Press and Media

Thank you for visiting the Hugh Hodgson School of Music Press Kit and Media Page. As we continue to build awareness of what we offer for prospective graduate and undergraduate students, as well as our full season of performances, you will be able to find additional press details here. 

 

Performance news

UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music Announces 2023-24 Season of Ticketed Performances

January 

UGA CHORAL PROJECT: AWAKENING, JANUARY 12
FACULTY ARTIST SERIES: ANATOLY SHELUDYAKOV, PIANO, JANUARY 16
BEETHOVEN FESTIVAL: ALL TEN VIOLIN SONATAS, JANUARY 22-30
CONCERTO COMPETITION WINNERS WITH UGA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, JANUARY 25

 

February

FACULTY ARTIST SERIES: JOSH BYNUM, TROMBONE, FEBRUARY 7
CONNECTION SERIES: REPERTORY SINGERS, FEBRUARY 12
CONNECTION SERIES: UNIVERSITY CHORUS, UGA CHORAL PROJECT, AND CONTEMPORARY CHAMBER ENSEMBLE, FEBRUARY 13
CONNECTION SERIES: WIND SYMPHONY & SYMPHONIC BAND, FEBRUARY 14
THURSDAY SCHOLARSHIP SERIES: STUDENT CHAMBER MUSIC GALA, FEBRUARY 15
CONNECTION SERIES: UGA PHILHARMONIA, FEBRUARY 16
ENSEMBLE SERIES: UGA WIND ENSEMBLE "DECONSTRUCTED AND REIMAGINED," FEBRUARY 20
ENSEMBLE SERIES: UGA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANTON BRUCKNER," FEBRUARY 22
CONNECTION SERIES: UGA GLEE CLUBS, FEBRUARY 27
 

March

Connection Series: BRITISH BRASS BAND, MARCH 1
THURSDAY SCHOLARSHIP SERIES: UGA HODGSON SINGERS "THE POET SINGS," MARCH 14
FACULTY ARTIST SERIES: MAGGIE SNYDER, VIOLA, MARCH 19
UGA OPERA THEATRE: THE TRAGEDY OF CARMEN, MARCH 21-22
CONNECTION SERIES: REPERTORY SINGERS, MARCH 22
ENSEMBLE SERIES: ARCO CHAMBER ORCHESTRA "MOSTLY ROMANTIC," MARCH 25
CONNECTION SERIES: CONCERT BAND AND UNIVERSITY BAND, MARCH 27

 

April

ENSEMBLE SERIES: WIND ENSEMBLE "INGOLF DAHL SINFONIETTA," APRIL 2
CONNECTION SERIES: JAZZ ENSEMBLES, APRIL 3
ENSEMBLE SERIES: UGA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA "FRENCH MASTERPIECES," APRIL 4
CONENCTION SERIES: DON GILLESPIE MEMORIAL CONCERT, APRIL 8
CONNECTION SERIES: OPERA SCENES, APRIL 15
CONNECTION SERIES: AFRICAN AMERICAN CHORAL ENSEMBLE, APRIL 18
ENSEMBLE SERIES: WIND ENSEMBLE "REMIXES AND MASHUPS," APRIL 23
THURSDAY SCHOLARSHIP SERIES: UGA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND COMBINED CHOIRS, "DONA NOBIS PACEM," APRIL 26
CONNECTION SERIES: UGA PHILHARMONIA, APRIL 29
CONNECTION SERIES: REPERTORY SINGERS, APRIL 29

 

May

CHAMBER MUSIC ATHENS: MAY 12-21

 

Guest Artist news

TIMOTHY LOVELACE, JANUARY 23
SONYA G. BAKER RESIDENCY, JANUARY 25-26
DAVID KIRKLAND GARNER and GREG STUART, JANUARY 26

 

Student / Alumni news

Please check back for future updates.

 

Faculty News

Please check back for future updates. 

 

Faculty and Staff Highlights: Jennifer Denk Stull

Submitted by vh45513 on
Jennifer Denk Stull, Assistant Professor of Music Therapy

JENNIFER DENK STULL 
Assistant Professor of Music Therapy

Spring 2023: Article titled “The impact of a music therapy support group on perceived stress, anxiety, and depression in long-term caregivers: A pilot study” was published in the Spring 2023 issue of Music Therapy Perspectives. 
July 2023: Co-presented the paper “Student supervision: Theories & strategies for success ”at the World Congress of Music Therapy in Vancouver, Canada.

