addition to our Tiger Band Family. If you know of any – never hesitate to get in touch with us.

On behalf of the Tiger Bands collectively and myself personally – I would like to thank all of our many Band Friends for your continued support for the Band Scholars and Bands at Georgetown College. To keep up with our performances, events and activities – please go to our Tiger Band Web at….. http://tigerbands.georgetowncollege.edu

Dr. Peter J. LaRue

“Get Your Grrr…On” Recording Project

The GYGO CD has brought unparalleled excitement to our Tiger Bands, and countless hundreds are now listening to thirty-one Grrr…classics in their offices, in their cars, in their homes – or wherever they may find themselves. Distribution at the Book Store, the East Campus Spirit Shop and On-Line has been great – and we would like to thank everyone who has purchased a copy of GYGO, and encourage those who have not – to please do so. All proceeds directly and materially benefit the Band Scholars and our Tiger Bands. Order information may be found at … http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/larue/bands/GYGO%20-%20Main.htm

Georgetown College Choral Ensembles

Chorale has had a terrific year, with numerous opportunities to perform in various venues. A tour of western Kentucky in Spring 2005 included concerts at churches and high schools in Madisonville, Paducah, Henderson, Hopkinsville, and Bowling Green. They also sang for a community concert series in Glasgow. Less than two weeks later they left on a tour of sites of the Underground Railroad. This second tour was sponsored by the Underground Railroad Research Institute (Alicestyne Turley-Adams, director), and included concerts in Auburn and Elmira, New York, and Buxton, Ontario. The tour personnel included a videographer who created a 30-minute documentary of the tour, titled Steal Away: Music of the Underground Railroad, that was broadcast on Kentucky Educational Television on September 8 and 11, and will be seen again from time to time on KET. The documentary will be broadcast in Rochester, NY, in February, and is also being promoted in Indianapolis and other cities. For a change of pace, on April 21 Chorale gave a concert of mostly light music, including a staged medley from Gilbert & Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore.

Chorale performed at Georgetown Baptist Church and Midway Baptist Church in the spring, and gave a mini-tour in November to First Baptist Church, Owenton, and Graefenburg Baptist Church. The tour followed close on the November 3 Fall Concert. The Chorale and Concert Choir joined together to host a Messiah Sing on December 4, and for the annual Lessons and Carols Chapel on December 6. Other opportunities have included singing the National Anthem for the first exhibition game of the Cincinnati Bengals, against the New England Patriots on August 12, representing Georgetown College in front of some 50,000 fans. A week and a half into the semester Chorale performed several songs at the Kentucky Theatre in Lexington for the celebration of the premiere of the Underground Railroad documentary. With Dr. Campbell serving as coordinator, Chorale was joined by choirs from Campbellsville University, Clear Creek Baptist Bible College and the University of the Cumberlands for a joint performance of four anthems at the Kentucky Baptist Convention in Frankfort. Altogether, Chorale performed five different sets of music in the fall semester!

The Concert Choir performed Duruflé’s Requiem on May 1 at First Christian Church, Georgetown. On November 17 they presented selections from Britten’s Ceremony of Carols and Bach’s Magnificat, accompanied by alumnae Rozanna Dalton Thompson on harp for the Britten, and Glenna Armstrong Metcalfe on organ for the Bach. They closed out the semester by co-hosting the Messiah Sing and performing in the Lessons and Carols Chapel.

What lies ahead? The Chorale and Concert Choir will present a concert called “Spring Fling” on February 21 at 8:00 p.m. in Hill Chapel. Come hear some madrigals, ballads, and other songs of spring. The Chorale will tour North and South Carolina on its Spring Tour, March 29-April 2, before giving a Home Concert on April 4 at 8:00 p.m. Appearances in Kentucky on tour include First Baptist Church of Middlesboro on Sunday, April 2 at 11:00 a.m., and First Baptist Church of Mt. Vernon on Sunday evening, April 2 at 7:00 p.m. They will also sing in chapel at the Duke University Divinity School in Durham, NC. Regional appearances include Central Baptist Church, Lexington, on February 5 at 11:00 a.m.; Faith Baptist Church, Georgetown, on March 5 at 11:00 a.m.; and First Baptist Church of Mt. Healthy, OH on March 5 at 6:00 p.m.

The Concert Choir will be joined by the Chorale and orchestra on April 30 at 3:00 p.m. in Hill Chapel to perform Dona Nobis Pacem by Ralph Vaughan Williams. This wonderful work includes Civil War poetry by Walt Whitman and biblical texts from the minor prophets about war and the eventual triumph of peace. It will involve more musicians in one performance than has happened on campus in several years. Please come to any and all these events that you can, and hear what is happening in the choral program at Georgetown College.

Dr. John W. Campbell

Chapel Brass

This fall Chapel Brass explored the literature for brass quartet on its annual fall concert, but this time the group appeared with the Concert Choir, rather than with the Handbells Ensemble, as has been the case in the past. The group also appeared with the Chorale, and Concert Choir, on the annual Festival of Lessons and Carols, in December, assisting in this effective campus worship service, which has become a Christmas tradition at Georgetown College.

GC Music Students

C-MENC

The Collegiate chapter of the Music Educators National Conference (C-MENC) is going well, with 9 members plus Dr. Campbell as advisor. Sophomore music education major Tom Steuart has assumed duties as President, and attended the state C-MENC officers retreat this fall. Chapter activities included a report from the officers retreat, attending a performance of 42nd Street in Cincinnati, and assembling and distributing Survival Kits at the start of final exams. Plans for the spring include sponsoring C-MENC members in the All-Collegiate Choir, or who are attending KMEA; and again doing Survival Kits.

Student Focus

Darron McNutt, a senior at Georgetown College, is the son of Darlene and Ron McNutt of Louisville, KY. After noticing his tendency to listen to pipe organ music and “play along” on the footrests of reclining chairs in the living room (in lieu of playing kickball with the “normal” kids in the neighborhood), Darron’s parents quickly sent him to study piano with Marian Young (the organist at Valley Station Baptist Church in Louisville) at the age of seven. Darron won first place in the Kentucky State Invitational Academic Competition for Christian Schools in both 1994 and 1995 while under her tutelage.

While attending DuPont Manual High School, Darron studied with local musician Tim Harper, Dr. Denine LeBlanc of the University of Louisville School of Music, and took basic classes in music theory at U of L. During this time Darron became active on the music and multimedia teams at Valley Station Baptist, playing piano, guitar, and drums while helping out with sound, recording, lighting, PowerPoint presentations, and occasionally leading rehearsals. Darron achieved “Excellent” and “Superior” ratings in the 2001 and 2002 Kentucky Music Teachers Association Regional Keyboard Festivals respectively.

Darron studied piano under Dr. Stephen Tilford at Georgetown College, becoming the first recipient of the Samuel Hodges Music Scholarship (2004). Darron performed George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with the Georgetown College Tiger Symphonic Band in 2005 and completed his senior recital in the fall, featuring works by Bach, Liszt, Debussy, and Prokofiev.

