Members of the Ben Speer Stamps-Baxter School of Music choir perform at MTSU in the Wright Music Building's T. Earl Hinton Hall. (Submitted photo)

Ben Speer’s Stamps-Baxter School of Music, coming up July 10–22 on the Middle Tennessee State University campus in Murfreesboro, will celebrate its 30th anniversary this summer.

Limited enrollment remains open for participants ages 8 to 80. Space is open for either the one- or two-week sessions for day or boarding students.

The school continues the tradition of singing schools begun in the mid-1920s by J.R. Baxter Jr. and V.O. Stamps, publishers of gospel music songbooks with shaped notes. Thousands of people were taught to sing and harmonize by reading the different shapes, which represented a note on the musical scale. Throughout southern Appalachia, the schools often were held in churches, where the training and skills learned there became the foundation on which Southern gospel music was built.

Ben Speer

One of the most respected and influential names in the genre is Ben Speer, the modern-day school’s founder, who was lead singer for the legendary Speer Family, a music publisher and former music director and artist with the Gaither Homecoming concerts, videos and music recordings. Speer grew up attending music schools and recognized their value in developing music excellence; in his words, students learned “to do it the right way.”

While embracing the shape-note heritage, students from around the world will gather on the MTSU campus to study classes offered in music theory, sight singing and ear training from beginning to advanced levels. Vocal technique, performance training and choral conducting are also included in the curriculum. Private instruction is additionally available in piano, voice, guitar, bass guitar and songwriting.

“It is one of the most important things that young people today can take advantage of and something that is so necessary if we are to retain the quality of musicianship that our gospel music pioneers possessed,” Bill Gaither said about the school.

Workshop and classroom instructors include:

• Kenna Turner West, a five-time Dove Award nominee, two-time Dove Award Song of the Year winner and three-time Southern Gospel Music/American Gospel Music Songwriter of the Year.

• Christy Sutherland, a gifted performer and Belmont University graduate, is also a songwriter known for her heartfelt and hope-filled songs. She won the 2012 Artists Music Guild Heritage Award for Song of the Year in 2012 for “Greater Still” which she co-wrote and sang with Jason Crabb.

• Allison Speer, a Kentucky native, is a singer, comedian and part of the Gaither Homecoming concerts. She is married to Brian Speer, the son of Brock and Faye Speer.

• Tim Parton, a highly esteemed gospel music pianist, arranger and producer based in Nashville, is a studio musician who has played for some of the industry’s leading names, from Gold City Quartet to the late Vestal Goodman.

The public is welcome to attend free evening performances in the T. Earl Hinton Music Hall in Wright Music Building, 1439 Faulkinberry Drive. (Visitors should be aware of road construction on Middle Tennessee Boulevard between East Main Street and Greenland Drive.)

Monday, July 11 – The Nelons, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 13 – Christy Sutherland, 7 p.m.
Thursday, July 14 – Freedom Quartet, 7 p.m.
Monday, July 18 – LeFevre Quartet, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, July 19 – HighRoad, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 20 – Dave Clark, 7 p.m.
Friday, July 22 – Dynamic finale: choir concert and student showcase, 6 p.m.

The youngest members of the Ben Speer’s Stamps-Baxter music school take to the stage.

The concluding evening concert this year will pay tribute to Speer and his dedication and many contributions to the school during the last three decades. Directed by Chase Moore, a former student at the school, the talented Stamps-Baxter choir—comprised of this year’s students and returning alumni—will present an inspiring program of gospel classics in a style similar to the Gaither Homecoming shows. A joyful time of music and memories will be hosted by Allison Speer, niece of the school’s founder. The evening will showcase special choral arrangements by Moore and pianist Tim Parton, who, along with a live band, will be accompanying the choir and other featured performances.

Those who attend the school regularly comment that the school “only lasts a few days, but the effect on your music lasts forever.”

To learn more about Ben Speer’s Stamps-Baxter School of Music or to register, visit stampsbaxterschool.com. For additional information, visit facebook.com/stampsbaxterschool or email stampsbaxterschool@gmail.com.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX08l2IUMdU