Spring 2024 Convocation: Celebrating Talent, Community, and Achievement

April 26, 2024 by Eliza Simikian

Last Thursday marked a special occasion as we gathered to honor the accomplishments of our talented College of Music students throughout the academic year at our biannual convocation. Attendees were treated to captivating performances, showcasing the top three winners of the Exhibition for Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement (EURECA).

The highlight of the event was the recognition of our exceptional graduating seniors, who were awarded for their outstanding contributions in their major. Additionally, undergraduate students were applauded for their noteworthy achievements, while new members of Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society were duly acknowledged. The event also served as a platform to commend the 2023-24 student ambassadors and unveil the incoming 2024-25 student ambassadors.

Throughout the proceedings, the vibrant musical spirit and sense of community that define our college were on full display, underscoring the collective dedication and passion shared by our students and faculty alike.

2024 Awards & Recognition

Outstanding Graduating Seniors

Brass – Nichole Hollenback
Jazz – Braden Jones
Keyboard – Nia Brown
Music Business – Max Horsewood
Music Education – Chandler DeArmond
Music Theory/Composition – Madison Joy
Musicology – Matthew Stanley
Percussion – Ethan Booher
Strings – Elizabeth Burch
Voice – Jacob Altrock
Woodwind – Alan Cook

Gerald W. Barnes Woodwind Award

The Gerald W. Barnes fund for Excellence in Woodwinds was established by the Arkansas Community Foundation to provide an annual award to a student of excellence in woodwinds at the University of Tennessee. The sole criterion for this award is excellence.

Matt Rhoten

Exhibition for Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement (EURECA)

1st Place – Stephen Arthur, Cello

2nd Place – Undergraduate Trombone Quartet: Jacob Noel, Jaydon Headrick, Matthrew Walker, and Bryce McCracken

3rd Place – The Tennessee Valley Sax Quartet: Jordan Cannon, Jordan Cathelyn, Dawson May, and Anna Caten

Honorable Mentions: Eli Parsley, Pianist

Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society – New Members

Pi Kappa Lambda is an honor society, the only music organization recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. It was dedicated by its founders to the fostering of scholarly interest in the theoretical and historical aspects of music, and the pursuit of eminent achievement in performance, composition, music education, and research.