Five ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern University students will compete at the National Association of Teachers of Singing semifinal competition July 3-5 in San Antonio, Texas, the largest group of CSU singers to make it to semifinals. Luke Baur, a student of Dr. Jill Terhaar Lewis, placed first overall in Commercial Music in last year’s national competition and will compete in Classical and Musical Theatre this year.

These CSU singers have made it to the top 15 or better in their respective categories. In addition to Baur, competitors are:

• Lia Hrenya, Commercial Music, student of Lewis
• Jordan Collins, Commercial Music, student of Dr. Jennifer Luiken
• Kishawn Gary, Commercial Music, student of Lewis
• Amoiré Green, Commercial Music, student of Luiken

Singers moving on to the semifinals were selected from nearly 1,200 qualifying student-singers in the preliminary auditions. Semifinalists represent 13 American regions, the Canadian region, as well as an International Region, spanning nine chapters across four continents.

Written and directed by Thomas Keating and Drew Heineman, the play was developed in collaboration with the CSU Players, which consists of 15 students. The plot is rooted in the powerful story of Zucker’s parents, Rose and Carl Goldberg. Both endured unimaginable hardships during the Holocaust. 

Rose survived forced labor camps and many attempts to evade Nazi-occupied Poland. Carl survived as well, and together the two rebuilt their lives in Jacksonville, Florida, after the war. Their resilience, faith, and work ethic became the foundation for their family’s future together.

Zucker often acknowledges that her mother, Rose, was her greatest teacher and a significant influence in her life. She recalls her mother’s advice: “Always take baby steps, but keep moving forward, not backwards. And as long as you are smiling, everything will be okay.” 

Zucker attributes much of her drive to her parents’ influence, noting that both Rose and Carl instilled in her a strong sense of determination and purpose. These values have guided Zucker throughout her personal and professional journey.

Her path as an educator and entrepreneur is intertwined with her family’s legacy. After marrying Jerry Zucker, she embraced the roles of both pursuing education and managing businesses. The principles instilled by her parents empowered her to navigate hurdles and thrive in building The InterTech Group, Inc., with her late husband, which has become a leading privately held corporation in the United States. 

Her philanthropic work reflects those same values, with significant contributions to education, the arts, and social causes. Zucker has become a driving force for good in the Lowcountry and beyond. 

Alana Lowery, a senior and member of CSU Players, said that the play is about more than one family’s story. It is a testament to resilience in the face of adversity, to the power of hard work, and to the importance of giving back. “Anita Zucker’s journey exemplifies the kind of perseverance that we all as students hope to achieve one day. She demonstrates courage when she speaks about her family’s story. Her story has taught us that we can celebrate the good but also to tell our stories of what we have been through,” Lowery said.

By bringing this story to the stage, the production aims to resonate with contemporary audiences, emphasizing the importance of sharing history to inspire future generations. “Even when the state of the world is difficult, I believe it’s important to use our voices,” Zucker said. “I tell this story because of my family’s perseverance and courage. It is why I am here.”

Keating added that the timing of the play is especially meaningful. “This story carries special significance. It serves as a reminder of why it is important to share stories of resilience and faith, so that we can all learn from them and be inspired to stand for what is right.” 

“On The Other Side” will premiere at Lightsey Chapel on Oct. 23-26. The production will feature original writing and performances by CSU students who have studied both the history and impact of Zucker’s legacy.

Performance schedule:

• Thursday, October 23, at 7:30 p.m. 
• Friday, October 24, at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, October 25, at 7:30 p.m. 
• Sunday, October 26, at 3 p.m. (Includes a VIP preshow reception and postshow talkback)

General Admission tickets: $15

CSU students, faculty/staff are free.

Luke Baur and Stephanie Colon, Horton School of Music and Performing Arts vocalists, won at the state and regional levels to advance to the national competition.

Baur won first place in Lower Post-High School Commercial Music TTB. He sang and played an original composition, “The Father’s Love,” earning a prize of $1,200.

Colon took third place in Upper Post-High School Commercial Music Treble, singing “Redeemer” by Nicole C. Mullen, accompanied by CSU Pianist Arshak Sirunyan and winning a $500 prize.

