Music Department Outreach and Events

The APSU Department of Music hosts and organizes a number of outreach programs that are available to student musicians throughout the state. Music majors work with APSU faculty and guest clinicians in a variety of capacities in each event. Check the Music Department Home Page for specific information about each event in the semester in which it is offered, or e-mail the contact person for additional information. 

APSU Honor Band: Available to high school instrumentalists (wind and percussion) who are nominated for participation by their band directors. Participants audition for one of two ensembles that rehearse over the course of a weekend concluding with a Saturday evening performance. Ensembles are conducted by guest clinicians, and workshops are available for band directors who have students participating in the ensembles. APSU students lead sectionals, work as aides and guides throughout the day, and participate in the band director clinics. Contact Person: Dr. Gregory Wolynec / Semester: Spring.

Mid-South Marching Invitational: A marching band competition available to high school programs. Prior to the event, APSU students plan the entire day’s logistics, and work as runners, guides, hosts, and manage many of the behind-the-scenes administrative aspects during  the program. The Governor’s Own Marching Band (GOMB) also performs for the high-school ensembles in an evening exhibition. Contact Person: Mr. John Schnettler / Semester: Fall.
  

North Tennessee Concert Festival: A band and orchestra competition available to middle school and high school ensembles. This event is organized by the APSU music student organizations Phi Mu Alpha and Sigma Alpha Iota. Students work as runners, guides, hosts, and manage many of the behind-the-scenes administrative aspects of the program. Contact Person: Dr. Gregory Wolynec / Semester: Spring.
 

Choir Fest: Available to middle and high school vocalists who are nominated for participation by their school ensemble directors. APSU Choral ensembles perform alongside top high school choirs. Participants rehearse with guest clinicians and APSU faculty over the course of a day, and perform in an afternoon concert with the APSU Choral ensembles. APSU students work as aides and guides throughout the day, and perform in the concert. Contact Person: Dr. Korre Foster / Semester: Fall. 

Big Sing: The Big Sing is an invitation-only event in which two high-performing high school choirs are invited to campus. The choirs rehearse under the direction of APSU Choral Conductor, Dr. Korre Foster and a guest clinician. The day concludes with a joint performance of the high school choirs performing with the APSU Choral Union. APSU students work as aides and guides throughout the day, and perform in the concert. Contact Person: Dr. Korre Foster / Semester: Spring.
 

Children’s Concert Series: Each fall semester, the Gateway Chamber Orchestra, a Clarksville-based professional orchestra under the direction of Dr. Gregory Wolynec, programs a concert of elementary-appropriate musical selections. Students from local elementary schools are invited onto the APSU campus for a field-trip to hear the orchestra perform, and learn additional information about the music, instruments, composers, and other elements. APSU students serve as guides to visiting schools and help coordinate many of the behind-the-scenes aspects of the program.  Contact Person: Dr. Michael Chandler, Children’s Concert Coordinator /Dr. Gregory Wolynec, Gateway Chamber Orchestra Director / Click here for additional information about the GCO.

APSU Community School of the Arts: The Community School of the Arts offers private lessons and ensemble experiences to students throughout the community. APSU students teach vocal and instrumental lessons, and direct a selected number of the ensembles. Additional programs are available in theatre, art, dance, and creative writing.