Company Performs at Convention
Belmont University's Company performed at the Opryland Hotel along with the Vanderbilt Color Guard for the opening of the national convention for the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid Conference Dec.1. The groups performed “The Star Spangled Banner” with colors. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan was the keynote speaker for the 6,000 participants registered to attend.
Opera Theatre- Will present Mozart's Così fan tutte
Opera Theatre- Will present Mozart's Così fan tutte, a comedic look at relationships and the sanctity of love. This production, presented in English, runs Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 15 at 2:00 p.m. in the Troutt Theater. A Matinee Luncheon will be held on Sunday, November 15 at 12:30 p.m. in the Vince Gill Room in the Curb Event Center. The cost for the luncheon is $25 and includes lunch and reserved seating at the matinee performance. Tickets for the performances are $10 for adults, $5 for Senior Citizens (65 and over), faculty, staff and non-Belmont students. Free for Belmont students.
Click here to purchase Opera tickets or click here to purchase Opera Matinee Luncheon reservations.
Fall Choral Festival - Features the Oratorio Chorus, the Brass Ensemble, Nashville Children's Choir and the Lassiter High School Women's Choir form Marietta, GA under the direction of guest conductor Dr. Lynne Gackle. The evening's musical selections include Gloria by John Rutter and Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing arranged by Mack Wilberg. The concert is Friday, November 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Massey Concert Hall and is free and open to the public.
Faculty Concert Series - Joel Treybig, Trumpet, and Chris Norton, Percussion, present a Back to Back Concert on Monday, November 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Belmont Heights Baptist Church. The duo will perform the finale together. The concert is free and open to the public.
Musical Theatre - Presents Urinetown, a musical-comedy satire on greed, corruption, love and revolution. A drastic water shortage in a major metropolis has rendered private toilets inoperable, so people must now rely on public amenities. The facilities are controlled by a corporation which keeps raising its prices for use, creating revolting conditions which lead to public uprising. Showtimes and dates in are Thursday, November 19 and Friday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22 at 2:00 p.m. The performances are free and open to the public in Massey Concert Hall.
Encore Award - September 29th, 7:30pm
The Encore Award honors a School of Music alumnus for achievement in the field of classical music. This year's recipient is tenor Daniel Weeks. Weeks maintains an active performing schedule while being a member of the voice faculty at the University of Louisville. This will be his first performance at Belmont since he graduated in 1989. The awards presentation and concert are on Tuesday, September 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Belmont Mansion and is free and open to the public. For more information, please call (615) 460-6408.
Group turns up volume on First Saturday art crawl
SEPTEMBER 27, 2009 THE TENNESSEANExpect something different if you head downtown for the First Saturday Art Crawl this week. In addition to scoping out new exhibitions at the galleries, you'll also hear art during SoundCrawl:Nashville, held in conjunction with the monthly art event.
The brainchild of composers Aaron Doenges and Kyle J. Baker (Both received a Master of Music (composition) from Belmont in Spring 2009)— who dreamed up the event while in grad school at Belmont — SoundCrawl: Nashville will feature the audio works of 33 artists (including both organizers), chosen from 246 submissions received from 12 countries.
Most of the pieces are less than 3 minutes long and will be heard in the following galleries: BelArt Studio/Gallery, Downtown Presbyterian Church, MIR Gallery, The Showroom at Davis Art Advisory and Twist Art Gallery. Maps and information about the selections will be available in the galleries.
SoundCrawl: Nashville is a free event taking place 6-9 p.m. Saturday, and centered around the Arcade . For information, go to www.soundcrawlnashville.com.
— MICHELLE JONES, FOR THE TENNESSEAN
Alumni Showcase Supports Worthy Cause
On Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, Belmont University's Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business held 
its first showcase of the year. The Alumni Showcase featured performances by School of Music Alumni Ricky Braddy (pictured right), Brittini Black and Shirock and raised awareness for Everything Burns, a charity founded by the band and main act of the night, Shirock. The non-profit organization works to encourage people around the world to get involved in making a difference.
Black told the crowd, "I knew I was coming to Belmont when I was in sixth grade. I've never met so many talented people in one clump like I did at Belmont."
West African Rhythms and Rituals Presented - Kofi Mawuko
Kofi Mawuko, an expert on the traditions of African Drumming presented a lecture on Rhythms and Rituals from Various Cultures of Ghana, West African on September 21, 2009 in Massey Concert Hall. Mr. Mawuko, part of the Music and Discourse World Music series, also presented a percussion work shop and concert during his visit to Belmont.
