Challenge Accepted - Fall 2020

HPU faculty and staff are determined to deliver a high-quality education despite all of the uncertainties during this time. The School of Music and Fine Arts (SOMFA), specifically, is overcoming some of the instructional challenges presented by COVID-19 and continuing to serve students and the Brownwood community with joyful hearts.

 The faculty and staff acted preemptively and tackled various unique challenges early on with positive attitudes. These challenges required special solutions such as investing in unique wipes to sanitize surfaces like keyboards that would be damaged by typical disinfectant wipes, instrument covers to minimize the dispersal of aerosols that emerge from wind instruments, clear masks for all of the theatre students so that facial expressions are visible, special masks for all of the choir students that allow for greater resonance than that provided by basic facemasks, cameras for debate, and more.

 Dr. Fiese, dean of the School of Music and Fine Arts, said that the faculty shows commitment to their purpose by being very respectful of modified class times which allow for mitigation procedures. He indicated that he has not received a single complaint about having to sanitize classrooms or observing other special mitigation protocols.

“Our ultimate purpose is two-fold. We obviously want to protect our students, but we also want to do so in the least restrictive environment possible. We want to make sure that what we’re doing doesn’t create so much disruption and disturbance to the learning process and the other experiences that students should have while still protecting them,” added Fiese.

Another element of dealing with pandemic is that the faculty and staff at Howard Payne University (HPU) rely heavily on their faith to continue making a difference in students’ lives during this time.

 Dr. Welker, Communication professor and department chair, said that the story of Esther and the roles of women during World War II (WWII) encourage her to keep teaching.

“I did a Bible study this summer about Esther and I’ve thought about her role. She was placed in a situation where there were completely new expectations on her performance as a person, and she did what God asked her to do. The other thing I’ve thought about a lot. I’ve always been a huge WWII history buff, especially women’s roles during WWII, and I think of all of the women that continued to teach despite the hardships, and so I have drawn a lot of inspiration from women like that who continue to work, teach, and go about their duties. This is uncomfortable, but it’s not hard. We can do this. We’ll get through it.”

Ms. Mize, art adjunct faculty, said that Isaiah 41:10 is one specific verse encouraging her during this time.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (NIV)

The SOMFA has continued providing students with a quality education despite COVID-19 creating a number complications to delivering experiential learning and public interaction which are essential to the learning process.

 Dr. Ewen, theatre assistant professor, said that he considers this one of the best years for HPU’s theatre department as they are determined to find a way to serve the community and share their art.

 “There's always a way to do it if you’re creative enough. Consider the incomprehensible creativity of God. That’s what we have access to. This is the God that created life out of nothing. That’s who we serve and that’s who inspires us as artists, so we can find a way,” added Ewen.

Dr. Fiese is a great example of how selfless our faculty and staff truly are. He thought about society as a whole and said that there is a positive outcome. “I just find God’s Word very encouraging, and I think most of us have during this time. That is one healthy outcome of this. It’s probably driven people into the Word a little more.”

Dr. Ewen said that there is no such thing as “going back to normal” for the theatre department further exemplifying how well the SOMFA has adapted.

 “I’m not worried about things going back to normal. The life of a theatre student is, by definition, abnormal. I’ve gotten a little bit excited about this opportunity to rethink the ‘normal’ of how things are done. If normal is good enough, then what are we all doing here? I like this opportunity to get to be creative in the face of a crisis,” added Ewen.

Despite their capability of handling this situation, many of our faculty and staff members are looking forward to being able to return to the previous state of “normalcy.” Dr. Fiese noted that he is looking forward to opening up our campus as a resource for the community.

“We’re a school of doers. In a lot of other disciplines, you learn about your discipline. We don’t merely learn about our topic or our discipline, we do it. We’re an active school, and opening up to having more community people on our campus to hear our concerts, see our plays, hear debates, go to art exhibits, that’s the thing I think our students miss the most. It is healthy for our community to have these cultural fountainhead events. That’s really what Howard Payne is. It’s a cultural fountainhead for greater Brown county, and if the community can’t come onto our campus in a way that they’ve grown to expect, that changes how we’re a positive influence in our community. That changes the quality of life for our community, and it also changes the experience for our students,” added Fiese.

