Cleveland, GA – Over 240 people gathered for the 2nd Annual Friends of Music Benefit Concert on November 15th, 2025, for an evening of fellowship, listening, and being led to worship by select students, alumni, and faculty members from the Felix Manz School of Music. From masterpieces by Haydn to voices that sound like Frank Sinatra, the concert was a gift to everyone who attended.
The evening commenced with a set from the TMU “Bear-ly” Jazz Band, directed by Mr. Remus Morosan, who then played “Because He Lives” on trumpet, accompanied by the Jazz Band’s rhythm section. Faculty members showcased their gifts as Andrea Barnard blessed those in attendance with her rendition of “Donda Lieta” from La Boheme, and Caleb Ferguson, awed the audience with “Dein ist mein Ganzes Herz” from Das Land Des Lächelns.
Lauren Chancey Lloyd, a 2015 graduate from the School of Music, returned to sing, accompanied by 2016 alumnus and adjunct instructor of composition, Phillip Simmons. Mr. Simmons played the premier performance of his latest piece, “Arthur’s Lullaby,” written for his infant son. Student performances included Joanna Hammack on piano, Elizabeth Pohl, harp, and Blake Bishop singing Paul Anka’s “My Way.” The evening ended with the TMU Chorale singing selections from their fall repertoire. Attendees were invited to prayerfully consider becoming donors to the School of Music, allowing the school to handle necessary updates and ensure that trips, such as this fall’s concert tour, will be able to continue in the future.
“Last year, when we hosted our first Friends of Music Dessert Concert, we were reviving a yearly event the Music department hosted during the 1990’s. Last year’s concert was such a resounding success that we knew we needed to host a repeat of the event,” shared Dr. Ken Gabrielse, Dean of the College of Arts and Letters. “We are grateful so many friends and family came to enjoy the music of our students, faculty, and alumni this past Saturday. We hope to grow the event so more people are aware of the great work being done by our music faculty, staff, and students. God continues to bless in so many ways, and we are grateful for our growing group of ‘Friends.’”
Next, the Felix Manz School of Music looks ahead to the TMU Community Choir, Chorale, and Orchestra Concert on Tuesday, November 18th at 7 pm at First Baptist Church of Cleveland. On December 4th at 7 pm in Sewell Plunket Hall, the TMU Bear-ly Jazz Band will perform a night of Gospel music and Big Band favorites. The last concert of the fall semester will be held on December 5th at 7 pm at First Baptist Church of Cleveland as the TMU String Ensemble performs a concert of Christmas music, featuring faculty, students, and community musicians, with a reception to follow.
Truett McConnell University is a private Christian liberal arts and sciences university located in
Cleveland, Georgia, and has been ranked by Best Value Schools as the #1 Christian College in Georgia. TMU offers 80+ different programs of study including baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The University boasts a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio while 100% of incoming students receive financial aid. For more information about Truett McConnell University, visit www.truett.edu
