Awards & Recognitions

Christopher Jennings, Baritone, comes from Limestone, TN. Jennings is a freshman at
The University of Southern Mississippi majoring in Vocal Performance where he is a
studio member of Dr. Maryanne Kyles. Jennings is a member of Southern Chorale and
he is the only freshman to be selected to this group. Jennings attended Greeneville
High School in Greeneville, TN, where he was a member of the advanced chorus and
show choir and was the baritone section leader. He also participated in All-East/All-
State Tennessee choirs and he was the first chair baritone for three consecutive years.
Jennings was also very active in Theatre at Tusculum where he participated in 8
musical theatre shows in total.

"Well.. I was in ETCC from 4th grade to 7th grade and HYE from 8th to 10th grade
then most of 11th and 12th. I went to OAKE from 4th grade to 10th grade singing
under the direction of Ruth Dywer, Betty Bertaux, and Henry Leck and many more.
I go to The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS. Majoring in Vocal
Performance.  I was in 'Guys and Dolls' this fall where I played the part of Rusty
Charlie.  I will be in the 'Marriage of Figaro' in the professional cast playing Antonio
the gardener.  I just won first place in Regional NATS for Freshman Men. I'm hoping
to audition for a few summer programs such as Brevard Music Center and the
Harrower Program at UGA.  I'll be competing in the Classical singer competition for
Young Artists.  It runs like OAKE so I have to send in a CD to compete in the first
round; then hopefully I'll go to NYC to compete in the finals so cross your fingers!"

                                                       - Chris Jennings

MECCA board member receives international composition award


Dr. Maria A. Niederberger, a member of the Mountain Empire Children's Choral Academy board of directors and associate professor of music theory and composition at East Tennessee State University, has won the 2006 Miriam Gideon Award in musical composition for her song cycle, "Full Pockets," a work she composed for flute, harp and soprano.
Dr. Niderberger's composition set to music poems depicting nature, which were written by Jane Kenyon, Pabolo Neruda and Dr. Niederberger herself.  One of the songs, "Dreaming by the Ocean," was premiered by the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra on Jan. 16, 2006, in Lucerne, Switzerland.

The Miriam Gideon Award, named in honor of Miriam Gideon (1905-1996), one of the earliest known American female composers, is awarded annually and is an international competition open to all female composers.  This year 90 women from around the world participated in the event.  The judging is a "blind" process, in which the composers' names are not known until the winning composition is selected.

The Gideon Award carries a monetary prize and is administered by the International Alliance of Women in Music. Dr. Niederberger has been active in this organization since its inception and has chaired the group's annual meeting in Washington, D.C., on two occasions.

L to R: Beth McCoy, Martha Eason

Local Educator Recognized by The Governor's School for Humanities  and Visual  &  Performing Arts at  The University of Richmond

     Beth McCoy, a local educator from Abingdon, VA, has been awarded the Presidential Citation for Outstanding Educator by the summer resdiential Governor's School for Humanities and Visual & Performing Arts at the University of Richmond in Richmond, VA. McCoy was nominated for this honor by Martha Eason, a Vocal Music student in the Visual & Performing Arts program.

     Each summer, 400 students from across the Commonwealth of Virginia who have exhibited exceptional ability in their particular discipline are invited to participate in either the Governor's School for Humanities or Visual & Performing Arts. This intensive four-week program of classes, workshops, field trips, and special events is designed to encourage students' individual growth as well as to challenge them to achieve personal excellence in their fields.
    These students are encouraged to recognize an educator who has had the greatest influence on their intellectual growth and achievement. Martha Eason, along with the Governor's School and the University of Richmond, have recognized Beth McCoy as such an exceptional educator.