Augusta University Department of Music

02/19/2021

Faculty Spotlight Friday!

Meet Michael Katterjohn

Mr. Katterjohn has been the percussion instructor at Augusta University for 27 years and the Wind Ensemble director for the past 3 years.

“If there is one thing I have learned in my long lifetime, it is to love and love deeply. Whether it is family, friends, pets, music, life or your God, life is too short for hatred or not loving to the fullest extent of your being. “So, these three things continue: Faith. Hope and Love. And the greatest of these is LOVE.” (I Corinthians 13:13)”

Michael A. Katterjohn is currently the conductor of the wind ensemble and percussion instructor at Augusta University. He earned his Bachelor Degree in Music Education from Wheaton (Illinois) College and his Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois. During the past 25 years, Mr. Katterjohn has played with the Augusta Symphony, Augusta Choral Society, Augusta Opera, Augusta Players, Fort Gordon Dinner Theater, Savannah River Winds and many churches in the area.

Mr. Katterjohn has been active as a conductor in Georgia and Illinois. He has 39 years of experience teaching and conducting at all levels of education, from middle school to college. The highlight of his conducting career was guest conducting the symphonic band at his alma mater, Wheaton College, conducting a piece by his favorite composer, Philip Sparke. The highlight of his career playing percussion was performing in the Wheaton College Percussion Ensemble 45th Anniversary Concert. He was one of the charter members of this group in 1972.

Mr. Katterjohn is an active arranger for concert band, jazz band, marching band and orchestra as well as smaller ensembles. He has three arrangements published through LifeWay Publishing Co. for church orchestra: "Worship Chorales," "Praise to the Lord Almighty," and "Christ the Lord is Risen Today." In addition to writing music, he wrote the percussion chapter for the book, The Instrumental Resources for Church and School, published by LifeWay Church Resources.

02/08/2021

Augusta University Department of Music Video 2021

If you want to major in music or perform in an ensemble while pursuing a different degree, we have a place for you!

https://youtu.be/e9M6hR8Ekmk

01/22/2021

Faculty Spotlight Friday!

Meet Dr. Christi Amonson, Assistant Professor of Voice and Director of the Opera Initiative.

Dr. Amonson joined the faculty in 2018. She is an active soprano soloist, an Artist in Residence and Voice Faculty for the summer festival Opera dé San Luis Potosí in Mexico and she writes the Music Major Minute column for Classical Singer Magazine. Amonson earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in voice and theatre at the University of Arizona, where she was a Medici scholar and the winner of the President’s Competition. She earned her MM in voice at the Manhattan School of Music and her BM in music education at the University of Idaho. Dr. Amonson taught as an assistant professor at Troy University, an instructor at the University of Arizona, and as a lecturer for Idaho State University. She was a director of the Tucson Girls Chorus and has been a teaching artist for the Metropolitan Opera Urban Voices program, the Elaine Kauffman Foundation and the Concordia Conservatory in NYC. Dr. Amonson has been teaching classical and music theatre voice students for over 20 years and is an active member of NOA (National Opera Association) and NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) where her students have won state, regional and national awards.

“I love our music students at Augusta University. Together we have continued to sing through the pandemic by rehearsing with masks and recording performances for livestream and videos. This semester, we can make every day more musical with courage and creativity.”

01/14/2021

Augusta University Maxwell Theatre

Tonight at 6 pm. Visit the Maxwell Theatre webpage at augusta.edu/maxwelltheatre for the webex link, then click on register and enter your @augusta.edu email address.

The first 70 AU students to come to the Maxwell tonight can attend the LIVE WATCH PARTY and have a chance to win a guitar signed by Lady A. Bring your JagCard.

01/11/2021

Augusta University Maxwell Theatre

Augusta University Maxwell Theatre

Join us Jan. 14 at 6 p.m. for an AU exclusive live web event with Dave Haywood of Lady A and a panel of industry professionals for a behind the scenes look at the music business.

Read the article for the link to this free event on WebEx.
Register using your augusta.edu email address.

The first 70 students to arrive at the Maxwell Theatre will be able to join in on the live watch party. Seats are available on a first come first serve basis.

01/08/2021

Calling all Augusta University students! Do you play an instrument or like to sing? Join one of our music ensembles. Visit our website or call or email for more information. www.augusta.edu/pamplin/music

01/04/2021

12/11/2020

Augusta University Department of Music 2020 Holiday Gala Concert

Happy Holidays from the Augusta University Department of Music!

Since we couldn’t have a live performance this year, students and faculty members from the Department of Music recorded a video for the 2020 Holiday Gala Concert. This video features the Augusta University Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Choir, Opera Ensemble, and various faculty ensembles.

