Music at Milligan College has broadened with the addition of Rick Simerly, a nationally known jazz trombonist, clinician, and band director. Since 1979, he has been band director at T. A. Dugger Junior High in Elizabethton, Tennessee. This fall Simerly will direct jazz band, teach brass and teach in music education–instrumental areas.

David Baker, world-renowned jazz educator and composer, called Simerly “one of the most exciting and consistently creative trombonists in jazz today.” Simerly has played in the bands of Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Nelson Riddle and Bob Crosby. He has performed with Billy Taylor, James Moody, Rufus Reid, Jon Faddis and Bobby Shew.

Simerly toured with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and performed with Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Lou Rawls, Gladys Knight, The Temptations and The Four Tops. He is an instructor in the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops and is a specialist for Conn trombones.

Simerly’s musicianship, his breadth of experience and his national reputation will provide some amazing experiences for our students.

Milligan’s current programs in choral music education, music ministry, and general music studies have seen major changes in the past year. New programs also have been developed. We think the changes will be a help to students.

What are the changes in existing programs? Study considered extraneous to the programs has been eliminated. Courses basic to the major have been added. Credit hour totals have been reduced.

What are the new programs? A music education major with an instrumental track is now a possibility on the Milligan campus. And general music studies now offers three tracks as options – applied study, fine arts or jazz studies.

The general music studies-applied study track is for people interested in performance or in establishing a private teaching studio. The fine arts track is for people interested in musical theatre work. The jazz studies track provides experiences in jazz ensemble, jazz improvisation, history of jazz, and history of American pop music, as well as applied study.

Several new courses have been added to the music curriculum – to enhance the new changes in curriculum, and to provide elective students with a broader range of musical experiences.

New courses include jazz ensemble, survey of pop music, and survey of contemporary christian music, as well as applied study in horn, trombone and percussion. These applied study additions now complete the full range of instrumental offerings on our campus.

Introduction to instrumental techniques, instrumental methods and methods and materials for secondary music fill out the new instrumental music education program. Jazz improvisation, composition and history of jazz all complement the new jazz studies program.

This spring the Concert Choir completed a successful choir tour throughout Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.  Many music alumni came out to support their favorite college choir.

This summer new practice rooms were constructed from the rear section of Lower Seeger Auditorium. The additions are new soundproof well- ventilated practice rooms. Also, the remainder of Lower Seeger is being treated acoustically to function more effectively as a rehearsal room.

Other areas of Seeger are also being adapted for music use. The former music library area at the left side of the music office is now the instrument storage room. The former music office area has been remodeled to serve as the prayer chapel. The old prayer chapel on the lower level has served as the keyboard lab in recent years, and continues to do so. The recent prayer chapel—just off the Upper Seeger Stage—is now additional storage space.

Rick Simerly’s studio is on the lower level—the studio that was formerly used by adjunct faculty. Anne Elliott and Dr. Kellie Brown teach in the studio adjacent to the Keyboard Lab. The former “Madrigal Closet” is now an open area with lockers for music students.

In addition to the music facilities in Seeger Chapel, the former “Practice House” has been remodeled to become the “Music Annex.” This space includes the music office, music library, and another teaching studio for adjunct professors.

We’re hoping to see you during Homecoming (formerly Alumni Weekend), October 26-27. Check the Milligan Web site later this summer for a schedule of great events and to register for the weekend.

During the weekend, a touring company will present a performance of 1978 Milligan alum Gary Richardson’s musical, “The Rock and the Rabbi.”

This June saw the completion of Milligan’s third annual Strings Camp for junior high and high school students. The camp also saw a record enrollment this year. Directed by Dr. Kellie Brown, the camp featured Brian Griffin, conductor from the Spartanburg (S.C.) public schools, as conductor of the orchestra for the week.

Other faculty included Ben Hutchens (violin and chamber music) and Tim Mutschlecner (cello, bass, and jazz). Brown not only directed the camp but also taught throughout the week.

The week culminated in a wonderful concert on Friday evening. The orchestra and chamber group repertoire put together in one week was amazing.

