YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — Young Harris College’s Department of Music recently participated in the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) In-Service Conference in Athens, Ga. Representatives of YHC included 32 music education students, seven music faculty members and multiple music education alumni.
According to YHC’s Director of Bands Dr. Kerry Bryant, conference participants had the opportunity to attend concerts, guest demonstrations and lectures. He was especially pleased to see YHC student participants soaking in the experience.
“To see our pre-service teachers actively engaged and seeing what it is to really be an in-the-trenches chorus or band director or orchestra teacher or general music teacher or piano instructor is an experience that they place a lot of value on,” said Dr. Bryant.
Noting the high quality of the College’s music education program, YHC President Dr. Drew L. Van Horn said, “The placement rate for music education majors graduating from Young Harris College’s band program is 99 percent. That means 99 percent of our music education students get placed within one year of graduating … that’s something we’re very, very excited about.”
At the conference’s opening session, three YHC faculty members were honored for their years of service to the music profession, including Karen Calloway for 40 years, Dr. Kerry Bryant for 30 years and Jeff Bauman for 25 years.
YHC Coordinator of Music Education Dr. Shelley Sanderson presented a session titled “Inclusion in the Music Class: It’s the Law!” Additionally, Bauman performed as part of Orpheus, a men’s ensemble.
For more information on YHC’s music education program, please visit yhc.edu/musiceducation.
About Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private baccalaureate and master’s degree-granting institution located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal arts and professional studies. The College has three academic divisions: Arts and Humanities, Professional Studies, and Mathematics, Science and Technology, with more than 1,400 students enrolled in its residential and Early College programs. The historic campus in Young Harris, Ga. has completed major campus improvements to accommodate the College’s growth. LEED-certified campus improvements include the 121,000-square-foot Rollins Campus Center, residence facilities and a 57,000-square-foot recreation and fitness center. The College is an active member of the NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in the prestigious Peach Belt Conference. For more information, visit yhc.edu.
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