Alumnus and Grammy-nominated engineer/producer Jeff Balding (’82) shared his expertise with Belmont’s AES (Audio Engineering Society) student chapter recently by staging a Mix Session in the campus’ Robert E. Mulloy Studio A. Balding mixed “This Time Last Year,” a track provided by CEMB senior student Garrett Miller, who recently completed an internship and landed an assistant engineer position at Starstruck Studio. Balding has worked with a wide gamut of artists spanning all genres of music: Shania Twain, Michael Bolton, Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Amy Grant, LeAnn Rimes, Rascal Flatts, Brooks & Dunn and Reba McEntire to name a few. He also continues to serve on the CEMB Advisory Board and has found time to become a CEMB adjunct this semester, teaching a class in the business of becoming a successful recording engineer.
Grammy-Winning Composer Joan Tower Visits Belmont
The Belmont University School of Music honored 2008 Grammy-winning composer Joan Tower on Mon., March 10. Hailed as “one of the most successful woman composers of all time” in The New Yorker, Tower’s visit included a morning lecture as well as an evening performance of her works by Belmont Camerata Musicale in celebration of her 70th birthday.
At 10 a.m., Tower presented a lecture in Massey Concert Hall, titled “Choreographing Sound,” in which she discussed her life as a composer, her approach and process in creating music, and presented samples of her music. In the evening, Tower joined the resident chamber ensemble in Belmont Heights Baptist Church for a performance of “Tres Lent” for cello and piano. Other works on the program included “Petroushkates for piano, strings and winds; “DNA” for percussion ensemble; “Wings” for solo saxophone; and a new piano trio, “For Daniel.”
Belmont School of Music Faculty members Daniel Lochrie (clarinet), Keith Nicholas (cello) and Robert Marler (piano)were joined by guest Erik Gratton (flute) for the concert. The four musicians played on the Nashville Symphony Orchestra’s recording Joan Tower: Made in America, which won two 2008 Grammys, Best Classical Album and Best Orchestral Performance. Tower’s work, Made in America, also won a Grammy for Best Classical Contemporary Composition. Also performing were Camerata regulars Kris Elsberry (piano), Celeste Myall and Elisabeth Small (violin), guest saxophonist Philip Barham and the Belmont Percussion Ensemble directed by Chris Norton.
Marc Broussard Provides ‘Insider’s View’ of Music Business
Recording artist Marc Broussard shared his music business experiences with students at Wednesday’s Insider’s View seminar in a packed Massey Performing Arts Center. A major point of discussion revolved around Broussard’s innovative new deal with Atlantic Records and what it indicates about changes in label-artist relations.
Hosted by Director of Development and Major Gifts Harry Chapman, the event opened with a viewing of Broussard’s video for hit single “Home,” from his 2004 major label debut on Island Records, Carencro. Broussard, who was accompanied by manager Ross duPre of New York’s Brick Wall Management, noted that his new label deal on Atlantic, a 360 deal, reflects current trends in the music business as Atlantic is invested in every aspect of his career. In fact, the company paid Broussard in advance for three years of touring under the agreement that they will receive 27 percent of the income generated by touring and merchandise.
“I have no idea if this new model is going to work,” Broussard said, acknowledging the risks all parties are taking in a changing music industry climate. “If you can do something other than music and live with it, then do it because this is not an easy business.”
A Louisiana born singer/songwriter, Broussard grew up playing with his father, renowned guitarist Ted Broussard, and singing in the Catholic University church choir. Broussard’s recent Must Be the Water EP is available on iTunes now, and the title track was featured in TV and movie trailer commercials for this year’s NBA All Stars Game. Broussard is currently recording a new album at Ocean Way Studios that is due out this summer. Along with his busy musical career, Broussard has been active in helping raise funds to both help residents of his beloved New Orleans and to restore the city to its pre-Katrina glory. For more information, visit www.marcbroussard.com.
