It is an exciting time to be teaching at EKU in the Department of Music. For the first time in over ten years, all of our faculty lines are filled as tenure-track lines with the addition of Jason Koontz, Director of Percussion Studies, Hunter Hensley, Coordinator of Voice, and Jeremy Mulholland, Violin/Orchestral Studies. We have also secured two additional full-time lines holding title as lecturer with Dennis Davis, Guitar and Larry Nelson, Saxophone. With this outstanding stability, I'm confident that we will continue to be sought out as an exceptional choice for students looking to further their knowledge in music. I'm also pleased to announce the appointment of Kristen Kean, Applied Flute and Theory.

Our enrollment is up with recruiting over 120 new Freshman over the past two years. This increase is due to exciting opportunities in our ensembles, outstanding applied teaching, and an increase in music scholarship funding. Since 2000, we have increased our scholarship funding 37%. We appreciate the fantastic donations from our alumni and continue to support our music programs with your generosity. Most recently, we received a $10,000 donation from the Nancy Covington Combs Estate to support our vocal and choral music programs. This gift was given due to the love and support of faculty members, Vertrelle and Hayward Mickens. Mrs. Combs graduated from EKU in 1937 and participated in our music program. She also enjoyed hearing students perform during our Stephen Foster Music Camps. On behalf of the department of Music, we thank Mr. Jim Combs for this wonderful gift in the memory of his mother. Thanks!

We are having fantastic success with our ensembles. Several of our performing ensembles accepted invitations at state, regional, national, and international performance venues. This past February, the EKU Percussion Ensemble and EKU Faculty Brass both performed at the KMEA in-service conference. The EKU Horn Studio performed at the International Horn Society conference in June and most recently the Symphonic Band has accepted an invitation to perform at the CBDNA conference in Atlanta after the 2004 KMEA in-service conference. Our outstanding Clarinet Ensemble will perform at 2004 KMEA, 2004 Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium, and the 2004 International Clarinet Convention. The EKU Percussion Ensemble performed at 2003 Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Louisville, KY. We are proud of all our ensembles and invite you to visit campus and enjoy the wonderful musical experiences happening here in Richmond and abroad.

Please visit our web site for additional information about our faculty, programs, and ensembles. You are more than welcome to visit campus and offer suggestions for upcoming events. We love our Alumni and hope that you feel welcome and appreciated.