Many music students say they come from musical families, but not Ross Earl. He comes from a medical family, so his folks were surprised when 5-year-old Ross sang along with the radio perfectly on pitch.
“We knew early on that would be a direction my life could go,” he said.
Since his middle school did not have a vocal program, Earl began his music education playing flute in band. Later, his high school band director suggested that joining choir could make him a more well-rounded musician. He did so, and soon realized he enjoyed choir more.
Earl went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in music education at Maryville College and taught high school music for five years at L&N STEM Academy in Knoxville, where he won the school’s highest honor for teachers – the Lampbearer Award – in his third year.
Today, following his plan to earn a master’s degree after working for a few years, Earl studies choral conducting as a member of the inaugural class in East Tennessee State University’s new Master of Music Program, which started this fall.
“I am really excited to be working with high-level musicians,” he said. “The faculty have really focused on us as grad students and made us feel like we’re a very high priority. They’ve put us into leadership positions, and they push us hard.”
Earl’s leadership role involves conducting BucsWorth, ETSU’s tenor bass choir, under the guidance of Dr. Alan Stevens, professor, director of choral activities and chair of the Department of Music.
You can hear BucsWorth, along with the ETSU Chorale, Ascension, Greyscale and East Tennessee Belles, in the annual Choral Collage concert on Friday, Oct. 3.
Learn more about this concert and many other October events at ETSU in the following listing. All are open to the public and are free unless otherwise noted.
Homecoming
Homecoming 2025: ‘All Roads Lead to ETSU’
Oct. 18-26
ETSU celebrates Homecoming 2025 with a variety of events for the campus and community. Public events include a special Memorial Monument Unveiling Ceremony at Borchuck Plaza at 10 a.m., the annual ETSU Alumni Association Luncheon Under the Tent at 1:30 p.m. (ticket prices apply), and the Homecoming football game against Wofford at 3:30 p.m. at Greene Stadium (ticket prices apply) on Saturday, Oct. 25; and the traditional Gospel Choir Concert on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 3 p.m. in the D.P. Culp Student Center’s Martha Street Culp Auditorium. Visit etsu.edu/homecoming for more information.
SGA Concert
SGA Fall Concert: Neon Trees
Oct. 8, 7:30 p.m. – Freedom Hall Civic Center
Neon Trees will headline this year’s SGA Fall Concert, with special guest Lisa Heller. Student and faculty/staff tickets are available at the Carrier Center in the D.P. Culp Student Center, and public tickets will be available online only beginning Oct. 1. Visit etsu.edu/sga/events.php for complete ticket information.
Music
Choral Collage
Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall
The ETSU Choirs – Chorale, BucsWorth, East Tennessee Belles, Ascension and Greyscale – will perform music of different genres, styles and historical periods. Included is the world premiere of “Mountain Songs,” a three-movement setting of Appalachian songs arranged by Jake Runestad for choir, string quartet and bluegrass band. Tickets are $12.
Faculty Recital: Louisa Peng and Dr. Heather Killmeyer
Oct. 4, 5 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, Powell Recital Hall
Dr. Heather Killmeyer, oboe, and pianist Louisa Peng will present an evening of expressive repertoire and captivating artistry.
Opening Bands Concert
Oct. 5, 3 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall
This afternoon of dynamic music is presented by ETSU’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Concert Band.
Guest Artist Recital: Arthur Zanin
Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, Powell Recital Hall
Born in Brazil, this internationally acclaimed trumpeter is a passionate educator and soloist whose artistry shines in both orchestral and chamber settings.
Acoustic Autumn
Oct. 9, 6 p.m. – Founders Park Amphitheatre, Downtown Johnson City
Downtown Johnson City’s free fall concert series, Acoustic Autumn, is back for five Thursdays in October. ETSU is proud to sponsor the Oct. 9 performance by Johnson City singer-songwriter Madi Foster. Wear your blue and gold and snap a photo with Bucky!
Guest Artist Recital: Dr. Jasmine Pigott
Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, Powell Recital Hall
Known for pushing the boundaries of tuba performance, Dr. Jasmine “Jazzie” Pigott blends classical tradition with contemporary expression in performances that often incorporate storytelling, jazz and spoken word.
Orchestra Concert: ‘Symphonic Classics’
Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall
This concert features the ETSU Symphony Orchestra and the Department of Music’s Community Music School Sinfonia Orchestra. Tickets are $12.
Combined Brass Ensembles Concert
Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall
The ETSU Trombone Choir, Horn Choir, Trumpet Ensemble and Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble will perform both individually and as a full brass collective.
Fine Arts
‘Layered, Woven & Pierced: Appalachian Soul A Year On’
Continuing through Oct. 18 – Tipton-Ashe Gallery, 401 Ashe Street
This exhibit of works by numerous regional artists commemorates the anniversary of Hurricane Helene and serves as a moment for reflection and healing. It is the inaugural exhibit in the new Tipton-Ashe Gallery in Johnson City’s historic Ashe Street Courthouse. An inaugural reception and artists’ talk will be held on Oct. 3 at 6 p.m.
