March 2021 College News

1 Senior Lecturer in Music History Dr. Kevin Edward Mooney's new book Texas Jazz Singer 2 Assistant Professor of Music Education Dr. Alec D. Scherer presenting at the NAfME 2021 virtual conference 3 Bloomsbury Publishing's book Dance and Philosophy featuring a chapter written by Senior Lecturer of Music Richard Hall 12 | March | College News MUSIC Music, Music Studies, Per formance, & Sound Recording Technolog y FACULTY ACCOLADES Dr. Lynn Ledbetter presented two clinics at the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) Virtual Conference on March 5, 2021. Te frst was “Building a Portfolio for Future String Educators and Performers”. Te second was a panel discussion entitled “Diversifcation of Repertoire in the Private Studio and Working with Adult Learners” led by Dr. Ledbetter in her role as Chair of the ASTA Private Studio Committee. Dr. Martin McCain recently performed as a co-headliner at the Music Teachers National Association Conference with the McCain Duo in addition to being on a panel discussion on diversity in music education. The McCain Duo were also in residence at the University of Texas at Austin (March 5) and Fayetteville State University (March 17) where they performed a recital and led a post- concert lecture. McCain presented masterclasses at Colorado State University (February 8), the University of Southern Mississippi (February 25), International Trombone Hang (February 27) and the North Texas Low Brass Camp Solo Series (March 20). He was also featured on the Music Therapy podcast, Episode 3, the “Chop Shop’s” Black Trombone Chronicles, Episode 9 in addition to the American Music Teacher’s Journal . Dr. Kevin Edward Mooney , Senior Lecturer in Music History, is publishing his new book, Texas Jazz Singer , in May of this year. [ 1 ] Published through Texas A&M University Press, Texas Jazz Singer is part of the Sam Rayburn Series on Rural Life sponsored by Texas A&M University-Commerce. Te following is a synopsis by TAMU Press: "At 102 years of age, Louise Tobin is one of the last surviving musicians of the Swing Era. Born in Aubrey, Texas, in 1918, she grew up in a large family that played music together. She once said that she fell out of the cradle singing and all she ever wanted to do was to sing. And sing she did. She sang with Benny Goodman and also performed vocals for such notables as Will Bradley, Bobby Hackett, Harry James (her frst husband), Johnny Mercer, Lionel Hampton, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Peanuts Hucko (her second husband), and Fletcher Henderson. Based on extensive oral history interviews and archival research, Texas Jazz Singer recalls both the glamour and the challenges of life on the road and onstage during the golden age of swing and beyond. As it traces American music through the twentieth century, Louise Tobin’s story provides insight into the challenges musicians faced to sustain their careers during the cultural revolution and ever-changing styles and tastes in music. In this absorbing biography, music historian Kevin Edward Mooney ofers readers a view of a remarkable life in music, told from the vantage point of the woman who lived it. Rather than simply making Tobin an emblem for women in jazz of the big band era, Mooney concentrates instead on Tobin’s life, her struggles and successes, and in doing so captures the particular sense of grace that resonates throughout each phase of Tobin’s notable career." Dr. Alec D. Scherer presented at the 2021 biennial National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Music Research and Teacher Education Virtual Conference as a member of a research team for a spoken presentation and poster, and as the primary author for a poster. [ 2 ] During Research Poster Session I, Dr. Scherer presented Creativity Items Among Beginning Band Method Books alongside Dr. Bradley Regier of University of Missouri-Columbia and Emotional Response to Music (ERM) With or Without Score during Session II. DANCE AND PHILOSOPHY Senior Lecturer of Music Richard Hall was asked to write a chapter for the book Dance and Philosophy , published by Bloomsbury Publishing, London. [ 3] Out of the 38 authors, only one other author is associated with music and Hall is the only musician/composer to contribute. Te chapter “Discovering Collaboration in Dance,” discusses Hall’s various experiences performing and composing music for choreographers, dancers and screen-dance projects. Hall has composed music for over 30 diferent dance and screen-dance works that have been performed in over 20 diferent countries. He has also performed as soloist or directing the Texas State Mysterium for New Music Ensemble for over 100 dance performances. Te book was released on February 11. College of Fine Arts and Communication | 13