David L. Walters Department of Music

08/12/2026

Jax State Music Faculty Dr. Jeremy Stovall and Dr. Andy Nevala were published in the August/September 2026 Issue of the Ala Breva!

08/10/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14nccLSdaL7/

08/05/2026

Jax State Jazz Auditions!!

07/30/2026

The Jax State Jazz Program performed for the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce Military and Security Appreciation Luncheon.

The students were honored to provide music at this event!

07/09/2026

Jacksonville State University's A Ca****la Choir has been named a national finalist in the college/university (smaller program) division of The American Prize in Choral Performance, recognizing the ensemble among the nation's outstanding collegiate choirs. 

07/07/2026

It’s next week!

🎶 Join us July 12th–14th at the 2026 Alabama ACDA Summer Conference!

We’re excited to feature the Jacksonville State A Ca****la Choir as one of our Headliner Concert Performing Choirs!

✨ Directed by Dr. Eliezer Yanson Jr.
✨ Performance at First United Methodist Church, Tuscaloosa

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear one of Alabama’s outstanding collegiate choirs in concert as part of an inspiring conference filled with exceptional music-making and professional development.

🎉 It’s not too late to register!

Join choral directors from across Alabama for an outstanding time of learning, collaboration, and inspiration.

🖥️ Register today:
www.alabamaacda.org/summerconference

06/26/2026

Check this interview out featuring Jacksonville State University alumnus, David Ritschard.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Esw4rJ4RM/?mibextid=wwXIfr

What is the true purpose of an All-State choir? 🏛️

Is it a reward reserved strictly for the top tier of high school choral achievement? Or is it a spark meant to inspire and transform smaller music programs from the bottom up?

In Episode 294, Dave Ritschard and I dive headfirst into this hot-button debate. Dave teaches in Alabama, where the state association is planning to add a mandatory sight-reading component to All-State auditions. He’s pushing back, arguing that it creates massive equity barriers for rural programs where kids don't get early literacy training.

Naturally, my perspective bumps up against his, leading to a constructive back-and-forth about the fine line between upholding musical excellence and creating accidental systemic gatekeeping.

Drop your thoughts: Sight-read at All-State auditions... yes or no? 🗣️
https://bit.ly/Choralosophy294

04/25/2026

Just 36 more subscribers to get us to 1000!

Our mission is to develop musicians who are aware of the past, engaged in the present, anticipating the future, and capable of leading and making musical contributions in whatever community or walk of life they choose. We offer professional training and promote scholarship among students in the disc...

04/18/2026

JSU Jazz major Tyne Seymour will present his Senior Recital this Sunday, April 19, 5pm.

04/12/2026

The 15th Annual JSU Jazz Festival was a huge success! 14 Jazz Ensembles from 9 schools participated, concluding with the festival concert featuring Trumpet and Vocalist Joe Gransden and JSU Jazz Ensemble I!

JSU Jazz students ran the sound and video, guided the groups, manned the recruitment tables, and were great ambassadors for JSU!