Darron will be studying religion at Oxford University in the spring of 2006 through the Georgetown/Regent’s Park program and plans on returning to Georgetown in the fall to earn a religion degree in addition to the Bachelor of Arts in Music. Over the next several years Darron plans on getting married and attending graduate school in religious studies in hopes of one day earning his doctorate and becoming a professor.

Faculty Focus

H. M. Lewis (1989) had eye surgery in September of this year which has curtailed his musical activities during the Fall semester. He continues to be active with the orchestra at Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky, which he has directed for many years. During the Christmas season, he also performed as a trumpeter for several church Christmas services. His activities as head of the “Answerman” project for the International Trumpet Guild continues unabated.

Sonny Burnette (1990) performed Gary Schocker’s Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano with New York composer Gary Schocker at the piano. The April “Weekend with Gary Schocker” Music Festival was hosted by the Music Department at Campbellsville University. Also in April, Burnette was featured on alto saxophone performing the jazzy Shaker Song with the GC Symphonic Band. In May, he played reeds for the Paragon Music Theatre production of The World Goes Round; in July for the Lexington Shakespeare Festival production of Fiddler on the Roof; in October for the national touring production of Chicago at the Lexington Opera House; again in October for the Woodford County Theatrical Arts Association production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum; and in November for the Paragon production of Anything Goes. Burnette compositions have been performed recently at Bowling Green State Univ., Central Michigan Univ., West Virginia Univ., Univ. of Windsor, Emporia State Univ., Brandon Univ. (Manitoba), and by the Western Australian Youth Music Association Flute Choir in Perth Concert Hall, Australia. This past summer, Burnette completed a commissioned composition for the WyndSong Flute Quartet, a professional group based in the Washington, D.C. area. Burnette regularly performs with the Pendulum Orchestra in the Louisville area, and he also continues to serve as organist and choir director for Hope Lutheran Church in Frankfort, KY.

Peter LaRue (1993). 2005 was an exceptional year for Dr. LaRue as he continued his work and efforts in several assorted venues and areas. A particular highlight was the 2005 Commencement, at which time he was awarded the “Cawthorne Excellence in Teaching Award” – the highest honor Georgetown College can bestow upon a faculty member. He has continued as the Music Director & Conductor of the Central Kentucky Concert Band – and in 2005 conducted the ensemble’s “Celts & Kilts” and “Be Well, Be Flat” concerts at Transylvania University; the “Gershwin Gala” at the Lexington Opera House – and five “Pops” concerts including venues in Georgetown, Paris, Winchester & Lexington. Last spring LaRue served as the Guest Conductor for the Gainesville HS/GA Honor Band and through the year has performed numerous times with the Bluegrass Brass Trio on his beloved trombone at elementary schools, retirement centers, churches and other local colleges. In 2005 he made three appearances on the weekly arts program “Curtains at Eight” on WUKY-FM and also appeared as a guest on WKYT-TV’s “Afternoons.” Additionally, LaRue again coordinated Summer Programs & Camps for Georgetown College, during which time slightly over 8000 guests stayed on campus. Other fall highlights have included being the Guest Speaker for the Georgetown Rotary Club, and playing in the Kentucky Ballet Theater Orchestra at the Lexington Opera House for a recently finished run of the Nutcracker. Dr. LaRue looks forward to an exciting 2006, spending quality time with the Band Scholars, the 8:00 Scholars – conducting a bit, playing a bit, reading a bit, spending time with cherished friends and savoring assorted opportunities as they present themselves.

Stephen Tilford (1999) In the spring of 2005, Stephen Tilford performed piano recital for Sigma Alpha Iota in Lexington, KY, and for the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce spring banquet. He also performed for Anchor Baptist church in Lexington and served as adjudicator for the first annual Memorial Scholarship, Classical Piano Competition for the Ashland Area Music Teachers’ Association. In 2005, Tilford accompanied two concerts for the Scott County Children’s Chorus, a recently formed organization in Georgetown. After a year of dealing with colon cancer and months of radiation and chemotherapy, Tilford looks forward to the spring of 2006, when he will be on sabbatical researching a program suitable for children and performing in Lexington, Grayson, Louisville, Atlanta, and St. Louis. As an active member of the Music Teacher’s National Association and the National Federation of Music Clubs, Tilford is frequently invited to adjudicate piano festivals and to perform recitals for various organizations. Currently, Tilford serves as the Organist/Choir Director for First Presbyterian Church in Georgetown.

Director of Choral Activities John W. Campbell (2001) has stayed very busy with the Chorale and Concert Choir (see their article), as well as voice, conducting and church music classes. For the third year he coordinated the All-Collegiate Choir that performed at KMEA in February. He has since been voted president-elect of the Kentucky chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. He rehearsed the District 7-11 TTBB All-State Choir this January, also in preparation for KMEA. He was tapped to coordinate the college choirs that performed for the presentation by Baptist colleges at the November annual meeting of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. This past summer he resigned his church choir in Lexington in favor of family and sanity, and now happily sings in the choir at Faith Baptist Church, Georgetown, under the direction of alumna Glenna Armstrong Metcalfe. Dr. Campbell arranged for the singing of the National Anthem at all the home football games, and at the men’s and women’s basketball home games. If you’d like to sing, please contact him!

Daniel Tilford (Faculty Emeritus) While Dr. Stephen Tilford is on sabbatical leave this semester his father, Daniel Tilford will be teaching in the Department of Music. As you may know Daniel Tilford retired from teaching at Georgetown College after forty years (1959-1999). In addition to his part-time teaching at the college he is organist/choral director for Anchor Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. Since his retirement he has maintained a private teaching studio in Georgetown. Free time is spent with his family, especially the grandchildren.

Rebecca Miller is adjunct Instructor in Voice, is in her twelfth year of part-time teaching in the Georgetown College Music Department. In addition to applied voice, she has taught Music Appreciation classes, Vocal Pedagogy and Vocal Diction. As an A.B.D. doctoral student in Music at the University of Kentucky, she is researching the vocal works of French composer, Jacques Ibert. From time to time she performs as soprano soloist, adjudicates choral festivals, and solo and ensemble contests around the state. Each week she commutes 170 miles from Harlan County, Kentucky, where she and her husband make their permanent residence.

Georgetown College Ministry Reunion

Musicians Dick Ham ’58, Pat Kinman Avery ’72, Rod Ellis ’88, Carl Peters ’88, David Bishop ’85, Glenna Metcalf ‘85, Maria Lester ’89, Nina Bell Durr ’77, and Mary Ellen Kerrick ’64 are among the many music people giving leadership to one of the most historic events in the history of Georgetown College.

The Ministry Reunion is scheduled for April 24-26, 2006. More than 500 people are expected to this once-in-a-history event. Ham, Lester, Durr, Metcalf, Kinman and Ellis have served on the planning teams. Peters will lead the reunion choir, Bishop will accompany the choir, and Kerrick has composed the anthem and hymn which was commissioned for the occasion. The Reunion Choir will rehearse at two o’clock on Tuesday afternoon, April 25 and sing during the Worship Celebration on Wednesday morning.

