Sigma Alpha Iota

30 Winter 2024 • sai-national.org Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Alleshouse has also played for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Toledo Concert Band, Lakeside Chautauqua Summer Symphony, and spent summers in a jazz combo for Yellowstone National Park. Although an incredibly seasoned musician, Alleshouse also has shared his love of music through teaching. He taught in Toledo and Sylvania Schools for 33 years. He also was a professor at Bowling Green State University and the University of Toledo, maintained a successful private studio, and has taught at the New England Music Camp in Maine. Jalen Allred Jalen Allred was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Mu Iota Chapter at Western Kentucky University (WKU) in December. Mx. Allred is a second-year Graduate Assistant for the Western Kentucky University band program, where they work intimately with the Big Red Marching Band, Spirit! Pep Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Orchestra, WKU's Faculty Brass, and countless other ensembles on campus. Mx. Allred also works as the head of the music department's Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee. Allred graduated in 2019 with their Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Lubbock Christian University. They then completed their Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from the University of Wyoming. Mx. Allred is also completing their Doctorate of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance from the University of Kentucky (UK). They are expected to complete both degrees in May of 2024 and May of 2025, respectively. Allred has an impressive resume consisting of the college, high school, and middle school ensembles they have worked with, as well as freelance work. Mx. Allred's teaching experience spans Kentucky, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Texas, demonstrating their far-reaching impact. Allred is a trumpet player and vocalist from Lubbock, Texas. At the University of Kentucky, they are currently playing lead trumpet in the Jazz Lab Band and are also a member of the Wind Symphony, Baroque Trumpet Ensemble, and an NTC chamber group. They study trumpet at UK with Jason Dovel and Marlin McKay. Judy Cole Judy Cole was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Eta Delta Chapter at Kennesaw State University (KSU) in August. Judy Cole is considered by local area colleagues to be one of the most versatile pianists in the Atlanta commercial music scene. She has performed for corporate presidents, university presidents, and even a former President of the United States, in venues ranging from concert halls to nightclubs and recording studios, as a soloist and as a collaborative pianist. Cole has been a professor at Kennesaw State University since 2008, providing her expertise and collaborative accompanist capabilities to both the Theater Performance Studies, Music, and Opera Departments. Since fall 2016, she has been the Coordinator of Collaborative Piano for the School of Music, and now teaches Accompanying, private studio lessons, Advanced Class Piano, and coaches/plays for the Opera Theatre classes. As well as being a featured soloist with many groups, such as the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra and the KSU Wind Ensemble, she is also a consistent player in the pit for City Springs Theater Company on keys and is the staff accompanist at the Temple in Atlanta. Along with KSU trumpet professor Dr. Doug Lindsey, Judy is a founding member of Duo Trompiano. As often as scheduling allows, she plays in the pit orchestra for Broadway touring shows playing at the Fox Theatre and major events at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was invited to attend the University of Cincinnati College- Conservatory of Music, where she earned her Master of Music degree in Accompanying, with a concentration in Musical Theatre and Chamber Music. Dr. Matthew McCurry Dr. Matthew McCurry was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Mu Iota Chapter at Western Kentucky University in December. Dr. McCurry currently serves as the Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at Western Kentucky University where his responsibilities include teaching courses in music education as well as conducting the Spring Symphonic Band and overseeing the athletic band program, including the Big Red Marching Band - The Pride of the Hilltoppers and the Spirit Pep Bands. Dr. McCurry was most recently Assistant Director of Bands at West Virginia University (WVU), where he spent four years working with the concert and athletic bands. Before moving to WVU in 2016, Dr. McCurry spent fifteen years as an educator in the public schools of East Tennessee, where he spent twelve years as the Director of Bands at Knoxville's Carter High School. During his time there, the band grew to become the largest comprehensive band program in the county with over 200 students in two marching bands, three concert ensembles, and competitive jazz and indoor programs. Additionally, Dr. McCurry often appears as a guest clinician for local and regional honor bands and summer clinics. Dr. McCurry's professional affiliations include the National Band Association, the College Band Directors National Association, NAfME: The National Association for Music Education, the American Schools Band Directors Association, the East Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, and the Tennessee Bandmasters Association. He also holds honorary membership in Phi Mu Alpha (Epsilon Sigma) and Kappa Kappa Psi (Omicron). Dr. McCurry holds a Bachelor's degree in Instrumental and Vocal Music Education from Carson-Newman University, where he also earned a Master's degree in Education. He received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting from West Virginia University. Allred Allred Distinguished Members Cole Cole McCurry McCurry

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