Marjorie Halbert 2009 Chaney Award Recipient
Graduation 2009: Provost Dr. Dan McAlexander presented the Chaney Distinguished Professor Award to Marjorie Halbert, associate professor of voice, director of musical theatre and coordinator of the musical theatre degree program.
2009 President's Concert
The 2009 President's Concert and the Applause Award presentation to the Beaman Family Foundation.
Goss Named Drummer for Jars of Clay
Graduating senior Jake Goss was recently named the new drummer for local band Jars of Clay. The band is currently on tour in support of its latest album, The Long Fall Back to Earth.
Music Faculty - Guest Artists in Dresden, Germany
Trumpeter Joel Treybig and percussionist Chris Norton, faculty at the Belmont University School of Music in Nashville, were guest artists at the Carl Maria von Weber School of Music in Dresden, Germany from March 16 through March 20. 
Treybig worked with nine trumpet students from the university and preparatory school on solos by Arutunian, Goedicke, Haydn, Herfurth, Hummel, Kurz, Neruda, and Porrino in several masterclasses during the week, and Norton similarly presented a percussion clinic at the university and coached a student marimba trio at the preparatory school.
Treybig’s and Norton’s visit culminated in a recital presented in the new recital hall at the School of Music. Joined by Carl Maria von Weber piano faculty member Sonja Gimaletdinow, they performed solo works by J.S. Bach, arr. Becker (Gavotte en Rondeau, Presto), Claude Debussy, arr. Marlatt (La Fille aux chevaux de lin), Joseph Green (Xylophonia), J.W. Hertel (Concerto No. 3 in D), John La Barbara (Drover’s Lament), Chris Norton (Elegy: Reflection on 9/11, Single Generator, Summer Daybreak), and Ernst Sachse 
(Concertino), and included works for a wide variety of instruments including piccolo trumpet, E-flat trumpet, C trumpet, marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, cymbals, and drums. The performance, given to students, faculty, administrators, and Dresden community members, culminated in a performance of Macbeth and Macdonwald for trumpet and percussion by David Jarvis.
Clifton Forbis to Receive Encore Award
World-class tenor Clifton Forbis will return to Belmont University to accept the inaugural Encore Award on March 31 at 7:30 p.m. in Massey Concert Hall. “Clifton is a natural choice for the first presentation of this award,” said Dr. Jeffery Kirk, Associate Dean for Performance Studies. The award has been created to honor a School of Music alumnus for achievement in the field of classical music. “With performances with opera houses and symphonies around the world, Clifton is one of Belmont’s most distinguished classical alumni,” said Kirk. “He is a great example of what we hope all of our alumni achieve both personally and professionally.”
In addition to receiving the award Forbis will present a recital program of arts songs and arias and a master class with four Belmont students. The event is free and open to the public.
A 1985 graduate of Belmont and native Nashvillian, Forbis has performed demanding tenor repertoire around the world including the title roles in Samson et Dalila, Otello and Tristan und Isolde. He is a leading artist with the Metropolitan Opera, Opéra National de Paris, Canadian Opera Company, and Teatro all Scala.
The School of Music plans to present the Encore Award annually to an alumnus in the field of classical music.
Basso Wins Country Music Showcase
On Sat., Feb. 21 the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business celebrated the annual Country Showcase with special guest host, Great American Country personality Nan Kelley. This year’s showcase featured student talents The Westbound Rangers, W.C. Marion, Cassidy Lynn, Steven Darden and Jenna Basso. Credits for this years’ performers include the hit television show “American Idol,” GAC, CMT’s “Can You Duet” and the Grand Ole Opry stage. “I sing in hopes of achieving a lifelong dream: taking a place in the spotlight among the leading ladies of country music,” said Jenna Basso, this year’s Country showcase winner.
Basso joins the lineup for the annual Best of the Best Showcase on April 25 at 7 p.m. in the Curb Event Center. She will perform alongside Stephen Whitfield, Future and The Strangers—winners of the Christian, Urban/Pop and Rock Showcases respectively, as well as the six winners of the ASCAP Writers’ Night Series. Continuing a tradition of recognizing music industry greats who are also dedicated to the educational process, the Curb College will name Donna Hilley as the first recipient of the Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence at the 2009 Best of the Best Showcase.
