Honors College
Visiting Artist Seminar (UH 3200)
The Spring 2026 Visiting Artist’s Seminar:
Sounding Freedom — Music and the American Experiment at 250
The story of music in the United States began well before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The richness of American music benefits from the contributions of all peoples and cultures in our history, including those who were native to the land as well as those who came from other countries and continents. They all have had a hand in creating this enormous E pluribus unum called American music.
In this course, students will explore works that helped define what the world considers to be the “American voice” in classical music, works inspired by iconic figures and pivotal moments in American history, and works inspired by American popular music. In addition, students will analyze music as a form of protest and free speech, from the American Revolution to the present. Finally, students will create a playlist of music from one of five eras in American history as a final project.
COURSE OUTLINE – Wednesdays 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. – see specific dates below. All classes will be held in HONR 218; the last class will also use HONR 106
- Week 1, January 28, 2026 Music of the Revolution: A Soundtrack to Independence
- Week 2, February 4, 2026 We Hold These Truths—The American Canon and Its Boundaries
- Week 3, February 11, 2026 Spirituals, Struggle, and Song—Expanding the Promise of Freedom
- Week 4, February 18, 2026 Dissent and Dissonance—Protest Music in American History
- Week 5, February 25, 2026 Voices for the Next 250—Creating an American Soundscape
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Enrollment is limited to 15 students. Permission from the Department is required to enroll. This seminar ensures personalized attention.
- Permit Request Form : (You must log in using your Pipeline username and password.)
About the Visiting Artist: Angela Tipps
Angela Tipps conducts the SOAL (Soprano-Alto) and TEBA (Tenor-Bass) Chorales, coordinates the Introduction to Music courses, and serves as musical director in the theatre department. She is a 1985 graduate of MTSU in organ performance and received a Master of Church Music degree from Scarritt Graduate School in Nashville. Angela is also the organist and director of music at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Murfreesboro and the conductor of the Middle Tennessee Choral Society.
In demand as a conductor and clinician, Tipps has conducted the Virginia All-State Mixed Choir, the Tennessee Governors School for the Arts, and several regional choral festivals. She is a past president of the Tennessee chapter of the American Choral Directors Association and past dean of the Savannah, Georgia, and Nashville, Tennessee chapters of the American Guild of Organists. Her choirs have performed for NPR’s “Performance Today,” the American Choral Directors Association, the American Guild of Organists, and the Tennessee Music Education Association.
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Honors College
Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building
Campus Box 267
1737 Blue Raider Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
Main Office: HONR Room 205 (Dean’s Suite)
Main Office Phone: 615-898-2152
Email: uhc@mtsu.edu