COVID-19 has changed the way we do things and opened up our eyes to many little things we may have taken for granted.

 Dr. Welker has found a new appreciation for hugs and face-to-face meetings with colleagues. 

“I have always been a physical person, and I miss hugging and shaking hands. We teach that basic introduction etiquette is shaking someone’s hand. Sometimes it’s the first and the only human contact you have with another person, but it means so much. You can tell a lot about someone in a handshake. Also, meeting with my colleagues on campus. I miss the meetings. We need that. That’s how we learn from one another. We support one another. We question things that are happening, and we need that time together,” added Welker.

Dr. Ewen has found a new appreciation for all of the people who serve no matter what.

“All of the people, not just in spite of COVID, but in a lot of cases, because of COVID are now working even harder to keep everybody going. I hope that we have a better appreciation for people who are in service-oriented fields. My opinion is every profession should be a service-oriented profession if you're a Christian, but especially those that they’re putting themselves in harm's way continuing to serve people,” added Ewen.

Dr. Fiese has found a new appreciation for the faculty and staff at HPU.

“I already held the faculty in high esteem, but I’ve grown in my estimation of the faculty. How resilient they have been. How cooperative they have been. How gracious they have been. Not just the faculty, but the faculty and the staff being who they’ve been and focusing on what they’re doing and focusing on the students and the student experience and the quality of the education that they’re provided while all this other stuff is going on,” added Fiese.

Ms. Mize has found a new appreciation for rest and those little moments that are reminders of peace.

 “I’m a gardener. I have a big backyard, and so the times that I discover a pretty flower that’s blooming or a fragrance or sometimes wild life comes through, those are those little moments of peace. You know that they are not affected, so there are still some things that are normal in the world,” added Mize.

The arts have taken a big hit due to this pandemic, but the faculty and staff of the SOMFA are committed to serving the HPU students and the Brownwood community. Let their dedication be an encouragement to you to reach out and support the arts with your time.

Article written by Jordan Favors, Strategic Communication Major

Spring 2020 Department of Music News

Student Spotlight

Dalton Pendergrass, a junior music education major from Springtown, Texas, came to Howard Payne because of the influence of two of his high school band teachers who were HPU alumni.

“My band directors encouraged me to tour HPU if I was looking for a place that felt like home and had a good music education program and HPU ended up being the only college I toured,” said Pendergrass.

Dalton Pendergrass, Music education major

Pendergrass primarily plays several varieties of trumpet as well as the piano. He is a member of the HPU band, jazz band, marching band and was a member of the choir for one semester. His trumpet playing is also featured in every ensemble. Since beginning his career in the HPU School of Music and Fine Arts, Pendergrass has been awarded the 2018-2019 Outstanding Music Major Lower Division award, an award given to the most progressed lowerclassman musician in the department.

Music became a part of Pendergrass’ life after his parents’ divorce. At such a young age he didn’t have a good avenue for expressing his emotions, so he turned to music. In the fifth grade he auditioned for the school band and his director placed him in the trumpet section.

Towards the end of the sixth grade, his band director gave him advice that has fueled his music career ever since. “He told me, ‘music isn’t about just playing notes on a page, it’s about expressing emotions,’” said Pendergrass.

Pendergrass continued to grow in his talent and love for music as he learned to play with emotion. “I became a music major because I want to help others figure out what they want to do with their lives. You have to put all your heart and soul into whatever you do, whether that’s music or engineering,” said Pendergrass.

Since being a part of the music department at HPU, Pendergrass has matured not only in his musicianship but also as a person. “I’ve grown so much; I can actually open up to people. My walk with Christ has also improved,” said Pendergrass. He credits his growth and maturity at HPU to the influence of both Dr. Richard Fiese, dean of the School of Music and Fine Arts and Mr. Stephen Goacher, professor of music and jazz ensemble conductor.
Pendergrass especially loves the small class sizes in Howard Payne’s music program. “Our professors know us well and we know them. If I make a mistake the professor can specifically call on me and help me to correct my mistake, this is such a different experience than what you would get at a large university,” said Pendergrass.
After graduating from HPU Pendergrass hopes to pursue a master’s degree in music with a focus on orchestral instrumentation with a trumpet primary. Pendergrass also hopes to spend a few years performing in orchestras and later pursue a job in music education.

