Student organizations are a vital part of the School of the Arts Department of Music, and most music majors at Shorter College participate in one or more of these organizations. Many of these student chapters are directly affiliated with their national parent organizations, so involvement at the student level gives the student the opportunity for additional career preparation in addition to allowing him or her to begin a lifelong affiliation with these organizations.

For more information about student musical organizations at Shorter College, please contact any of the advisors below or Dr. Matthew Hoch, coordinator of student musical organizations.

MENC/ACDA Dr. Matthew Hoch, advisor Miss Michelle Austin, president The student MENC/ACDA chapter allows students to pursue professional involvement with two national organizations: the National Association for Music Education, the most important national professional organization for public school music educators, and the American Choral Directors Association, the national professional organization for all choral directors.

In addition to attending regional and national conferences, students also organize a variety of local activities designed to prepare them for lives as educators and conductors. Participation in this organization is required to attend the annual GMEA convention in Savannah.

MTNA

Mrs. Mary Ann Knight, advisor

The student chapter of the Music Teachers National Association. This organization is also directly affiliated with the Georgia Music Teachers Association (GMTA), the state chapter of MTNA. Founded in 1876, the objective of MTNA is the advancement of the interests of music teachers, with special emphasis on problems relating to the training of students and to the individual growth of all musicians.

Membership is open to all Shorter College students interested in the teaching music.

Mu Phi Epsilon Jennifer Trippi, president Dr. Martha Shaw, advisor Mu Phi Epsilon, an international, professional, coeducational music fraternity has as its purpose the advancement of music in America and throughout the world, with a continuing emphasis on the promotion of music and scholarship. The Gamma Pi chapter, installed in 1975 at Shorter, takes and active part in the musical life of the school and community. Students meeting the academic requirements will be invited into membership.

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia

Dr. Peter DeWitt, co-advisor
Dr. Matthew Hoch, co-advisor
Justin Davis, president

The Zeta Epsilon chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia was established at Shorter College in 1970. Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is a national professional music fraternity for men. The purposes of the organization are to advance the cause of music in America, encourage loyalty to the alma mater, and to foster friendship among those interested in music.

Any male student or faculty member who meets the academic requirements may be considered for membership.

Pi Kappa Lambda Dr. Fred Tarrant, advisor Pi Kappa Lambda is a national college music honor society founded in 1918 for the purpose recognizing seniors who have demonstrated superior achievement as music majors. Seniors in the upper 20% of their class are eligible for election each April to this prestigious society. Election to membership in Pi Kappa Lambda has been indicative of superior attainment in music, together with the personal qualifications pertaining to an outstanding exponent of the art.

SNATS

SNATS is the college arm of the parent organization, the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), which exists in order to "encourage the highest standards of the vocal art and of ethical principles in the teaching of singing; and to promote vocal education and research at all levels, both for the enrichment of the general public and for the professional advancement of the talented."

The Shorter College chapter of SNATS serves our voice majors by providing workshops and master classes free of charge that are designed to aid and nurture college-level singers. The organization also raises money to defray the costs incurred by Shorter voice majors who compete in state and regional NATS competitions each spring.

Somethin' Else

Mr. Cliff Duren, advisor
Mr. Jacob Craig, student director

Somethin' Else is a student male capella group that was founded in 1997 by a student named Cliff Duren. Duren decided to create an a cappella group comprised of fellow classmates at Shorter College. Somethin' Else has since recorded 7 CDs and performed in countless venues around the state of Georgia.

At present, the group consists of 12 members:

Seniors Jacob Craid, Chris Rhoton, Chason Disheroon and Conrad Michels; Juniors Mat Hayes, Jonathan Lutrell and Matt Price; Sophomores Justin Maxey, Tre Appleby; and Freshmen Derek Hale, John Carucci and Christian Bigliani

Cliff Duren still composes and arranges music for the group. All SE members are students at Shorter College.