McGavock's Michael Collins Receives 2012 Educator of the Future College Scholarship 

Michael Collins with Todd Wilson at the McGavock High School Annual Band Banquet on May 12, 2012. Photo by James Dotson

To help support our mission to enrich lives through the support of music education in our schools and the community, Nashville Singers launched a new program in 2012 created to provide a $1000 college scholarship to a Middle Tennessee student pursuing a music education degree.

On May 12, Michael Collins was announced as the recipient of the first Educator of the Future Scholarship. The presentation took place at the McGavock High School Band Banquet, in front of a crowd of 275 of his peers, faculty members, and other VIPs.   

Michael is graduating from McGavock High School, is now enrolled at Middle Tennessee State University, and will be a member of MTSU's Band of Blue.   

He is a member of Future Teachers of America, the President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was elected by his peers to serve as Captain of the McGavock Band in his senior year.  

Michael started playing drums when he was five years old. He learned how to play the French Horn at Donelson Middle School, went on to perform in the McGavock High School Marching and Jazz Bands, the Wind Ensemble, and Brass Choir, the Metro Nashville and Tennessee Tech Festival of Winds and Percussion Honors Bands, the All Mid Stater Silver Band, and earned two superior ratings at Solo and Ensemble competition.

In his application, Michael remarked,  

"Music education has had such an impact on my life that I must give back to the community. My desire is to earn my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music education in order to become a band director. I plan to help kids gain an appreciation for music the way I did."  

McGavock Band Director Jeff Beckman added, 

"Michael is an outstanding young man and a dedicated musician. His enthusiastic approach to music has led him to pursue a career in music education. I want to thank the Nashville Singers for selecting Michael as the 2012 Educator of the Future Scholarship recipient!"

A few weeks ago, Michael also received the The Kenton J. Hull Jr. Memorial Scholarship in Music Education. Believe it or not, that scholarship was presented to Michael by former McGavock Band alum  (and French Horn Player), and Nashville Singers member Tim Mullican. 

LISTEN to an audio recording of the presentation HERE!     

Finalists for the 2012 Music Makes a Difference Music Education Grant Announced!

1. Lakeview Design Center - 455 Rural Hill Road in Nashville
2. W.H. Oliver Middle School - 6211 Nolensville Road in Nashville
3. East Literature Magnet School - 110 Gallatin Road in Nashville

Celeste LaReau Joins Nashville Singers Advisory Board!

Celeste LaReau has joined the Nashville Singers Advisory Board. She was the founder and Executive Director of the Tennessee Christian Chamber of Commerce, and served as Marketing Chair for the Nashville Alliance for Financial Independence.  

Celeste is extremely passionate about our mission to enrich lives through the support of music education in our schools and the community. To help Nashville Singers fulfill this mission, she has agreed to contribute 40-60 volunteer hours in the next 12 months.  

We are so grateful for the contributions of our volunteers.   

Collaboration with Choral Arts Link Continues 

Todd Wilson with Margaret Campelle-Holman

Choral Arts Link works to preserve a tradition and discipline of choral development by providing children the opportunity to develop leadership skills, to enhance their education, and to grow artistically and professionally.

Margaret Campbelle-Holman, Founder and Artistic Director, has been teaching children and teachers for over 30 years.  Her vision has always included assisting children to learn and improve their overall quality of life through music.   

"Music is the one 'language' that allows all walks of life to communicate, discover and grow," says Campbelle-Holman.   

Choral Arts Link presented their Legacy Concert on May 12, 2012 at I.T Creswell Magnet School. Nashville Singers Executive Director Todd Wilson was asked to serve as one of the presenters for their final concert of the school year.     

Venue Search Committee Continues Search -   Suggestions Welcomed

Nashville Singers President/Board Chair Sloan Yarborough formed this committee several weeks ago to locate an ideal venue for our 2012 Season of Harmony Concert. Several option have been suggested but we are now expanding our search to include recommendations from subscribers to our weekly newsletter.

Desired attributes:

• Available on November 16th for a dress rehearsal and the 17th for the concert.
• Appropriate size (400-600 seats)
• Adequate stage (18' wide, 12-15' deep)  
• Curtain
• Back-lit scrim
• One or more big screens for use with LCD projector 
• Adequate parking
• Multiple dressing rooms
• Reasonable rental cost ($500-$750 turnkey)  
• Included lighting and sound 
• Central location
• Friendly staff
• Adequate lobby area for box office and merchandising
• Controlled traffic flow (Not too many entrances or exits)

If you know of a venue that meets a majority of the attributes described above, please contact Sloan Yarborough right away. We desire to finalize our venue by May 31, 2012. 

FiftyForward Celebrates CD Release!    

Taylor Wilson Returns from Leave of Absence!    

Video of the Week     

Let's Groove - Earth, Wind & Fire - A Cappella Cover by JB Craipeau

Quote of the Week       

In the race for quality, there is no finish line. - David T. Kearns  

This Day in Music      

May 14, 1988 - Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Anything For You', a No.10 hit in the UK.