Full details are on the web at minisry.georgetowncollege.edu. Included is a current list of those who have registered. Names are being added every day. All friends and alumni of Georgetown College are encouraged to attend some or all of the reunion.

Staying in Touch

Lori Browder Padgett ’97 and husband are excited to share the news of the birth of their daughter, Courtney Elizabeth (see photo below), on October 26. Lori will be a stay-at-home mom for the remainder of this school year and all of next year before returning to teaching. Lori says she loves every minute of being a mom.

Leah V. Inger ’99 performed in Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Mikado” with the Young Victorian Theater Company in Maryland this past summer. For more information, visit www.yvtc.org. Also, Fox 45 Morning News did a spot on the show and Leah sang for it.

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.

A Word from the Chair

The department received some exciting news during fall semester!  We have received a gift from the Littrell estate that will enable us to make additional improvements to Nunnelley Music Hall .  With the gift we plan to further install new carpeting, ceilings and lighting where needed, and we also hope to install lockers and make other improvements that will enhance the experience of Georgetown College music students.  The Littrell gift will enable the continuation of substantial improvements made to the music building during 2000 via a gift from the Shacklette estate.

We are thrilled to have our new music professor Kim Venhuizen Landrum with us this year.  Prof. Landrum is a superb vocalist and teacher.  As fate would have it, however, Kim’s military-musician husband is being transferred out of the area so, sadly, we are losing her after this academic year.  The department is currently in the process of reviewing applications for the vacancy.

With the advent of Georgetown ’s new theatre major, the music department looks forward to being able to offer a minor in musical theatre in the near future.  This year the department will also be working on revising the existing music minor curricula.

Our annual Faculty Showcase Recital is scheduled for Sunday, January 30 at 3:00 p.m. in Hill Chapel.  We hope you may be able to attend.

Please be reminded that we are now publishing only a single newsletter each year, but you may stay in touch with current departmental happenings via our website, which is updated regularly: http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music

Dr. Sonny Burnette

Audition Dates

Music scholarship audition dates for Fall 2005 entry are right around the corner:

• Monday, January 17, 2005, 10a-noon
• Saturday, January 22, 2005, 9a-1p
• Saturday, February 12, 2005, 9a-1p
• Saturday, February 19, 2005, 9a-1p
• Monday, February 21, 2005, 10a-noon

Individual arrangements may also be made if the above dates are inconvenient.

Music scholarships are potentially available to all GC students, regardless of major.

For more information, or to schedule an audition, please call Mrs. Betty Barkley in the Music Office at 502-863-8100.

To facilitate the awarding process, students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. For information, please call our Office of Student Financial Planning at 1-800-788-9985.

… Your Assistance Please

If you are aware of a high school student who may wish to receive information about the music program at Georgetown College, we would appreciate your providing us with contact information. Thank you!

Music Department Chair
Georgetown College
400 East College Street
Georgetown, Kentucky  40324-1696
Sonny_Burnette@georgetowncollege.edu
http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/
http://www.georgetowncollege.edu
Admissions: 1-800-788-9985

GC Ensembles

“Blow It & Bang It” News of the Band Scholars and our Georgetown College Tiger Bands

The 2004-2005 Performance Season of our Tiger Bands is off to a great start as we celebrate our “Back to Grrr… Basics” year as we further define and refine our all all-important “Five-Fold Band Tenets”….

Academic Excellence
Music Achievement
Spiritual Values
Leadership Skills
Commitment to Georgetown College

This, the 12^th year of the “ME” [aka Modern Era] of the Tiger Bands, is particularly notable as we have unusual strengths and experience with our Elder Scholars, a superior Fledgling Class, and incredible “Middle Children.” Only rarely does this confluence of strengths come together, and what a delight is this “crop” of Band Scholars.

Our fall has been unusually busy – but great, as we have been involved in eighteen (18) performance events and activities. In all, the Band Scholars have been a focal point of excellence, excitement and enthusiasm for our entire campus community.  Fall performances and events have included: our annual Tiger Band Leadership Event & Barbecue; two community events featuring “Humble but Homey” – the Festival of the Horse Parade & the Fire Prevention Week Parade; the Homecoming Kick-Off Rally; two basketball tournaments – the Lady Tigers Habitat for Humanity Classic and the Jim Reid Classic; two NAIA Football Play-Off Games – including Turkey Bowl VI – plus several other campus performances at Toyota Stadium and the John L. Hill Chapel.

On, November 22^nd we celebrated the 160^th Anniversary of Bands at Georgetown College . This very special evening started with the “Have Supper with the Band” event, coordinated by our Grrr… PMT [aka Project Management Team] of Kelly Kays, Tyler Howard, Jon Myers and Lucas Gravitt. This delightful supper was attended by in excess of 200 current Band Scholars, Band Families and Friends of our Tiger Bands. Speakers for the evening included Gem Band Alumni Chad Acklin, Richard Jackson and Jesse Gabbard. The featured speaker was Tom Hales [father of Gem Alumnus Emily Hales Bennett]. A good time was had by all. Following the dinner the Tiger Symphonic Band presented a concert including works by Verdi, Sousa, Curnow & Guilmant. Featured student soloist was sophomore, Jon Myers – trombone, on the Morceau Symphonique.

As we look towards the spring semester we anticipate many great FTGPB & Symphonic Band performances both on and off-campus. A highlight of the spring semester shall be an extended Grrr… Excursion, as we continue our highly successful “Tiger Bands on the Road” series which shall take us to Jackson, TN & Kansas City, MO. Additionally, six of our Band Scholars have been selected to participate in the prestigious 2005 Kentucky Intercollegiate Band. Stephanie Goodrich – B-flat clarinet, Ken Marotte – mallets, Jon Myers – trombone, Adam Nance – tuba, Shana Noe – bass clarinet and Nora Whitehead – bass clarinet shall represent our Tiger Bands and Georgetown College in this 105-member honor ensemble, representative of the finest collegiate band members from across the Commonwealth. The KIB shall rehearse and perform at the 2005 KMEA In-Service Convention in Louisville, and this year shall be under the baton of the renowned, Dr. Frank Wickes, Director of Bands at LSU. We shall round out the spring semester with our annual concert of the Tiger Symphonic Band which shall take place on Thursday, April 28^th at 8:00 PM in the John L. Hill Chapel featuring Darron McNutt as the piano soloist on Gershwin’s class – The Rhapsody in Blue.