“I want to extend an invitation to any student musicians who aren’t currently in the music program, we would love for you to audition for the band or choir,” he added.

Alumni Spotlight

Stephen Cox, HPU alumni, is doing big things with his small town band in Eastland, Texas. The small town band director was recently chosen as one of the top ten finalists in the running for the Grammy Award’s 2020 Music Educator Award. Every top ten finalist receives $1,000 for their band program.

Eastland band rehearsal

“I was first nominated by one of my students, and after filling out a questionnaire I was selected as a quarter finalist along with 179 other band directors from across the country. Next, I made a series of three videos that represent our program at Eastland. I was chosen as a top 25 semifinalist and then a top 10 finalist. What helped me in running for this award is that our band program at Eastland is so unique. Everything and everyone in the community is working together for the program to be successful,” said Cox.

Between Cox as the band director and his wife, Stephanie, as the high school art teacher, the couple sees and knows almost every student who comes through Eastland.

“The band program in Eastland is connected to the community very closely. I feel like I get to be a central part of this community,” added Cox.

Cox graduated from Early High School in the spring of 2006 and began his college career at HPU that fall.

“I met Professor of Music, Stephen Goacher when he judged my first band contest. He was in his first year at HPU and I was in the sixth grade. Mr. Goacher influenced me to come to HPU a few years later when I started taking private lessons from him,” said Cox. 

Stephen and Stephanie Cox

Cox primarily plays clarinet and saxophone. While at HPU he was a part of every ensemble, the band, marching band, and the jazz and woodwind quartets. Cox also met his now wife, Stephanie, through their participation in Winds of Triumph, HPU’s instrumental ensemble. Aside from meeting his wife, Cox said the greatest benefit of his time at HPU was the professors who influenced him.

“The professors were just kind people and good musicians, they really helped me out,” said Cox.   Although Cox was set on graduating and pursuing a performance career, he was heavily counseled to stick to music education and become a band director because there is always a great need for them. 

Mr. Cox with Eastland band students

“By the time I graduated I was ready to be a band director. I sought out a big school while I student taught my senior year at HPU but ended up taking a job at a small Christian school right out of college, I learned a lot there. When I left that school, I came to Eastland because the high school director was a close friend of mine,” said Cox.

Despite the challenges that come with a small town and school, Cox believes in working hard and doing things well.

“I believe in doing good work, work that makes the world a better place, it is challenging to be a small town school band director, but I enjoy the challenge, it feels important. The students in Eastland deserve the same experience everyone else gets,” said Cox.

Special Letter to Those Who Love The Department of Music

School of Music and Fine Arts

Dear Music Alumnus: 

As this New Year unfolds, it is often a time to reflect on all of God’s many blessings that we have experienced. One of those blessings I trust you recount is the Christian education in music that you completed at Howard Payne University. Our current and future music students share a bond with you that resonates into eternity; a bond of faith, of aspirations, and of experience. 

Theory classes at 8 a.m., followed by music history courses, rehearsing in ensembles, practicing whenever (and sometimes wherever) and class piano are shared experiences for all music majors and minors. While much remains the same, the technology we use to teach and learn music is changing at an incredible rate. That brings me to the point of this letter. Our class piano laboratory was installed in 1994 and while it was a state-of-the-art facility then, time and use have taken a toll. Many of the units are no longer functioning requiring students to “share” a keyboard during class and the teacher-unit cannot communicate with the other units making instruction extremely difficult and inefficient. We cannot repair the existing equipment, as the units are so obsolete parts are no longer available. We want to replace the equipment in the facility, but we need the help of our alumni to make this a reality. 

Through your gift of any amount in support of our Piano Lab Update, we are hoping that we can reach our goal of replacing the student and teacher units to provide for an experience that will help to ensure our students and graduates have the skills to be successful in whatever field of endeavor God ultimately uses them. You know from your experience that every student in music will be touched personally and profoundly by your generous gift in support of this project. Through your giving, you will be actively involved in continuing the legacy of inspiration and pride that exemplifies the musicians who are graduates of Howard Payne University. 