Warren Named A-Sun Golfer of the Month
After almost four months away from team competition, Belmont’s Lorrie Warren stepped back onto the course and entered the winner’s circle at the Jacksonville Spring Invitational, dominating the event in winning by 14 shots. In honor of her outstanding play, the conference office announced that she won the Golfer of the Month award for February, her second award of the 2007-08 season and third of her career. Warren, a junior business major from Hendersonville, Tenn., won the Jacksonville Spring Invitational individual title contested on February 25-26 after posting a 36-hole score of 141. Her score broke her own school record of 143 set at the Great Smokies Collegiate in October. For the 2007-08 season, she leads Belmont in scoring with a 74.4 average and owns five top-10 finishes.
Sophomore Akin Takes Third Place in Guitar Competition
Sophomore Mark Akin recently won third place in the Beethoven Guitar Competition which was held in Memphis. This competition is open to all age groups through college-level. Akin will be invited to perform on the winner’s concert on March 16 and awarded a cash prize for his third place win. He is the first student guitarist at Belmont to enter and win a prize at this state competition. He also recently won a place in the Belmont classical performers competition and will perform the second movement from Rodrigo’s “Concerto de Aranjuez” in April with the Belmont University Orchestra.
Business Students Inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma
The College of Business Administration and the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business recently inducted 64 students into the Belmont University Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma. Only business students who earn the distinction of “the Best in Business” during their academic careers qualify for membership. Beta Gamma Sigma is the business school equivalent of Phi Beta Kappa in liberal arts education.
These students join an expanding worldwide network of more than 560,000 outstanding business professionals who have earned recognition through lifetime membership in Beta Gamma Sigma. Students ranking in the top 10 percent of the baccalaureate and top 20 percent of graduate programs at schools accredited by AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) are eligible for this invitation. Beta Gamma Sigma membership is truly an international honor, and these outstanding Belmont students have received the highest recognition a business student anywhere in the world can receive.
The following students were inducted at a ceremony and reception on Thurs., Feb. 28: Jacqueline Marie Allinder, Erik W. Anderson, Jennifer M. Bischoff, Jonathan L. Bradberry, Connie L. Brais, Kelsey E. Breault, Sierra M. Briggs, Ephraim T. Brown, IV, Lindsay E. Browning, Evelyn (Betsy) E. Bruington, Adam S. Bryan, Karisa N. Butler-Hurst, Charles M. Canon, IV, Allison P. Champagne, Beth A. Clayton, Nicholas A. Connell, Lauren E. Cooper, Joshua C. Curd, Katherine Nicole Curtis, Maurissa G. Davis, Elizabeth L. Dawson, Rachel M. Dooley, Matthew P. Durdel, James I. Elliott, J. Seth Estep, Jennifer H. Foster, Kenneth N. Gaines, Thomas J. Gephart, Mara B. Greenberg, Christopher Chase Hamby, Keena C. Harris, Clinton D. Hill, Joseph V. Hofflinger, Adam J. Hogan, Sarah C. Irby, Benjamin S. Kann, Nathan J. Klages, Stephanie W. Lambring, Kristen M. LaScola, Kari E. Lennon, Christine M. Lewis, Danara D. Lowery, Ryan T. Malloy, Andrew E. Mills, Matthew P. Nicholson, Ryan H. O’Hern, Allison M. Pellicciotti, Dain C. Penzhorn, Merrick M. Pickens, Laura A. Rathgeber, Libby A. Reed, Matthew J. Robinson, James M. Rosano, Tanner A. Scott, Amber M. Slifer, Matthew R. Spiess, Tessa B. Stratton, Blake M. Tidwell, Mary Lauren Walden, Katherine N. Williams, Lauren A. Williams, Laura E. Wright, Julie E. Zaloba and Adam C. Zinke.
Men’s Basketball Receives A-Sun Postseason Awards
On the heels of the program’s first-ever outright Atlantic Sun Conference regular season championship, Belmont University men’s basketball was well represented on the list of Atlantic Sun postseason awards released Tuesday. Senior Justin Hare (Cleveland, Tenn.) was named First Team All-Atlantic Sun, junior Shane Dansby (Pegram, Tenn.) was named Second Team All-Atlantic Sun, freshman Jordan Campbell (Indianapolis, Ind.) was named to the Atlantic Sun All-Freshman Team, and head coach Rick Byrd was named Atlantic Sun Conference Coach of the Year.