On behalf of the Tiger Bands collectively and myself personally – I would like to thank all of our many Band Friends for your continued support for the Band Scholars and Bands at Georgetown College . To keep up with our performances, events and activities – please go to our Tiger Band Web at….. http://tigerbands.georgetowncollege.edu

Dr. Peter J. LaRue

Student Focus

“Get Your Grrr…On” Recording Project

The GYGO CD has brought unparalleled excitement to our Tiger Bands, and countless hundreds are now listening to thirty-one Grrr…classics in their offices, in their cars, in their homes – or wherever they may find themselves. Distribution at the Book Store, the East Campus Spirit Shop and On-Line has been great – and we would like to thank everyone who has purchased a copy of GYGO, and encourage those who have not – to please do so. All proceeds directly and materially benefit the Band Scholars and our Tiger Bands. Order information may be found at … http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/larue/bands/GYGO%20-%20Main.htm

Update on the Choirs

In the spring Chorale toured Florida, with concerts en route in Stanford, KY, and Eatonton, GA; and in Bradenton, Orlando and Gainesville, FL. Other appearances included Lexington Avenue Baptist Church (Danville), Burgin Baptist Church and Highland Baptist Church (Louisville). On April 15 the Chorale and Chamber Singers presented “The Music of Taxation and Other Passions,” a whimsical program they also gave at Grant County High School.

On November 9 Chorale performed a program titled, “Messengers Human and Divine.”  It included a section of music from the Underground Railroad era, with narration and background information provided by Underground Railroad Research Institute director Alicestyne Turley-Adams.  Other performances included Family Weekend on September 19, two services November 14 at Calvary Baptist Church (Lexington), and an appearance November 15 at the Georgetown College-sponsored banquet for associational Directors of Mission as part of the Kentucky Baptist Convention meeting in Louisville. The Chorale and Concert Choir joined other music ensembles in the annual Lessons and Carols Chapel on December 7.

The Concert Choir gave two performances—December 5 and 7—of its Christmas concert that included the Christmas section of Handel’s Messiah accompanied by a small orchestra and harpsichord.  The concerts took place in the lobby of the Ensor Learning Resource Center, which proved to be both a visual and acoustical delight.

What lies ahead?  The Chorale will sing at Georgetown Baptist Church on January 30, and Midway Baptist on April 24.  This year’s Spring Tour to western Kentucky will include First Baptist, Madisonville (Feb. 23), First Baptist, Paducah (Feb. 24), First Baptist, Henderson (Feb. 25), Second Baptist, Hopkinsville (Feb. 26), First Baptist, Hopkinsville (Feb. 27, morning), Glasgow Musicale (Feb. 27, 4:00 p.m.), and First Baptist, Bowling Green (Feb. 27, evening). The Home Concert will be March 1.  Chorale will undertake another tour March 11-14 in conjunction with the Underground Railroad Research Institute, taking “Music of the Underground Railroad” to historic sites in Ohio, upstate New York, and Ontario.  Their final concert of the year will be April 21.

The Concert Choir will perform Duruflé’s Requiem on May 1 at First Christian Church, Georgetown, with a chamber orchestra.  Please come to any and all these events that you can, and hear what is happening in the choral program at Georgetown College!

Dr. John W. Campbell

Handbell Highlights

The Georgetown College Handbell Ensemble had a wonderful fall semester.  Directed by Kimberly Landrum (formerly Venhuizen), the ensemble participated in a concert with the Chapel Brass as well as the college’s Lessons and Carols service.  The ensemble included Melissa Langley (Jr.), Joanna Lile (Sr.), Elizabeth Steger (So.), and Thomas Steuart (Fr.).  A retreat was held on Saturday, October 9^th to allow the ensemble members to work on technique and unity and to begin learning the bulk of the semester’s repertoire.  The players worked tremendously hard and experienced a very successful semester.

Chapel Brass

This Fall Chapel Brass explored the literature for brass quartet on its annual Fall concert with the Handbell ensemble.  The group appeared with the Chorale, Concert Choir, and the Hymn Howlers on the Festival of Lessons and Carols, and two members of the group assisted the Concert Choir on its annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, playing the trumpet parts.

Delta Omicron

Delta Omicron members have been meeting regularly since September.  They are working hard to have a larger impact on the Georgetown Campus  and community.  A fundraiser project that was completed before Christmas was “Singing Christmas Cards.”  These were sold outside the cafeteria prior to Thanksgiving and were personally delivered to the recipients.  Delta Omicron members sang “live” Christmas carols as well as delivering a personal message.  For a first-time effort, we felt it was a success and hope to try it again in the future.  Also, several of the members had a Christmas social at the home of the chapter advisor, Nina Belle Durr, who is an alumnae of the Georgetown chapter as well as former province president.  Delta Omicron will be inviting eligible students to join our fraternity during the spring semester.  We would also welcome news from other alums in the area!

C-MENC News

The Collegiate chapter of the Music Educators National Conference (C-MENC) is going well, with eight members, plus Dr. Campbell as advisor.  Mary Elizabeth Barrington is serving a second term as President.  Chapter activities included attending a performance of The King’s Singers at the Singletary Center in Lexington , and assembling and distributing Survival Kits at the start of final exams.  Plans for the spring include sponsoring C-MENC members in the All-Collegiate Choir and/or Inter-Collegiate Band, or sponsoring members who are attending KMEA; and again doing Survival Kits.

Mary Elizabeth Barrington, a junior at Georgetown College, has been involved in music for the majority of her life. Beginning at a young age, she began singing at various churches and was instructed and accompanied by her mother. At the age of eight, she began taking piano lessons and grew fond of classical music. Around this same time, Mary Elizabeth began understanding and appreciating music even more. After joining the Danville Children’s Choir, she traveled with them and was selected to sing a solo at a music convention at Disney World. By middle school, she started listening to recordings of Sandi Patti and was soon performing her songs.

By high school, Mary Elizabeth was singing at many events. During the Presidential election of 2000, she sang at several political rallies and debates and was even asked to open for Ricky Skaggs at the Dick Cheney rally at Centre College. Also around this time, she had the opportunity to sing at the North American Mission Board Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. These were both great ways for Mary Elizabeth to gain exposure and confidence in performing.

During her senior year at Mercer County High School, Mary Elizabeth participated in the State Junior Miss Pageant, which was held at the Singletary Center in Lexington.  During the pageant, she won the talent award by singing O Mio Babbino Caro and placed top five out of 40-45 participants. Through this pageant, she received a scholarship that would be the first of many scholarships going toward Georgetown College.

The summer before attending Georgetown College, Mary Elizabeth received numerous scholarships for both academics (Valedictorian at MCHS 2002) and music. Some of these include the Trustee’s Scholarship, a music scholarship, and a Pastor’s Christian Leadership Scholarship. These were just the beginning of a wonderful experience at Georgetown.

During her freshman year, Mary Elizabeth pledged Kappa Delta and became active in the Chorale and Concert Choir. Also as a freshman, she was chosen to represent Knight Hall in the annual Belle of the Blue Pageant. While she didn’t win this year, she was selected to represent the men of Lambda Chi Alpha her sophomore year and won the pageant. Since winning, she will now participate in the Mountain Laurel Festival Pageant this summer.

As a junior, Mary Elizabeth in still active in Chorale and Concert Choir and is the two-year president of CMENC, two-year participant in All Collegiate Choir, three-year member of Delta Omicron, and three-year member of Harper Gatton. She is also a new President’s Ambassador and will travel with them to Germany this Spring Break. Just recently, Mary Elizabeth was excited to be asked by President Crouch to travel with him to Japan to sing at the World’s Fair. She will be leaving for this event this May along with Governor Collins and two other students.