In the service of Christ Jesus, 

Richard K. Fiese, PhD 

Dean, School of Music and Fine Arts

Howard Payne University

Upcoming Events

Feb 25       Symphonic Band Winter Concert

Mar 24       Faculty Recital

Mar 27-30  Music Dept Recruiting Tour

Apr 21        Combine Choirs Spring Concert

Apr 24-25   Once More from the Top: Re-inventing the Holistic Conductor Workshop

Apr 28        25th Annual American Music Spectacular

Apr 30        Central Texas Community Band Spring Concert

Spring 2020 Department of Theatre News

Semester Highlights

The 2nd Annual 24 Hour Film Festival was held the weekend before Thanksgiving at the HPU Theatre. Drawing participants from the HPU campus and local high schools, this year’s film festival was a great success. 

Four groups competed for prizes in categories such as Best Directing, Best Cinematography, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Editing, etc. According to festival rules, the films were required to have been made between 7:00pm on Friday night and 7:00pm on Saturday night. The festival was a great opportunity for HPU students to showcase their film talents and a wonderful opportunity for prospective students to get to know the HPU family.

Scene from "Two Bad Mice"

Two Bad Mice, written and directed by Dr. Nicholas Ewen (’02) and co-directed by Deejay Moses (senior Theatre Major) was performed in November of 2019. Based on the delightful story by Beatrix Potter, the story is about two misbehaving mice, Tom Thumb and Hunca Munca, who discover and ransack a young girl’s dollhouse. 

The production is a collaboration between the Brownwood Lyric Theatre and Alpha Psi Omega (HPU’s Theatre fraternity). Performed at the Lyric Theatre for more than 2,500 school children and teachers from school districts in and around Brown County, Two Bad Mice was a hit with young and old audiences alike. 

Dr. Ewen, Josh Helms and Tyler Curton

Just before the start of classes in January, the theatre department held our 2^nd annual Servant Artist Program Retreat at Heart of Texas Baptist Encampment.  The retreat began on Friday, January 10^th and ended on Sunday morning, January 12^th as the participants departed the retreat to attend worship with their local church families.  

This year, we were excited and proud to have three amazing HPU Theatre alumni attend the retreat.  Cassia Rose (’18), Josh Helms (’12), and Tyler Cureton (’10) all came to share their personal testimonies of faith.  As they shared their experiences, students remarked how encouraging it was to hear from actual HPU graduates whose careers in theatre are a reflection of how God inspires and uses our creativity and service to reveal His designs.

The 11^th Annual 24 Hour Theatre Festival took place on January 17^th and 18^th with one of the largest turn-outs for participation ever!  Beginning at 7:00pm on Friday night, our playwrights, directors and actors began created three brand new plays for performance on Saturday at 7:00pm.  

We had several prospective high school participants join us for the festival and many HPU students from all over campus who also joined in the fun.  In the last decade, the 24 Hour Theatre Festival has been one of our campus’ most beloved theatrical events, and the 2020 festival proved that the sentiment is not unfounded!

Upcoming Events

Feb 28 - Mar 1   She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith

Mar 2                 She Stoops to Conquer - CUTF performance at HSU

Apr 24-26           Student Directed One Act Plays

She Stoops to Conquer Tickets

For more information about HPU's theatre program, contact Dr. Nicholas Ewen at newen@hputx.edu.

Howard Payne University Theatre

Spring 2020 Department of Communication News

Student News

HPU Communication students at The Alamo

During the Fall semester, COM students had internships at Wendlee Broadcasting, Heartland Church, Willie’s Tees, and HPU Athletics. The required internship provides students opportunities for practical application of concepts they are learning in the classroom.

Students enrolled in COM 3330 Sport, Media, and Culture visited The University of the Incarnate Word in October and met with HPU alum Zachary Carlton. Carlton is the Interim Associate Director of Athletics/External Affairs at the D1 university.  

HPU COM students at UIW

Students toured the facilities and learned about day-to-day communications operations for a D1 university. The students then attended a San Antonio Spurs game, where they conducted an in-depth analysis of the communications operations of game day.

HPU COM Hosts Etiquette Seminar

Students enrolled in Professor Hair’s Organizational Communication course and Dr. Welker’s Strategic Communication Strategies course attended a one-day professional etiquette seminar. Mrs. Pam Blake, owner of the Central Texas School of Etiquette, conducted the seminar. Students learned concepts ranging from mingling, conversational skills, interviewing skills, introductions, and proper use of utensils and fine dining.

