Nearly 200 audience members filled Coulter Recital Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 27, to enjoy two hours of performances during the annual School of Music Spring Faculty Showcase. Instrumental and vocal faculty members performed prepared pieces, giving the audience a chance to experience their musicianship outside the classroom. “I definitely think out of all the concerts, […]
Western Carolina University’s first opera, a complete success
January 26, 2026 by
Western Carolina University’s School of Music took on a whole new challenge when creating this opera. From making sure Ron Rash’s works were honored and reflected in the inspiration of lyrics and feeling, a school-run musical collaboration with special guests, and an overwhelming amount of care and detail, down to the lighting and design work […]
WCU sets stage for first opera inspired by Appalachia
January 22, 2026 by
Mark your calendars and make weekend plans to see Western Carolina’s first opera performance on Friday, Jan. 23. WCU takes inspiration from Ron Rash’s poetry works of Appalachian history and transforms them into this new medium, filled with drama, human themes—and most importantly song. The weather moved the premier night for “Shelton Laurel: An Appalachian […]
The legacy WCU’s “Fight Song” composer left behind
February 23, 2023 by
The well-known Catamount “Fight Song” has been a staple of Western Carolina University since 1981. Since then, it is often performed at WCU football games, convocations, basketball games and other university events. The song was written and composed by WCU long time music professor, Robert Richard “Dick” Trevarthen, who passed away in the summer of […]
One-woman show teaches WCU ‘You’re not what you’ve been through’
January 30, 2023 by
Western Carolina University was moved by an emotional and entertaining telling of Dr. Tiffany Jackson’s own life and hardships through a showcase of her musical talents and expertise. Members of the audience were faced with raw discussions of racial identity and left the show with an earned perspective for what it may have been like […]
Matthew McCrary: Talented Trombone Musician
May 6, 2022 by
Matthew McCrary is a junior student at Western Carolina University. A fan of classical, 50s, and 60s music, McCrary majors in Music Education and plays the trombone. He is a part of the School of Music, which is a program that provides student musicians with academic, performance, and recording experiences that prepare them for careers […]
