MURFREESBORO, Tenn. —For members of Middle Tennessee State University’s Band of Blue, the evening of Aug. 21 was supposed to mark the end of another band camp.

After weeks of rehearsals leading up to the fall semester, the band gathered for one final band camp practice and performance.

What many of the students did not know was that the School of Music and MTSU Development Office had something more planned.

Donors who had contributed to Band of Blue scholarships through the “Where Every Note Counts” campaign had been invited to watch the band, meet the students and see firsthand what their support meant.

Before getting started, Band of Blue Director Bryan Braue and School of Music Director Jenny Snodgrass announced that 14 Band of Blue students would receive scholarships.

The reaction from the band was immediate.

As Braue began calling the recipients forward one by one, their bandmates erupted in cheers, celebrating each name as students made their way to the front.

Among those hearing their names was Megan Osborne, a senior communication major and one of three captains of the Band of Blue color guard.

“When I heard my name, I was honestly shocked,” Osborne said. “Obviously, I’m part of the marching band, but when I think of band scholarships, I usually think of them going to music majors or people who are pursuing something in music. So, I definitely wasn’t expecting to hear my name.”

The scholarship recipients signed their awards that evening, but before returning to their places among the band, they were able to meet and say thank you to some of the donors whose gifts helped fund those scholarships.

“These events create an opportunity for students and donors to put a face and a story to the scholarship,” said Meredith Kerr, College of Liberal Arts development director. “Students get to personally thank the people who have invested in their success, while donors get to see the impact of their generosity firsthand.”

Among the donors there to share in the evening were Don and Hanna Witherspoon, whose connection to MTSU stretches back more than six decades.

The Witherspoons met as students at MTSU, then Middle Tennessee College, and graduated in 1964. They later returned to Murfreesboro after retirement and have remained active supporters of the university.

For the couple, seeing the excitement surrounding the scholarship announcements brought back memories of their own college experience.

“It was just great. We both had to work our way through school, so we know how important these things are,” Don said.

Hanna worked in the university library throughout her four years as a student, earning 50 cents an hour to help pay for food. She said receiving extra financial support gives students opportunities she did not always have while working her way through college.

One of the most meaningful parts of the evening came after the scholarships had been awarded.

“I really appreciated the students coming and thanking us,” she said. “Several of them came back a second and a third time to say thank you, and that was really sweet.”

Many Band of Blue members balance full course loads with jobs while also devoting hours each week to rehearsals, performances and other responsibilities with the band.

“Scholarships are more than financial support,” Kerr said. “They provide students with encouragement and opportunities that allow them to fully engage in their education and experiences like the Band of Blue.”

For scholarship recipient Ethan Broome, a third-year audio production student, that financial support will make a significant difference this semester.

Broome said he entered the fall expecting a difficult few months as he worked to cover school expenses, rent and other bills.

“This scholarship means that I will be able to live more comfortably for this semester,” Broome said. “This will help me greatly increase my quality of life, as I won’t have to run around as much to cobble together the money I need.”

Like Osborne, Broome had no idea his name would be called that evening.

“It was a real shock to learn I was receiving a scholarship,” he said. “I had known that the campaign was ongoing and had heard that they found some success, but it was a big surprise to hear my name called.”

Meeting the donors responsible for that support added to the experience.

“It was incredible to meet the donors who provided the funds for the scholarship,” Broome said. “I couldn’t stop smiling. I hope that they know how much their donation meant to me.”

Making music and memories

Once the scholarships were signed and the introductions were made, attention turned back to the music.

The Band of Blue performed several selections for its guests.

Among those guests were two individuals representing different chapters in the Band of Blue’s nearly 70-year history.

Former Band of Blue Director Craig Cornish, who retired after leading the program for 23 years, returned to speak with the current band members. Cornish talked about teamwork; the relationships students will build through their time together and the importance of being a “giver” within the group.

Also in attendance was the daughter of Joseph T. Smith, who founded the Band of Blue in 1957.

Their presence connected an evening focused on supporting the band’s current students with the generations of supporters who helped build the program.

The “Where Every Note Counts” campaign seeks to continue that support by increasing private scholarships for students in the School of Music and Band of Blue. The goal is to double the amount of private scholarship support available to students. 

“What stands out most to me is the incredible response from our alumni, parents, friends, faculty, and community,” Kerr said. “We have seen people come together because they believe in our students and want to invest in the future of the School of Music.”

The Band of Blue will take the field throughout the 2026 Blue Raider football season, beginning Saturday, Sept. 5, when MTSU  hosts Murray State at 6 p.m. at Floyd Stadium. The season opener will also feature Band of Blue Day, with local high school musicians joining the band for a halftime performance.

To learn more about the “Where Every Note Counts” scholarship campaign, visit https://give.mtsu.edu/pages/music-campaign or contact Meredith Kerr at [email protected] or 615-898-5223. 

— Mike Davis ([email protected])