Have any kids who are strings players? Send them our way next year!

Choral Union this year consisted of Concert Choir, Milligan Singers and Chamber Orchestra, along with some guest instrumentalists, alumni, faculty and Samuel Rosolina, a 12-year-old boy soprano soloist.

The voices and the players were superb, but Rosolina was the hit of the evening, as he sang the soprano solo passages of the “Requiem.” His lovely boy soprano tones soared right up to a high B flat in beautiful fashion. Rosolina is a member of the East Tennessee Children’s Choir. He and his family are active members at First Christian Church of Erwin, Tennessee.

Auditions are held annually for music scholarships in voice, piano, orchestral instruments and organ. Consideration is given to talented high school seniors who exhibit a high level of interest in a career in music education, music ministry or other music careers. Auditions may be arranged in person, by cassette or by video tape. Audition deadline for the following academic year is March 15.

On February 22, 2002, Milligan College will host on-campus scholarship auditions during the Admissions Open House scheduled for that day. Students are also encouraged to audition during the two fall Open Houses—Friday, October 19, and Friday, November 16.

Scholarships are in varying amounts, and are renew­able annually. To be eligible for these awards, entrants must have already applied and been accepted to Milligan College. Participation in the scholarship audition serves as an audition for music major status.

Contact Rita in the Music Office (423-461-8723) for details about auditions.  Contact the Admissions Office (800-262-8337) for details about Open House weekends.  Encourage potential music majors in your family, church and community to consider a music education at Milligan!

Concert Choir Spring Tour 2002 will be in your “neck of the woods.”  Details will be announced soon. Bring your family, watch and listen and remember fondly when you were up there on stage singing.

Also bring along prospective music students.  We’ll be happy to talk with them and do an “on the spot” audition if it’s desired.

MUSIC EVENTS ON CAMPUS

We’d love to have you join us for any of the following events. All events are at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

Sunday, September 9
      Faculty Violin Recital - Kellie Brown – 3:00 pm

Saturday, October 13
      Johnson City Symphony Orchestra – 8:00 pm

Sunday, October 14
      Chamber Orchestra/Civic Chorale – 3:00 pm

Saturday, November 3
      Johnson City Symphony Orchestra – 8:00 pm

Friday, November 9
      Senior Voice Recital – Miranda McGrain

Tuesday, Novermber 13
      United States Air Force Jazz Band – 7:00 pm

Friday, November 16
      Chamber Orchestra Concert

Sunday, December 2
      Keyboard Ensemble - 4:00 pm

Monday, December 4
      Jazz  Ensemble Concert

Tuesday, December 4
      Milligan Singers & Handbell Choir Concert

November 30, December 1, 6, 7, 8
      Madrigal Dinners – 7:00pm

Sunday, December 9
      Christmas Vespers – 8:00 pm

Friday, January 25
      Joint Faculty Recital

Saturday, February 2
      Johnson City Symphony Orchestra - 8:00 pm

Friday, February 15
      Honors Recital

Friday, March 1
      Faculty Organ Recital – David Runner

Sunday, March 3
      Joint Faculty Recital - 3:00 pm

Thursday, March 21
      Concert Choir Home Concert

Saturday, March 23
      Johnson City Symphony Orchestra – 8:00 pm

Friday, April 5
      Senior Voice Recital

Friday, April 12
      Chamber Orchestra Concert

Tuesday, April 16
      Jazz Ensemble Concert

Friday, April 19
      Senior Voice Recital

Sunday, April 21
      Keyboard Ensemble Concert - 4:00 pm

Saturday & Sunday, April 27 & 28
      Faure “Requiem” - Concert Choir
       with the Kingsport Symphony Orchestra –
         Kingsport - (time to be announced)

Tuesday, April 30
      Milligan Singers & Handbell Choir Concert

For the annual Christmas Dinners, the Chamber Singers will be at their best, with Elizabethan and Renaissance madrigals and period Christmas tunes. We think they’ll provide just the right combination of jolly and serious Christmas. And, of course, the theatrical fare and culinary fare will delight as well.

Dates for the dinners are Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 6,  7, and 8. Watch for news of when tickets go on sale.

