Written by Miles Standish (Class of 2027)
The UT Natalie L. Haslam College of Music is proud to announce that Caleb DeLong, a senior majoring in music performance (horn) with a music business administration minor, has been named the recipient of the prestigious 2026 Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award.
The Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award is annually presented to a select student with exceptional academic and musical achievements. The Presser Foundation’s mission is to provide financial support to help foster the recipient’s continued studies and growth in the field of music. The award recognizes musical excellence, leadership, and academic accomplishments.
Throughout his undergraduate career, DeLong has been very involved with various ensembles, including the Symphony Orchestra, Horn Quartet, Honors Horn choir, and chamber music ensembles. He is an extremely versatile musician with extensive experience across many areas. His impact, however, extends beyond music performance alone.
In addition to his accomplishments as a performer, DeLong has demonstrated strong leadership and academic excellence throughout his time on campus. He has served as a Natalie L. Haslam College of Music Student Ambassador, supporting high-profile recruitment initiatives and representing the College to prospective students and their families. He was also selected for the Haslam Leadership Scholars program during his freshman year and recently shared his scholarly work at the International Horn Symposium.
Faculty mentor Katie Johnson-Webb, Associate Professor of Horn, who has been very involved in DeLong’s academic career, heavily emphasized both his artistry and character.
I consider myself lucky to have taught him through the end of his high school years and his undergraduate career. He has a remarkable work ethic and passion for growth. He leads with his very kind heart, and it has been a joy to watch him lift others with kindness and support. I wholeheartedly believe that Caleb will change the world. What a privilege and special responsibility it has been to help him navigate this short portion of his journey.
Katie Johnson-webb
Associate Professor HornNatalie L. Haslam College of Music
The Natalie L. Haslam College of Music sat down with DeLong to talk about what this award means to him, his accomplishments, and his plans for the future:
UT Music: So, what led you to the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music?
DeLong: I’d say the people, for sure. I got to study with Professor Johnson-Webb during my junior and senior year of high school, which was a huge pull, getting to work with her directly. I grew a lot during those years, and it showed me where and how I needed to grow even more. I think she was the best person to help identify those areas of growth. Additionally, after visiting the College and participating in Music Major for a Day, I had the opportunity to see the number of people who were gathered and had their own little communities. Everyone interacted in such a positive way, and the classes were super collaborative. It was simply seeing the way everyone interacted in such a positive manner that told me this is where I wanted to be.
UT Music: What impact would you say the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music has had on your academic career?
DeLong: It’s had a profound impact on me, both positively and in the depth of what I’ve experienced here. I’ve been exposed to so many things I never would have encountered otherwise, especially through our musicology courses. Academically, those classes sparked a deeper curiosity about the music I’m playing, and the many forms music takes around the world.
I especially fell in love with ethnomusicology, getting to study how music is created, performed, and shaped across different cultures over time. That interest carried into chamber music and helped me see how everything connects, from history and culture to theory and performance. When you study a score, you start to understand the structure behind it and the intention of the composer. That changes the way you perform a piece, and even the way you experience it as a listener. It just shows how, behind everything, there’s a tree of knowledge, so many roots that are around it supporting it.
UT Music: What does the Presser Award mean to you?
DeLong: It means everything. When I got the email from Professor Johnson-Webb that I was being nominated, it was really something special because the past awardees are people that I consider legends in our college, like Jaydon Headrick and Avery Noe. For instance, Avery did extensive research in the musicology world and is pursuing her graduate degree at Stanford now. She has had a tremendous impact in that area. Then Jaydon Headrick is one of my biggest inspirations when it comes to music education, too. He was able to spread positivity and encouragement, while also developing a program or developing students along the way. He was just such an incredible voice and face for that program.
The faculty support with it as well is really special. I was walking down the hallway the other day, and I was told, “Congrats on the Presser.” It’s really special to have such a robust faculty here supporting you. I know they show support to every student who’s here, pushing them to go on and do great things. All these people I look up to are like, yeah, you got this. It’s really touching.
UT Music: What do you believe this award means for the college and any future recipients?
DeLong: I think it speaks to the strong foundation that the UT Natalie L. Haslam College of Music provides, and the way it prepares students for what comes next. This award is not given to the same universities every year, so having students recognized consistently says a lot about the opportunities and mentorship available here.
It also reflects the growth happening across so many areas of the college. You can see the breadth of scholarship, performance, and academic work taking place, and becoming a College of Music has only added to that momentum and visibility. I think that recognition will continue to attract future recipients and recruit students who want to make an impact at UT and beyond.
UT Music: How do you plan on impacting the world of music performance?
DeLong: I want to be a versatile musician and be able to apply myself across many different styles of music. That could mean performing a Masterworks concert one day, then presenting a solo recital later that evening. From traditional repertoire to new music or works with backing tracks, I want to be able to perform that music and teach it well.
I’m also interested in understanding more than just how to play the horn. I want to know how the instrument works and why we teach certain techniques the way we do. That deeper knowledge makes you a better performer and teacher.
I also have a strong interest in arts administration, and my minor in business administration has helped me build those skills. Through an internship with Professor Jaren Atherholt and her nonprofit organization, I gained behind-the-scenes experience in how nonprofits operate, from development and marketing to networking and concert planning. I learned how to build programs, create social media content, and communicate professionally.
Those skills matter because today’s musicians often have to be their own advocates and managers. If you can’t represent yourself and your work, it’s easy to get overlooked. I’d love to help other musicians learn how to market themselves and navigate those spaces while building meaningful careers in music.
UT Music: How will you impact the world in music education by receiving this award?
DeLong: One of my dreams is to become a collegiate horn professor, and this award has really encouraged me to pursue opportunities that move me toward that goal. It has also opened doors through the network that comes with it. I’ve looked at past recipients, seen the paths they’ve taken, and been able to reach out, make connections, share ideas, and learn from their experiences. Building those relationships early has been incredibly valuable.
Teaching has also become a big part of that journey. I’ve already started giving private lessons, and it has been such a rewarding experience. It’s fascinating to see how the horn makes sense in the mind of an eighth grader compared to someone who has gone through middle school, high school, and now college. Sometimes, as more advanced musicians, we forget the questions we once had or the fundamentals we needed explained. Teaching has reminded me of what is truly essential, not only for playing the horn, but for becoming a well-rounded musician.
UT Music: What could you tell me about your post-graduation plans? We heard you were going to Indiana University.
DeLong: Yes, I’ll be pursuing my master’s degree in horn performance at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where I’ll study with Professor Katie Ambrose. I’m incredibly excited because I visited Indiana several times, took lessons there, and knew it was a place where I wanted to continue my education. For a long time, it has felt like a dream destination for me, so having the opportunity to attend is truly special.
I see it as the perfect next step, and I’m excited to bring the perspective I’ve gained at the University of Tennessee Natalie L. Haslam College of Music with me. Bring a little bit of orange to Bloomington.
As DeLong prepares for the next stage of his musical journey, his story reflects not only individual excellence but also the strength of the community that helped shape the person he has grown to become. With a foundation built on mentorship, collaboration, and curiosity, he represents not only the kind of artist the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music strives to develop but also a model leader poised to make an impact on and off the stage.