NATS National Student Finalists in Top Three

Luke Baur, tenor, music and worship leadership major, student of Dr. Jill Terhaar Lewis

• Lower Post-HS Commercial Music TTB, First Place 

 Stephanie Colon, mezzo-soprano, chemistry major, student of Andrea White

• Upper Post-HS Commercial Music Treble, Third Place 

NATS National Student Quarterfinalists and Semifinalists

Baur, tenor, music and worship leadership major, student of Lewis

• Lower Post-High School Musical Theatre TTB
• Lower Post High School Commercial Music TTB

Colon, mezzo-soprano, chemistry major, student of White

• Upper Post High School Commercial Music Treble

Lindy Turner, soprano, music and worship leadership major, student of Dr. Jennifer Luiken

• Lower Post High School Musical Theatre Treble
• Lower Post High School Commercial Music Treble

Mid-Atlantic Region NATS Student Audition Results:

Baur, tenor, music and worship leadership major, student of Lewis 

• Second Year Musical Theatre TTB, second place overall
• Second Year Commercial Music TTB, second place overall

Colon, mezzo-soprano, chemistry major, student of White

• Fourth/Fifth Year Commercial Music Treble, first place overall

Luke Jones, tenor, nondegree seeking, student of Luiken

• Third Year Commercial Music TTB

Katherine Kailey, soprano, music therapy major, student of Lewis

• Second Year Classical Treble, third place preliminary round

Turner, soprano, music and worship leadership major, student of Luiken

• Second Year Musical Theatre Treble, first place preliminary round, second place overall
• Second Year Commercial Music Treble, second place overall

South Carolina NATS Student Audition Results:

Baur, tenor, music and worship leadership major, student of Lewis, online

• Second Year Musical Theatre TTB, online
• Second Year Commercial Music TTB, first place overall, online

Melody Butcher, soprano, music education: choral, student of Luiken

• Third Year Classical Treble

Colon, mezzo-soprano, chemistry major, student of White

• Fourth/Fifth Year Commercial Music Treble, student of White

Jones, tenor, nondegree seeking, student of Luiken

• Third Year Musical Theatre TTB
• Third Year Commercial Music TTB, first place overall

Kailey, soprano, music therapy major, student of Lewis

• Second Year Classical Treble

Ashleigh Kriner, soprano, music therapy major, student of Lewis

• Second Year Musical Theatre Treble

Leelyn Mazer, soprano, early childhood education major, student of Luiken

• First Year Classical Treble, second place overall
• First Year Musical Theatre Treble, first place overall

Lauren Rhoades, mezzo-soprano, psychology major, student of White 

• Upper Nontraditional Adult Commercial Music, first place

Turner, soprano, music and worship leadership major, student of Luiken

• Second Year Musical Theatre Treble, first place overall
• Second Year Commercial Music Treble, first place overall

Miranda Williams, mezzo-soprano, Christian studies: missions, student of Lewis

• Second Year Commercial Music Treble, first place overall, online competition

Each year, ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern voice teachers participate, serve as judges or administration for the event, and prepare students for competition.

The U.S. Navy Band performed to a packed house of 1,500 attendees at ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern University’s Lightsey Chapel Auditorium on Sunday, March 30. The band performed a wide-ranging selection of music, from classic patriotic tunes such as “God Bless America” to popular hits. The performance commemorated the band’s 100 years of service, as well as the 250^th anniversary of the U.S. Navy, and is part of a series of performances taking place across the Southeast.

Along with the main concert band, the Navy Band’s Sea Chanters and Cruisers, which are the chorus and popular music groups of the band respectively, joined the stage for the performance.

The band’s Commanding Officer, Captain Robert “Seph” Coats, led the performance. Recently assuming command of the U.S. Navy Band in 2024, he has led and directed other bands within the U.S. Navy since 2008 and has conducted with these bands worldwide throughout his career.

The family-friendly event connects with the local community to spread awareness and appreciation of this cherished organization and the U.S. Armed Forces. The performance was completely free and open to the public, but seating was limited, and an advanced ticket was required.

Musician 1^st Class Ryan Connelly, a tenor of the Sea Chanters chorus, personally described how the Navy Band impacts the local communities it visits during tours. “I feel that we are able to do a great deal of good with our tours, as well as our public performances in the DC area,” said Connelly. “I’ve had great conversations after performances with audience members, both some who have served and some who have no ties to the military, and all of them take away something from the show— whether that be emotional, informational, or just fun!”

Connelly also explained what makes the Navy Band unique as compared to other civilian bands. “The Navy Band in DC is unique in many ways— we are one command but have many smaller bands or ‘units’ that serve various functions,” he said. “There is a lot of history even just within our contributions to the Navy,” he added.