If you would like to have more information about Milligan, or the music area in particular, or if you’d just like to chat, look us up!

Milligan:                                          www.milligan.edu
Music Area:                       www.milligan.edu/music
Kellie Brown:                         kbrown@milligan.edu
Carlene Eastridge:            cbeastridge@milligan.edu
David Runner:                      dcrunner@milligan.edu
Rick Simerly:                        rsimerly@milligan.edu
John Wakefield               jcwakefield@milligan.edu

Adjunct professors this past year have been:
David Champouillion                                       trumpet
Tom Crawford                                         woodwinds
Deborah Eller                                                     voice
Anne Elliott                                                        piano
Jan Hinman                                                          flute
Eric Hodges                                                       voice
Tim Mutschlecner                                                cello
Anderson Page                                                  guitar
Lisa Runner                                        music education

This past year, upperclass music education majors shared their collective wisdom with new students.  We thought you’d be interested to know what they thought were good “survival” tips for Milligan College music students:

    1.      Prioritize your time.
2.      Practice daily.
3.      Sleep, exercise and eat regularly.
4.      Take time for yourself.
5.      Spend regular time quietly with God.
6.      Don’t think about; DO IT!!
7.      Make a “to do” list.
8.      Get involved in a study group.
9.      Be realistic with your goals.
10.   Celebrate what you’ve already learned.

This spring, Kellie Brown successfully defended her dissertation, “The Administrative Preparation of Music Department Chairs in NASM-Accredited Programs.” It was the final step in completion of her Ed.D. in adjudicated music from East Tennessee State University. She presented a violin recital, adjudicated several violin competitions and presented programs at several area elementary schools.  This summer, Brown and David Runner presented a recital at Midway United Methodist Church in Kingsport.

Carlene Eastridge is directing the Milligan College Summer Arts Camp for young children.    She also directs choirs at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Johnson City. 

This past fall Eastridge, Lisa Runner and David Runner attended the choral workshop at Belmont University,  featuring Sir David Willcocks.

David Runner recently attended a church music workshop sponsored by the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.  He and wife Lisa (Adkins '79) Runner also attended the Southern Regional Convention of Music Educators’ National Conference with a group of students. Runner has recently performed organ recitals on campus, at Greenville College, Kingsport’s Funfest, Abingdon’s Virginia Highlands Festival, and at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Boise, Idaho, as part of the cathedral’s Bach Week series. He also recently attended a workshop on music theory and analysis.

      Last summer, John Wakefield spoke  at the North American Christian Convention in Louisville, on “Worship Resources.” He also attended the annual meeting at Boston University of The Hymn Society of the United States and Canada. In the course of the year he has also served as worship consultant to three area churches, and was director of music at Memorial Presbyterian Church in Elizabethton.  He also published a series of articles for “Devotion” magazine (Standard Publishing).

      In the fall, he attended the meeting of the Association of Christian College Music Educators, in Atlanta.  ACCME is an organization of Christian Church college music faculty. 

      More recently he performed a faculty recital, toured with the Concert Choir and conducted the combined choruses and orchestra in a performance of the John Rutter “Requiem.”  He has recently been elected to the Alumni Board of MacMurray College.

This summer, Wakefield attended the mid-year meeting of the Tennessee Association of College and University Music Executives.  The meeting was held in Nashville, in connection with the annual Governor’s School of the Arts.  Milligan was also represented with a booth at the Governor’s School College Day. Wakefield also recently preached at Grandview Christian Church in Johnson City. 

      Many of you have inquired about Vicki Wakefield’s health since her bout with bladder cancer last fall. The cancer cells were the most rapid growing kind of cells. After major (10-hour) surgery at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Vicki has been recuperating steadily.  The latest tests show no evidence of additional cancer cells in that area of her body. Your cards, phone calls, e-mails and prayers have been so greatly appreciated. Wakefields' younger son David was recently married to Julie Adams in Cincinnati.

