MTSU on WGNS: ‘Messiah’ sing-along, Gore WWII exhibit, ‘tasty’ writing workshop [LISTEN]

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University representatives recently appeared on WGNS Radio to discuss an upcoming special musical event, a special World War II exhibit on display, and a student-created free writing workshop.

They appeared on the live “Action Line” program with guest host Scott Walker, broadcast on FM 100.5, 101.9 and AM 1450 from the WGNS studio in downtown Murfreesboro. If you missed it, you can listen to a podcast of the Nov. 17 program.

Guests for the November program included:

• Dr. Jennifer Snodgrass, director of the MTSU School of Music, and Angela Tipps, master instructor in the School of Music, discussed the upcoming “Messiah Sing-Along” on campus.

Drs. Jennifer Snodgrass and Angela Tipps with the School of Music at Middle Tennessee State University appear on the Nov. 17 “Action Line” program on WGNS-FM Radio from the station’s downtown Murfreesboro, Tenn., studios. (MTSU photo by Jimmy Hart)

Co-sponsored by the Middle Tennessee Choral Society and MTSU School of Music, this special event will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, in Hinton Hall inside the Wright Music Building, 1439 Faulkinberry Drive.

Anyone is welcome to bring their own score (or borrow one for the day) and come sing the Christmas portion of the “Messiah” plus the “Hallelujah” chorus. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for K-12 students, and free for MTSU students/faculty/staff with an ID. Here’s a link to purchase tickets; the proceeds support a small orchestra.

• Andrew McMahan, archivist at the Albert Gore Research Center, discussed the ongoing exhibit, “When the Cannons of War No Longer Roared: The Final Year of the Second World War,” marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Middle Tennessee State University representatives recently appeared on WGNS Radio to discuss an upcoming special musical event, a special World War II exhibit on display, and a student-created free writing workshop. — Andrew McMahan from the Albert Gore Research Center appears on the Nov. 17 “Action Line” program on WGNS-FM Radio from the station’s downtown Murfreesboro, Tenn., studios. (MTSU photo by Jimmy Hart)

The exhibit, “When the Cannons of War No Longer Roared: The Final Year of the Second World War,” features letters, photos, and personal items donated by veterans and their families. Displays show what life was like for those on the home front and for soldiers serving in Europe and the Pacific.

The exhibit will be on display through the fall semester in the Gore Center, located in Room 128G of Andrew L. Todd Hall. It is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Hillorie McLarty, MTSU doctoral student in English, discussed “Tacos and Trauma,” a free educational workshop she developed at James E. Walker Library.

Every week throughout the semester, a small group of Middle Tennessee State University students has gathered in a room on the library’s third floor for a quiet hour of writing, reflection, craftmaking — and yummy tacos.

Hillorie McLarty, an English doctoral student at Middle Tennessee State University, appears on the Nov. 17 “Action Line” program on WGNS-FM Radio from the station’s downtown Murfreesboro, Tenn., studios. (MTSU photo by Jimmy Hart)

The free educational workshop was created by MTSU graduate student Hillorie McLarty, who wanted to combine creativity, mindfulness and conversation around mental wellness. Sessions continue through the third week of November from 1-2 p.m. each Friday in Room 387 of Walker Library and are open to anyone on campus.

During each session, McLarty invites participants to listen to songs tied to that week’s theme — such as family, relationships, or resilience. Then the group does a 10-minute free write. Participants are encouraged to write freely, without worrying about grammar, structure, or even sharing their work aloud. After the writing portion, the group members are encouraged to decorate quilt squares that will eventually be assembled by a fabric artist.

Students, faculty and staff who are interested in guesting on WGNS to promote their MTSU-related activities should contact Jimmy Hart, senior director of MTSU News and Media Relations, at 615-898-5131 or via email at jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu.