Belmont University | FYI


February 15, 2008

BELMONT NEWS


ASCAP Foundation Provides Scholarships for Songwriting Majors
Belmont University announced today that The ASCAP Foundation will provide scholarships for students majoring in the new Songwriting program offered through the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. A $5,000 gift from The ASCAP Foundation will provide two songwriting majors $2,500 each to offset tuition expenses in the 2008-2009 academic year. This assistance from The ASCAP Foundation, especially for a new major, is of paramount importance to students as they enroll and commit to an education that prepares them to contribute and prosper in the entertainment industry.

James Elliott, Coordinator of the Songwriting program, expresses Belmont’s gratitude for the support, “We appreciate The ASCAP Foundation investing in the lives of the aspiring songwriters at Belmont University. Our unique major in Songwriting is designed to equip our students with the tools they need to attain success in the music industry, and these scholarships from ASCAP will be a real help to students in need.”

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Belmont Presents: Nashville Celebrates Elvis Sells Out at Ryman
Star-Studded Concert Honors Scaife Family, Raises Money for Belmont Music Business Students
Elvis1.JPGA host of today’s biggest stars took the stage of the historic Ryman Auditorium alongside friends and bandmates of Elvis Presley’s Tuesday night for an evening of beloved music originally made famous by Elvis in the 1950’s and 1960’s. The sold-out Belmont University Presents Nashville Celebrates Elvis benefitted the Cecil Scaife Scholarship Endowment for the Music Business Program at Belmont University.

The evening, emceed by Elvis’ high school friend and host on Sirius Radio’s Elvis Radio channel, featured Pat Boone, David Briggs (former Elvis’ band member and the evening’s musical director), Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Wanda Jackson, Millie Kirkham, Ronnie McDowell, The Palmetto State Quartet, T.G. Sheppard, former members of the Stamps Quartet, B.J. Thomas, Ray Walker of the Jordanaires and Wynonna. Briggs, D.J. Fontana, Joe Guercio, Ann Ellington Wagner and Walker all shared memories and stories of their time with Elvis as friends and colleagues with Klein throughout the show. The night’s house band was made up of musicians who recorded and toured with Elvis: James Burton (guitar), Larry Paxton (bass), Norbert Putnam (bass), Steve Turner (drums), Harold Bradley (acoustic guitar), Danny Parks (acoustic guitar), Shane Keister (synthesizer) and Briggs (grand piano).

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Belmont Makes Impact on Grammy Night
Nashville’s biggest victories from this year’s Grammy Awards, a 50th anniversary celebration, involved some significant Belmont connections in both the classical and country categories.

With participation from a number of Belmont School of Music faculty members, the Nashville Symphony Orchestra’s recording, Joan Tower: Made in America, won Grammy Awards for Best Classical Album and Best Orchestral Performance. In addition, Tower, who will be speaking at Belmont March 10, won a 2008 Grammy for Best Classical Contemporary Composition for Made in America. Tower’s visit will include a morning lecture and an evening performance of her works by Belmont Camerata Musicale, in celebration of her 70th birthday.

In addition, alumnus Brad Paisley (‘95) won Best Country Instrumental Performance for his song “Throttleneck” and performed his hit song “Ticks” on the Grammy live telecast. Long-time Belmont Bruins basketball supporter Vince Gill, who has a room named in his honor at the Curb Event Center, won the Grammy for Best Country Album for his highly-acclaimed, four-disc set These Days.


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