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Projects and News

New Concert Hall – Phase II

Plans for our new state of the art concert hall are complete. This magnificent concert hall will have a main floor and two galleries for 600 capacity total seating. The design is warm yet contemporary and will be an absolute show piece for our campus, Martin, and the greater West TN area. Phase II is now the top fundraising priority on the UTM campus.

New Masters Degrees

The UTM Department of Music is working on the creation of two master’s degrees: one in Music Education (which could be completed partially online and in the summer for those who are not able to quit work and attend UTM full-time), and a second in Performance with a focus.

Record Breaking Growth

If you haven’t heard already, our numbers for incoming freshmen music students are up 108% this fall! The need for your help in raising scholarship dollars adequate to help all of these outstanding musicians has never been needed more. In some cases, we are doubling and tripling the number of course sections we have offered in the past which creates challenges in scheduling, teaching spaces, and staffing, but these are great problems to have and we hope there is more to come as we begin to hit our long-term strategic recruiting goals. Please help us get the word out about the need for increased scholarship dollars.

Named Scholarships/Awards

Efforts are being made to create named scholarships/awards for every area in our department. If you are interested in sponsoring a named scholarship or award, please let us know. These can be as small or as large as you like. All are presented according to the criterion of the donor and added to a designated area with other scholarships and awards outside Blankenship Recital Hall.

New Featured Concert Sponsorships

Would you or your business like to be a featured sponsor for one of our concerts? If so, please reach out to us for more information.

Update from the Music Chair

Music lovers,

 

Please bring a friend to a concert and let those with whom you work know about all the great opportunities there are to enjoy and support the arts at UT Martin. Our mission is to cultivate excellence in musical education, performance, and the liberal arts while supporting and enhancing the cultural and intellectual diversity of our community. We ask for your help in order to achieve this mission. Whether it’s finding a way to contribute financially or just coming to an event and bringing someone new into our building, your engagement is needed and appreciated.

 

Please make sure to mark your calendar for the first ever Fine Arts Spring Fling on April 7th at 2:00pm – 4:00pm. The Departments of Music, and Visual and Theatre Arts are teaming up to bring a brand new yearly event to our community and you won’t want to miss this.

 

Thanks as always for your support of the arts at UT Martin.

Sincerely,

 

 

Dr. Julie Hill, Chair, UT Martin Department of Music

 

Contributors

Platinum

Gail M. Latimar Foundation- Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Mr. Bill Blankenship - Friends of Music

Rev. and Mrs. Elwood Doss Jr. - Music Scholarship Fund, Fine Arts Phase II

Mr. Lee Downing - Percussion Studies Gift Fund, UTM Percussion Society

Dr. Walter Fletcher - Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Dr. and Mrs. Gatwood - Friends of Music, Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Newell and Bettie Graham Foundation - Friends of Music

Dr. Elaine Harriss - Friends of Music, UTM Music Gift Fund, Fine Arts Phase II

Dr. David S. Loebbaka and Dr. Allison Nelson - Allison Nelson and Harry Neal Scholarship Endowment

Mrs. Dee Fields Pritchett - Dee Pritchett Music Endowed Scholarship, Friends of Music

Mr. and Mrs. John F. Sorey, III - Friends of Music

Zildjian Cymbals - Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Gold

Amro Music - Friends of Music, UTM Percussion Society

Mr. Timothy Erskine - Eaton Trombone/ Low Brass Scholarship

Mrs. Carla W. Field - UTM Music Gift Fund

Remo - Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Mr. Craig Simrell - Friends of Music

Mrs. Rita Winter - Friends of Music

Yamaha - Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Silver

Mr. and Mrs. Hal A. Adams - Friends of Music, Fine Arts Phase II

Dr. Lynn M. Alexander - Athletic Bands Gift Fund, Fine Arts Phase II

Dr. and Mrs. Bill Austin - UTM Music Gift Fund

Barclaycard A Division of Barclays - Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Bettye Giles - Friends of Music

Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Bryant - Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Mrs. Myra H. Bryant - CT Hill Award