Bernie Herms to Receive Curtain Call Award
Belmont University’s School of Music will present its annual Curtain Call Award to producer, composer, songwriter and Grammy nominee Bernie Herms. The award is presented annually to a School of Music alumnus in honor of achievement in the field of commercial and popular music.
Herms will receive the award on Feb. 24 during a concert in his honor that will feature recording artists Casting Crowns, Natalie Grant and RED. Herms has worked with all three artists through the course of his career. The concert and award presentation will be at 7:30 p.m. in Massey Concert Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
In addition to the concert performers, Herms' credits include projects with well-known artists such as Brad Paisley, CeCe Winans, Lonestar, Selah, Lorrie Morgan, Mark Shultz, Sammy Kershaw and Steven Curtis Chapman. His production credits have also extended to popular soundtracks such as Charlotte’s Web, The Nativity and Amazing Grace. Most recently, his work gained five nominations at the 2008 GMA Dove Awards, including Producer of the Year for In Better Hands for his wife Natalie Grant and a win for Song of the Year, "Praise You in this Storm."
Previous Applause Award winners include Melinda Doolittle, Josh Turner, Ginny Owens and Tammy Rogers King.
NPT's Broadcast of 'Christmas at Belmont' Wins Emmy
The "Christmas at Belmont 2007" broadcast, Nashville Public Television's (NPT) capturing of Belmont University’s annual Christmas concert, won a Midsouth Regional Emmy award for editing in the Special Event category. The 23rd Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Awards ceremony and banquet was held Sat., Jan. 24 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
Music Alumnae Participate in Inaugural Celebrations
Sarah Wiley Tietsort, who earned a 2008 master’s degree in vocal performance from Belmont, performed with the United States Navy Band’s Sea Chanters chorus at the Jan. 20 Inauguration of President Barack Obama. The 21-member Sea Chanters group performed the National Anthem just after the presidential inaugural address.
In addition, 2006 School of Music alumna Tiffany Wharton is featured on the Johns Hopkins University Web site as a performer for a Web feature on the Presidential Inauguration. Hopkins' Peabody Conservatory, where Wharton is a first-year Master of Music candidate in Voice, marked the inauguration of Barack Obama by offering videotaped performances of two quintessentially American songs. Click here to watch Wharton's performance of “At the River.”
Christmas at Belmont 2008
The annual "Christmas at Belmont" concerts featuring hundreds of School of Music students and faculty were held Dec. 6-7 in MPAC. A re-broadcast of last year's "Christmas at Belmont" performance, taped live in the Schermerhorn Symphony Center with host Melinda Doolittle, will air nationally on public television on Tues., Dec. 23 at 9 p.m. Central.
RAGTIME!
Musical Theatre Packs Massey for Ragtime
The Musical Theatre department packed Massey Concert Hall Nov. 21-23 with three performances of Ragtime, based on the E.L. Doctorow novel. The show mixes real life historical figures and fictional characters to tell the story of America in the early decades of the 20th century. Partial funding for Ragtime was provided by Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell and Berkowitz.
Belmont University School of Music Faculty, Staff and Friends visit the Steinway & Sons Factory in New York.
On September 5, 2008 a group from the School of Music went to the Steinway & Sons factory in New York City to tour the factory and selected a Concert Grand (Model D) for Massey Concert Hall and two Music Room Grands (Model B) for Harton Recital Hall. Piano Faculty members Dan Landes, Kris Elsberry, Anthony Belfiglio and Bruce Dudley selected the pianos. In the selection room, the faculty gave an impromptu performance for the other members of the Belmont group; Dean Cynthia Curtis, Sarah Davis, Friends of the Arts at Belmont Secretary/Treasurer Anne Knestrick and Steinway Piano Gallery of Nashville's Bill Metcalfe and Brandon Herrenbruck.
The purchase of the pianos was a part of the Belmont University School of Music becoming an All-Steinway School.
