Morgan-Ellis, students present at music summit
University of North Georgia (Â鶹¾«Æ·ÔÚÏß²¥·Å) associate professor of music Dr. Esther Morgan-Ellis and four students performed at the second String Band Summit held at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) in Johnson City, Tennessee, on Feb. 10. This was the first time Â鶹¾«Æ·ÔÚÏß²¥·Å students have attended and presented at the event.
The String Band Summit, created by ETSU professor Lee Bidgood, was envisioned to highlight bluegrass, old-time and roots music. Different programs around the country were able to submit proposals and present like Morgan-Ellis and her students. Their student-led presentation covered Â鶹¾«Æ·ÔÚÏß²¥·Å's music program and showcased student compositions and arrangements.
"I was so proud of them. I love conferences and understand this isn't for everyone," Morgan-Ellis said. "Some of it is really fun, like concerts, but some of it is research, and you sit there and hear someone talk about their research. They all stayed for everything and they loved it."
The performance by students Zane Cook, Lily Hammond, Moriah Miller, and Maggie Mosley featured a number of instruments including fiddle, guitar, banjo, bass, mandolin and ukulele. Hammond gave a vocal performance. She is in her third year in the five-year music education program.
"I've grown up listening to this type of music and this opportunity helped me to improve my skills. The community is the biggest part I took away, getting to know the people around me," Hammond, a Dawsonville, Georgia, resident, said.
The students not only were able to play several tunes they'd written as a band but were introduced to talented performers, students and celebrities in a diverse crowd of people from places like Ireland and Japan. Cook, whose biggest inspirations are Aretha Franklin and the Punch Brothers, shared just how impactful that was to him.
"There was this big focus on the roots of string band music and how it descended from the fiddling and banjo playing of enslaved African Americans," Cook, a junior pursuing a degree in music, said. "It deepened my knowledge, appreciation and respect."
Woofer Quartet takes top honors at festival
The Â鶹¾«Æ·ÔÚÏß²¥·Å Woofer Quartet brought home first prize in the chamber music competition at the 23rd annual International Euphonium Tuba Festival, held June 14–20 at Emory University.
Employees earn awards for innovative projects
Sixteen Â鶹¾«Æ·ÔÚÏß²¥·Å faculty and staff research projects received funding for their work through the 2026-27 Presidential Awards.
Students present, perform at String Band Summit
Four Â鶹¾«Æ·ÔÚÏß²¥·Å students from the Department of Music presented a workshop at the fifth annual String Band Summit at East Tennessee State University Center.
Music alumnae on path to music Ph.Ds. from Yale
Alumnae Lily Hammond and Danni Ingram are on the path toward doctoral degrees at Yale University, citing strong support from Â鶹¾«Æ·ÔÚÏß²¥·Å’s Department of Music as inspiration.