Faculty Focus

H. M. Lewis (1989) focused much of his musical activities this Fall on his involvement with the Immanuel Baptist Church orchestra, which he conducts.  In December, the group accompanied the Praise and Worship Choir in its annual Christmas presentation “Follow the Star,” opening the program with the Farandole from Georges Bizet’s L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2.  The thirty-four member group continues to grow and to present the best of instrumental music for worship as part of Immanuel Baptist Church ’s Music Ministry. As many of you know, Dr. Lewis has been an active member of the International Trumpet Guild since its inception, and for the past few years he has shared his knowledge of the history of the trumpet and the cornet with trumpet players in this country and around the world as the head of ITG’s “Answerman” program.  Trumpeters can email the ITG website with questions about the history of the instrument, medical problems, etc., and he will either answer the questions himself (historical), or refer them to his team of experts.  This year he fielded questions from all over the U.S. and Canada and from such diverse countries as Turkey , Belgium , Russia , and Germany .  He continues to serve on the editorial board of the ITG Journal, and as a frequent reviewer of CDs for that publication. This past November, he presented a faculty lecture recital, “How the Cornet became a Trumpet—the Music and Instruments of a Transitional Period in American Music:  1880-1930” on campus, with the able assistance of Ms. Glenna Metcalfe on piano and Wayne Collier on Cornet.  This program has been presented twice for national conferences of the International Trumpet Guild, and featured many of the antique cornets and trumpets from Dr. Lewis’ collection.

Sonny Burnette (1990) directed a flute choir reading session at the National Flute Association convention held at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville during August.  The session included several of his own compositions.  Burnette has been commissioned by the Wyndsong Flute Quartet, a professional quartet in the metro Washington, D.C. area, to compose a work for that ensemble.  Burnette’s composition Kaleidoscope for carillon was premiered at Ball State University’s Shafer Tower in October by John Gouwens, visiting lecturer in carillon.  The West Michigan Flute Association included Burnette’s George Washington’s Teeth, a march for flute choir and percussionist, on its 2004 concert season CD.  Fanfare XXV: The Silver Jublilation opens the “Coming of Age” CD produced in 2004 by The Atlanta Music Academy Flute Choir.  Flutist Dr. Lisa McArthur recorded his A Place Far Away, for flute and piano, on a CD released this past fall.  Stained Glass Images is scheduled to be performed by the Emporia State University flute choir at the Kansas Music Educators Association convention in February.  Burnette performed on saxophone and clarinet in the pit orchestra for Damn Yankees at the Lexington Opera House in November.  Recently, he became organist at Hope Lutheran Church in Frankfort, and he continues to perform with the Pendulum Orchestra in Louisville.

Peter LaRue (1993), during the summer of 2004, was again kept busy conducting the Central Kentucky Concert Band as they gave Summer Pops Concerts at the Royal Springs Park , the Scott County Fairgrounds, the UK Arboretum and the Clark County Court House. Additionally, as Director of Summer Programs & Camps at Georgetown College he was responsible for camps that brought approximately 7000 campers and guests to campus.  This fall in addition to his work and efforts for the Tiger Bands, he began his eleventh season as Music Director and Conductor of the Central Kentucky Concert Band with 2004-2005 concerts of “Back to the Future” [Transylvania – December 5^th], “Of Celts & Kilts” [Transylvania University – February 27^th] and “A Gershwin Gala” [Lexington Opera House, May 1^st].  Also during the fall, LaRue served as music adjudicator at the Thorobred Classic [ Cynthiana , KY ], the South Spencer Invitational [ Rockport , IN ] and the Greater St. Louis Marching Band Festival [Edward Jones Dome – St. Louis , MO ]. He played his beloved trombone with Paragon Music, the Bluegrass Brass Trio and at several local churches.  A special opportunity this fall enabled Dr. LaRue to participate in the new “Dual-Credit” program – a cooperative venture between Georgetown College and the Scott County Schools, as he taught “Music for the Masses” to upper level high school students.

Stephen Tilford (1999) In the spring of 2004, Stephen Tilford performed piano recital for the Riverside Arts Festival in Bainbridge, GA and perform a recital for Kentucky Christian College in Grayson KY.  In addition, Tilford performed a recital for First Baptist Church in Somerset, KY.  In the fall of 2004, Tilford accompanied the first concert of the Scott County Children’s Chorus, a newly formed organization in Georgetown.  In the spring of 2005, Tilford will perform on the music faculty showcase recital and a solo recital for the Sigma Alpha Iota chapter in Lexington, KY.  On March 6, 2005 at 3 pm Tilford will perform a Faculty recital in Hill Chapel at Georgetown College.  As an active member of the Music Teacher’s National Association and the National Federation of Music Clubs, Tilford is frequently invited to adjudicate piano festivals and to perform recitals for various organizations.  Currently, Tilford serves as the Organist/Choir Director for First Presbyterian Church in Georgetown.

Director of Choral Activities John W. Campbell (2001) has stayed busy with the Chorale and Concert Choir, as well as voice, conducting and church music classes.  As College/University Repertoire and Standards Chair for the Kentucky chapter of the American Choral Directors Association, he is the coordinator for the All-Collegiate Choir that performs at KMEA.  He rehearsed the District 7-11 SSA All-State Choir this January, also in preparation for KMEA, and is College/University Representative for District 7-11.  In addition to serving Beaumont Presbyterian Church in Lexington as Director of Music, he was named Director of the Richmond Choral Society in Fall 2004.  He attended the national conference of The Hymn Society in July.  Dr. Campbell arranged for the singing of the National Anthem at all the home football games, and at the men’s and women’s basketball home games.  (If you’d like to sing, please contact him!)

Kim Venhuizen Landrum (2004) spent a busy first semester at Georgetown College.  On September 11^th she presented a chamber recital in the Singletary Center for the Arts including the music of Vivaldi, Pergolesi, Schubert, Respighi, Chausson, Stametz and Bernstein.  She also began the semester singing a spiritual at the opening convocation of the college.  Mrs. Landrum later joined up with Marilyn Fightmaster and Ann Dalzell in a musical theater presentation at Calvary Baptist Church in October for the Woman’s Association of Georgetown College.  She has been very busy enjoying her teaching schedule and continues the final work on her doctorate.  She was married to James Landrum (Specialist, US Army) on December 18, 2004.  He joins the 25^th regiment at Schofield Barracks,Oahu as a percussionist in May.  Mrs. Landrum hopes to continue her work on her doctoral document on Vocal Therapy this spring as well as presenting an all Brahms recital with pianist Lucien Stark.

Staying in Touch

George Samuel (Sam) Stack ‘85 is currently the Associate Pastor of Music and Education at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Waycross , GA.   Mr. Stack also holds a Master of Church Music from Southern Seminary.