Entsminger to Judge MTA Jingle Contest
Dr. Deen Entsminger, professor in the School of Music, will be serving as a judge for the Music City Central jingle contest along with The Tennessean's Beverly Keel, jazz musician Kirk Whalum, radio DJs Woody and Jim, and several others.The Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority's brand-new Music City Central Transit Center will open its doors downtown in late October, and MTA wants to introduce it Nashville style, by putting it to music. Contest participants can enter an original, 60-second jingle in any genre about all of the reasons to choose public transportation. The winner will win a $1,500 cash prize courtesy of Balfour Beatty Construction as well as have the option of performing the jingle at the Grand Opening of Music City Central. Click here for more information on the contest.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK - May 23, 2008
Steinway Pianos Arrive on Campus
Steinway Pianos began arriving on campus last week as part of the Belmont School of Music's commitment to become an All Steinway School. Approximately 70 additional pianos are being purchased from Steinway for use in Belmont performance venues, practice rooms and faculty studios. For more on this story, click here.
Hancock Wins 'Get Rich Talent Search'
Marsha Hancock, a graduating senior from North Carolina, was selected Tuesday night as the winner in the latest round of country artist John Rich’s "Get Rich Talent Search," which featured nine acts performing in front of eight industry judges including leading publishing, A&R, management and media personnel. Acts selected to perform are chosen from more than 800 monthly e-mail submissions. Rich is a multiple Grammy Award nominee, three-time ASCAP artist/songwriter of the year and producer extraordinaire as well as one-half of multi-platinum duo Big & Rich. Click here to read more on this story from Music Row magazine. For more information on Hancock and to hear her music, visit her MySpace site at www.myspace.com/hancockmarsha.
2008 Applause Award - Steinway & Sons
The President's Dinner and Concert is a Belmont tradition designed not only to honor our President, showcase the School of Music, raise scholarship money for the College of Visual and Performing Arts, but also to recognize the annual Applause Award honoree. Recipients of the Applause Award are selected for their significant contributions to music or to the arts in general. This year the School of Music is pleased to present the award to Steinway & Sons Piano Company.
For over 150 years, Steinway & Sons has made the world's finest pianos. Founded in a New York City loft by German immigrant Henry Englehard Steinway, the company grew quickly after its inception in 1853. Steinway's revolutionary designs and superior workmanship quickly won the respect and admiration of the world's great pianists.
Henry's sons, C.F. Theodore and William, were instrumental in the company's expansion, including the opening of the Hamburg, Germany factory and showroom. Throughout the following decades, the company continued to expand production and place Steinway pianos in concert halls, schools, and private homes across the world.
Steinway & Sons continued to be family-run until 1972, when it was sold to CBS Broadcasting, Inc. In 1985, the company was purchased by Steinway Musical Properties. Today, Henry Ziegler Steinway, the great-grandson of the founder, still works for Steinway & Sons and puts his signature on custom-made limited edition pianos.
Steinway & Sons crafts approximately 5,000 pianos a year worldwide. Over 1,300 prominent concert artists and ensembles across the world bear the title Steinway Artist.
All-Steinway Schools demonstrate a commitment to excellence by providing their students and faculties with the finest equipment possible for the study of music--from the practice room to the recital hall. Currently there are 87 All-Steinway Schools in the world. Belmont University is proud to announce tonight its intent to become the next All-Steinway School.
Please join us in honoring Steinway & Sons Piano Company for their significant contribution to excellence in music.
Belmont University to Become ‘All-Steinway School’
Thanks to $2 Million Merrydale Woods Bequest
Steinway & Sons to receive Applause Award at President’s Concert
On Sat., April 26, Belmont University President Bob Fisher will present the 2008 Applause Award to Steinway & Sons, an occasion which will also officially announce Belmont’s intent to become an “All-Steinway School” with the purchase of approximately 70 additional pianos from Steinway. The new pianos will be used in Belmont 
performance venues, practice rooms and faculty studios. The funds to replace older instruments and to purchase the new Steinway additions represent a gift of more than $2 million from the Merrydale Woods estate, a bequest which will also provide new endowed scholarships for future piano students.
Belmont is one of only 88 colleges, universities, conservatories or schools world-wide to have the distinction of being an All-Steinway School. Other All-Steinway representatives include Julliard and the Yale School of Music. All-Steinway Schools must demonstrate a commitment to excellence by providing their students and faculties with the best equipment possible for the study of music. With the purchase of new pianos, Belmont’s highly acclaimed School of Music will boast only Steinway-designed pianos throughout campus.
Dr. Cynthia Curtis, Dean of Belmont’s School of Music, said, “The School of Music is proud to join the distinguished list of institutions that are All-Steinway. With this decision we provide our students with the finest pianos for both practice and performance. The generous and greatly appreciated gift of Merrydale Woods will live on in the education of Belmont music students.”