Combined Bands Concert

Hodgson Concert Hall UGA Performing Arts Center
Free Events
Bands
Symphonic Band Conductor Bios

Michael C. Robinson serves as Professor of Music Education at the University of Georgia. His duties include teaching courses in instrumental music education, conducting, and as Director of the UGA Symphonic Band. Robinson previously served for eleven years as the Director of The Sudler Trophy Award winning UGA Redcoat Marching Band. A native of Florida, Robinson received B.M. and M.M. degrees in Music Education and a D.M.A. degree in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Miami. Prior to the UGA appointment, he served as Associate Director of Bands at the University of South Florida in Tampa and Director of Bands at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. Robinson also taught eleven years in the public schools of Florida, most notably as Director of Bands at Seminole High School in Pinellas County Florida. During his teaching career, Robinson has received numerous honors and awards including; Pinellas County Teacher of the Year, City of Seminole Educator of the Year, USF College of Visual and Performing Arts Outstanding Service Award, The Orpheus Award from Phi Mu Alpha, and The Friend of the Arts award from Sigma Alpha Iota, among others. Robinson is active as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States. He also has extensive experience in the marching arts having served in a variety of capacities with top DCI Drum and Bugle corps such as the Boston Crusaders, The Cadets, Carolina Crown, Iowa Colts, Madison Scouts, and Suncoast Sound.

 

Jeremy Smith is a third-year Doctoral Conducting Associate at the University of Georgia and is in the conducting studio of Dr. Nicholas Williams, with additional mentorship by Dr. Jaclyn Hartenberger. Jeremy is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, and a proud product of the DeKalb County School District, where he graduated from Southwest DeKalb High School. He attended Florida A&M University and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. Jeremy later received his Master's in Music Education from Norfolk State University while serving as a graduate assistant with the band program. In this capacity, he co-conducted the symphonic wind ensemble, assisted with the marching band, and aided in the recruitment efforts for the band program. Most recently, Jeremy completed his Education Specialist degree (EdS) in Music Education from Piedmont College (Demorest, GA).

Jeremy started his teaching career as an elementary band director in the DeKalb County School District. He later served as the Orchestra and Assistant Band Director at Stephenson Middle School and served as the Assistant Band Director at Stephenson High School for three years. As Assistant Band Director at Stephenson High School, he assisted with the wind ensemble, conducted the symphonic band and trumpet choir, served as the primary drill writer for the marching band, and taught the beginning band class.

Jeremy is a member of the College Band Directors Association (CBDNA), National Association for Music Educators (NAFME), the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, and Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity.

 

Gilbert Villagrana is currently serving as a Doctoral Conducting Associate for the University of Georgia Bands. Originally from Texas, he earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of North Texas. Recently, he completed his Master of Music in Trumpet Performance at the University of Georgia. Before joining the University of Georgia, Gilbert served with distinction in the United States Marine Corps stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC. During his enlistment, he showcased his musical prowess as a trumpet instrumentalist with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band. His diverse roles also included serving as an assistant enlisted conductor, a leader of small ensemble units, and as principal trumpet.

Gilbert's dedication to his craft is evident through his extensive training with notable mentors such as Philip Smith, Allen Vizzutti, Dr. Jason Bergman, and John Holt. As a performer, Gilbert has excelled, achieving recognition as a finalist in the Military Band excerpt division at The National Trumpet Competition for multiple years. His musical journey has led him to perform with prestigious ensembles including the Quantico Marine Corps Band, University of North Texas Symphonic Band, and as principal trumpet in the University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra.

Beyond his musical pursuits, Gilbert has been deeply involved in the world of marching arts since 2012, both as a skilled performer and an adept educator. Within the University of Georgia Redcoat Marching Band, he plays an active role as a dedicated staff member, helping contribute to the musical and visual demands of the organization. Currently, he lends his expertise to the acclaimed Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, where he serves as a brass technician, contributing to the corps' brass performance awards.

Wind Symphony Conductor Bios

Jack A. Eaddy, Jr., a native of Orangeburg, SC, is the Director of Athletic Bands at Western Carolina University. Dr. Eaddy serves as Director of the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band and conducts the Symphonic Band in the School of Music. Prior to his appointment at WCU, Dr. Eaddy served as Assistant Director of Bands at McNeese State University and the University of South Carolina, where he assisted with athletic bands, including the Pride of McNeese Marching Band and the Carolina Band, as well as taught music education courses. 