Mr. and Mrs. H. Duane Campbell - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Cile Grasfeder - Friends of Music

Dr. and Mrs. James E. Clark - Friends of Music

Coca-Cola Bottlers Foundation - of Music

Dr. David Coffey and Dr. Julie Hill - Percussion Studies Gift Fund and The Michael Hernon Horn Scholarship award

Columbus Pro Percussion - Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Ms. Mary E. Devault - Jeremy Devault Percussion Scholarship

Mr. and Mrs. John D. Easley - Friends of Music, Fine Arts Phase II

Mrs. Bev Eaton - E. J. Eaton Trombone Scholarship

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Emmons - Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Dr. Roy Neil Graves - Friends of Music

Mr. W. Andrew Hart - Andrew Hart Music Leadership Scholarship, Percussion Studies Gift Fund, Fine Arts Phase II

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence K. Holder - Friends of Music

Innovative Percussion - Percussion Studies Gift Fund

JJ's U Haul of Martin - Friends of Music

LoneStar Percussion - Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Mr. Stephen B. McConnell - Russell V. McConnell Memorial Scholarship Endowment

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Meade/Soleil Garden Center - Friends of Music, Percussion Gift Fund

Meinl - Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Dr. and Mrs. E. Jerald Ogg, Jr. - Friends of Music

Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Pape - Brian SImmons Memorial Scholarship

Philharmonic Music Guild - Friends of Music

Rowloff Productions - Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Steve Weiss Music - Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Mrs. Margaret V. Trevathan - UTM Music Gift Fund

Drs. Johnathan and Elizabeth Vest - Gift In Kind, Fine Arts Phase II

Mr. Terry Williamson - In memory of Marilyn Jewett, Fine Arts Phase II

Gail Latimer Foundation - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Bronze

Steven and Wendy Tate Friends of Music, UTM Marching Band

Mr. and Mrs. John Aleksander - UTM Music Gift Fund

Aloha Pools and Spas of Union City

Ms. Shirley Jean Borden - UTM Music Gift Fund

Dr. Cynthia Ann Boyles - Athletic Bands Gift Fund

BSN Sports

Dr. and Mrs. Keith Shaw Carver, Jr. - UTM Music Gift Fund

Ms. Judy Davidson - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Mrs. Judy Davidson - Band Gift Fund

Ms. Beth Devault - Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Dr. and Mrs. Daniel W. Donaldson, II - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

J L Dougherty - Band Gift Fund

Marvin and Sandra Downing - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Edward Jones of Union City - UTM Percussion Society

Mrs. Margaret G. Emmons - Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Mr. and Mrs. John P. Fairless - UTM Music Gift Fund

Forks Drum Closet

Fuller Partners Real Estate - Choral Gift Rund

Ms. Jennifer Forrest - UTM Percussion Society

Ms. Perseveranda Garma - All-Steinway Program Gift Fund

Dr. and Mrs. Kurt G. Gorman - UTM Music Gift Fund, Fine Arts Phase II

Grand Chapter of Tennessee, Order of the Eastern Star - Friends of Music

Jacky and Nell Gullett - Friends of Music

Health Quest - UTM Percussion Society

Heath's Canoe Rental - Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Ms. Beverly Hill - CT Hill Award

Ms. Lagena Hill - C T Hill Award

Humes and Berg - UTM Percussion Society

Jiffy Steamer of Union City - UTM Percussion Society

Joann's - Friends of Music

Mr. Carl A. Jones - UTM Music Gift Fund

Dr. and Mrs. John E. Knight, Jr. - Friends of Music

Dr. and Mrs. Malcolm Gerard Koch - Friends of Music

Korg

Lowe's - UTM Percussion Society

Mr. Les MacDiarmid - Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Dr. and Mrs. John Oelrich - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Ms. Peggy Hill Pinnell - CT Hill Award

Dr. and Mrs. Roberto Francesco Costantino Mancusi - Friends of Music, Fine Arts Phase II

Marimba One - UTM Percussion Society

Martin Realty - UTM Percussion Society

Mr. Darrin Maurice - Devault Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Lon T May and Charlotte May -Friends of Music

