Contributed/ETSU

Get ready, Johnson City community! On Apr 24, the halls of the Martin Center for the Arts are set to resonate with a legacy of vocal artistry as our East Tennessee State University Department of Music presents its highly anticipated final concert of the year. The concert, titled “Draw the Circle Wide,” serves as both a seasonal conclusion and a testament to the university’s deep-rooted musical heritage. This theme of inclusivity and shared humanity is woven throughout the selected repertoire, highlighting the department’s mission to foster unity through the arts.

For decades, the choral program at ETSU has served as a cornerstone of the regional arts scene. The department shares on their official Facebook page that the upcoming performance “reflects a long-standing choral tradition at ETSU rooted in artistry, collaboration, and shared musical experience.” This tradition extends beyond the music major curriculum, pulling talent from every corner of the university campus, as multiple majors are represented across ensembles. The department prides itself on its ability to unite a diverse student body with this ability, stating that “for generations, ETSU choirs have brought students together from across campus to create meaningful and dynamic performances,” bringing it to the greater community as well. As almost every major on ETSU’s campus has a place in the concert, the Department of Music can utilize their music to celebrate that power of singing together.

The concert will feature three of the university’s premier vocal ensembles, including the ETSU Chorale, the East Tennessee Belles, and BucsWorth. The program includes the titular work Draw the Circle Wide, as well as a rendition of the classic hymnal Will the Circle Be Unbroken? by Charles H. Gabriel, arranged by J. David Moore. These selections reinforce the evening’s message that “this program continues that legacy” of choral excellence and upholds a sense of tradition for the university and the community. 

The event is scheduled for next Friday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the ETSU Grand Hall. Tickets are currently available through ETix or the Martin Center Box Office, though the performance remains free for all ETSU students who present a valid university ID. As the 2025-2026 concert season draws to a close, “Draw the Circle Wide” offers the Johnson City community a final chance to witness the culmination of a year’s worth of dedication and artistic growth.

For more information about this concert, future concerts, or the Department of Music as a whole, feel free to contact Dr. Alan Stevens, head of the department, at stevensae2@etsu.edu. To purchase tickets, feel free to contact the Martin Center Box Office at Tickets@ETSUMartinCenter.org or (423) 439-2787. 

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