      Many of you will remember Mrs. Treadway, secretary in the Music Office.  She helped keep the department straight for quite a few years. How many?  We’ve lost track.  She virtually became an institution at Milligan College. During commencment ceremonies the year she retired, she was honored with the coveted Fide et Amore award for her long service to the college. 

      The dear lady turned 90 this year! Such an achievement is a tribute to her love of life and her spunky character.  She was honored with a reception on May 20 of this year, although her birthday is actually on May 29. The reception was held at her home church, Pinecrest Baptist Church in Johnson City and was hosted by nieces and a nephew. 

      Imagine the party you’d have for a lady with her style! Many friends, family members and co-workers attended.  Other luncheons and parties took place throughout the month. And you can bet she loved every minute of it!  Happy birthday, Mrs. T!

Here are your responses to the 1999/2000 Music Alumni Survey. This survey is sent annually to alumni who have graduated 1, 5, and 10 years from that date. The music faculty give careful attention to the survey responses, in order to keep improving the music program at Milligan College. You’ll find some very interesting relationships between the suggestions you made and the changes that are detailed elsewhere in this publication.

The survey showed that many of you who graduated in those years now are in full-time and part-time music positions. Thirty-three percent of you attended graduate school.

Music courses that you felt helped you the most included music theory, ear training, applied studies, conducting, form & analysis, orchestration & arranging, music & worship, music ministry methods, hymnology, concert choir, music technology, vocal pedagogy and music history.

You suggested revisions in conducting, music history, piano, orchestration, ear training, music technology, material & methods, conducting and hymnology.  Among non-music courses that you took at Milligan College, several of you suggested revisions in classes in health and fitness areas. 

What did you like the most about the music program? The personal attention, the professors, the performances, the involvement in vocal groups, hands-on learning, the close-knit environment and the choir tours.

And what did you like the least?  The lack of facilities, minimal accountability for practice, the difficulty of completing a music minor in combina-tion with another major, limited course offerings, too little competition in your performance area, the challenges of being a commuter student and the personal expense of private education.

Factors influencing you to come to Milligan included its size, its Christian educational foundation, its nearness to home and Milligan’s strength in music theory.  Some of you were also influenced by the Milligan video, by scholarships, by the beautiful mountains and by the fact that other family members had attended Milligan.

You suggested that we offer more specifically focused majors in music. You also suggested that we do whatever we can to improve the facilities. 

You also asked for more instrumental instruction, and you wanted to learn about instruments that you’ve never played before.  You hoped that we could develop more small traveling groups. You also wanted a broader variety of musical styles in your Milligan experience.

Believe it or not, you asked us to raise the standards for practice, to stimulate students to rise to a higher level of proficiency.  And you aksed for stricter rules for attendance and tardiness.  It was much easier to believe that you also asked for more scholarship money!

You asked us to offer pedagogy classes more often.  We heard you, and offered strings pedagogy and voice pedagogy within the past year and will offer piano pedagogy this coming year.

Here’s the advice you gave to our current students. Practice! Practice! Practice! Go to class!  Get involved! Take music theory seriously. Take piano seriously. Learn to conduct. Acquaint yourself now with salaries in music careers.  Make service to the Lord your motive for service in music.  When in doubt about a music education degree, get it!

Music jobs? Your advice was to check out salaries early on, make friends in music, apply early and follow up often. Also to visit other music schools to avoid feeling too good about yourself.

We’re grateful for your responses. We’ve listened and made numerous changes in music at Milligan. This edition of “Notation” gives lots of information about the changes we’ve made.

1960s

Bruce Montgomery (’64) has completed his 30^th year of teaching at Longwood College (VA),  where he teaches elementary methods, directs the English handbell ensemble, and supervises student teachers.  Last year he received his third excellence in teaching award.  Montgomery’s address: 26C Fox Hill Rd., Rice, VA 23966.

1970s

Jim Byerly (’72) is on the faculty at Boise Bible College.  He is also in a doctoral program in music.

Patty (O'Dell '76) Booher is employed by Steve David Productions in Bristol, VA. This agency produces full-length musical theatre. They recently produced “The Sound of Music,” and Booher served as pianist for the orchestra.