We hope this holiday season brings you good health and happiness and we look forward to seeing you again on campus for live performances soon.

https://youtu.be/KfFDnZuKLXs

12/04/2020

Augusta University Orchestra Concert - Fall 2020

Presenting the Augusta University Orchestra's Fall 2020 concert.

https://youtu.be/m9U2qXuxuDg

Augusta University Orchestra Concert - Fall 2020

11/24/2020

Congratulations to Augusta University music student Caitlin Kenison! Caitlin was chosen as the only college winner in the Georgia Music Educators Association Composition Competition. As a winner, her piece "Suite for Piano" will be performed at the GMEA Conference in January 2021. (This year the conference will be virtual.) Caitlin is a senior Piano Performance Major. Her major piano professor is Dr. Rosalyn Floyd and she studies composition with Dr. Martin David Jones.

11/21/2020

11/20/2020

11/20/2020

The Augusta University Department of Music will be presenting three student recitals this evening on Facebook live:

5:00pm Destin Hudson, piano - click here to view his program https://augustauniversity.box.com/s/omk7wmu3htyq3lapg3tidsdd1hkm5qxd

6:00pm Thomas Barnes, piano - click here to view his program https://augustauniversity.box.com/s/uzoubgd4rq39qhpvrqs34pxrclnng69t

7:00pm Olivia Ladun, french horn - click here to view her program https://augustauniversity.box.com/s/d75k5xzm7fpgdkm21120wjpbm3jjc2yy

11/19/2020

11/19/2020

11/17/2020

2020 GA NATS Winners Concert (Student Auditions)

Congratulations to Sawyer Branham! Sawyer won first place in the Music Theatre Division for the GANATS (Georgia National Association of Teachers of Singing) Competition. Go to 1:35 to hear her performance. https://youtu.be/DL62gqXttjU

To see the full results list from our 2020 Chapter Student Auditions, visit http://www.ganats.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GANATS-FALL-2020-FINAL-RESULT...

11/14/2020

11/13/2020

Box

Here is the link to the program for this evening's recital: https://augustauniversity.box.com/s/qimimclcml3jdklqpu3o91ckdj9jgbb4

11/05/2020

Yesterday AU music students and faculty recorded the 2020 Holiday Gala Concert. Here are some pictures from our busy recording day!

10/28/2020

Congratulations to the Wind Ensemble on a great Livestream performance last night. It was strange to play to an empty hall, but Baby Yoda was there cheering them on!

10/23/2020

Faculty Spotlight Friday!

Meet April Brumfield, instructor of Music Industry Studies:

"I'm so excited to be teaching online courses in the Music Industry! My classes are 100% online so my students have the opportunity to learn from home at their own pace! My courses in Music Industry appeal to a cross-section of students regardless of what one's career focus may be, and as a result, I have a variety of majors in my classes, including Cybersecurity, Communications, Accounting and Music students. This pandemic has changed the 'live' performance landscape of the music industry business, but as a result, new technology and digital opportunities abound, and musicians are finding new ways every day to hone their craft. As a professional artist manager, I have had to adapt to this new normal for the artists that I represent, and have been focusing on new ventures that don't involve concert touring, such as online publishing and licensing, and recording projects. I look forward to working with more students in the future and helping them be at the top of their game!"

April Brumfield is Director of Brumfield & Associates Music, an agency that manages the careers and touring of a select group of artists including world-renowned jazz trombonist Wycliffe Gordon.

She has over twenty-five years of experience in artist management, programming, fundraising and special events management, and holds a Masters degree in Arts Administration from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She has worked with some of the most celebrated artists in classical and jazz music, including Jean-Pierre Rampal, Alfred Brendel, the Juilliard String Quartet, Fred Hersch, Paul Winter, and The Amadeus Trio, among others.

Ms. Brumfield has served in higher education since 2001, as an Associate Professor, and as the Director of Music Industry Studies at Eastern Kentucky University (from 2001-2015). While there, she created a joint degree program in Music Marketing in the College of Business Administration, and served as Faculty Advisor for both programs. She was also associate chair of the department in marketing and promotion.

Currently she is adjunct Professor at Augusta University, where she is also helping to create a certificate program in Music Industry Studies. She teaches online courses in Music Copyright, Licensing & Publishing, Careers in Music Business and Booking and Touring Management.

April is a Kentucky Peer Advisory Consultant for the Kentucky Arts Council and presents yearly professional development workshops for Kentucky Artists. She also volunteers as President of the Friends of Madison Community Band and is an active member of Jazz Educator’s Network, where she was a guest Presenter at the annual members’ conference in 2012 and 2016.
She is an accomplished trumpet player and is a former member of the McDonald’s All-American High School, (which is where she met her husband). Her passions include bowling, gardening, traveling and of course the music business.

10/22/2020

Ontario Williams - Soliloquy from Carousel BroadwayWorld's Next on Stage

Ontario Williams has advanced in the Broadway competition. He needs more votes...voting ends today. Vote now!

Click here to vote for Ontario: https://www.broadwayworld.com/nextonstage/ontario-williams

https://jagwire.augusta.edu/music-education-student-advances-in-broadway-competition-needs-more-votes/

Broadway's Next on Stage - Ontario Williams sings Soliloquy from Carousel

10/21/2020

Augusta Gives Back To The Future!

