Spring Arbor University Music Dept.

The King's Brass ✨🎺

Professor Jonah Trout will be joining the King's Brass tour again this summer!

If you would like to catch the King's Brass in action, here are some show dates and general locations:
June 21 - Ypsilanti, MI
June 23 - Sebewaing, MI
June 24 - Houghton Lake, MI
June 25 - Alpena, MI
June 26 - Hubbard Lake, MI
June 27 - Grand Haven, MI
June 28 - Toledo, OH

August 2 (morning) - Holland, MI
August 2 (afternoon/evening) - Dorr, MI

If you would like to attend and would like more specific information, please visit the King's Brass link in our bio!

We'd love to see you there ✨💙
___________

Throwback Thursday: Spring 2024 Choir & Jazz Tour! 😄💙✨

We had such a blast during this tour. Thank you so much to everyone who made it possible, and to Bayshore Camp for hosting all of us!

💙✨
__________________

• STUDENT SPOTLIGHT •

Meet Belle, a senior Commercial Music major here at Spring Arbor University 🌿🎶

Belle is from Litchfield, Michigan, and she is deeply passionate about how music can inspire, connect, and transform lives.

She has been involved in every ensemble on campus and works as a student assistant in the Music Department. Belle currently studies trumpet under Dr. Matt Dueppen and composition under Dr. Stephen R. Murphy. She especially loves classical and instrumental composition, and hopes to use it as a source of encouragement to others. Recently, Belle scored for a short film, A Vestige, with our Will Shoot For Credit program.

Along with her heavy involvement in the SAU music department, Belle is also a student worker in the tech department, and has stage managed/assistant directed our drama club. She is a member of the Hillsdale Wind Symphony, has played with the Jackson Concert Band, and sang with the Arbor Church.

After graduation, she is aiming for a career in the classical music world where she can continue using music to make a meaningful impact.

If you would like to check out some of Belle's released music, it can be found on her Instagram, .s.smith.music 💛
_____________________________

Happy Retirement, Dr. Runyon! 🌿💙✨

Here's a little bit about Dr. Runyon's journey🌿
Dr. M. Renée Runyon entered Spring Arbor College in fall 1976 with sophomore standing and completed a 60-hour piano performance degree by January 1980. She originally majored in math (since she wanted to teach high school math) but switched to music. After working as Humanities Division Secretary, she moved to Indiana in 1980, became a mother and widow in 1982, and returned to Spring Arbor in 1983 as a newlywed with a toddler. She began accompanying the choir in 1984, took over piano teaching in 1988 after the adjunct teacher's accident, and taught continuously until 2025/26. She earned her Master of Education from SAU in 2002, was named the first SAU Adjunct Teacher of the Year in 2008, and earned a Doctor of Worship Studies in 2018.

Outside SAU, she has accompanied the Jackson Chorale since 1998, led worship at Vista Grande Villa since 2018, and served in piano and worship roles at Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church since 1978. In addition to frequent collaborations with vocal and instrumental soloists and adjudicating piano festivals, she enjoys providing dinner music for events and has repeatedly been the featured soloist for the Elderhostel/Road Scholar music week at Michindoh Camp and Conference Center.

Married to Dr. Dan Runyon, they have co-authored a book on worship (40 Days of Worship: Rehearsing the Story of God), teamed together as leaders of Engaged Encounter and Marriage Encounter weekends, and are the parents of three adult sons and grandparents to three granddaughters.

We are so thankful for Dr. Runyon's incredible journey with us! We are wishing her nothing but the best in her retirement.💙✨🌿
_________________
.church

America The Beautiful: Spring Instrumental Concert Recap (Pt. II) 🗽✨💙

Another huge thank you to everyone who made this event possible!

Stay tuned for some clips from this performance 💙
__________________

When You Believe: Spring Choral Concert Recap (Pt. II) 💚✨🌿

We had such a great time at our Spring Choral Concert sharing our hearts for worship.

Another huge thank you to everyone who made this event possible!
__________________

• STUDENT SPOTLIGHT •

Meet Aimee Corwin, a senior music education major here at Spring Arbor University.🌿🎶

Aimee is from Dowagiac, Michigan, and they have a passion for sharing their love of music with others. As an acclaimed saxophonist, they also enjoy singing and playing various instruments. Their dream is to become a music teacher, inspiring students of all ages to explore the joy of music.
Aimee is a student of Dr. Nathan Salazar (saxophone) and Professor Annabelle Pollard (soprano).
Ultimately, they hope to glorify God using their musical gifts and to make a positive impact on those around them.

We are so proud of Aimee, and we look forward to seeing where their talent leads them next 💛
_____________________________