HPU SSB Wins Big at Bayou City Swing Tournament

HPU’s speech & debate team, Student Speaker Bureau, won big at the Bayou City Swing tournament last weekend. Lucy Manning won Top Debate Speaker, and was 2nd place in IPDA debate. Freshman Devin Schurman was 3rd Place debate speaker, and an IPDA debate quarter finalist.

HPU COM students attend marketing seminar at Brownwood Chamber of Commerce Business Expo

Communication majors and minors attended a marketing seminar for media outlets at the BCOC Business Expo. Students learned practical tips from media professionals at KOXE, Wendlee Broadcasting, and the Brownwood Bulletin.

HPU SSB hosts Heart of Texas Speech and Debate Tournament

The Department of Communication speech and debate team, Student Speaker Bureau, hosted The Heart of Texas Tournament at HPU in September. Nine universities including UT-Austin, ACU, TCU, TSU, West Texas A&M, UMHB, and Wayland Baptist competed at the tournament.

HPU SSB students competed well at their first tournament of the year. Every student on the team earned an award:

• Parker Brown—first place, impromptu speaking
• Esmeralda Maldonado—6th place IPDA debate speaker award
• Haylee Maddox—quarterfinalist, IPDA debate
• Alek Mendoza—4th place dramatic interpretation
• Madison Neal—semifinalist, extemporaneous speaking
• Rishona Raub—semifinalist, extemporaneous speaking
• Devin Schurman—semifinalist, impromptu speaking; 6th place NPDA debate speaker award
• Alek Mendoza & Haylee Maddox—first place dramatic duo interpretation

Faculty News

Dr. Julie Welker and Professor Richelle Hair

Dr. Welker and Professor Hair attended the Texas Speech Communication Association convention in October and presented on panels.

Dr. Welker spoke about online education trends, and Professor Hair spoke about Title IX issues on college campuses.

Student Highlight

Bailey Farmer, Strategic Communication Major

Bailey Farmer, a sophomore communication major from Houston, received a grant from the National Collegiate Athletic Association to attend the NCAA Division III conference in Anaheim, California in January 2020.

The NCAA selects students all over the nation to attend this conference. The purpose of the conference is to learn how to make the division III athletics better.  Farmer has been on the Lady Jackets Golf Team for two years.

“I am excited to represent Howard Payne and the ASC division, and enjoyed learning how to improve division III athletics,” said Farmer.

Farmer will graduate in 2022 with a degree in communication. With her degree, she hopes to work in the sport media field, or she hopes to work with professional sport statistics.  Farmer is on the HPU golf team and works in HPU athletic communications.

Upcoming Events Spring 2020

• SSB competes at Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association Spring Championships, Feb. 7-9, Texas State University

• SSB competes at National Christian College Forensics Association national tournament March 6-8 in Grove City, PA

• Department of Communication Italy and Greece Short-Term Study Abroad Trip—May 2020.  Contact Dr. Welker at jwelker@hputx.edu for all event registration and information.

Fall 2019 Department of Theatre News

Student News

Members of Howard Payne University’s Department of Theatre and university alumni recently traveled to Scotland to perform an original drama titled “Mouthpiece” at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (EFF).

Dr. Nicholas Ewen and HPU Theatre students in Scotland.

“What I was really excited about and proud to see was our students not just positively representing Howard Payne University, but also God’s kingdom,” said Dr. Nicholas Ewen ’02, assistant professor of theatre at HPU. “I heard from many people, students and directors who talked about how awesome our students are.”

“Mouthpiece,” written by Dr. Ewen, is about a senator who, after an accident, prompts those around him to consider the power of God’s Word. The play has an unmistakably Christian worldview and represented an opportunity for the group to do more than perform.

“We were not there just to have a great experience and perform a play,” said Dr. Ewen. “We were there to share what we believe and that was awesome to be able to do that.”

HPU’s contingent was invited to perform at the festival by the International Collegiate Theatre Festival (ICTF). The ICTF invites institutions to perform at the EFF each year and helps to coordinate their performance opportunities. As part of the ICTF, representatives of HPU at the Festival Fringe lived alongside fellow performers from colleges and universities around the United States.

