The 34th Annual President’s Concert showcases premier works from 2023-24 performance season with a focus on community impact initiatives
This year's edition of “Sounds of Belmont: The 34th Annual President's Concert” featured premier works from Belmont's top ensembles like Chorale, Bel Canto, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band 1, Voxology, Company, Southbound and the Chamber Singers in the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, Saturday, April 20.
“We at Belmont believe in the profound impact of arts education — not merely as a discipline, but as a cornerstone of a rich and rewarding life,” said President Greg Jones. “It molds character, fosters empathy and ignites innovation. It empowers our students to use their voice to speak to the heart of our shared humanity. I believe we are shaping the next generation of artists and equipping them with not just the skills, but the vision to transform the world.”
The concert showcases what a performing arts degree at Belmont truly means — it represents the University’s longstanding tradition of excellence in the arts that transcends technical skill to convey messages of truth, beauty and goodness. The show highlighted stories told across genres and mediums from performing arts ensembles. Ticket proceeds support scholarships for performing arts students.
Aptly titled “An Evening of Stories and Songs,” the show featured two videos that highlighted examples of how seriously the College of Music and Performing Arts takes its charge to impact the community through the arts.
The first video spotlighted Marie Morris (‘95), a music education alumna who was recently honored as a CMA Foundation Teacher of Excellence. Morris, now a music specialist at Cole Elementary, brought her honors choir to campus in January to work with Dr. Jeffrey Ames and the Chorale ensemble.
Watching the elementary students' eyes light up as they experienced Belmont's state-of-the-art facilities and mighty choral sound was a profound moment. Ames said the collegiate students were excited to hear the young voices, knowing it's where they once were.
Ames explained, “One thing I tell my students is that we prepare to inspire and touch other people. It’s not for me; it’s not for us. It’s for what we can do together to make a tremendous impact on our community and our world.”
“Music education, especially in our public schools, is an outlet and a huge opportunity. Some of my students would never come onto a collage campus outside of this experience,” said Morris. " Exposing our children to the arts gives them an outlet for their voice...they can find themselves in a choir, band or orchestra and know they have the power to make positive change."
The second video celebrated the decade-plus legacy of Belmont's Repertory Company (Rep Co), a small touring theatre troupe of students who introduce the magic of live performance to underserved elementary schools.
Assistant Professor Dr. Carla Lahey said, “We know that theater and the arts helps students in all aspects of who they are, so introducing students to the arts early on — there's so much value in that. And getting to see the change in our own students when they get to go in and impact kids is whole other moment of discovery, as well.”
Freshman B.F.A. theatre education major Conner Boggs reflected on how for some of these students, this is probably the first theatre performance they've ever seen. "My one experience as a child seeing theatre changed the trajectory of my life," Boggs said. “It’s surreal to now be the person who is being the example for the kids and being the person who might get to show them their lifelong passion.”
Both Morris and Boggs spoke about the life-changing impact that an early arts experience can spark. Through programs like Rep Co and passionate alumni educators like Morris, Belmont is spreading the profound benefits of arts engagement to the next generation. As Morris shared, "Music education, especially in our public schools, is an outlet for children that may never otherwise have this opportunity."
As letters from impacted students attest, initiatives like these are planting seeds of creativity, collaboration and lifelong arts appreciation in young minds.
