Yes! A lot of people had an enjoyable time visiting Austin Peay State University (APSU) while they learned, listened, reconnected with old friends, and made new ones at our three-day conference. Dr. Courtenay Harter of Rhodes College and Music Theory Representative of the College Music Society (CMS) Southern Chapter Executive Board was one of these people. She was eager to be awake and alert for the first events every morning. Dr. Steven M. Demorest, Professor of Music Education at Northwestern University and Keynote Speaker, obviously believes that conferences like this are one of the social foundations of music communication and learning. From what I observed, most if not all attendees thought it was enjoyable and fun. In addition to my own ("A Model of Triadic Post-tonality..."), our conference featured many fine papers, including "Post-tonal Improvisation..." by Dr. Keith Kramer of Central Connecticut State University, "Jazz Before It Was Jazz..." by Dr. Matt Whitfield of Gardner-Webb University Department of Music, "...Structural Paradigms in Grindcore Music..." by Paul Royse, student at University of Tennessee - Knoxville, and "Structural Hearing of a Rubato..." by Dr. Joong Han Jung of Jones County Junior College. Professor of Music at APSU and Conference co-host Dr. Ann Silverberg sees the annual conference as part of her work to promote music and to activate musical academicians. She feels that cultivating the network of the CMS Southern Chapter is important because it allows for the presentation of music and musical scholarship in a wide spectrum of venues. As Immediate Past President, Dr. Silverberg said, “Our annual chapter conference includes papers, performances, compositions, student papers and performances, and the opportunity to interact with colleagues in a relaxed setting. You will make new contacts and exchange meaningful ideas, all within your geographical area.” She also says there are many advantages to CMS membership at the national level. Finally, Dr. Silverberg sends to all “Best wishes for a successful academic year."
Did the CMS Southern Chapter's 38th Conference Provide Fellowship and Camaraderie?
ZANE GILLESPIE
After six years as Minister of Music at Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church (UMC) in Holly Springs, MS, I was recently called to continue to work to address public engagement in music participation as Director of Music Ministries at First UMC in Water Valley, MS. I am a Composer, Theorist, and member of both The College Music Society as well as The Poe Studies Association (PSA). I am also an active pianist and vocalist, specializing primarily in church music. My paper entitled ““Mesmeric Revelation”: Art as Hypnosis” has been published by the international, peer-reviewed journal Humanities. In addition, another paper of mine entitled “A Model of Triadic Post-Tonality for a Neoconservative Postmodern String Quartet by Sky Macklay” has been submitted to the peer-reviewed Music Theory journal Perspectives of New Music. At the end of February 2015, I served as Chair for the session entitled “Aesthetics and Philosophy” at The Fourth International PSA Conference in New York City. On June 21, 2014, my Quartet for Alto Saxophone and Strings, a commission from concert saxophonist Walter Hoehn, was performed as part of Concert V of the Eighth Annual Belvedere Chamber Music Festival held at Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Memphis, TN. Characteristically neo-romantic (in the original sense of the word), my music earned me the Nancy Van de Vate Award for Composition three times from the University of Mississippi Department of Music. A native of Pontotoc, MS, I hold degrees from the University of Mississippi (BM; MM), and the University of Memphis (DMA) where I was the 2011 recipient of the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music's Smit Composition Award. I live in Memphis, TN.