“Being in Scotland and recognizing that God had prepared us to be there was really rewarding,” said Deejay Moses, a student at HPU majoring in theatre. “Something that we got to do in addition to performing was ministering to other college students who don’t go to school in places like HPU, where we are so immersed in Christ and the Gospel.”

HPU students, alumni and current and former faculty who traveled to and performed in Edinburgh included Lori Arp, longtime HPU theatre contributor; Dr. Ewen; Christopher Ewen an HPU dual-credit student; Jake Bowren, a senior from New Braunfels majoring in theatre and communication studies with an emphasis in public relations and media; Sarah Heinrichs, a junior from Hico majoring in theatre arts with all-level certification; Dr. Nancy Jo Humfeld, professor emeritus of theatre; Deejay Moses, a senior from May majoring in theatre arts with all-level certification; Laurel Pinkney, a sophomore from Carrollton majoring in theatre; Cassia Rose ’18; and Isaac ’19 and Jessica Williams ’19.

“The prayer support that we had definitely made a difference,” said Dr. Ewen. “From the minute we began travelling to Scotland, I could sense we had so much support in prayer. We had so much financial help too – the community really poured out a huge blessing on us and our students to be able to go. Everything fell into place.”

The EFF is the world’s largest theatre festival and attracts upwards of 500,000 visitors each year. More than 50,000 performances are staged during the three weeks of the festival and are hosted in any available venues, including hotel lobbies, restaurants and churches. It originated with eight theatre troupes performing on the outskirts of the 1947 Edinburgh International Festival. The festival has become iconic in the world of theatre, inspiring numerous other “fringe” festivals around the world.

Article provided by Howard Payne University Office of University Marketing and Communication.

Faculty News

Nicholas Ewen ('02) stayed very busy over the summer months with the following projects. During May, he served as the Set Designer & Technical Director for Windows Home at the Brownwood Lyric Theatre.  This was the premier performance of Windows Home an original drama by Bill Foster.  Dr. Ewen also authored and directed Mouthpiece, an original Christian drama that was performed at the International Collegiate Theatre Festival as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.  Throughout the year Dr. Ewen also serve in various roles at multiple church camps in Texas.

Stay up to date on all of our news and events by following the Howard Payne University Theatre Facebook page.

Fall 2019 Department of Music News

Student News

HPU Choir members at the historic Votivkirche in Salzburg, Austria.

Members of Howard Payne University’s Concert Choir and University Singers recently performed in Austria with six other choral groups. The ensemble performed under the direction of Dr. John Dickson, director of choral studies at Louisiana State University. Dr. Dickson is familiar to HPU, having served as the featured clinician at the university’s first annual Conducting Workshop held in the spring of 2018.

Pictured: HPU alumni, faculty and staff Joy Renée Blackstock ’07; Kayla Chadwick ’19; Jessica Jones ’06; Cathryn Rasbury ’15; Danielle Rosborough ’08, database manager; Beverly Ross ’76; Natalie Stephens ’19; and Katelyn Zimmer ’19. Dr. Rosborough led the group from HPU and performed along with choir members. Also accompanying the group were six members of the HPU University Singers, Gary Butka, Angie Calfa, Ann Harris, Bill Slaymaker, Ann Slaymaker and Brent Rosborough.

Article excerpt courtesy of Howard Payne University Department of Marketing and Communications. For information about the Howard Payne University Choirs, email Dr. Christopher Rosborough.

Faculty Spotlight

Stephen Goacher, professor of music at Howard Payne University has enjoyed a busy spring semester of professional musical engagements.  In January, he joined fellow symphony musicians of the San Angelo Symphony Orchestra in a chamber music presentation at the San Angelo Cactus Hotel Ballroom for the Symphony Society Fashion Show & Fundraiser. 

Stephen Goacher, Professor of Music

In February, he joined “All Hands on Deck”, billed as America’s No.1 Patriotic Show, playing flute, clarinet and saxophone in performances in Greenville and Lubbock.  “All Hands on Deck” is based in both New York’s Broadway and Branson, Missouri. Mr. Goacher frequently serves as lead woodwind during the Touring Company’s Texas tours.  This August 23-25 he joined “All Hands on Deck” for performances in Abilene at the Paramount Theatre and Midland at the Wagner-Noel Theatre. 

