Tusculum Band program seeks instrument donations

As the dog days of August begin, students are returning to the Tusculum College campus, including members of the Pioneer Band who are at Band Camp the week of August 15. As the program grows, so does our need of additional instruments for our students. If you are cleaning out your attic, basement or spare room and find a musical instrument no one plays, consider that Tusculum College’s band program could utilize the instrument in its program.

The Pioneer Band Program at Tusculum College began in 2010, with the creation of the Pioneer Pep Band. The Pep Band became a much-enjoyed feature of the 2010 Pioneer football and basketball seasons, as the band performed at the Pioneer Club tailgate parties before each home football game and during pregame and half-time festivities.

A Concert Band, a Jazz Band and a Handbell Choir were formed in the 2010-2011 academic year as well, each having an opportunity to play at events and venues on and off the Tusculum College campus.

This fall the program adds a Marching Band with flag corps, and the program has grown to more than 50 members from the Tusculum community. And while, most have their own instruments, not all do, which is where alumni can help through donation of a musical instrument.

So, if you do have a good, used instrument, please consider donating it to the Pioneer Band. For more information or to donate an instrument, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 423-636-7303.

Tusculum College Jazz Band Performance

Tusculum Band Program to present Sprint Concert on May 1

Three new band groups will be featured in the Tusculum College Band Program’s Spring Concert on Sunday, May 1.

The concert, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on the Tusculum campus.

Featured will be performances by three new band groups at the college, the Pioneer Jazz Band, the Handbell Choir and the Concert Band. The concert will also feature a performance by the percussion section and a special performance by vocalist Russ Crum. The bands are under the direction of David Price, director of the music program and special events at the college. This is the first year for the band program at the college.

Starting the program will be the Pioneer Jazz Band, which will make its premier at a dinner/dance on April 28 at the General Morgan Inn. The band will be performing some well-known favorites: “In the Mood” arranged by Michael Sweeney, “Caravan” arranged by John Berry, “Save the Last Dance for Me” arranged by W. Scott Ragsdale, “Sing, Sing, Sing” arranged by Victor Lopez and “God Bless the USA” arranged by Mark Taylor.  The jazz band will conclude its performance with “Hey Jude” arranged by John Berry.

Next on the program will be the Tusculum College Handbell Choir.  This group, which will be making its premier at the concert, will play: “Enter With Joy” by Kathleen Wissinger, “Hymn of Promise” arranged by Martha Lynn Thompson, and “I’m Just a Poor Wayfaring Stranger” by Tammy Waldrop.  Joining forces with the Concert Band, the choir will conclude its program with “America!  God Shed His Grace on Thee” arranged By Douglas Wagner.

The Tusculum College Concert Band, which first played at the Inauguration Ceremony of Tusculum President Nancy B. Moody last fall, will play: “Tailspin” by Rob Romeyn, “The Witch and the Saint” arranged by Matt Conaway, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” arranged by Michael Brown, “Primeval Stormfront” by Matt Conaway, “With Each Sunset (Comes the Promise of a New Day)” by Richard Saucedo and “Music from Glee” adapted for band by Ted Ricketts.  The Concert Band will conclude the performance with a Karl King march titled “Prestissimo” arranged by James Swearingen.

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Jazz Band Swing Dance postponed; concert planned for April 28

The Tusculum College Pioneer Jazz Band Swing Dance fundraiser event for Thursday, April 28, at 6 p.m. at the General Morgan Inn has been postponed.

However the College will be hosting a free Pioneer Jazz Band concert on Thursday, April 28, on campus with a coffee and dessert reception.

The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Chalmers Conference Center, located in  Niswonger Commons and is open to the public.

Featured will be special guest vocalist Mr. Russ Crum accompanying the 17-member Jazz Band.

Director of Music and Special Events David Price said, “We have planned a wonderful night of great music that highlights the talent and hard work of the Jazz Band members.  We are thrilled to have as a special guest performer for the evening, Mr. Russ Crum.”

The Pioneer Band Program at Tusculum College began in 2010, with the creation of the Pioneer Pep Band. The Pep Band became a much-enjoyed feature of the 2010 Pioneer football and basketball seasons, as the band performed at the Pioneer Club tailgate parties before each home football game and during pregame and half-time festivities.

A Concert Band was formed in the 2010-2011 academic year as well, and the newly-formed group was honored to be asked to debut at the Inauguration Ceremony for the College’s new president, Dr. Nancy B. Moody, on October 8, 2010.

To date the music program has also formed a Jazz Band, several small instrumental ensembles and a Handbell Choir.

The Jazz Band, Concert Band and Handbell Choir will conduct their first annual spring concert on Sunday, May 1.  The free concert is open to the public and  will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Anne Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building.

For more information, contact David Price, Director of Music and Special Events at 423-636-7303 or daprice@tusculum.edu.

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