Leah Inger ‘99, is pursuing a Graduate Performance Diploma at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore , MD.   She also holds a M.S. in Music Education from Towson University in Towson , MD.   In addition to school, Leah works for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. In this position she helps coordinate the Midweek Education Concerts attended by school groups.  Leah sang in the premier of the opera “Super Double Lite” at Symphony Space in New York City earlier last year.  Leah can be reached at leahinger@hotmail.com.

Eric Thomas and Angela Suzanne Eaton ‘98 were married in  Midway, KY on February 14.  The couple resides in Orlando , FL.

Deanna Green ‘00, graduated from the University of Florida Medical School in May 2004 and is doing her residency at the Johns Hopkins University Medical School in Baltimore , MD. She plans on specializing in pediatric hematology and oncology

Josh and Lela Cocanougher McFarland ‘01, are the new parents of a beautiful baby girl.  They have named their daughter Jovey Kay McFarland.  She was born November 28, 2004.  The McFarlands can be reached at joshandlela@insightbb.com.

Bob Brockelsby and Leslie Conver ‘03, were married in Louisville on June 19, 2004.  Leslie is now a graduate student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville , KY.

Jennifer Wade ‘03 and Joseph Gullion were married in Georgetown in June 2003.  Jennifer is currently teaching 4th grade in Boone County .

Timothy (Tim) Finley “04 is attending graduate school at the   University of Kentucky School of Pharmacy.

Recently, Jonathan Creech ’96 formed and directed a community jazz band for CETA’s 3rd annual Autumn ArtsFest.  CETA is a Northern Ky. Arts Council, for which Jonathan is an active board member (www.cetaarts.org).  Jon completed his Master of Music Education degree at University of Kentucky in December 2004.

Alums, send us your news (and photos)!

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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.

A Word from the Chair

We are pleased to bring to you the twelfth issue of Nunnelley Notes! This issue contains news of activities primarily from Fall Semester 2002. As always, please see the web edition for full-length articles.

At a departmental level, we all missed Dr. Angela Easterday Holder, who was on sabbatical during the fall. We are glad to have her back this spring, and look forward to the lecture-recital presentation of her sabbatical research project dealing with women composers, which will be Thursday, February 27 at 8:00 p.m. in Hill Chapel.
Prior to that recital will be the Department of Music Faculty Showcase Recital, featuring performances by all full-time music faculty. We hope you may be able to attend this program on Sunday, February 2 at 8:00 p.m., also in Hill Chapel.
The department once again hosted rehearsals of the All-State Choirs (SATB, SSA, TTBB) in January, prior to the start of spring semester. We appreciate the efforts of Mrs. Donna Bonner and Dr. John Campbell, who coordinated this event. The department also hosted the statewide Flute Festival sponsored by the Flute Society of Kentucky during January, featuring internationally-acclaimed artist Alexa Still. So, the stage has been set for a great semester! I hope you can participate by attending some of the performances you see on our calendar.

Dr. Sonny Burnette

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“When I hear music, I fear no danger, I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest.
Henry David Thoreau (1817-62)

Audition Dates

Music scholarship audition dates for Fall 2003 entry are right around the corner:

• Monday, January 21, 2003, 10a-noon
• Saturday, January 25, 2003, 9a-1p
• Saturday, February 15, 9a-1p
• Monday, February 17, 2003, 10a-noon
• Saturday, February 22, 2003, 9a-1p

Individual arrangements may also be made if the above dates are inconvenient.

Music scholarships are potentially available to all GC students, regardless of major.

For more information, or to schedule an audition, please call Mrs. Betty Barkley in the Music Office at 502-863-8100.

To facilitate the awarding process, students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. For information, please call our Office of Student Financial Planning at 1-800-788-9985.

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… Your Assistance Please

If you are aware of a high school student who may wish to receive information about the music program at Georgetown College, we would appreciate your providing us with contact information. Thank you!

Music Department Chair
Georgetown College
400 East College Street
Georgetown, Kentucky  40324-1696
Sonny_Burnette@georgetowncollege.edu
http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/
http://www.georgetowncollege.edu
Admissions: 1-800-788-9985

GC Ensembles

“Blow It & Bang It” Notes from our Tiger Bands

The 2002 -2003 academic year is the “Year of the X” for the Band Scholars and our Tiger Bands [and yes, of course we have special "X Year" t-shirts to proudly proclaim this fact], and what a fine semester it has been. We welcomed a great class of Fledglings [i.e. Freshmen] to our Tiger Bands this fall, and these young ladies and gents hail from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee – and of course the Commonwealth. This strong class with our incomparable “Elder Scholars” [i.e. Seniors] and wonderful “Middle Children” [i.e. Sophomores and Juniors] are upholding the traditions of our Tiger Bands in the finest fettle.

We began the year with our now traditional Band Leadership Event and Barbecue at the East Campus. We quickly moved to our GCMSV [a.k.a. Guest Conductor Mini-Series Number Five] when it was our distinct privilege and pleasure to welcome the internationally-acclaimed, Dr. Earle Louder, to work with the Band Scholars and our Tiger Bands. And then in Mid-October we received a special [and most-unexpected] invitation to perform at the Valvoline World Rally at the Thoroughbred Center in Lexington. This was a most-exciting venue and event.

In addition to performances at numerous home football games, and special performances at the Lady Tiger Habitat for Humanity Classic, and Hap and the Boys at the Jim Reid Classic Tournament – we also enjoyed performing at the three NAIA National Championship Series Football Play-Off Games that Georgetown hosted which included Turkey Bowl V. Grrr… We then had the excitement of our Grrr…Excursion – Savannah IV – 2002, as our Tiger Bands “On the Road” series continued as we supported our Team and our College in the National Championship Football Game in Savannah, Tennessee. S-IV represented the fifteenth Grrr…Excursion for our Tiger Bands [going back to Tulsa I in 1994] , and the eighth “national level” event in which our much-beloved FTGPB has performed for which there was regional or national television coverage. Grrr… It is always a delight to lend our “special” flavor and flair to these events.

In addition to the ongoing work and efforts of the FTGPB, the Hymn Howlers have had a great semester with two recent performances [one at the local Methodist Church, the other at the campus Lessons & Carols Service]: Jason Reinhardt, Director’s Assistant for our Tiger Bands, presented a great trombone recital in the fall; and the Tiger Bands have been again featured by several local media outlets.

The highlight of the semester was the 158th Fall Anniversary Concert by the Tiger Symphonic Band that featured works by Hall, Gillingham, Briccialdi, Grainger and Wallace. Emily Hales, senior pre-law major from Silver Spring, Maryland, and flautist extraordinaire, was our featured student soloist on the classic Carnival of Venice and Dr. Angela Easterday Holder shared her great abilities with the Symphonic Band on the Sussex Mummer’s Christmas Carol. It was an evening of delightful music, and included our annual Fall Food Collection project, whereby canned or processed food is forwarded to the A.M.E.N. House for distribution to the less-fortunate in the Georgetown-Scott County area.