The Applause Award, presented last year to Martha Ingram, is given annually to a person or organization which has greatly benefited music or the arts community in general. For more than 150 years, Steinway has made the world’s finest pianos. Founded in a New York City loft by German immigrant Henry Englehard Steinway, the company grew quickly after its inception in 1853. Steinway’s revolutionary designs and superior workmanship quickly won the respect and admiration of the world's great pianists. Today, Steinway & Sons crafts approximately 5,000 pianos a year worldwide, and over 1,300 prominent concert artists and ensembles bear the title “Steinway Artist.”
The $2 million Woods’ bequest will create endowed scholarships for Belmont music students and will provide first-class pianos for future Belmont students wishing to study music and piano. Merrydale Sutherland Woods was married to Hunter Woods, a successful businessman, for 68 years until his death in 2005. Since he traveled often and the couple had no children, Mrs. Woods decided early in her marriage to occupy her time by teaching piano lessons in her home in Green Hills, a suburb of Nashville. She started playing by ear as a child and then took classical lessons for 13 years. When entertaining guests in her home, one of her favorite things to do was to play by ear a medley of songs from Broadway musicals on her own cherished Steinway. Over the course of her lifetime, Mrs. Woods literally taught hundreds of students to play the piano, and she decided to pass on the opportunity for studying piano to future Belmont University students.
Before she died in May 2007, Mrs. Woods said, "When I was redoing my will, my attorney talked very highly of Belmont, and we both agreed it was a good place to leave a legacy. I hope the endowed scholarship fund will help others enjoy the music making I've enjoyed over the years… I now know that my life has had a greater purpose—that after my death there will be young people at Belmont who will be able to pursue their passion for music, and that makes me feel good."
Grammy-Winning Composer Joan Tower Visits Belmont
The Belmont University School of Music honored 2008 Grammy-winning composer Joan Tower on Mon., March 10. Hailed as “one of the most successful woman composers of all time” in The New Yorker, Tower’s visit included a morning lecture as well as an evening performance of her works by Belmont Camerata Musicale in celebration of her 70th birthday.
At 10 a.m., Tower presented a lecture in Massey Concert Hall, titled "Choreographing Sound," in which she discussed her life as a composer, her approach and process in creating music, and presented samples of her music. In the evening, Tower joined the resident chamber ensemble in Belmont Heights Baptist Church for a performance of "Tres Lent" for cello and piano. Other works on the program included "Petroushkates for piano, strings and winds; "DNA" for percussion ensemble; "Wings" for solo saxophone; and a new piano trio, "For Daniel."
Belmont School of Music Faculty members Daniel Lochrie (clarinet), Keith Nicholas (cello) and Robert Marler (piano)were joined by guest Erik Gratton (flute) for the concert. The four musicians played on the Nashville Symphony Orchestra’s recording Joan Tower: Made in America, which won two 2008 Grammys, Best Classical Album and Best Orchestral Performance. Tower’s work, Made in America, also won a Grammy for Best Classical Contemporary Composition. Also performing were Camerata regulars Kris Elsberry (piano), Celeste Myall and Elisabeth Small (violin), guest saxophonist Philip Barham and the Belmont Percussion Ensemble directed by Chris Norton.
Tower was the first woman to ever receive the Grawemeyer Award in Composition in 1990. She was inducted in 1998 into the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Letters, and into the Academy of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University in the fall of 2004. Tower was the first composer chosen for Made in America, an ambitious, groundbreaking commissioning program that is a collaboration of the American Symphony Orchestra League and Meet the Composer. The commissioned work was performed by orchestras, including the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, in every state during the 2005-2006 season.
For more on this story, click here to see coverage of Tower's visit from The Tennessean.
Commercial Music Showcase Features Best of Program
The Belmont School of Music presented the 16th Annual Commercial Music Showcase Mon., Feb. 4 in Massey Concert Hall. The free, one-hour concert featured the best solo performers, arrangers, instrumentalists, background vocalists and crew in the Commercial Music Program.
Senior Mary Maples made her second appearance in the Commercial Music Showcase. The Cookeville, Tennessee native will receive her degree in Commercial Music with a Music Business emphasis in May. Mary’s performance focused on classic and modern R&B: Aretha Franklin’s "Until You Come Back to Me," Chaka Khan’s "Your Love Is All I Know" and Amy Winehouse’s "Tears Dry on Their Own."
