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.