Gary W. Ballou ('78) is principal at Blaine Elementary and Middle School in Seattle, WA. Prior to this position, he was principal at Bryant Elementary School in Tacoma, WA. In his “spare time,” he sings with several civic choruses. Last spring he was a featured soloist (tenor) at Benaroya Hall, Seattle’s new symphony hall. In addition, he accompanies (piano) on the side. His address is 17629 Ashworth Ave., N., Shoreline, WA  98133.

Gene Estep ('78) was at this past year’s Dean’s List ceremony, where daughter Cara was recognized.  She is a sophomore at Milligan and is  a pre-med major.

Gary Richardson ('78) is the composer of “The Rock and the Rabbi,” a wonderful musical that has been playing at venues around the nation, including  Abingdon’s Barter Theatre in November 2000.

John Lawson ('79) sings with the May Festival Chorus in Cincinnati. You may have seen and heard him in a recent PBS broadcast of the May Festival Chorus/Cincinnati Symphony performance of  “Carmina Burana” (Orff), and the “Chichester Psalms” (Bernstein). The May Festival Chorus is the oldest continuous Chorus and Festival in the western hemisphere.

1980s

Kim (Hale '81) Chiapetto resides in Floyd, VA, where husband, Dean, is the band director at the high school and she works at Virginia Tech.  Chiapetto recently presented a program on madrigals to her professional soriety, Beta Sigma Phi. Their son, Adam, is 14.

Laura (Thompson '84) Golightly and her husband David reside in St. Petersburg, FL. Laura works as a preschool director. In his spare time, David serves as the contractor on the addition to their house. They have three children. David Thomas, 10,  is in fifth grade, plays violin and sings in various church and school ensembles. Madalyn, 7, is in second grade, enjoys reading, gymnastics, various church activities and recently began piano instruction. Twin daughter Hannah, 7, is in second grade and also recently began piano study.

Loretta (Jette '86) Flora is in her second year as vocal music director for Greenfield Exempted Village Schools in Greenfield, OH. She conducts junior high and high school choirs and directs the school’s annual plays and musicals.  She also is assistant band director.  Her address: 804 Lincoln Dr., Washington Court House, Oh 43160.

Brent W. Billheimer ('88) is music specialist for the Johnson City (TN) Schools at North Side Elementary. He serves as minister of music at Downtown Christian Church, Johnson City.  Billheimer is currently working toward a master’s of music in Music Education at East Tennessee State University.  His email address is zbwb6@etsu.edu.

Mark Madden ('89) has accepted the position of service department manager at Senseney Music, Inc. in Wichita, KS. Madden writes that after spending eight years as a band instrument repair technician at Senseney, he has found management to be quite a challenge. He is involved with the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT), an organization that promotes continued education of service technicians. His email address is markbjmadden@juno.com.

1990s

Sabrina (Henry '91) Light is a pianist, performing wedding music, and also works as a marriage and family therapist.

Timothy W. Mahn (’95) chairs the music department, teaches voice, and directs choirs at Ozark Christian College.

New York City is home for Kristi Nicholson ('95) who has been performing in “Show Boat,” “Carousel,” “Brigadoon,” “The Who’s Tommy,” and the  premiere of “Jolson—The Musical.”  She is currently negotiating to be the associate conductor on the the national tour of “Rent.” 

Joel Gibbons ('96) is employed as a web designer and development.

Laura (Davidson '96) Radmacher played the title role in the musical “Rapunzel” at Mill Mountain Theatre. Her address is 339 Peekskill Hollow Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579.  davidmaker@aol.com. 

Angel Mumaw ('97) played "Sandy" in the Kingsport Theatre Guild production of "Grease" last year.  This coming August she is doing "Eve" and "Mama Noah" in the Guild's production of "Children of Eden". Mumaw teaches music at Sullins Academy, in Bristol. She can be reached at amumaw@sullinsacademy.org. She resides at 526 Whites Mill Road  #3, Abingdon, VA 24210.

Chari Lindsay ('98) is an adjunct piano teacher in the School of Music at Indiana University - Purdue University at Indianapolis. She has completed her master’s of music in piano pedagogy at Butler University.