The band’s last stop at CSU was in February 2020, just before the global COVID pandemic hit the United States.

Brandon Carpenter is a senior communication major and an intern in the Marketing & Communication office at ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern University.

On February 17 the first CSU Alumni Jazz Band put on a surprise performance to celebrate Professor Mark Sterbank’s 25th year and 50th jazz ensemble at CSU.

Sterbank, a professor of music, teaches studio saxophone and directs the jazz ensembles on campus. As a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and University of New Orleans, Sterbank is well known in the ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ music scene playing lead tenor saxophone for the ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Jazz Orchestra. He also plays regularly with Grammy winning artists Charlton Singleton and Quenton Baxter. 

The Alumni Jazz Band was led by recent alumnus Jonnie Amado, who was able to put together a band of musicians with representation from almost every ensemble that Sterbank has instructed in his 25 years at CSU.

“Sterbank has had a huge impact on my life, and by the looks of yesterday, the lives of many others. He is a truly passionate teacher and wonderful friend. It’s the whole reason why I put the alumni band together,” Amado said.

Members of the band came from all over South Carolina, with a few coming from Georgia and even one from Wisconsin to surprise their former professor.

During the concert, Sterbank was invited on stage to conduct the last song that the alumni band played. He said the effort put into honoring him was “humbling.” 

Amado, who graduated in 2024, said it took almost a year to put the concert together, calling about 50 different former students of Sterbank’s. He even got Sterbank’s wife in on the surprise. The band had a rehearsal a day before the concert, and a dress rehearsal the day of the concert then put on the surprise performance for Sterbank.

“To put something like this together shows the kind of students he created as well as the kind of person he is, someone who lives through Christ every day,” Amado said.

CSU’s official 50th Jazz Ensemble concert under Sterbank on March 25 paid tribute to the first 49 bands by playing some of the best arrangements played throughout the years, including a couple tunes played by the very first band on their set list. 

In early February, students from the Horton School of Music and Performing Arts attended the South Carolina Music Educator’s yearly conference in Columbia.

The SCMEA is a corporation that hosts South Carolina music educators that advocates and encourages for quality music education for all students, according to SCMEA’s website. The yearly conference includes performances, masterclasses, sessions and honor bands from music educators. 

CSU had 27 total students and five professors attend the conference. Seventeen of those students were selected to perform in South Carolina’s Intercollegiate Band, which is produced by the South Carolina Chapter of the College Band Directors National Association according to Dr. Marshall Forrester, chair of HSMPA. 

The students selected were handpicked to represent the HSMPA in the ensemble, which is made up of other college students.

The remaining CSU students who attended the conference were music education majors, who made connections and attended sessions to develop their skills further for their future career. 

“I was able to learn more about my profession and ways to improve skills with games,” said Samual Downing, a sophomore music education major who took part in many of the SCMEA conferences sessions and masterclasses.

CSU also had a booth at the conference to recruit new students and reconnect with alumni. There were roughly 50 music teachers attending who are CSU alumni, Forester said.

The intercollegiate band members performed on Feb. 9 under the direction of Kevin Sedatole who is director of music and bands at Michigan State University.

            The school’s collegiate NAfME chapter will be hosting a professional headshot fundraiser on Saturday, October 26^th, from 2 to 5 p.m. outside of the Whitfield Center for Christian Leadership. The donations collected from this event will fund our music education program as it sponsors future workshops and events.

            Our program has partnered with Lowcountry Orff, a branch of the nationally recognized American Orff-Schulwerk Association. This local chapter, founded by ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern adjunct professor Vickie Raisley, offers teaching-habits workshops to current and aspiring music educators. The next workshop will be held on Saturday, January 25^th, and will be free to all current ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern students.

As of July 1^st, 2024, all recent music education graduates were employed in their respective fields as our job placement rate has maintained a hearty 100%. The future of the Horton School of Music and Performing Arts looks bright with recent alumni leading as inspiration to current students.

The competition included the top three finalists in each category. Singers were allowed to choose one song for the final round, and the repertoire encompassed a wide variety of contemporary music from jazz to rock to country and more. 

Lewis said, “Luke chose to perform a contemporary worship song, performing like a professional and praising with his heart! I was very proud of him. Arshak Sirunyan, CSU staff pianist, accompanied him and really helped to elevate his performance.” Baur is majoring in music and worship leadership.

To make it to the final round of competition, students had won at the state and regional levels to advance.