Student organizations are a vital part of the Department of Music, and most music majors at Shorter University 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 University, please contact any of the advisors below.
ACDA
The student ACDA chapter allows students to pursue professional involvement with a national organization: the American Choral Directors Association, the national professional organization for all choral directors.
MTNA
Dr. Jerico Vasquez, Amy Neal – advisors
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 University students interested in the teaching music.
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
The Zeta Epsilon chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia was established at Shorter University 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. Aaron Rice, 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 University 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.
NAfME
The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is a collaborative community that supports music educators and advocates for equitable access to music education. With more than 57,000 members teaching millions of students, NAfME advances the music education profession and promotes lifelong experiences in music. The purpose of Shorter University NAfME Collegiate Chapter is to afford future music educators an opportunity for professional orientation and development while still in school and to enable them to gain an understanding of the basic truths and principles that underlie the role of music in human life, the philosophy and function of the music education profession, the professional interests of members involved in the local, state, division, and national levels, and the knowledge and practice of the professional music educator as facilitated through chapter activity.