Story by Bridgette McAuliffe

Photo courtesy of Ashley Cumming

Students, faculty, staff and alumni gathered in the Performing Arts Hall on the evening of Feb. 17 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Murray State Horn Studio. The recital was an invitation for alumni and former faculty of the horn studio to perform in a recital with the current students.

Ashley Cumming, assistant professor of music, was the coordinator of the event. She said an anniversary alumni recital hasn’t been done by any of the instrumental studios before.

“It was a communal idea, really,” said Cumming. “In 2017, I took the French horn studio to perform at the Mid-South Horn Workshop.”

While at the workshop, and upon running into previous Murray State faculty and alumni, everyone began sharing their fond memories of their time at Murray State.

Cumming said that upon sharing their memories, alumni and former faculty had the idea to join together once more to play their horns at Murray State.

And so began the process of organizing this event.

“Logistically, I think it was a little bit difficult at first,” said Cumming. “Because for me, I’m a fairly new teacher here, so I started organizing this within my first year of teaching. I didn’t know the different systems and resources Murray State has.”

Cumming said this was her first time getting in contact with the Alumni Office, and she was able to not only make this a recital, but an alumni event.

Alumni were asked to RSVP to the event in advance via a website that was set up, and the week prior to the event, alumni were sent music and asked to look over a couple of the pieces that would be played so that they could perform with the current students.

Megan Washburn, junior from New Baden, Illinois, said, “Sometimes, professors just move on. They don’t necessarily stay connected to their previous jobs but they have this time. So, it’s really cool to have everyone come back.”

The experience has brought Washburn full circle, as she is going to be playing alongside her first horn teacher, who is also a Murray State alumnus.

“Teaching music is everything to me,” Washburn said. “It incorporates everything. You can learn a language, you can learn math, and you can learn culture, you can argue for science. It’s pretty much everything, just in different terms.”

Anaea Dossey, sophomore from Franklin, Tennessee, said it was incredible to play with so many talented past and present professors. “It’s an honor to play in a studio that was built by so many musically gifted people.”

Dossey said she has also gained a lot from the experience of preparing for this recital.

“I gained a deep respect for Dr. Cumming in organizing this, as well as a respect for all the past professors for instilling a love of music in all their students,” said Dossey. “Being a part of the Murray State horn studio has been so much fun and I know that it will prepare me for future performances as well as prepare me to make a difference in the world of music education.”

Cumming has taught at several other universities in Indianapolis, Indiana before coming to Murray State.

“I will say that the Murray State students are some of the sweetest, kindest, most energetic students that I’ve worked with,” said Cumming. “They just always come in with really great attitudes and sense of humor and I think that we have a good relationship. They work hard and have made a ton of growth.”

Cumming said that teaching music is important to her. “Musicians start in a way that can be viewed as selfish, teaching is all about giving to another person.”

Cumming said that if she can make the journey easier and more fun for even one student, then she feels like she’s succeeded.

The Golden Horn 50th Anniversary recital can be viewed on the Murray State University Music Department Facebook page.