Back to News 
MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Sept. 18, 2015) – “Men in Song,” a two-day festival and concert celebrating male singers from throughout the region, will be presented by the music departments of East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and Milligan College.
The festival includes two days of rehearsals–Saturday, Oct. 3, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 4, beginning at 1:30 p.m.–culminating in a free public concert on Oct. 4 at 4 p.m. All events take place in the Mary B. Martin Auditorium located in Milligan’s Seeger Chapel.
This second annual event is hosted by five community ensembles, each of which will be featured in the final concert. They include ETSU’s BucsWorth Men’s Choir, Milligan’s Heard Mentality, the Appalachian Express Barbershop Chorus, the Appalachian Men’s Ensemble (AMEn) and MECCA Men (Mountain Empire Children’s Choral Academy).
Male singers of all ages are invited to join the festival choir during rehearsals and the performance. New this year is a boys’ festival choir, open to all students in fourth grade and up who have unchanged voices. The two festival choirs will perform together during the finale of the Sunday concert.
“The goal for this festival is to inspire men of all ages–from students to retirees–to sing together,” said Dr. Alan Stevens, associate director of choral activities at ETSU, who created the festival in 2014. “We want men in the region to be aware of the outstanding singing opportunities available in the Tri-Cities.”
The Men in Song Festival Choir will be led by four conductors: Dr. Thomas Jenrette, ETSU professor emeritus; Noah DeLong, Milligan assistant professor of music; Dr. Matthew Potterton, ETSU director of choral activities; and Stevens. The “Boys in Song” Festival Choir will be led by Jane Morison, director of MECCA.
“Milligan is excited to partner once again with the ETSU Music Department in this celebration of male singers,” said DeLong. “It’s a great experience for our participating singers to perform with such a large group of men and to work with a number of talented conductors. We hope to continue this festival for years to come.”
Participation in the festival is free for all students through college. Adult registration is $15, which includes all music and lunch on Saturday. No advance preparation is required; all music will be learned at the festival rehearsals.
The weekend is funded through a gift from Jim and Sandy Powell.
For a complete schedule and registration, visit www.etsu.edu/meninsong. For more information, contact Stevens at 423.439.4725 or stevensae2@etsu.edu.