To Be or Not To Be Musically Inclined

UC Students’ Impact on Community

BY EMILY SLOAN Staff Writer

“Earth, water, air, and FIRE!” shouted a couple of hundred music advocates last week during an eventful Kentucky Music Educators Association session. The voices of amateurs to professional musicians filled the room as an exciting instructor attempted to teach the basics of musical components through the popular animated series “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” Laughter and excitement filled the air as everyone bonded over the common ground of musical passion, and the best part was that not everyone was a music educator or major. Music is a beautiful field that brings together the most and least experienced musicians and unites them under an umbrella of curiosity.

To any Patriot who is looking for the chance to get involved, this article is for you! There are a lot of opportunities to get involved available at the University of the Cumberlands. Whether you are looking for an inclusive club, organization, or creative outlet, UC has options for everyone, especially in music.

One of the more under-advertised organizations here on campus is UC’s NAfME chapter. Collegiate NAfME—the National Association for Music Education—is an organization for aspiring music educators and music advocates. Mrs. Shawn Sudduth, the Director of Music Education and Athletic Bands here at UC, shares that “NAfMe has existed since 1907 and works to advance the music education profession and promotes lifelong experiences in music. Our collegiate chapter is very active and made up of students across campus. We provide a meaningful place for musicians to engage in various activities that support our UC Music Department and ensembles. We also provide experiences to strengthen future music educators and all music advocates who will be influencing the coming generations.” You do not need to be musically inclined to participate in this chapter’s events. Anyone passionate about the subject can join this group to help the community flourish by spreading the joy that stems from music. One of the points that NAfME stresses the most is its student’s impact on society through community service. University of the Cumberlands was one of only five national schools recognized as a recipient of the 2022 National Chapter of Excellence Service Award.

Speaking of service, on February 8th, 40 students and faculty members from Cumberlands loaded up and went to Louisville to help and participate in the annual KMEA conference. In addition to these trips, UC’s NAfMe chapter “supports area school music programs regularly visiting to assist music teachers through clinics, workshops, small group and one-on-one instruction, instrument demonstrations, etcetera,” states Mrs. Sudduth. “We have helped raise money for local groups, and we also play a huge role in hosting schools and events on and off our campus.” In the end, Mrs. Sudduth reveals that the vision of music here on campus is to create “awareness and expertise for those who will be teaching and supporting music in their communities, whether as a music educator, band or choir parent, church choir member, school board member, etc. Our goal is to increase understanding about the importance of having strong music education and high-quality music experiences available for everyone, no matter their walk of life.”

If you want to learn more about music here at UC, contact Shawn Sudduth to ask how you can get involved! Scholarships are available to everyone, regardless of musical experience. You will not regret the opportunities that music has offered; from traveling and friendship to making elemental sounds with Avatar, there is a place waiting for you here in UC’s music family!