Monograms and More - UTM Percussion Society

Ms. Patricia Moore - Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Moore, Jr. - Friends of Music

Mr. Andrew Morency and Dr. Elizabeth Aleksander - Friends of Music - UTM, Fine Arts Phase II

Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Moser - UTM Percussion Society

Mr. Lester Nunnelee - In memory of Marilyn Jewett

Dr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Noble - Friends of Music

Mrs. Carmencita T. Pendergrass - Friends of Music

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia - Friends of Music, UTM Percussion Society

Phoenix Rising Health and Wellness - UTM Percussion Society

Dr. Daniel Piccolo - Friends of Music

Mr. and Mrs. Scott D. Robbins - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Bill Sanderson, White Squirrel Winery - Friends of Music

Mr. Ed Sargent - Friends of Music

Dr. and Mrs. John J. Schommer - Friends of Music

Sidelines of Martin - UTM Percussion Society

Sigma Alpha Iota - Friends of Music, UTM Percussion Society

Tate's Family Foods - Friends of Music, UTM Marching Band

UTM University Advancement Staff - Andrew Heart Music Leadership Scholarship

Vic Firth

Dr. Bill Waterman - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Dr. and Mrs. Philip W. Watkins - Friends of Music

Dr. Amy Yeung - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Mr. Brad Thompson - Friends of Music

5 Seasons Men's Shop of Union City - UTM Percussion Society

Mr. and Mrs. John Robert Baker - UTM Percussion Society

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Belcher - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Browns Brawney Beard Co.

Ms. Della Coleman - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Mr. and Mrs. Hugh W. Colville - Fine Arts Phase II

Mr. and Mrs. Steven E. Cothran - UTM Music Gift Fund

Mr. Christopher Thomas Davis - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Charles and Shannon Deal - Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Direct Sound

Discovery Park of America

Don Sol of Union City - UTM Percussion Society

Mr. Danny Donaldson - UTM Percussion Society

Mr. Kimbrough Dunlap - UTM Percussion Society

Encore Mallets - UTM Percussion Society

Fall Creek Marimbas - UTM Percussion Society

Fantastic Sams of Union City - Friends of Music

Farm Bureau of Union City - UTM Percussion Society

Drs. Joseph and Christa Frye - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Gamers Turf

Mr. Josh Gatlin Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Mr. Ronald F. Greene, Jr. - UTM Music Gift Fund

Higher Ground of Union City - Friends of Music

Mrs. Janet Lynn Hoffman - Harriet E. Fulton Endowment Scholarship

Mr. Lawrence K Holder - Friends of Music

Hunaan Palace

Mrs. Shelia Jackson - Friends of Music

Ms. Betty Jane Crews Jones - Percussion Studies Gift Fund

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Joyner - Friends of Music

Mrs. Sandra F. Koch - UTM Friends of Music

Lana's Boutique and Tanning

Sherri Langford

Ms. Lizzie Lee - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Mr. Charles Lewis - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Los Portales of Union City - UTM Percussion Society

Lowrance Sound Company - Percussion Gift Fund

Mr. Danny Maness - Friends of Music

Ms. Emily McConnell - Russell V. McConnell Memorial Scholarship Endowment

Mr. and Mrs. Eric Mergen - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Ms. Pamela K. Merritt - Athletic Bands Gift Fund

Mike Balter Mallets - UTM Percussion Society

Modern Drummer Publications

Moore Dental - UTM Percussion Society

Napa Auto Parts

Opera House - Friends of Music

Mrs. Tammy Jean Owensby - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Pip Printing - UTM Percussion Society

Ms. Miranda Rutan - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Salyers Percussion - UTM Percussion Society

Sammies of Martin - Friends of Music

Santi Ipina

Shoe Shack of Martin - Friends of Music

Mr. and Mrs. Wilburn A. Sliger Jr. - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Snappy Tomato Pizza

Dr. Harriette La Varre Spiegel - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Styles on Broadway - UTM Percussion Society