Lisa Hollis ('99) recently resigned her position as music director at First Christian Church of Erwin, TN, and her position in a local bank to begin a graduate program in violin this fall at the University of Arizona. She also has been teaching violin and playing in two local orchestras. 

2000s

Sharla Flora ('00) teaches English as a second language at Guangya School in Dujiangyan, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China. She has found, along with her fellow English teachers, that teaching songs is a valuable tool in teaching English.  For more on Flora’s musical experiences and her perspective on music at Milligan College, see the separate article in this newsletter.

Teaching music at University School in Johnson City has occupied Sabrina Hess's ('00) time this past year.  She continues to study voice, coaches the girls’ softball team and hopes to expand the music program at the school this fall.

Rob Meier ('01) is minister of music and worship at Eau Gaillie Christian Church in Melbourne, FL.  Meier and Lori (Turner '99) were married December 2000 at First Christian Church in Morristown, TN, where he has been minister of music for the past three years.  Meier and Turner had a unique feature in their wedding—music provided by the Milligan College Concert Choir!  Meier certainly earned a favor or two from the choir; he’s been its very capable assistant conductor for the past year.

      Remember that catchy song? Older alumni will.  Its words fit the work of alumna Sharla Flora (’00).  She’s teaching English as a second language at Guangya School in Dujiangyan, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China.  But she’s doing it by teaching music – and bringing her world together in song.

      Flora says she has put to use “what I learned in the music department at Milligan.” She and her fel-low teachers were given “GREAT opportunities”  to perform several times for their school.

      They were asked to lead students in two big performances. “These times were even more than teaching to love music,” she writes.

      “The music brought us together on common ground. American teachers and Chinese students are about as different as night and day, but the music was something that we shared. We bonded during those times of hard work and laughter. This shared experience is something that each and every one of us will carry for the rest of our lives.”

      Flora has seen music function as a universal medium.  “Music is a part of our souls,” she says.  “Do it to glorify God. Everything you do, everything you learn, is a stepping stone. It will take you to your next location.” She believes that Milligan helped get her to that “next location.”

      “I know the things I am glad I learned,” she writes, “things that I would never have thought I would have used in China … conducting from Mr. Wakefield, ear training from Dr. Runner, Mrs. Eastridge and how she cared for her students.”

      Flora expresses thanks for the faculty instilling in her “the love of the classics – which were reviving and relaxing on stressful days – and the love of singing – Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Hale. I don’t think I appreciated the music department until I was…in the real world.”  Sharla, we’re glad you’re teaching the world to sing “in perfect harmony.”

Steve Morton (’79) has had a full music career since his years at Milligan College.  He recently sent his greetings as he took a new step in that career -- Artistic Director and Conductor of the American Chamber Chorale.

In his tenth year on the music faculty at St. Louis University, his educational background includes not only his degree from Milligan, but also a Master of Music degreee in Vocal Performance from the University of Tennessee. 

  Morton has led the Bel Canto Chorus, the St. Louis Metro SIngers, and the St. Louis University Chorale.  He has also served as guest conductor throughout the St. Louis area.

   Morton, a bass-baritone, has performed leading roles in numerous operas and oratorios in the United States, England and Italy.  His operatic repertoire includes roles in operas of Mozart, Verdi, Cimarosa, Rossini, Menotti, Moore, Britten, and Barab. 

  He has appeared as soloist in sacred works of Bach, Handel, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, and Brahms.  Morton has appeared as soloist with Opera Theatre of St. Louis, the American Kantorei, Union Avenue Opera Theatre, and the St. Louis Symphony.  He is also director of music at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Columbia, Illinois.

      What motivates a new step in Morton's career? “I am very excited  to be associated with the American Chamber Chorale,”  he writes, “to champion new music and present musical gems from the Renaissance and Baroque. ” 

  The fall 2001 concert program will feature music by 20th century American composers Eric Whitacre, Vijay Singh, Morten Lauridsen, and James Fritschel.  Also on the program wil be music from masters of the Renaissance for voices, recorders, and lute.