Magruder to Be Published in Science Journal
Dr. Robert Magruder, chair of the Chemistry and Physics department, has had his paper on “The Effect of Implanting Nitrogen on the Optical Absorption and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectra of Silica” accepted for publication in the Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids.
School of Nursing Recognized as Laerdal Center of Educational Excellence
Belmont University’s School of Nursing was recently recognized by Laerdal Medical Corporation, a leading provider of healthcare solutions and products, as a Center of Educational Excellence. The designation will apply for three years and is awarded to centers that have consistently demonstrated excellence in educational philosophy and programs for the purpose of “helping save lives,” Laerdal’s mission.
Centers selected for the award reflected consistent performance, a quality program and a commitment to continual improvement. In addition, centers were required to demonstrate basic skills excellence, simulation methodology, community outreach, curriculum development and integration and educational research progress. In addition to Belmont’s School of Nursing, other centers recognized by Laerdal this year include Simms Medical Center (Harvard), University of Miami Gordon Center for Simulation, Texas A&M Temple Center for Simulation, University of Texas Arlington School of Nursing, University of Maryland Medical Simulation Laboratory, University of Pittsburg Wiser Institute of Simulation, Oregon Health and Science University and Hartford Hospital Simulation Center.
Dr. Chris L. Algren, professor and associate dean of the School of Nursing as well as executive director of Partners in Nursing, said, “The Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences and Nursing is honored to receive this new designation and have this continuing partnership with Laerdal. We will continue to share in the company’s mission while teaching faculty, nursing students and other healthcare workers in an environment which provides outstanding products and simulation resources. By integrating simulation learning throughout the nursing curriculum, this partnership will assist us in providing current and future healthcare providers with the critical thinking skills needed to meet the demands of complex and changing health care settings.”
Students Win Multiple Awards at Southeast Journalism Conference
Belmont journalism and public relations students recently attended the Southeast Journalism Conference (SEJC) in Oxford, Miss., where they finished second overall in on-site competition and landed four first place awards. The SEJC includes more than 40 member institutions from Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Arkansas and Alabama.
Linda Quigley, associate professor and faculty adviser for the Belmont Vision, and Thom Storey, associate dean for the School of Social Sciences, accompanied the Belmont contingent. Quigley and Storey are co-presidents-elect of SEJC, and Belmont will host the 2009 conference Feb. 12-14. Storey said, “I was so proud to accompany the Belmont Media Studies students and faculty member Linda Quigley to this year’s Southeast Journalism Conference. Competing against dozens of schools double or triple our size, and coming away as the second place program overall in the championship competition is a tribute to not only our students, but to the faculty who train them to be top notch practitioners who will have an impact on journalism in the years ahead.”
Belmont won the following awards at this year’s conference in the on-site and “Best of the South” competitions, which awards entries previously submitted from colleges and universities:
On-Site Competition:
– Feature Writing, Adaeze Elechi, First Place
– First Amendment Writing, Melanie Bengtson, First Place
– News Writing, Abby Selden, First Place
– Page Design-Magazine, Sarah Mitchell, First Place
– Entertainment Writing, Lance Conzett, Second Place
– Photography, Chris Speed, Third place
– Public Relations, Anne Roberts and Cheryl Bak, Third Place
“Best of the South” Competition:
– Best Journalism Research Paper, Henry Nichols (’07), Second Place
– Best Magazine Writer, Cody Badaracca, Fifth Place
– Best News Paper Page Design, Nathan Baker, Fifth Place
– Best Special Events Reporter, Abby Selden, Third Place
– Best Opinion/Editorial Writer, Adaeze Elechi, Third Place
– Best Sports Writer, Jordan Drake, Eighth Place