Dr. Eaddy earned the Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting from the University of North Texas. He holds a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from the University of Georgia, and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Florida State University. As Director of Bands at Oak Ridge High School, Dr. Eaddy developed a flourishing program that was recognized throughout the state of Florida for maintaining the highest standards in spite of the challenges that many of its students experienced. Dr. Eaddy received the Florida Music Educators Association Tom Bishop Award that recognizes a director in the state of Florida who has turned a program around, making a positive difference in a short amount of time.

 

Anthony Morris is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Wind Conducting at the University of Georgia where he studies with Dr. Nicholas Williams and Dr. Jaclyn Hartenberger and serves as a Master’s Conducting Associate for the UGA Bands. Mr.  Morris  received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a dual concentration in Instrumental and Choral education with Cum Laude distinction from Kennesaw State University. Prior to graduate study, Mr. Morris served as the Director of Bands & Choirs at Wildwood Middle High School where he was responsible for the instruction and administration of the middle & high school concert bands, marching band, music theory, and choir program. 

Mr.  Morris  has appeared as a guest conductor with the United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" and was named a Conducting Fellow for the H. Robert Reynolds Conducting Institute at the 76th Annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. His passion for music education has led him to create the Relative Pitch Podcast which discusses modern issues regarding music education and helps pave the way for much-needed change to make a more diverse, enriching, and equitable music community. Through these endeavors, Mr. Morris  and Relative Pitch Podcast presented sessions entitled “Community Building: Meet Them Where They Are” at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, “Changing of the Guard: Shifting Perspectives of Education” at the College Band Directors National Association National Conference, and “Pushing for Change From the Inside: Bringing Equity to Middle and High School Bands” at the annual Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference. 

Professional affiliations include Collegiate Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Educators, Georgia Music Educator Association, Florida Music Educator Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Don Gillespie Memorial Concert

Don Gillespie Memorial Concert, I Prefer Living In Color. Contemporary Chamber Ensemble
Hodgson Concert Hall UGA Performing Arts Center
Free Events
Guest Artists
Special Concerts

The University of Georgia Contemporary Chamber Ensemble celebrates the life of Don C. Gillespie (1936-2019). A graduate of the UGA School of Music (now Hugh Hodgson School of Music), Gillespie worked for the prestigious international music publishing house C. F. Peters for 31 years where he championed the work of 20th Century composers such as John Cage, George Crumb, John Becker, and countless others. CCE honors his life-long advocacy for new music with a concert of 20th-Century masterworks.

Concert Band and University Band

Hodgson Concert Hall UGA Performing Arts Center
Free Events
Bands
Concert Band Bios

R. Scott Mullen is a conductor and music educator, pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Georgia. Scott serves as a Graduate Assistant for UGA Bands in conducting, teaching, and administrative duties with the Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and the Redcoat Marching Band. Prior to UGA, Scott was a Graduate Assistant at the University of Central Florida, in Orlando (Master of Arts, 2023). At UCF, he worked with the concert bands, hosted chamber wind concerts, worked with undergraduate music education students, and helped teach and lead the Marching Knights and Jammin’ Knights pep bands. Scott also received his undergraduate degree from UCF (Bachelor of Music Education, 2016), serving as Drum Major and as a trombonist in ensembles.   

Scott was a teacher in Orange County Public Schools, most recently as Director of Bands, Chorus, and Orchestra at Wedgefield School. Scott has maintained activities as an educator, and clinician with band programs in Florida and Georgia. His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, the Georgia Bandmasters Association, The Florida Bandmasters Association, The College Band Directors National Association, Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity, and Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society.   

Scott’s conducting mentors include Scott Lubaroff, Tremon Kizer, Kelly Miller, Scott Tobias, Nicholas Williams, and Jaclyn Hartenberger.   

Caroline W. Pfisterer is a conductor and music educator pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Georgia, where she studies with Dr. Nicholas Williams and Dr. Jaclyn Hartenberger and serves as a Doctoral Conducting Associate for the UGA Bands. In this position, she conducts the acclaimed Hodgson Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Symphonic, and Concert Bands, Redcoat Marching Band, assists in undergraduate conducting, and provides administrative and leadership help for all aspects of the University of Georgia bands.. Her interests include research, composition, drill writing, and student leadership. 

