ETSU Department of Music

ETSU Department of Music East Tennessee State University's Department of Music

The Department of Music at East Tennessee State University is housed in Mathes Hall in the middle of a beautiful campus. Students perform in the new Martin Center for the Arts, a new state-of-the-art facility offering three unique performance spaces: the Grand Hall auditorium with over 1200 seats, the Powell Recital Hall with stunning acoustics for solo and chamber music performances, and the Bach

Black Box Theatre, a flexible space for our growing and exciting Musical Theatre program. The Department offers Bachelor of Music degrees in Performance and Music Education, as well as Bachelor of Arts degrees in Contemporary Music Performance, Music History, Composition, Musical Theatre, and Performance. Just over 150 students major or minor in music each year, participating in an annual concert season that includes over 150 performances by ensembles, students, faculty, and guest artists. Students have the opportunity to participate in classical choral, wind, and orchestral ensembles, as well as jazz, marching, contemporary, chamber, and avante-garde. Our ensemble conductors are nationally-recognized, and students have the opportunity to study with some of the best musicians in the field. The Department of Music faculty are an eclectic mix of individuals, including Grammy-winning artists, often-published composers, fantastic conductors, and internationally-recognized performers. The East Tennessee State University Department of Music is a thriving community of talented individuals that offers the best possible preparation for a professional career in music!

There’s still plenty of great music and events to come this semester!Over the next few months, ETSU Music will welcome a...
09/10/2026

There’s still plenty of great music and events to come this semester!

Over the next few months, ETSU Music will welcome audiences to our lineup of faculty recitals and guest artist performances. It’s a chance to hear incredible musicians, experience a variety of repertoire, learn something new, and support the artists and faculty who make our music community what it is.

And the best part? All of these performances are FREE and open to the public.

Check out the upcoming recital lineup, mark your calendar, and come enjoy some live music with us!

Check out our events this week!
09/09/2026

Check out our events this week!

Check out Dr. Gaydamovich featured on WJHL promoting the first concert in our ETSU Faculty & Friends Chamber series.  Th...
09/09/2026

Check out Dr. Gaydamovich featured on WJHL promoting the first concert in our ETSU Faculty & Friends Chamber series. The event is this Friday, September 11th, and tickets are FREE and should be claimed in advance if possible.

Dr. Ignacy Gaydamovich is the Artistic Director for ETSU’s new Faculty & Friends Chamber Series, and we had the honor of talking with him and hearing him play the cello this morning ahead…

The choral season starts here. 🎶Kick off another year of choral music with Choral Collage 2026, featuring the ETSU Chora...
09/09/2026

The choral season starts here. 🎶

Kick off another year of choral music with Choral Collage 2026, featuring the ETSU Chorale, BucsWorth Tenor Bass Choir, and East Tennessee Belles.

Each ensemble brings its own sound and style to the stage, creating an evening filled with everything from classical repertoire to contemporary works, pop, jazz, and more.

Tickets available on the link at our bio!

Consider this your official invitation to the 2026–27 choral season.

What does America sound like?This season, the Faculty & Friends Chamber Series opens with an evening of music that explo...
09/08/2026

What does America sound like?

This season, the Faculty & Friends Chamber Series opens with an evening of music that explores the many facets of the American musical experience, from beloved patriotic works to powerful reflections on history, community, and resilience.

Featuring music by Florence Price, Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland, and more, the program also includes the world premiere of Blessed Be the Beautiful by Alex Zhang, written specifically for this concert.

The evening concludes with music that invites us to reflect on where we've been, where we are, and what we share.

Get your FREE ticket today at the link in our bio.

09/05/2026
09/03/2026

With the semester now in full swing, students take this gentle reminder to prioritize your mental and physical health alongside your busy class and practice schedule. Practice hard but take care of yourself too. Your mind and body are part of your instrument. Consistent healthy practice habits = better musicianship, fewer injuries, more progress, and a happier relationship with music! Remember to eat, rest, and go outside every day.

Student Spotlight: Libby VanBurenMeet Libby VanBuren, a sophomore Music Education major specializing in horn, from Bloun...
09/02/2026

Student Spotlight: Libby VanBuren

Meet Libby VanBuren, a sophomore Music Education major specializing in horn, from Blountville, Tennessee. Libby chose ETSU for its welcoming campus size and strong music program, finding a place where she could build meaningful personal connections while continuing to grow as a musician.

Why ETSU?
For Libby, ETSU offered the balance she was looking for. The campus felt small enough to foster personal connections while still providing plenty of opportunities to develop as a musician and become involved in the music community.

Favorite ETSU Memory:
One of Libby's favorite experiences this last year was attending the Southeast Horn Workshop. Watching professional horn players and learning about the different approaches they bring to their music opened her eyes to new possibilities as a musician. The trip was made even better by getting to experience it alongside some of her closest friends.

Goals and Aspirations:
After graduation, Libby hopes to become a middle school band director, where she can share her love of music and help young musicians discover their own passion for performing.

Fun Fact:
When she's not playing horn, Libby loves to bedazzle things while watching Hamilton.

We're excited to see Libby's continued growth as a musician and future educator and can't wait to see where her journey takes her.

Baritone Dr. Joshua Zink and pianist Dr. Benjamin Wadsworth take the stage for a guest artist vocal recital featuring an...
08/29/2026

Baritone Dr. Joshua Zink and pianist Dr. Benjamin Wadsworth take the stage for a guest artist vocal recital featuring an evening of vocal repertoire and musical collaboration.

With extensive experience as a performer, educator, accompanist, and advocate for new music, Zink and Wadsworth bring a wealth of artistry to the ETSU stage.

Come experience an evening of song, storytelling, and collaboration.

Here we are! This is our 2026-2027 ETSU Music Family! The academic year is off to an amazing start. We had our first Sym...
08/27/2026

Here we are! This is our 2026-2027 ETSU Music Family! The academic year is off to an amazing start. We had our first Symposium class today and got to experience our entire department together. We have another record enrollment. It's a great time to be a music major at East Tennessee State University! ETSU College of Arts & Sciences

Address

216 Sherrod Drive
Johnson City, TN
37614

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when ETSU Department of Music posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share