THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED FREQUENTLY WITH ALL THE LATEST ACADEMY EVENTS.  CHECK BACK OFTEN SO YOU DON'T MISS ANYTHING.  YOU MAY NEED TO CLICK REFRESH ON YOUR BROWSER TO GET THE LATEST NEWS.

What a great week!!! We will update the entire website soon.  Please send us your thoughts on this years Academy at the FEEDBACK page.  If anyone kept a journal please send it to us.

• There is a group chartering a bus with Anchor Tours to the Tennessee State Gospel Singing Convention.  They need 15 more passengers to be able to make the trip.  If you are interested the cost is only $50.  The bus will leave Carthage at 7:00 AM Saturday September 13 and return at 5:00 PM September 14.  Anyone interested should contact Heather Dillard at hgreen1688@yahoo.com.  The cut off date is August 14.  Hurry the seats are going fast.
• The CDs are done.  The closing night CD contains 25 songs.  The photo CD has 274 pictures on it taken by out photographer Tonja Key.  We will have an order form posted in a few days with all the songs listed.
• Make plans now to sing with us at Gateway Missionary Baptist Church on Nashville on August 24.  Contact Charles Claridy 889-3608 for more info.
• September 28 the Academy will be singing at Old Paths Church in Lebanon.  Contact Bob Alexander 758-8424 for more info.
• Here is a reflection of the week:

Do Re Mi Gospel Music Academy, Inc.

June 8-13, 2008

            As we met to follow our theme, “doing our best for God”, 153 students, representing 8 states and 51 churches arrived on the campus of Cumberland University, Lebanon, TN on Sunday afternoon, June 8, 2008 to register for the 7^th annual session of Do Re Mi Gospel Music Academy, Inc.  Ages ranged from 4-84.  Enthusiasm and excitement was noticed even in the Registration lines as both students and parents were eager to see old friends, make new ones and talk about their expectations for another great week.  Comments heard were “Do you know who you are going to room with?” “Have you taken the test yet?  Is it hard?”  “It doesn’t seem like it has been a year.  It’s just like we never left.”

            Registration went very smoothly and soon students had been assigned both dorm room and classrooms.  The opening assembly was held at 6:30 PM on Sunday evening.  It was obvious from the first song, “Amazing Grace,” directed by the Board of Directors,  that a wonderful week of shape note gospel music was ahead.   This year our curriculum included expansion from 7 classes to 8 with the addition of another advanced class taught by Gary Martin.    The songbooks were donated by Jeffress/Phillips, Leoma Publishing Company and Barry Witcher’s Church songbook,  with each book called upon to develop our sight-singing abilities of the do re mi’s.   Singing the do re mi’s was a challenge, but fun, and gave us motivation to follow our theme of  “doing our best for God.”

            Unfortunately, we were faced with another challenge as the air conditioning system malfunctioned in the Cafeteria and the Girls’ Dormitory.  This posed a very serious problem since we were facing the hottest week of this year.  Enthusiasm was dampened somewhat after many ladies spent an uncomfortable night.  Monday morning the system in the cafeteria was repaired, but the girls’ dorm remained a problem.  Our administration met with Cumberland University, and plans were made for the ladies to move across the street into a more modern apartment complex.  This required a good deal of planning by the Academy dorm staff.   Monday’s afternoon break was spent moving.  The boys worked very hard to help the ladies get in their new quarters.  Once the move was completed, the accommodations were actually much better.  It did require Do Re Mi to station a crossing guard to ensure safety as students crossed the street.  We were fortunate that Carney Troutt, our dorm parent,  met the challenge as he spent many hours stationed at the crossing.  Thank you, Carney!  Thank you, Cumberland University for meeting this challenge to allow us to enjoy a wonderful week of shape note music education.

            The teachers and students did an excellent job this year.  Six faculty members were here for the first time:  advanced piano, Mr. Eddie Crook; men’s voice, Mr. Robert Clark; classroom, Dr. Coleman Merryman, Dr. Sandra Merryman, Mrs. Catherine Pedigo and Mr. Gary Martin.  They brought many years of teaching experience to the academy.  It was also evident that students who had attended the academy in the past (some of them all seven years) have made exceptional progress.  Teachers reported they were able to teach more theory and sight singing than previous years, and students were enthusiastic and wanted to learn more.  One teacher reported the students in her class were like sponges, “they just soaked the teaching up.” 

            The student participation in assemblies showed that not only were they learning theory, they were learning to apply the knowledge as they directed songs and sang their parts (soprano, alto, tenor and bass).  The Soprano section was the strongest in the history of the academy.  For the first time, there were more females who sang soprano than alto.  Increased focus was placed on ear training during assemblies this year.   A number of students also took advantage of private vocal and instrumental lessons and participated in our Do Re Mi Band under the direction of Joey Wilburn. 

            The second year of the Student Teacher Assistance in Rudiment Training Program (START) exceeded expectations.    Churches have begun to reap the benefits of the Student Teacher Assistance in Rudiment Training program as enrolled START students have begun to teach the rudiments of shape note music to their Church.  It is anticipated that we will see the first graduation class at our Annual meeting in Jan. 2009.  The first year START students are completing a rigorous curriculum working toward certification as a  rudiment teacher.

            We welcomed Bro. Jackie Dillehay, our new Chaplain, along with pastors from area churches who led us with devotionals of God’s word.  Each day a character word was introduced during our morning devotional, followed by emphasis in our classrooms, and further integrated into the daily program by a 45 minute, age appropriate, character building class in the evening.  These classes were taught by Jenna Johnson, Elder Brian Johnson, Elder Rick Oliver and  J. T. Honeycutt.   We all can do a better job “doing our best for God” when our character is trained by God’s word.

            Wednesday was our annual Patriotic Day.  Students participated in the pledge to the allegiance of our flags during morning assembly.  Patriotic songs were sung during the noon assembly, and we were reminded of God’s blessings on our Great Country.  Thank you for those making the daily sacrifice  to serve and assure us of our freedom. 

            Revival broke out during the Wednesday evening assembly.  Two persons told us they were saved during this time. 

             After a very full week of shape note musical education, including do re mi  sight-singing, directing,  writing of new songs by our songwriting class, two trips to the swimming pool, Thursday’s shaving cream fight, and the nightly refreshments by various Churches, Friday came all too soon.    A capacity, standing room only crowd attended the Closing Night Program.  Many arrived an hour early just to get a seat.  The program consisted of directing and syllable singing along with a special song by each class, and included the Do Re Mi Band, Do Re Mi Blue Grass Band, Do Re Mi Men’s Quartet, Do Re Mi Boys Quartet, Do Re Mi Trio and the Do Re Mi Ambassadors.  The memorial trophy, given in memorial honor of those gone before who had a passion for our shape note music,  was won by Class 201 taught by Bobby Bradley.  Congratulations to 201 and all classrooms.   You did a great job!

            Students, faculty, and dorm staff all bid each other good-bye, closing another great year at Do Re Mi Gospel Music Academy, Inc.    We look now toward next year’s Academy and the many opportunities to do our “best for God” in Church and singing conventions.  Many promised to see each other again soon and for sure at next year’s  8^th annual session of the Do Re Mi Gospel Music Academy, Inc.  Keep on singing! 

• Below are listed the Board of Directors and Officers for 2008:

Officers