Mr. and Mrs. Keith Swafford - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Tapsapce Publications - UTM Percussion Society

The Looking Glass of Martin - UTM Percussion Society

Mr. William N. Thomasson and Ms. Patsy Gayle McClure - Fine Arts Phase II Concert Hall

Union City Ford - UTM Percussion Society

Union City Insurance - UTM Percussion Society

UTM Faculty Women's Club - UTM Percussion Society

Walmart - UTM Percussion Society

White Squirrel Deli and Sweet Shoppe - UTM Percussion Society

Winter Guard International - UTM Percussion Society

 

If you would like to give, Thank YOU! Your gift is pivotal in creating opportunities to enrich the people of the UT Martin Department of Music, the UT Martin campus, and the Martin and West Tennessee communities.

 

GIVE to PHASE II

 

Thank You for your generosity!

 

$2.5 million fundraising project is currently in progress.

Overall cost is $10 million.

Phase One / Phase Two

Phase One opened in August 2013. Home to the Departments of Music and Visual and Theatre Arts. Included 5 large classrooms, 11 large studio spaces, 36 offices, 23 individual practice rooms, 2 computer labs, a piano lab, choir recital hall, large band room, percussion rehearsal room, art studios for graphic arts, ceramics, fibers, sculpture, painting, drawing, and dance and theatre support spaces for costuming, scenery construction, and a black-box theater/acting classroom.

 

Phase One did not however include major performance venue renovations (The Harriet Fulton Theatre was left untouched), additional performance support spaces, and the building of a new larger audience capacity concert hall. All vital parts of the overall Fine Arts Building Project plan. The Harriet Fulton Theatre is currently inadequate as a performance venue until it is renovated as part of Phase Two.

 

Phase Two of the Fine Arts Building Project will add a large audience capacity concert hall, with appropriate lobby and concert hall support spaces, and a formal entrance to the Fine Arts Building. In addition, The Harriet Fulton Theatre is to be completely renovated, unfinished art studio space completed, and theatre and dance support space remodeled.

 

Hundreds of individuals from both campus and community all participate in a myriad of cultural activities offered through the Departments of Music and Visual and Theatre Arts that depend on the Fine Arts Building facilities provided at UT Martin.

 

Music ensembles such as the Wind Ensemble, University Singers, Concert Band, New Pacer Singers, Lyric Opera Theater, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, and numerous additional chamber ensembles that include winds, piano, double-reeds, strings, UTM Chamber Players, and others, combine to produce over 80 performances annually – more than any other venue in West Tn outside of Memphis.

 

Thousands from the UT Martin campus and our NW Tennessee community attend Vanguard Theatre and UTM Dance Ensemble productions annually. Similar numbers attend art exhibitions or attend workshops provided through the arts units for the community.

 

Phase Two will provide a showcase for UT Martin students, a showcase for UT Martin Arts programs and a showcase for the entire UT Martin campus. Academic speakers, fundraising events, conferences, regional competitions, and more could all be greatly enhanced through funding Phase Two of the Fine Arts Building Project. The UT Martin campus currently does not have a performance venue to adequately support many curricular and co-curricular activities and events that require a more formal venue

 

Phase Two would also provide facilities for the future cultural growth of our larger Northwest Tennessee community. There are no performance venues outside of Jackson that can accommodate large capacity audiences for events that could and should have a major impact on our community. We currently do not have a performance venue that could support a full symphony orchestra for example. We currently do not have a venue that could provide enough seats for a large audience to attend a performance of a well-known world-class musician or ensemble. Nor do we have a facility with acoustics worthy of hosting world-class musicians. NW Tennessee deserves to have a facility that can do both!

 

In short, the arts are critical and affect virtually everyone in our region. The arts are good for business. It is certainly understandable with the need for balanced budgets and hard choices to be very concerned with such a large commitment. At the same time it’s very good business to continue to invest in success and to keep our communities great places to live and to ensure that our children have creative educational opportunities to prepare them for the future. A contribution to Phase Two will keep the arts working for all of us.

 

Naming opportunities begin at $10,000