March 22, Goacher returned to San Angelo where he performed jazz for the San Angelo Symphony Society in an invitation-only concert at the San Angelo Art Museum.  He joined Nashville’s top jazz duo, singer Connye Florance and her husband, pianist Kevin Madill. The ensemble formed a jazz quintet performing jazz selections from the Great American Songbook. 

March 30, Goacher performed with the Temple Jazz Orchestra at the 29^th Annual Temple Jazz Festival.  This year’s festival featured Cuban percussionist, Luis Conte.  Next, was a week of rehearsals and performances with the Abilene Opera Society in their production of “West Side Story”.  Mr. Goacher played piccolo, flute, clarinet and tenor saxophone in the April 5-6 and 7 presentations. 

On April 13, Goacher conducted the Howard Payne University Jazz Ensemble in a morning performance at the Fifth Annual Eastland Jazz Festival in Eastland TX.  Later that same day, he performed in an evening concert with the Temple Jazz Orchestra in Georgetown, TX at the Eastview Jazz Festival. 

September 7, Goacher will join Nashville-based Songwriter Cynthia Jordan for a program of jazz for the San Angelo Cultural Affairs Council at the Cactus Hotel in San Angelo. 

Goacher will be presenting a Faculty Jazz Recital November 14 in Mims Auditorium with guest Temple College faculty; Dr. Ben Irom, piano, Dr. Tarik Hassan, bass and Norman Bergeron, drums.

Faculty News

Gregory Church, professor of music assumed the role of Artistic Director for this year's HPU Homecoming production of Little Women and Joseph Dunlap ('09) will serve as the rehearsal accompanist and pianist for the performances.

Frank Nelson ('77), assistant professor of music and director of bands, recently completed professional development in both the Texas Teacher Evaluation & Support System and Field Experience Supervision.

Christopher Rosborough ('08), assistant professor of music and director of choral activities, was recently invited to serve as a clinician at the 2019 Fort Worth Small-School Choir All-State camp.The event which was held in June 2019 culminated in a performance by attendees at the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth.  “In attendance for this clinic were 112 students from 21 high schools. They all experienced incredible growth in musicality, vocal execution and personal depth that propelled their performance into new found heights,” he said. “It was an incredible honor to be hosted by these fantastic choral programs and one of the highlights of my year.”

Elizabeth Wallace ('71), professor of music adjudicated for the National Guild of Piano Teachers at the Spring, Texas Audition Center in May 2019.  She also co-taught with Justin Eisenhour (Winthrop University) for the Creation Motion Summer Symposium held at Junaluska, North Carolina, in July 2019.

Alumni Spotlight

Scot McPhetrige graduated from HPU in the fall of 2003.  He completed a Masters of Music in Music Education from Tarleton State University in 2016.

Scot became a part of the Springtown Independent School District band program in August of 2004.  He continues to teach there, currently serving as the Assistant High School Band Director.  He has developed the Springtown Jazz program from 15 students to 60+ students with three jazz ensembles at the high school and a Middle School Jazz Band.

While a Howard Payne student, Mr. McPhetrige was a member of the jazz band, the brass quintet, the brass choir, the marching band, the symphonic band, the concert band, and the community jazz band.

Scot and Sally McPhetrige and family.

He studied trumpet with Dr. Paul DeBoer and Dr. Robert Tucker.  He also studied composition and conducting with Dr. Robert Tucker.  Mr. McPhetrige is a member of the Association of Texas Small School Bands, International Trumpet Guild, Optimist Club International, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Music Educators Association.

Scot is married to Sally, who also earned a music education degree from Howard Payne and who teaches elementary music in the Springtown ISD.  Both Scot and Sally have been awarded excellence in teaching recognition from the Springtown Independent School District.

The McPhetriges are the proud parents of two boys.  They are active in Springtown First Baptist Church.

Stephen Cox ('10) was a clinician at the 2019 Texas Bandmasters Association Convention in San Antonio.  Stephen is Director of Bands at Eastland High School in Eastland, Texas.  This past summer  Eastland finished 3rd place in the Honor band Competition and 2nd place in the OPS Concert Category.

