Department of Music
FALL
NEW SL ETTER 2023
Greetings from the University of the Cumberlands Department of Music. This has been a very busy semester for our department, making music both on campus and in the surrounding region. Take a look and see!
A PATRIOTS MARCHING BAND A
Show Notes
Festivals
The Patriot Marching Band just wrapped up a very successful season. The PMB performed their show Welcome to The Jungle for fans at five home football games and in exhibition at the Pulaski County Invitational Marching Band Competition. At Pulaski County, the PMB performed for members of ten competing high school bands along with their family and friends.
The PMB also performed at Old Fashioned Trading Days in downtown Williamsburg, and in the 2023 Daniel Boone Festival Parade in Barbourville. Zach Callihan, the festival coordinator, said, “The people of Barbourville talked for three days about how great it was to have UC marching band in the parade!” Pete the Patriot even made an appearance and rode in a convertible behind the band in the parade.
Homecoming
At the Homecoming football game, the band performed their pregame and halftime shows and then performed “Over the Rainbow” while the homecoming court was introduced. Band members Alex Coleman and Jackson Osborne were both recognized as members of the homecoming court this year. The band was joined in the stands by a few alumni. Next year, we plan to invite all band alumni to come back and to sit in the stands with the PMB to cheer on the Patriots!
- CHORAL DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC HOSTED HIGH SCHOOL CHORAL WORKSHOP
Over 200 high school students and their directors from thirteen schools attended this year’s high school choral workshop in September. The students were led in various workshop sessions in preparation for the KMEA High School All-State Choir auditions. Large group rehearsals, sectional rehearsals and sight-reading sessions were directed by Cumberlands faculty members and two Cumberlands alumni (Mr. Jeremy Burns and Mrs. Jackie Melton). The students were also treated to lunch and an afternoon concert by the Chorale and Cumberland Voices. Not only has this event become an important opportunity for the students to gain additional preparation in their overall audition preparation, but the workshop also continues to be a great recruiting experience for the department. Dr. Jeff Smoak served as the Cumberlands site coordinator.
SOAR SUMMIT
The Cumberland Voices ensemble was invited to perform for the Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) Summit, held at the Arena in Corbin, KY. The students performed “The National Anthem” and “My Old Kentucky Home” for the opening session of the two-day event. The focus of the annual Summit is to foster entrepreneurship and to drive innovation throughout the Appalachian region. Speakers for the Summit included Governor Andy Beshear, Congressman Hal Rogers and Cumberlands Executive Vice-President Dr. Jonathan Shores.
JOINT CONCERT WITH CLAY COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Approximately 30 students from Clay County High School performed with the UC Chorale in a joint concert in Gatliff Chapel on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 8th. Two Clay County Choirs, The Tiger Concert Choir and Voices of Clay, under the direction of UC Alum Mr. Nick Hibbard, performed six selections during the concert which was performed for an almost packed house. Their selections included several spirituals and a Latin piece entitled “Non Nobis, Domine.” Both the UC Chorale and Cumberland Voices also performed during the concert. The performance concluded with all eighty students singing the spiritual “He Never Failed Me Yet.” Vocal soloists from Clay County performed during the final selection. Ms. Sharon McGinley, accompanied both groups on the piano.
- CNAFME The UC chapter of CNAfME went to Williamsburg Independent School on September 5 to demonstrate various instruments to 5th graders interested in joining band. They returned on the 14th to put on an instrument petting zoo for the students to help them decide which instruments they would like to play. CNAfME hosted the annual Boofest Halloween Party on October 27th. UC students showcased their musical talents with scary and fun performances. In addition to the concert, the students enjoyed playing games, dancing, and of course, eating!
- KNOXVILLE SYMPHONY TRIP Several UC music students, faculty, and staff traveled to the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville to hear a performance by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. The program included three works including Mussorgsky’s Pictures at and Exhibition, Alexander Arutunian’s Concerto for Trumpet, and Picture Studies by Adam Schoenberg. Senior piano major Macie Perry said of the experience, “The opportunity to see the KSO provided me with a different perspective and has expanded my knowledge as a musician. I was able to appreciate orchestral music in a different way and soak in a brandnew experience.” Music education clarinet major Robert Lewis added, “It was niee to hear professional musicians play amazing literature in the great city of Knoxville!” This trip was partially funded by the UC Friends of Music fund. Additional trips to hear professional performances are planned throughout the academic year.
- FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS Percussion and Theory instructor, James Corcoran, performed Carmina Burana with The Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra, The Lexington Singers, and The Lexington Children’s Choir.
This summer, Cumberlands flute instructor, Lauren Wiedemer, was invited to perform in the Czech Republic with the Prague Summer Nights Music Festival. One of the highlights of the festival was performing the opera Don Giovanni in the Estates Theatre where Mozart premiered it in 1787. Several music faculty performed on the annual Phyllis Richardson Wood Recital including Dr. Kris Rucinski, Dr. Duane Warfiled, Dr. Tara Warfield, Mr. Jim Corcoran, Mr. David Threlkeld, and staff accompanist Sharon McGinley. They were joined by music student Chris Miller, the 2023 Phyllis Richardson Wood Scholarship winner. Music Department Chair David Threlkeld took part in the recording of the CD Wishing On A Dream at Ocean Way Studio in Nashville, TN. The album by the Somerset Big Band is available now.
- NEW (AND FAMILIAR) FACES We are pleased to welcome Dr. Duane Warfield and Dr. Tara Warfield, our newest faculty members! Duane is serving as our new Director of Bands. He is also teaching the low brass studio, conducting, and various instrumental methods courses. Tara is teaching voice lessons, music theory, and music education courses. They both received their doctorates in music from the University of Iowa and they both worked at Shorter College in Georgia for seven years before coming to Cumberlands. Joining them are their son Eli, and their dog Ruby.
We are also very pleased to welcome recent graduate Vanessa Black as our Administrative Assistant in the Department of Music. Vanessa graduated in spring 2023 with a degree in Church Music. While at Cumberlands, she sang in both Chorale and Cumberland Voices, and was also a featured vocalist with both the Jazz Ensemble and the Marching Band. David Threlkeld said of her appointment, “We are thrilled to have Vanessa return to Cumberlands as our Administrative Assistant. Her knowledge and experience with our department, coupled with her warm and welcoming demeanor, make her a perfect fit for us!”
Department of Music
presents
A Free Concert rd Sunday, December 3
O. Wayne Rollins Center 4:00 pm A reception will follow in the Boswell Campus Center
- ONE BIG GIVE On Tuesday, November 7, Cumberlands held the annual One Big Give fundraising drive for the university. Supporters that wished to make a financial donation to the university were able to do so by contributing to areas that are special to them. This year, the Music Department received $5,735 from generous donors. We are sincerely thankful to all of those that donated and will use the funds to expand and enhance musical opportunities for our students. Our Friends of Music fund receives contributions throughout the year from those who desire to support the mission of our department. To receive information about making a donation to the Friends of Music fund, contact our department chair, David Threlkeld, at david.threlkeld@ucumberlands.edu.
CONTACT US
University of the Cumberlands Department of Music 606.539.4146
FOLLOW US ON
@UCUMBERLANDS.MUSIC