Slippery Rock University Music Department

08/15/2025

Nate Presutti is helping meet a need for music educators in the community by creating choir lessons at a low cost for use by high school music teachers. Presutti, an SRU senior music education major, is recording six public domain choral pieces with local musicians and pairing the pieces with lesson plans as part of a summer research project.

Learn more: https://news.sru.edu/music-education-major-creates-low-cost-teaching-tools-through-summer-project/

Slippery Rock University Music Department

08/15/2025

🎶 Join the SRU University Chorus! 🎶

No audition. No pressure. No prior experience needed.
Just bring your voice (and maybe a smile) to our first rehearsal:

📅 Tuesday, August 26, 2025
📍 Swope 131 Choir Room

University Chorus is open to all SRU students, no matter your major or musical background. Come sing, make friends, and be part of a welcoming community that celebrates music, connection, and joy.

✨ Show up. Sing out. Belong.

07/28/2025

🎶😱 EVERYONE REMAIN CALM 😱🎶
The Music Ensemble Form drops THIS FRIDAY (Aug 1)!
If you're auditioning for Concert Choir, Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, or Chamber Singers — this form is your new best friend.

📝 sru.edu/ensembles

BUT WAIT — if you’re joining one of our non-auditioned ensembles (like University Chorus, Brass Ensemlbe, or other chamber groups, etc.),
👉 skip the form and just register like a normal human.
Yes, even if you haven’t touched your clarinet since high school. 🎷✨

07/23/2025

SRU music education majors, Cassidy Burkovich, Alex Huffman, and Nate Presutti; SRU music education alumni, Emily Brumbaugh, Tonia Asel Kaufman, Erin Sypien, Mike Sypien, David Tini; and SRU Music Education Program Coordinator Dr. Melago, just returned from the PMEA Summer Leadership Summit in State College. We experienced leadership sessions from keynote Cameron Jenkins; updates and strategic planning with PMEA, attended the first ever live recording of the PMEA Take Note podcast, and networked with music education leaders from around the state. Emily, David, and Dr. Melago also participated in the 5th annual PMEA Day of Service. Go, Rock!

07/20/2025

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Sing*Move*Play event this morning! Special thanks to and .coltman for planning such an exciting musical adventure for the community!

07/14/2025

We can’t wait to see you this weekend for Sing Move Play: SUMMER with the SRU Early Childhood and Elementary Music team! Get ready for a joyful musical adventure designed just for you and your family!

Attention local families with kiddos. SRU is hosting a Sing Move Play event this Saturday, July 19, from 10-11 a.m. in the Swope Music Hall, Room G9. This free, interactive event for the community is designed for young children and their families to explore music through singing, movement and play. Featuring fun summer-themed activities, Sing Move Play offers an engaging opportunity to connect through creativity and sound.

Reserve spots at sru.edu/tickets or scan the QR code in the flyer below.

Sing Move Play is presented by the SRU Early Childhood and Elementary Music Community Engagement Initiative.

07/10/2025

The Slippery Rock University Music Department provided immersive experiences for high school students interested in developing their vocal musical talents by hosting two summer voice academies, June 22 to July 3, including the PA GEAR UP Academy that is funded by a U.S. Department of Education grant.

Learn more and check out am image gallery here: https://news.sru.edu/high-school-students-hone-skills-at-summer-voice-academies/

07/10/2025

🎶 Calling all SRU students! 🎶

Join one of our THREE exciting popular music ensembles this fall!

Faculty:
Pop Music Lab - Cassandra Eisenreich
Pop Music Ensemble - John Anthony
Electro Pop Ensemble - Vern Miller

Open to all majors! These ensembles are offered at the 200 and 400 level and can be taken for 1-2 credits.

Register TODAY! Let’s go! 😍

07/10/2025

Three SRU music education alumni from the 1990s, Kathy Melago, Tonia Asel Kaufman, and Heidi Betschart, are currently in Harrisburg serving on the statewide team selected by the PA Department of Education to revise the PA Arts and Humanities Standards. Their work on the committee began in May and will continue through next spring.

07/05/2025

Thank you to all the participants who joined us for First Steps in Music this summer at

Special thanks to Leslie Weaver for leading the certification workshop! We hope to see you next year for Conversational Solfege!

07/01/2025

🎉 Welcome, Brent Echols! 🎉

Please join us in giving a warm SRU welcome to Brent Echols, our new Interim Director of Bands! 🎶✨

Professor Echols brings a wealth of experience and passion to Slippery Rock University, where he will lead the Slippery Rock University Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and the legendary SRU Marching Pride, as well as teach undergraduate courses in conducting and music education.

He holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from Michigan State University, where he worked closely with Dr. Kevin Sedatole and contributed to the acclaimed Spartan Marching Band and Spartan Brass.

Mr. Echols is currently completing a Doctor of Arts in Wind Conducting at Ball State University, where he studied with Dr. Thomas Caneva and served as a guest conductor with various ensembles.

His background includes collegiate teaching at Loyola University New Orleans and public school teaching in Florida and Texas, where he revitalized programs and inspired students through dynamic, student-centered music making.

We’re thrilled to welcome his leadership, vision, and energy to the SRU Bands program! 💚🎺🥁

📣 Help us welcome him to the Rock in the comments below!

06/27/2025

Check out this article about 2010 SRU music education alumnus Ryan Griffin and his DJ work for ESPN! Go, Rock!

https://magazine.sru.edu/issue/spring-summer-2025/espns-dj/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLL7VVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHnhyhPT39Z1F89rwfyg-EBhiiam7UnyunSCUk6IZk4gPZpxKQlZA1yRn8KBP_aem_Ul3RQHh7bS8lHoaGsP6lXw

Rock alumnus provides the soundtrack for college football’s biggest party