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

The GYGO CD has brought unparalleled excitement to our Tiger Bands, and countless hundreds are now listening to thirty-one Grrr…classics in their offices, in their cars, in their homes – or wherever they may find themselves. Distribution at the Book Store, the East Campus Spirit Shop and On-Line has been great – and we would like to thank everyone who has purchased a copy of GYGO, and encourage those who have not – to please do so. All proceeds directly and materially benefit the Band Scholars and our Tiger Bands. Order information may be found at … http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/larue/bands/GYGO%20-%20Main.htm

Dr. Peter J. LaRue

Update on the Choirs

The Chorale had several major performances this fall, including appearances at First Baptist Church, Cynthiana (Nov. 3), and that evening a full concert at Cecilia Baptist Church; and a performance at the Kentucky Baptist Convention (Nov. 12) as part of a massed choir that also drew from Cumberland College and Campbellsville University.  They also taped a segment for Kentucky Educational Television.  On their Fall Concert (Nov. 19) they performed a mix of musics that ranged from straight-up anthems like Jane Marshall’s “My Eternal King” to a spiritual (“I Can Tell the World,” by Moses Hogan) to international pieces in Japanese and Chicheŵa. 

The Concert Choir’s program on December 5 was heard by a surprisingly large crowd of hardy folks who braved the first significant snow of the season to come.  The featured work was an excerpt from Honegger’s Une Cantate de Noël. Other carols and Christmas pieces were sung, some by the audience as well as the choir.

Three days later, on December 8, the Concert Choir and the Chorale hosted a “Messiah Sing” in which the audience was invited to join in singing choruses from throughout Handel’s Messiah.  Georgetown students performed introductory recitatives and arias.  The chorus exceeded one hundred singers.

In the fall semester the Chamber Singers , eight hand-picked vocalists, gave several performances, including a Presidential Dinner (Oct. 5), a mini-concert for a V.I.P. Day (Nov. 9), and the National Anthem for a Georgetown football game (Nov. 2) and women’s basketball game (Nov. 26).  On October 13 they performed at Georgetown Baptist Church in support of College President Bill Crouch , who preached.  The Chamber Singers sang two sets on the Chorale’s Fall Concert—one of madrigals and the other of church-related pieces.

What lies ahead?  The Chorale will travel March 2 for morning and evening church appearances, take its Spring Tour March 26-30, and give its Home Concert on April 3.  A tour to Europe originally planned for May 11-22 is being replaced with a stateside tour; details are in the works at this writing.  The Chamber Singers will present a full concert April 10 in addition to appearances at Third Baptist Church, Owensboro, on February 2, and St. Matthews Baptist Church on April 27. The Concert Choir will perform Rutter’s Requiem, also on April 27, with chamber orchestra.  Please come to any and all these events that you can, and see what is happening in the choral program at Georgetown College!

Dr. John W. Campbell

Handbell Highlights

This past fall the Handbell Ensemble, under the direction of Adjunct Prof. Glenna Metcalfe (GC alum & Staff Accompanist), presented its annual fall concert. The November 14, 2002 concert consisted of Thanksgiving hymn arrangements, Christmas hymns, and two original handbell compositions by prominent handbell composer Arnold Sherman. The group also performed in the Sixth Annual Lessons and Carols service at the end of the semester on December 10.

Chapel Brass

With a new meeting time this fall, the six-member Chapel Brass experimented with new instrumental colors and combinations in performance. As usual, the group performed on the annual fall concert with the Handbells and with other Music Department ensembles on the December chapel program of Lessons and Carols.

New Series at GC

Good news for the department! Thanks to a generous gift from Franklin and Debra Ensor, the department will be able to initiate a commissioned composers series at Georgetown College. The faculty will plan the details during Spring 2003 in hopes of having the first premiere of a large work for combined Band and Choir at Georgetown in 2004 or 2005. Thank you, Ensors!

Tony Whitfield Honored

A special concert honoring the music of Tony Whitfield was performed at Immanual Baptist Church in Paducah, Kentucky on November 3, 2002. Mr. Whitfield has had a distinguished career in the field of choral music. For 42 years Mr. Whitfield served churches in three states:  Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee.

Mr. Whitfield taught at Georgetown College for thirteen years during 1982-95. He was chair of the Church Music division, and his teaching responsibilities included private voice, conducting, choral literature, hymnology, as well as serving as conductor of the Georgetown College Chorale, the Women’s Choir and the Oratorio Chorus. The Georgetown College Chorale under his direction made three European tours, and two professional recordings.

Delta Omicron

The Delta Delta chapter of Delta Omicron started off the semester hosting a reception for the Province President, Ashleigh Russell, who visited the chapter. The ladies also performed the annual Broadway Musicale, singing and playing a variety of favorites. For Christmas, the ladies sang Christmas carols for the Salvation Army at Kroger. All of the ladies participated in the college’s annual performance of Messiah, with several seniors singing solos:  Ashlie Wrenne, Courtney Carter, Katie Thompson and Leslie Conver. Dr. Angela Easterday Holder serves as chapter advisor and Dr. Sonny Burnette serves as chapter sponsor.

Click here to view photos from the Delta Omicron Broadway Musicale from November 14, 2002.

C-MENC News

The Collegiate chapter of the Music Educators National Conference (C-MENC) is off to a strong start, with 13 members plus Dr. Campbell as advisor.  Officers are:  Katie Thompson (President), Mary Elizabeth Barrington (Vice President), Tiffany Durr (Secretary) and Ashlie Wrenne (Treasurer).  Chapter activities included attending a concert by Chanticleer, and assembling and distributing Survival Kits just prior to final exams.  Plans for the spring include attending performances of Madame Butterfly and Aïda; sponsoring C-MENC members in the All-Collegiate Choir and/or Band, or who are attending KMEA; and again doing Survival Kits.

Student Focus

Leslie Conver, daughter of Leigh and Linda Conver, is a senior Church Music Major/Religion Minor from Louisville .  As a senior voice student, Leslie is preparing for her senior recital April 6. Leslie has been study music since she was very young and intends to continue her music studies after graduating from Georgetown by attending The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the fall, persuing a Masters in Church Music.  Leslie felt the call to Music Ministry while she was in high school and is currently fulfilling that call as a music intern at First Baptist Church in Frankfort .  This spring is Leslie’s second semester as one of FBC’s interns. Upon graduation in May it is Leslie’s hope that she can find a job as Minister of Music for a church in the Louisville area.

Faculty Focus

H.M. Lewis (1989) Musical activities this past fall have mainly been involved with the orchestra at Immanuel Baptist Church, which he conducts. In October, the Orchestra traveled  to Bowling Green, where players participated with other groups in the Music Ministry in a KBC-sponsored conference on workshop styles. As he has done for the past nine years, Lewis presented two lectures this past fall for the AP American History/American Literature Block classes at Scott County High School. The first was on New England Psalmody and American Hymnody from the time of Pilgrims to about 1850, and military music in the Revolutionary and Federalist periods. The second lecture was on various aspects of popular music in America during the 19th century and on brass band music during the Civil War.