‘The Place Speaks’ Exhibit
Continuing through Dec. 12 – Reece Museum
This exhibit exploring how sacred histories are presented through visual art in Appalachia highlights works by the Rev. Jimmy Morrow and other Appalachian and Southern artists, as well as significant artifacts from the museum’s permanent collection. In conjunction with the exhibit, Dr. Rick Cary will deliver a gallery talk, “Credo: Signs-Following Believers,” on Oct. 6 at 10:30 a.m.
‘Woven Winds’ Exhibit
Continuing through Oct. 24 – Slocumb Galleries
This multimedia exhibition is a multilayered artistic endeavor grounded in archival research on the lives of the officer William Storrow Lovell and wife Antonia, whose father was John A. Quitman (1799-1858), a slaveowner and former governor of Mississippi, as well as the oral histories of descendants of the enslaved people.
Theater/Cinema
Highlands Horrorfest
Oct. 11, 7 p.m. – Jackson Theatre, 121 W. Main Street, Jonesborough
This competitive film festival showcases short films from the Southern Appalachian region and beyond. It includes a costume contest and an awards presentation.
Bud Frank Cinema: October New Release
Oct. 17, 7 p.m. – Bud Frank Theatre, Gilbreath Hall
The Bud Frank Cinema will present a new release arthouse title (TBA). Check the website etsu.edu/cas/bud-frank-cinema/ or follow @budfrankcinema on Instagram for updates.
ETSU Theatre and Dance: ‘Little Women’
Oct. 23-25, 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 26, 2 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, Bert C. Bach Theatre
The ETSU Department of Theatre and Dance presents “Little Women,” adapted by Kate Hamill from the beloved novel by Louisa May Alcott. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $10 for ETSU students.
Bud Frank Cinema: ‘On Becoming a Guinea Fowl’
Oct. 29, 7 p.m. – Bud Frank Theatre, Gilbreath Hall
In this 2024 film by Rungano Nyoni, cousins unveil the buried secrets of their Zambian family as the funeral of their uncle unfolds. Arrive early at 6 p.m. for a panel discussion on the film before the 7 p.m. screening.
Bud Frank Cinema: ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary’
Oct. 30, 7 p.m. – Bud Frank Theatre, Gilbreath Hall
The Bud Frank Cinema presents this 50th anniversary restoration of the classic film in which a young engaged couple, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, an eccentric scientist.
Public Talks and More
Dr. Thomas Alan Holmes: “Cindy Walker, Amythyst Kiah, and the Lyric ‘I’”
Oct. 1, 1 p.m. – D.P. Culp Student Center, East Tennessee Room
Dr. Thomas Alan Holmes discusses assumptions audiences make about the speakers in lyric poetry and songs, including perspectives on gender, as part of the “WGS on Wednesdays” lecture series.
‘Speaking Queerly’
Oct. 1, 6 p.m. – D.P. Culp Student Center, East Tennessee Room
This event is an LGBTQIA+ poetry and visual arts night. Open mic slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For ages 18+.
Founders Week: ETSU Elevates Pitch Competition
Oct. 6, 5:30 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall
This annual pitch competition features collaborative community engagement projects between ETSU students and regional community partners that address economic, social or environmental issues. The students will present their pitches in front of a live audience and three judges.
Founders Week Lecture: ‘Dr. C.C. Sherrod and the Spirit of the Times: Leadership Through Depression and War’
Oct. 7, 4 p.m. – Bud Frank Theatre
In this presentation, Fred Sauceman will show how Dr. Sherrod’s record 24 years of leadership helped shape the university we know today.
Founders Week: State of the University Address
Oct. 10, 10 a.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, Powell Recital Hall
ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland will deliver his annual State of the University address. This event will be livestreamed on ETSU’s YouTube channel.
Tri-Cities Financial Aid Night
Oct. 14, 5 p.m. – D.P. Culp Student Center ballroom
Current and prospective college students and their families are invited to this event to learn about the financial aid process and receive in-person support with submitting the 2026-27 FAFSA.
Great Lecture Series: Dr. Kason O’Neil and Dr. Walid Alali
Oct. 17, 2 p.m. – D.P. Culp Student Center, East Tennessee Room
The 2025-26 Great Lecture Series begins with lectures by Drs. Kason O’Neil and Walid Alali.
Black American Writers Series: Gregory Pardlo with Valencia Robin
Oct. 22, 1:30 p.m. – D.P. Culp Student Center, East Tennessee Room
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gregory Pardlo will be featured in a roundtable discussion and give a reading of his work alongside ETSU’s Valencia Robin as she debuts her new book, “Lost Cities,” in this Bert C. Bach Written Word Initiative event.
Author Talk with Robert Sorrell
Oct. 23, 6 p.m. – Sherrod Library, Quillen Conference Room (4th floor)
Robert Sorrell, author of “Theaters of the Tri-Cities,” “Historic Homes of Northeast Tennessee” and “Blue Ridge Fire Towers,” will participate in an author talk, Q&A and book-signing.
Memorial Monument Unveiling Ceremony
Oct. 25, 10 a.m. – Borchuck Plaza
This ceremony features the unveiling of a public artwork that commemorates the first five African American students to desegregate ETSU.