  
George Strickland ('73) was inducted into the Texas Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame on July 27, 2019.  George (Buddy) taught for twenty-nine years.  From 2002-2018 he was the Texas UIL Assistant Director of Music Activities.   He also served as the Association of Texas Small School Bands President-Elect, President and Past-President from 1997 to 2003.   As a clinician and adjudicator, George has judged in almost every UIL Region in Texas and in New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Indiana, and Tennessee.  George and Melinda are members of First Baptist Church, Georgetown.  

Student Spotlight

Suzanne Schad is a Senior Music Education major with a dual instrument emphasis in percussion and piano.  She came to Howard Payne University after hearing one of her high school band directors, Alumnus Mr. Trent Shipp ('12), an alumni of Howard Payne, talk about his time at Howard Payne. He always praised the music department for its intensive program and intentional professors.  At first, she was skeptical of attending a small University. She favored bigger schools like Texas Tech in Lubbock or Texas State in San Marcos. However, after much encouragement from Mr. Shipp, she gave Howard Payne a chance and she says she has never regretted her decision. HPU provided her scholarships that allowed her to pursue her dreams.  

Suzanne Schad with John Dickson and HPU Alums
 Chris and Danielle Rosborough in Salzburg, Austria.

Suzanne loves teaching and performing and she says that attending Howard Payne has given her a priceless experience that she is sure would not have happened at a larger university. She has participated in University Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Winds of Triumph, Concert Choir, and Community Band. Because of this university, Suzanne says she has been able to have multiple teaching opportunities in local high schools and through the Pre-College program. She has developed meaningful relationships with professors, alumni and future professional colleagues. Suzanne is entering her final few semesters at this university and says that she cannot wait to tell her future students about Howard Payne and continue the legacy.

Music Alumni News

New Alumni

Marissa Godbey Begay ('18) is currently teaching general music K-6 at Charles Warren Fairbanks in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Paige Bowers ('19) is the assistant band director for the Flatonia ISD.

Kayla Chadwick ('19) is attending Truitt Seminary to pursue a Master of Divinity with a focus on Worship Leadership. During and after her time at seminary, she hopes to serve as a music minister.
Abraham Cooper ('19) recently commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and is currently enrolled at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO pursuing a degree in medicine.  
Camila Cotter ('19) is the choral director at Big Spring ISD junior high school. She is also the assistant director for the high school choir.
Kaeli Goodgion ('19) is working on an architect portfolio so that she can pursue a Master’s degree online while she works.
Kathryn Grice ('19) is the assistant band director at Anson ISD, working with Rob Hartman.
Natalie Stephens ('19) is teaching elementary music at Big Spring ISD.
Katelyn Zimmer ('19) is teaching elementary music at Blackshear Magnet Elementary in Odessa, TX.

Birth Announcements

August 2019

Congratulations to Allen ('14) and Mercedes ('14) Andrus on the birth of their son, Emerson Dean.

Congratulations to Juan ('15) and Kristin ('15) Hernandez on the birth of their son, Atlas James.

New Program

Center for Rural and Small School Music Education

The Music Department of Howard Payne University has established and is maintaining a Center in the heart of Texas to be a guiding force behind building and supporting quality music programs in rural small schools throughout Texas by assisting teachers and learners to engage and apprehend music through instruction provided in the small and rural school context.

The Center for Rural and Small School Music Education seeks to provide assistance, support, research, professional development, and advocacy for the students and teachers in Texas rural small school music programs.

Those who are teaching in rural small schools often lack resources available to larger enrollment schools, including those in urban and suburban settings. Additionally, student experiences, especially with music and the other fine arts are decidedly limited due to the geographical isolation of many rural and small schools. Nevertheless, the students in small, rural schools deserve the opportunity for a quality music education irrespective of where they live.

It is critically important that the needs of students in these schools be addressed as more than half of Texas school districts serve less than 1,000 students. According to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, Texas has more than 2,000 campuses classified as being in rural areas. When compared nationally, Texas has more schools in rural areas than any other state, with more than 20 percent of all campuses located in rural areas.

Stay up to date on all of our news and events by following the Howard Payne University School of Music and Fine Arts Facebook page.