Prestonsburg, Kentucky native Kory Caudill is a senior Commercial Music Major with a Piano Performance emphasis. He performed Bruce Hornsby’s "Spider Fingers," traditional hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" and Stephen Still’s "Love the One You're With" and received a standing ovation.
Senior Jordan Dean, a Commercial Music major with a Music Business emphasis who hails from Lexington, Ala., describes his sound as “new nostalgic rock.” He offered The Strokes’ "A Vision of the Vision," George Harrison’s "My Sweet Lord" and an original, "Same Old Tricks."
Cheryl LuQuire, a junior Commercial Music Major with both a Performance and a Music Business emphasis, is from Meridian, Mississippi. Cheryl’s performance paid homage to her R&B musical favorites: Gladys Knight's "I’ve Got to Use My Imagination," Aretha Franklin's "Ain’t No Way" and Natalie Cole's "This Will Be (an Everlasting Love)."
In September, 45 students auditioned on the first of two nights of try-outs in front of a diverse group of music industry professionals for one of the coveted showcase performance spots. Ten students were called back for the second night of auditions, and four students were selected for solo performances.
The Commercial Music program is designed for students who wish to study contemporary/non-classical styles of music. The solo performers in the Commercial Music Showcase are indicative of the broad range of Belmont's Commercial Music program. All of the music charts for the concert were arranged by the students of Belmont's composition and arranging classes.SteelDrivers Preview New Album to Music Row
Belmont School of Music faculty and alumn Tammy Rogers King will make her Grand Ole Opry debut tonight with her band, the Steel Drivers, who just released their album on Rounder Records on January 15. The band has received rave reviews from several major publications including USA Today. The Steel Drivers will also play Saturday, January 19 at the Station Inn. news story
Musical Theatre Alumni
in Touring Shows to Appear Locally
Musical Theatre graduate Mat deGuzman ('06) is appearing in the touring show of "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," which is playing seven shows Jan. 9-13 at TPAC. In addition, the last two days of May will find Tiffini Dodson, a 2004 Musical Theatre graduate, in town with the touring show of "Jesus Christ Superstar" in the role of Mary Magdalene. The performances will be part of TPAC's Broadway Specials series.
Thompson Honored by Sabian
Sabian Ltd., a manufacturer of cymbals and percussion instruments, recently honored Belmont School of Music adjunct instructor Chester Thompson with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 32nd Annual Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC). In a ceremony held in Columbus, Ohio, Thompson, along with fellow recipients Gary Cook and Ian Wright, was presented with his award and commemorated with a speech from Sabian personnel. One of the world’s most successful drummers, Thompson made his initial mark with counterculture icon Frank Zappa and fusion pioneers Weather Report before enjoying his lengthy tenure with Phil Collins and Genesis. In addition to teaching at Belmont, Thompson is also a busy session player for many major recording artists. For more information, visit www.sabian.com.
Alumni Finish Strong on 'Next Great American Band'
Two bands with Belmont connections finished in the Top 3 on FOX TV's "Next Great American Band" reality competition. Most of the members of Denver & the Mile High Orchestra, which came in third place, are Belmont School of Music alumni, and sax player Chris Gregg is the son of School of Music's Robert and Sharon Gregg. Also, Robb Houston, frontman for Nashville-based band Sixwire, which won second place in the competition, is a 1985 Music Business grad. Congratulations to both bands! For more information, visit http://www.denvermho.com and www.sixwire.com.
School of Music Alum
Melinda Doolittle
Performs at the White House!
President George W. Bush, Mrs. Laura Bush and guests listen to singer Melinda Doolittle perform Tuesday evening, Nov. 13, 2007 in the East Room of the White House, during a social dinner in honor of America's Promise-The Alliance for Youth. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
School of Music Student
Alvin Love
Wins Urban/Pop Showcase!
The Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business Showcase Council rose to the challenge of bringing the best of Belmont to the stage on Sat., Oct. 27 in the university’s Curb Event Center. The Urban/Pop Showcase entertained the 1500+ crowd with stompin’ and steppin’ and musical musings from Steve Moakler, Alvin Love, Stephen Fryrear and Brett McLaughlin.
