The area of music within the Fine Arts Department is organized to serve in a three-fold nature: to provide sound guidance and thorough training for its gifted students whose goal is to achieve a career in professional music; to develop competent teachers in the field of Music Education; and to enrich the cultural background of the music majors, the entire student body, and the area in which the community college serves, through appreciation courses, concerts, and recitals.

The course in Music Education is designed to provide the first two years of a music curriculum required for a Bachelor of Music Education or equivalent degree. This course is for students interested in teaching school music or other phases of music.

All music majors are required to select a major and minor emphasis, either instrumental, piano, or voice. All music majors are also required to appear in a jury or recital each semester, at the discretion of the instructor. Required practice hours will be a part of the total grade evaluation. Music majors are also required to participate in an ensemble, such as Band, Jazz Band, Ambassadors, or MDCC Singers each semester.

PERFORMING GROUPS:

The MS Delta Community College Fine Arts Department is fortunate to be able to provide scholarships for each of its performing groups—the “Ambassadors” show choir, the “Spirit of the Delta” Band, and the “Delta Dancers.” Students who are selected to be in each of these organizations will receive full scholarships that cover the cost of in state tuition and room/board. The Chairman of the Fine Arts Department is Semonne Harper Strawbridge.

The “Ambassadors” serve as a public relations and recruiting medium for MDCC. The members of this group sing and dance to all types of music such as pop, golden oldies, Broadway, and patriotic. Nationally known choreographers, April James from Chicago and Marty DeMott of Indianapolis, work with the “Ambassadors” show choir to prepare a top quality show for conventions and banquets throughout the Delta and on campus functions at the college.

The “Ambassadors” have a workshop in the fall for students in grades 5-12, a dinner theatre in November, and a Spring Revue in April. The “Ambassadors” are also required to be a member of the MDCC Singers concert choir that performs at the annual MDCC Faculty/Staff Christmas party and a concert in the spring semester. During the seventeen years of its existence, the group has performed at Disney World, Chicago , Nashville , New Orleans and traveled to see Broadway shows at New York City . Interested students can arrange an audition by contacting Semonne Strawbridge, Director, at 662-246-6337 or sstrawbridge@msdelta.edu .

The “Spirit of the Delta” marching band, under the direction of Mr. William Earvin, performs at football games and parades during the fall semester. Some students involved in the marching band are also required to participate in the Ambassadors Band (travels with and provides accompaniment for the Ambassadors show choir), the Jazz Band (performs at festivals, schools, and in a concert in the spring), and the Concert Band (presents a concert in the spring). Students interested in auditioning for the Band should contact William Earvin at 662-246-6338 or wearvin@msdelta.edu .

The “Delta Dancers” are a performing dance troupe at MDCC. The Dancers perform at football games with the MDCC Band, at pep rallies, homecoming activities, basketball games, and local festivals and other events. The Dancers also produce and perform a Spring production each year. The highlight performance for the “Delta Dancers” is an annual trip to Disney World where they perform as representatives of MDCC. “Delta Dancers” Director is Stacy Upton. She can be reached by phone at 662-246-6476 or by e-mail at supton@msdelta.edu .