Prior to her position at UGA, Mrs. Pfisterer received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with Magnum Cum Laude distinction from Southeastern Louisiana University and a Master’s of Music in Music Education with Magnum Cum Laude distinction from the University of Alabama. Mrs. Pfisterer was awarded Most Outstanding Student by the faculty and staff of both Universities upon completing her degrees. Prior to graduate study, Mrs. Pfisterer served as the Director of Bands at Mt. Bethel Christian Academy, where she was responsible for the instruction and administration of the middle & high school concert bands, marching band, and music theory. Mrs. Pfisterer briefly taught in Louisiana’s St. Tammany Parish at Mandeville High School before trading her swamp boots to work with a mouse down in Florida. Her work with Walt Disney’s Performing Arts in Orlando led her to start an international travel journey teaching in schools in Mainland China. During this time, Caroline was voted among China's top ten most sought-after teachers ​and was awarded first in overall parent satisfaction. 

A strong advocate for music education, Mrs. Pfisterer has been published in Teaching Music magazine. She is involved with the Collegiate National Association for Music Education (CNAfME), where, with her guidance, the University of Alabama’s chapter raised $3,000 for local public music programs. Additionally, she is involved with the World Association for Symphonic Band and Ensembles (WASBE) and the National Association for Music Education.

University Band Bios

Brett Bawcum is Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Georgia. He shares responsibility for design, instruction, and administration of the Redcoat Marching Band and serves as its primary drill-writer. He also directs the Basketball and Volleyball Pep Bands, conducts various concert bands, and teaches courses in a variety of areas including Instrumentation/Arranging and Marching Band Techniques.

Dr. Bawcum has been the creative force behind many of the most beloved traditions and performances of the Redcoat Marching Band and Georgia Football. He was a key member of the inaugural UGA Spirit Committee that developed the Dawg Walk. He designed the celebrated post-9/11 tribute by the Redcoat Band. He was the first Redcoat show designer to form The Arch in a Redcoat Band show. He created the “Angel Tag” version of “Glory to Georgia” by fusing existing Tom Wallace arrangements into the modern signal of Bulldog victory. He also conceived and implemented the “Larry Munson Battle Hymn” tradition in the Redcoat Band Pregame Show, along with composing Mr. Munson’s now legendary spoken celebration of the past and future of Georgia Football. This production, which builds upon Jeff Simmons’ arrangement of the UGA school song, is believed to be among the first real-time interactions between live marching band and pre-taped stadium video and audio. It was recently voted “Greatest Georgia Football Tradition” by Georgia fans.

Dr. Bawcum is an active arranger and composer for collegiate and high school marching and concert bands throughout the U.S. His conducting, arranging, and/or performing work can also be found on commercial recordings by such artists as Band of Horses, Half Dozen Brass Band, and Modern Skirts. He has also served as producer, associate producer, or editor for seven recordings on the Mark, Summitt, and Naxos labels.

Dr. Bawcum's professional affiliations include the National Band Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, College Band Directors National Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Mu Alpha, and Kappa Kappa Psi (Honorary).

Anthony Morris is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Wind Conducting at the University of Georgia where he studies with Dr. Nicholas Williams and Dr. Jaclyn Hartenberger and serves as a Master’s Conducting Associate for the UGA Bands. Mr. Morris received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a dual concentration in Instrumental and Choral education with Cum Laude distinction from Kennesaw State University. Prior to graduate study, Mr. Morris served as the Director of Bands & Choirs at Wildwood Middle High School where he was responsible for the instruction and administration of the middle & high school concert bands, marching band, music theory, and choir program.   

Mr. Morris has appeared as a guest conductor with the United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" and was named a Conducting Fellow for the H. Robert Reynolds Conducting Institute at the 76th Annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. His passion for music education has led him to create the Relative Pitch Podcast which discusses modern issues regarding music education and helps pave the way for much-needed change to make a more diverse, enriching, and equitable music community. Through these endeavors, Mr. Morris and Relative Pitch Podcast presented sessions entitled “Community Building: Meet Them Where They Are” at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, “Changing of the Guard: Shifting Perspectives of Education” at the College Band Directors National Association National Conference, and “Pushing for Change From the Inside: Bringing Equity to Middle and High School Bands” at the annual Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference. 

Professional affiliations include Collegiate Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Educators, Georgia Music Educator Association, Florida Music Educator Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. 

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