Return to the Met
chool of Music alumna Murrella Parton (’15) has won a distinct honor–to reach the final stages of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition twice.
“A Way to Share Happiness”
Jack Fellers’s Joyful Pursuit of Excellence in Piano Performance Endowment provides funds for students’ special opportunities.
Teacher of the Year
The hour before the announcement felt like one of the longest in Kami Lunsford’s life. A 2006 University of Tennessee, Knoxville, alumna, she sat beside her husband, surrounded by blue, white, and gold balloons in the library of Karns Middle
Diva Extraordinaire
With her Met Opera National Council Auditions victory, soprano Alexandria Shiner (’16) hit a high note.
Grad Student Wins Research Award to Have KSO Musicians Play His Works
At 46, in the midst of a successful career as a commercial musician, music director, teacher, and performer, Dennis Belisle decided to enroll in UT’s School of Music to pursue a new dream—being a composer.
Belief in the Mission
Eric Barton's passions for learning motivated his transformational $3.14 million gift. “Education is important,” says Eric Barton. “It makes me a more rounded person, and it sets an example. Education has always been big for me, personally and professionally, so whenever
Daniel F. McGehee Gives Back to His West Tennessee Hometown
When Knoxville lawyer Daniel F. McGehee, dapper in his bow tie and Atticus Finch seersucker suit, talks about bringing music and the arts to Paris, listeners might wonder at first—until they realize he’s talking about his hometown of Paris, Tennessee,
Smith Selected for TROMP Competition
Alexander Smith (MM 2018) was selected for the 2018 TROMP International Percussion Competition in the Netherlands. This is one of the biggest solo stages in the world for a percussionist his age and he is 1 of 30 selected, 1