AU piano faculty member, Dr. Martin David Jones, wrote and digitally produced all of the music for this video. Check it out!

https://youtu.be/j40I4y9DV3s

Concept: Andrew Everett Produced by: Tim Johnson, Andrew Everett, Ashley White Associate Producer: Taylor Lamb Written by: Tim Johnson and Andrew Everett Dir...

10/20/2020

Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

Support our talented students!

Your gift to the Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences supports the heart of the liberal arts mission of Augusta University.

10/19/2020

Department of Music | Augusta University

Check out the Department of Music’s updated website!

Click below to see the new and improved site and learn more about all of the programs we have to offer at Augusta University.

https://www.augusta.edu/pamplin/music/

Let's make something great together! Learn more about the Department of Music at Augusta University in Augusta, Georgia. We offer dynamic programs led by experienced music professionals with the added benefit of small class sizes and individual attention.

10/16/2020

Faculty Spotlight Friday

Meet one of our newest faculty members, Stephen Montgomery, music therapy instructor:

“It is an honor to join the AU Music Faculty. I want to thank Dr. Angela Morgan and the students for their interest in music therapy and working with me to create a course that is being offered for the first time in the history of the program. I’m thrilled that new and exciting things continue to happen in the department despite all of the challenges in recent times. Let’s continue to inspire ourselves and others for the future!”

Stephen Montgomery is an Augusta native who has been making music since a young age. He has been recognized during all stages of his music studies for his outstanding performance and commitment to the art of music. Mr. Montgomery earned his Bachelor of Music (Percussion Performance) from Stetson University in Deland, FL., where he studied under Dr. David Coash and was the manager of the Stetson University Symphony Orchestra. After completing his studies, Mr. Montgomery taught percussion privately in central Florida and also instructed high school marching percussion ensembles in Daytona and St. Augustine. He was also the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the band IS which he co-founded. This group toured in Florida playing clubs from St. Augustine to Miami and recorded their original music in various studios. Later, Mr. Montgomery moved back to Augusta, GA where he began to work for Portman’s Music. There he was head of the percussion department, the percussion instructor of the Southeast Music Academy, and was also the Director of the Southeast Music Academy.

In 2010, Mr. Montgomery decided to return to school for graduate studies. After many years of teaching privately, he began researching schools to attend and discovered the discipline of music therapy. Mr. Montgomery discovered a graduate level music therapy program at Georgia College & State University and so he began the process to complete the equivalency and graduate programs. There he studied under Dr. Douglas Keith and Dr. Chesley Mercado and earned a Master of Music Therapy degree. During his time there, he was given the graduate clinical award and was also inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society.

Mr. Montgomery began his career at the Georgia (then GRU) Cancer Center and then moved to the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center where he had completed his music therapy internship. He has been at the VA since 2013 and works with veterans that have various backgrounds and needs. The VA often recognizes his efforts and Mr. Montgomery also works diligently to connect the veterans and the community together through music. He has created partnerships with the Augusta Symphony and Augusta University in hopes to not only increase the level of care veterans receive through the VA but to advocate for his beloved profession.

10/15/2020

Music education student needs your votes for Broadway competition

Vote for Ontario!!!!

https://jagwire.augusta.edu/music-education-student-needs-your-votes-for-broadway-competition/

While the Broadway stages will remain closed until at least next summer, one Augusta University student is keeping the music going as he attempts to make it to the top in an online singing competition.

10/12/2020

On the set! Augusta University music students help film a new recruiting video for the department of music.

10/09/2020

Faculty Spotlight Friday!

Meet new faculty member, Leah Murthy, instructor of music education:

“It has been a joy to join the AU music department faculty in supporting our talented and hardworking music students this fall. I am so proud of how well everyone has adapted to these new circumstances. It is not an easy time to be a musician or a college student, but the ways you have found to adapt and transform past practices to new technologies inspire me daily. Keep up the wonderful musicianship and scholarship my friends!”

Leah Murthy is a choral conductor and music educator who endeavors to create positive change in the lives of musicians and audiences through music. She is currently a doctoral candidate in music education at Boston University. Leah holds a Master of Music Education degree from The Boston Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from the University of Massachusetts. She conducts the Minuet and Prelude levels of the National Children’s Chorus Washington D.C. chapter. In addition, Leah has 12 years of experience teaching music in the public schools from Kindergarten to 12th grade.

She has taught and performed as a vocalist and organist around the world and across the country, in Europe, Asia, Africa and six states. Leah recently presented a webinar on choral methods for the National Association for Music Education’s NAfME Academy, an online professional development resource for educators across the country. Engagements to present to the Northeastern Regional NAfME Conference and the Maryland Music Educators Association have allowed her the opportunity to further spread the word about her research into props in choral rehearsal. She has had articles published in national professional journals, such as the featured article “Affordable Music and Movement Props” in The Chorister and “Getting the Choir Back on Track” in The American Organist and others. She is also a professional guest blogger for Bear Paw Creek, a prominent music props company.