Statewide Music Conference Draws Asbury Talent

February 27, 2020

Asbury University is one of only two private schools in Kentucky with a nationally accredited music program and has the distinction of having the highest percentage of earned doctorates among faculty members out of music departments across the state. Asbury students are regularly selected to participate in the Intercollegiate Band, All-Collegiate Choir and Intercollegiate Jazz Ensemble at the annual Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) Professional Development Conference, and this year’s students were proud to carry on the tradition.

Faculty and students from Asbury University’s Music Department represented the University earlier this month at the KMEA Conference held in Louisville. KMEA hosts the yearly event to bring together music students, teachers, faculty and administrators from across the state and to showcase the talent in Kentucky schools.

A number of Asbury’s students performed during the Conference as members of audition-based groups, including the Intercollegiate Band, All-Collegiate Choir and the Intercollegiate Jazz Ensemble, while several Music Education students also attended clinic sessions and concerts. Fourteen students in all represented Asbury over the course of the three days, with an additional student selected for the honor of singing with the All-Collegiate Choir.

The students who are chosen each year to participate in the intercollegiate performances have the benefit of rehearsing and playing for directors and conductors from across the country. The Intercollegiate Band performed under the direction of Dr. Ronald Dorsey, Director of Bands at Indiana University. The All-Collegiate Choir was directed by Deanna Joseph, Director of Choral Activities at Georgia State University. The Intercollegiate Jazz Ensemble had the honor of learning from one of Asbury’s own, Dr. Doug Drewek, an Instructor of Clarinet and Saxophone. Dr. Drewek also teaches clarinet and saxophone at Berea College in eastern Kentucky and Centre College in Danville, and saxophone at Transylvania University in Lexington. He serves as the Jazz Ensemble Director at Centre.

Other Asbury faculty represented the University well over the course of the Conference by coordinating and presenting clinics, presiding over research sessions and meetings, attending meetings and promoting Asbury in multiple ways. Dr. Jill Campbell, Assistant Professor of Music Education and Voice, holds the position of President of Kentucky’s Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association and presided over their business meeting during the Conference along with her other duties. Dr. Glen Flanigan ’82, Associate Professor of Music Education as well as Asbury’s Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble Director, serves as the current State Technology Chair for KMEA and conducted additional activities in that role.