Stamps-Baxter School is Moving!

Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN will be hosting the Stamps-Baxter School of Music beginning with this summer’s session, July 12 – 24, 2009.

MTSU’s School of Music is a wonderful facility with many new state of the art practice rooms, instrument storage options, great classrooms in one building with an elevator!

Stamps-Baxter is looking forward to this move with great anticipation. More information regarding housing and meals etc… will be coming soon. The school has a monthly email newsletter, Stamps-Baxter News.  If you’d like to receive it simply send an email to stampsbaxternews@hotmail.com

No Other Name makes a name

Three former students from the Stamps-Baxter school formed a trio singing some great harmony. We all come to singing school with the hopes of coming to Music School and forming a group to perform with.  But they actually accomplished the goal!  They brought the harmonies of Southern Gospel music stage and did a great job!  (Must have been all that performance training!) One of the group is a former student of Dave Wortman, who teaches private voice here at the school. 

Performance Training

I have been attending Stamps-Baxter School of music for the past 5 years. I have found that each and every part of the school has helped me greatly to not only become a better singer/performer, but a better communicator of the gospel. One class in particular, Performance training, has been a great aid to all the students here at Stamps. During Performance Training, students show their determination and bravery by singing in front of Mrs. Allison, wife of Brian Speer, and receiving a professional critique afterwards. With this critique many people can find ways to improve their ministries. Always tasteful, Mrs. Allison has helped many singers, including myself, reach heights they could never dream of. Once again, Thanks Mrs. Allison!

-Jordan “Younce” James

Allison Durham Speer!

Sunday at Grace Church

We had such a great time at Grace Church of the Nazarene Sunday.  Pastor Ken Dove welcomed us with laughter and good humor.  Minister of Music, Nathan Rogers is a Stamps-Baxter alumni.  It was homecoming for us and Nathan!  

The choir sang four songs led by Stamps-Baxter conductors Leah Powell, Charles Towler, and Glenn Wilson.  And then we were surprised to know that Allison Speer was in the audience and was called down to sing ”What a Day That Will Be”  We got to back her up on the chorus…really awesome!

Did you have fun?

Pastor Ken Dove getting teased by Allison Speer

filling the choir loft!

Scholarship Benefit Concert

Saturday Night was a blast!!!!  The second annual Scholarship Benefit Concert was preformed at River Of Life Church in Smyrna, TN.  A select group of students preformed an outstanding program.  This concert is always a wonderful showcase of the multi-talented students that attend the school.  The program included many instrumentalists, soloists, and groups.  Every year we are amazed at how God supplies just by being available to allow HIM to flow through you.  The concert was closed out with a surprise appearance from Johnny Minick, Allison Durham Speer, and the legendary Ben Speer. 

Mark it on your calendar for 2009, because River of Life has already scheduled this benefit again next year.  All proceeds from this concert will be used to provide scholarships for the 2009 Ben Speer’s Stamps-Baxter School of Music.  Many thanks to the students for their gifts of time and talent.  Also, many thanks to all the donor for allowing us to award deserving students an opportunity to attend.

Gaither visit!

Friday afternoon was so exciting! 

We had a special visit by Bill Gaither! 

Bill Gaither

Mr. Gaither spoke to a packed auditorium of students and faculty about his early experiences starting with being in a quartet at age 19 to today.  He spoke about the importance of education and how great it was that we all could be a part of this singing school.  We didn’t know it until he said it but we are a part of a unique singing experience just by participating in Stamps-Baxter School of Music. 

 

He encouraged us to take our talents and knowledge back home and share it through our music and ministries. 

Bill Gaither making a point

Legendary composer, producer and arranger, Lari Goss, dropped in.  Lari was awarded two Dove Awards in 2008- for Southern Gospel Album of the Year – “Get Away, Jordan” (Ernie Haase & Signature Sound) and for Choral Collection of the Year – “Let the Redeemed Say S0″ (Word). So” (Word)

We are all still smiling!  Thank you Bill Gaither for spending time with us and making our day!  Add your comments here about the visit with Bill Gaither.

Jammin at the Hub

Just having fun

 

Walking around Trevecca’s campus after 9pm during Singing School weeks you can hear the sounds of bluegrass music, laughter and heartfelt singing coming from the players participating in the nightly jam sessions outside the campus snack shop, the Hub. 

Is there anything he can't do?

Late night jam sessions at the hub are a highlight of the school.  Students bring their own instruments and just play together all kinds of music.  Most nights you can hear a collection of guitars, fiddles, harmonica upright bass, dobro, and even saxophone blending together making great music.  Ben Speer even joins in and surprises everyone with his skill on the upright bass.

It’s a laid back, anything goes time that you get to play what you want and sing along too.  A perfect way to end a busy day.  Add your thoughts about the jam sessions.

Aaaah, the weekend!

 

The weekend is upon us – the lovely time between two weeks jam-packed with all the musical happenings you could wish for.

The midpoint of the school is a time to sleep in, do laundry, rest up your singing voice, and to go eat out, see movies, and shop for souvenirs.

But don’t get too relaxed – there’s still plenty to do! There’s a scholarship benefit concert being held tonight at Johnny Minick’s River of Life Church, and students from the school will be leading worship at Grace Church of the Nazarene tomorrow morning.  

      So get some rest, have some fun, and be ready for another fast-paced week (packed with recording, auditions, classes, lessons, and the closing night program!)! 

              What did you do this weekend?

Come sing praises with 250 other voices-Marian Coggins

Stamps Baxter has been a huge influence in my life. For the last ten years I have made the trip from South Carolina to Nashville, TN to learn more about the music that I love so much. There is NOTHING LIKE singing with 250 people who love God’s music as much as you do. The song is incredible! The presence of the Spirit is ever present. There is just nothing else like this experience. I hope I never have to miss it. The friendships last a life time, and the music just “keeps on blessing and blessing”!!!!!!

I Love Ben Day

Tuesday was “I Love Ben” day with sales of the “I Love Ben” tshirts going toward the Stamps-Baxter Scholarship Fund. Rebekah Long designed the shirts and was responsible for the fun of ‘I Love Ben’ day!

Must feel good to be so loved!