Taking home the prized title of “winner” was Detroit, Mich. native Alvin Love. Some of Love’s talents include dancing, singing, songwriting and choreography. As winner of the Urban/Pop Showcase, Love will perform again in April at the 2008 Best of the Best event.
Josh Turner Inducted into Grand Ole Opry
Multi-platinum MCA recording artist and Belmont School of Music alumnus Josh Turner, pictured at right with his wife, Jennifer, and Dr. Fisher, was inducted into the world-famous Grand Ole Opry Saturday evening by Opry superstar Vince Gill.
After Turner performed current radio hit “Firecracker” and his breakthrough debut single “Long Black Train,” Gill made Opry membership official. During the induction, which aired live on Great American Country (GAC), Turner was presented the Opry Member Award, a 14-inch bronze and oak wood replica of the Opry’s vintage microphone stand. Opry Vice President and General Manger Pete Fisher said, "We’re so happy to formally welcome Josh into our family tonight and look forward to years of great Opry performances and career accomplishments to come.” To view Turner's induction and performance, visit Opry Live.
Just prior to the telecast, GAC aired a new documentary titled “Josh Turner – My Road To The Opry.” The one-hour special included segments filmed on Belmont's campus with Josh and his wife Jennifer, also an alumna, recounting how they met as well as how Josh was first inspired to write "Long Black Train" after a session in Bunch library listening to a Hank Williams box set. The program is scheduled to air again on Tues., Oct. 30 at 4 p.m. Central. For additional broadcast dates, click here.
Turner burst onto the national scene in 2003 with his debut album Long Black Train, selling more than a million copies. His follow up disc, Your Man, has sold more than double that amount establishing Turner as one of the fastest-rising stars in country music today. The singer’s latest album, Everything Is Fine, hits stores Oct. 30. For more information, visit www.joshturner.com.
For more on this story, read The Tennessean's weekend interview with Josh Turner here.
School of Music Alum Josh Turner Invited to Join Grand Ole Opry
According to a press release from his label, MCA Nashville recording artist and Belmont alumnus Josh Turner was invited to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry this past weekend. Turner, a 2001 graduate of the School of Music, will be formally inducted into the Opry family by Vince Gill on Sat., Oct. 27.
In an interview with The Tennessean, Opry chief Pete Fisher said, "He has just blended in so well with the cast and really represents what the Opry stands for, and that is a respect for tradition but certainly relevancy for today. Josh has built his music and his career on tradition, but he comes out and does it in a real new fresh way and with a fresh attitude."
Turner’s Dec. 21, 2001 Opry debut is one of the most memorable in recent history. Though he hadn’t yet had a song released to country radio at the time, the singer earned a standing ovation for the song that would become his breakthrough hit, “Long Black Train,” during the performance of the song and a second standing ovation following an encore.
Jazz Band Performs on the Riverfront!
School of Music Jazz Small Group I, directed by Rahsaan Barber, performed at Nashville's Music City J.A.M. Festival on the Riverfront Parkway over Labor Day weekend.
Read Belmont's News Release
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Tom Studebaker on TV!
School of Music Adjunct Instructor Tom Studebaker, who teaches classical voice, offered his input on the impact of opera singer Luciano Pavarotti in a story on Nashville's WSMV Channel 4 - Thursday, September 6th. To view the interview, click here.
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Recent accomplishments of three commercial voice alumni:
Contemporary Christian artist Daniel Kirkley ’01 recently signed to Centricity Records with distribution by Word. His debut CD is entitled "Let Love Win" with the first single, “My New Dawn.” He will begin a radio tour in the fall and is now doing promotions for the CD on television programs across the country. To find out more about Kirkley and check out his new album, visit www.danielkirkley.com.
Crystal Blewett, who now goes by Crystal Dove, recently released a single which spent time at number 1 on the Billboard chart for six weeks. The single, “Until you Come Back to Me,” is performed with the rapper, Dice.
Ryan Greenawalt and Carly Nelson are part of the group "Anthem Ave" and have just completed a new record called, "When Angels Come." They had their CD release on May 15 and are now touring with this record across the country.
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School of Music is proud of their alum -
Melinda Doolittle!
integrity, humility and world-class talent!!
If you have any questions about anything you find on this site, you can also contact the School of Music directly at (615) 460-6408 or call our School of Music Events Hot Line at (615) 460-5636.
Join us for one of our many concerts throughout the semester. View our concert listings in our SOM calendar section.