Sonny Burnette (1990)  performed with the DiMartino/Osland Jazz Orchestra (DOJO) and the Pendulum Orchestra ( Louisville) a number of times during the summer and fall semester, and he also performed for Thomas & King corporate meetings held at the East Campus Conference Center. Burnette presented two MIDI computer music workshops for the Rogers Scholars program at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset. And he entered a trombone choir composition in the regional trombone festival that will be held at Bowling Green State University this spring. Two Burnette flute choir compositions were performed at the Thirtieth Annual National Flute Association Convention held in Washington , D.C.—one by the Nashua Flute Choir (New Hampshire) and the other by the Dana Flute Ensemble (Ohio). During fall semester, other flute choir performances of his works were given by the University of Utah Flute Choir, The Idaho Flute Society, and the Iowa State University Flute Ensemble.

Peter LaRue (1993)  In addition to his ongoing efforts for and towards the Tiger Bands, the 8:00 Scholars, the gents of Lambda Chi Alpha – with a little trombone playing being thrown in on the side, Dr. LaRue has begun his ninth year as the Music Director & Conductor of the Central Kentucky Concert Band which gave two performances in the fall – one at the Red Mile Track for the Lexington “United We Stand” celebration and remembrance [which was simulcast on WKYT television] and the December “H is for….” concert at Transylvania University. LaRue also served as senior music adjudicator at the “Bluegrass Marching Band Invitational” at West Jessamine High School and the “Dragon Classic” at Warren Central High School. In October, the third in his infamous “MAS” [aka Ma Article Series] appeared in the Bluegrass Music News, “Ma, I’m Gonna Go Work at Wendy’s.”

Angela Easterday Holder (1995) This past fall, Angela Easterday Holder was on sabbatical and studied the works of late-19th-century female composers. She will present a lecture-recital on Thursday, February 27, at 8:00 p.m. discussing and performing the results of her research. She performed as a soprano soloist in Rutter’s Magnificat on the Lexington Singer’s fall concert, and again as a soloist in Calvary Baptist Church’s performance of Rutter’s Magnificat. With the Central Kentucky Concert Band, she performed “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth” from Handel’s Messiah, and with the Georgetown College Symphonic Band she sang the Sussex Mummer’s Christmas Carol. She is a member of Lexington Singers, having performed with the group in three concerts last fall. She organized the Sixth Annual Lessons and Carols Service at the college. Angela Easterday Holder continues to serve as the Coordinator of Vocal Studies and Church Music, and is the music liaison to the Religious Life Council.

Stephen Tilford (1999) This past fall Tilford maintained an active performance calendar. He appeared as Guest Artist for the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts, Lexington, Kentucky, as Guest Recitalist for the Humanities Concert Series, Bainbridge, Georgia, and prepared a recital for First Baptist Church, Paducah, Kentucky. In addition, Tilford performed at the fall meeting of the Scott County Historical Society. Tilford continues serving the community of Georgetown as the accompanist for the Georgetown Choral Society and as Organist/Choirmaster at the Church of the Holy Trinity. Upcoming performances include:  Ashland Community College, Ashland, KY, Feb. 10; Lexington Federated Music Club, Feb. 18; Kentucky Christian College, Grayson, KY, Feb. 20; Humanities Concert Series, Bainbridge, GA, June 2003.

John W. Campbell (2001), Director of Choral Activities, has stayed busy with the Chorale, Concert Choir and Chamber Singers.  He was appointed College/University Repertoire and Standards Chair for the Kentucky Choral Directors Association, which means he is the coordinator for the All-Collegiate Choir that performs at KMEA.  He rehearsed the District 7-11 SATB All-State Choir this January, also in preparation for KMEA.  For several months through the summer and into the fall of 2002 he was Interim Worship Pastor at Memorial Baptist Church in Frankfort, and in November attended the Kentucky Baptist Music Conference.  Dr. Campbell has arranged for the singing of the National Anthem at most home football games, and at the men’s and women’s basketball home games.  (If you’d like to sing, contact him!)  He continues to be an active participant at Faith Baptist Church in Georgetown , including occasionally playing the piano when alum Nina Belle Durr has to be away.

Staying in Touch

Rod Ellis ’88 is Worship Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church in Frankfort, KY.

Jonathan Creech ’96 is in his seventh year of teaching and in his third year of teaching at Dry Ridge Elementary, where he maintains his area of the school’s web page:  www.dryridgeelementary.net/creech/creech.htm. Jon is currently completing a Master of Music Education degree at the University of Kentucky, and was also elected chairperson for “Grant County … Celebrating the Arts” this past summer.

Keri Holman-Bush ’99 is teaching music at Elkhorn Elementary in Frankfort, Kentucky. She can be reached at Bushkeri@aol.com.

Sara (Cook) Robinson ’00, Sue Lou Smith ’84 & Sue Ellen Caldwell ’71 were involved in the all-state rehearsals held at Georgetown College on January 11.

Alums, send us your news (and photos)!

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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.

A Word from the Chair

Welcome to the eleventh issue of Nunnelley Notes! This issue contains news of activities primarily from Spring Semester 2002. I would like to publicly thank Mrs. Betty Barkley, our music secretary, who has taken over the responsibility of newsletter desktop publishing.

Regular readers will notice something new in this issue–two more pages! With this change, we will be able to bring you more information in written format, including our new Student Feature. As always, the web edition will contain full-length articles.

In January, the department was pleased to once again host rehearsals of the All-State Choirs (SATB, SSA, TTB). Our thanks to Mrs. Donna Bonner who so ably coordinates this event. We look forward to hosting the rehearsals again on January 11, 2003.

For the first time, GC will be host to the Flute Society of Kentucky “Flute Festival” during January 17-18, 2003. Please visit the web site for more information: www.FSKentucky.org.

Once again, Fall 2002 will see a bumper crop of students participating in our music program. The college is providing music scholarships to over 26 new music majors, minors and electives. We look forward to a great year!

Dr. Sonny Burnette

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“Music is to the mind as air is to the body.”   Plato

Audition Dates

Music scholarship audition dates for Fall 2003 entry are right around the corner:

• Monday, January 21, 2003, 10a-noon
• Saturday, January 25, 2003, 9a-1p
• Saturday, February 15, 9a-1p
• Monday, February 17, 2003, 10a-noon
• Saturday, February 22, 2003, 9a-1p

Individual arrangements may also be made if the above dates are inconvenient.

Music scholarships are potentially available to all GC students, regardless of major.

For more information, or to schedule an audition, please call Mrs. Betty Barkley in the Music Office at 502-863-8100.

To facilitate the awarding process, students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. For information, please call our Office of Student Financial Planning at 1-800-788-9985.

… Your Assistance Please

If you are aware of a high school student who may wish to receive information about the music program at Georgetown College, we would appreciate your providing us with contact information. Thank you!

Music Department Chair
Georgetown College
400 East College Street
Georgetown, Kentucky  40324-1696
Sonny_Burnette@georgetowncollege.edu
http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/
http://www.georgetowncollege.edu
Admissions: 1-800-788-9985

GC Ensembles

“Blow It & Bang It” Notes from our Tiger Bands

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

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)!

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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.