UNA School of the Arts

09/07/2026

The CaringPlace of the Shoals presents the Southern Harmony Brigade Barbershop Chorus for a fun-filled evening of unforgettable music and entertainment; with guest performances by The Fraternity and guest quartets. Plus experience Christmas in September with Christmas creations by Tim Causey and Cindy Harrison.⁠
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📅 September 12, 2026⁠
🕒️ 3:00 p.m.⁠
📍 Florence First United Methodist Church⁠
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Whether you love barbershop harmony, Christmas cheer, or a great night out, this is an event you won't want to miss!⁠
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Tickets are on sale now. Purchase online at https://www.caringplaceshoals.org/events, or in-person at: ⁠
◾️ Florence First United Methodist Church⁠
◾️ Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts⁠
◾️ Sheffield Public Library.

09/04/2026

Hey Shoals Community! It's your turn to become Part of the Picture. ⁠
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Stop by the UNA School of the Arts booth at First Fridays in Florence tonight from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Design a custom puzzle piece that will become part of one collaborative work of art. This is your opportunity to place your creative mark in our bigger picture.⁠
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09/03/2026

🚨 UNA Students: FREE TICKET ALERT! 🚨⁠
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Both Caleb Elliott and Billy Allen represent a new generation of the Shoals sound, with national touring experience and collaborations that include Alabama Shakes, Jason Isbell, John Paul White, and other acclaimed artists. ⁠
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Don't miss this one-night double feature as they join the Shoals Symphony, bringing their distinctive blend of rock, soul, gospel, and singer-songwriter storytelling to the stage with full orchestral arrangements written especially for the occasion.⁠
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UNA students can claim ONE FREE ticket through Campus Groups before noon on Friday, September 11. Limited quantity available, https://tinyurl.com/UNACampusGroupsSOTA.

Public tickets on sale through the Shoals Symphony, https://shoalssymphony.ludus.com/show_page.php?show_id=200532221.
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📅 September 12, 2026⁠
🕖️ 7:00 p.m.⁠
📍 Norton Auditorium

08/28/2026

TODAY!⁠
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Join us on the Norton front steps from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. for Part of the Picture and Chalk It Up. Kick off your semester with creativity and free snacks.⁠
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08/27/2026

Did you miss us yesterday? We've got great news for you! ⁠
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You've got another chance to Chalk It Up and become Part of the Picture! Join SOTA and the SOTA Student Leaders tomorrow, Friday, August 28 | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on the front steps of Norton Auditorium. ⁠
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🧩 Part of the Picture: Design a custom puzzle piece and place your creative mark in our bigger picture.⁠
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🎨 Chalk It Up: Create a mini-chalkboard masterpiece to take as a keepsake for the 2026 fall semester. ⁠
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08/26/2026

TODAY from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Stone Lodge!⁠
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Part of the Picture invites UNA students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to decorate a puzzle piece that will become part of one collaborative work of art. Bring your creativity. Add your perspective. Leave your mark.⁠
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What happens when our campus and our community come together to create something bigger than any one person?⁠ Because when we come together and create the bigger picture, we grow our world. Come create a piece of something bigger. You’re part of the picture.⁠
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SOTA Student Leaders will also be present so you can create and take a mini chalkboard ornament with you for Chalk It Up. If you miss them today, catch them on Friday from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the front steps of Norton.⁠
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08/19/2026

Welcome back to campus, Lions! SOTA is ready to get the fall 2026 semester started. Stop by to our table at The Big Deal tomorrow evening to say hello. ⁠
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To officially kick off the semester, join SOTA to become 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲. At this event you can decorate a puzzle piece🧩 that will become part of a campus and community-wide collaborative art piece. ⁠
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8/26/2026⁠
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.⁠
Stone Lodge⁠
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The SOTA Student Leaders will host 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗜𝘁 𝗨𝗽, where you will be able to decorate a mini chalkboard🖼️ to take with you. ⁠
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8/26/2026 @ Stone Lodge | 8/28/2026 @ Norton Front Steps⁠
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.⁠
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This is just the beginning. Stay tuned to see what else unfolds in SOTA as the semester kicks into gear.

06/15/2026

Please join us in welcoming Ms. Madeline Fowler as our new Auxiliary Coordinator!

We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Fowler back to the Marching Pride family. A proud alumna of our program, she spent five years as a member of the Marching Pride Auxiliaries and served as Lionette Captain.

Welcome home, Ms. Fowler! 🦁💜💛

Madeline Hammond Fowler is a native of Lexington, Alabama. She was a five-year member of the UNA Lionette line, serving her final two years as captain. During her time at UNA she was a two time participant in Bands of America performances at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Madeline began what’s currently known as Day of Auxiliary during her final season, an auxiliary fundraiser that remains in practice today.

Madeline has also assisted with choreography and dance line instruction at Bob Jones High School, Brewer High School, and Wilson High School. She also has extensive experience in performing arts, having participated in numerous SummerStock productions and more recently served as a dance instructor at the Ritz School of the Arts.

Madeline resides in Florence, Alabama with her husband and fellow UNA alumnus, Warren Fowler and children, Maymie, Trip, Sadie, and Ruby Jane.

06/11/2026

🎶 Join us for an evening of original music created in the heart of the Shoals.⁠
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Throughout the week, campers have learned from the musicians, songwriters, producers, and industry professionals who helped shape—and continue to shape—the Muscle Shoals Sound. They've toured the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, formed bands, collaborated with fellow musicians, and written and recorded their own original songs.⁠
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Now it's time to hear the results.⁠
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🎤 2026 Muscle Shoals Music Camp Showcase⁠
📅 June 12, 2026⁠
🕕 6:00 p.m.⁠
📍 The Mane Room | 310 N. Pine Street⁠
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Admission is FREE and open to the public.⁠

Muscle Shoals Music Camp is made possible through a partnership with the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area.
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Come support these talented young artists as they take the stage to perform the music they created during an unforgettable week of learning, collaboration, and creativity.

05/15/2026

Welcome to UNA, Dr. Henry!

JaKobe Henry is a trumpet player, educator, and composer whose work spans both jazz and classical traditions. Henry earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz Performance and a Master of Music in Classical Trumpet Performance from the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Jacksonville State University.

His research on trailblazing trumpeter Barbara Donald has been presented at the International Women’s Brass Conference and the International Trumpet Guild Conference. Henry has served as an adjudicator for the Junior Division of the National Trumpet Competition and the Jazz Division of the International Trumpet Guild Conference. His work has received national and international recognition, including the Air Force Band Diversity Fellowship and selection in the International Trumpet Guild’s New Work Competition. He has served on the brass staff for the Mandarins drum and bugle corps, and is currently on the brass staff for Music City drum and bugle corps. He is an alumnus of the Spirit of Atlanta.