State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota’s (SCF) music program is proudly number one in the state!

Each year, we host a wide variety of concerts, recitals, masterclasses, and events in our state-of-the-art facilities, including the SCF Neel Performing Arts Center and the SCF Recital Hall. These performances feature our award-winning students and offer unique experiential learning opportunities. Attendees praise our students and faculty for their productions noting that you would never know these are student performers. Hence, we titled our season program, “Hearing is Believing.”

In addition to the events held at the College, students perform at community events and at state competitions as an individual performer or within ensembles. Our ensembles include a concert and chamber choir, symphonic band, jazz combo and guitar, jazz, and music theatre ensembles. Students are also afforded the opportunity to collaborate with experienced musicians as part of the SCF Bradenton Symphony Orchestra. One-on-one lessons with SCF music faculty, known as applied music courses, are a cornerstone of the SCF music program.

Many of our music graduates have remained local as music teachers and directors within our school system. You might also be receiving private music lessons, therapy or having your piano tuned by one of our alums.

Other notable alumni include Bobby Brader, film/television and music theatre composer, orchestrator, pianist, and music director; Grammy award-winning pianist/songwriter and content creator, Liston Gregory; R.LumR. aka Reggie Williams, a Nashville-based R&B singer-songwriter; Matt DeSear, CEO and Engineer with Burnt Orange Studio right here in Sarasota; and Jade Turner, a music, and theatre singer/actor who’s performing on Broadway in New York.

SCF’s students and performances are directed and conducted by accomplished faculty, including Don Bryn; Pete Carney, DMA, Geoff Neuman, DMA; and Melodie Dickerson.

Don Bryn is known for his arrangements for jazz and show bands and has composed pieces for everything from classical guitar and concert choirs to new music, electronic ensembles, and large orchestra.

As a jazz musician, Carney also enjoys a career as a saxophonist and arranger who has worked with Grammy winners Kirk Franklin, Tito Puente, the Winans and rock legends The Plain White T’s - his greatest experiences have been opening for B.B. King in a Mississippi cotton field, Al Green at the Superdome and Aretha Franklin in Chicago. Carney holds a doctorate in Jazz.

Geoff Neuman is a conductor, educator, and professional musician with over 20 years of teaching and performing experience and holds a doctorate in Orchestral Conducting.

Melodie Dickerson, a soprano, was recently nominated into the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) Hall of Fame by her colleagues in the Music Division.

The music program at SCF became the first state college department to host the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) Winter Music Symposium, typically held at a state university. Year over year, our music students perform and garner awards in vocal and instrumental concerts and the student artist competition.

Community members interested in exploring classes and taking lessons can also do so through SCF’s Lifelong Learning at their convenience with lessons offered at an SCF campus or another preferred location.

Experience the vibrant sounds of SCF Music through our annual concerts and performances, all offered at affordable ticket prices to enrich our community. At SCF, we meet you where you are. We’re Everyone’s College.

For more information or to view our performance schedule, visit SCF.edu.

Tommy Gregory, J.D. is President of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.