Brewton-Parker music chair garners ASCAP award

Dr. Glenn Eernisse's primary contribution of an anthem to Brewton-Parker College's Centennial Celebration led to his selection by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers as the recipient of an ASCAP Award for 2004-05.

Dr. Glenn Eernisse, chair of Brewton-Parker College's Division of Music, sits at his office piano with a copy of "Train Your Mind, Follow Your Heart," the commissioned anthem he wrote for the college's Centennial Celebration and a work that contributed to his fifth consecutive selection by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers as the recipient of an ASCAP Award for 2004-05.

Eernisse, chair of Brewton-Parker's Division of Music, received the honor for a fifth consecutive year, an honor based on the volume of work produced in the past year.

That work included the culmination of Eernisse's commissioned anthem "Train Your Mind, Follow Your Heart," which members of the BPC Centennial Choir, Baron Ringers handbell choir and the Brass Ensemble performed during Brewton-Parker's Centennial Convocation service on April 28.

"It was a great honor for me to be asked to compose a piece commemorating the college's centennial," said Eernisse, a member of the Brewton-Parker College Division of Music faculty since 1995 and the division's chair since May 2003.

"Since I was given no specific direction for the text, I felt a real freedom to develop the lyrics as I felt led. The research I did on the college's history gave me a new appreciation of the people who have been a part of Brewton-Parker family during the first 100 years of the history of the college."

ASCAP Awards are granted by an independent panel and are based upon the unique prestige value of each writer's catalog of original compositions, as well as recent performances in areas not surveyed by the society.

"One has to have a consistent output of work and show proof that these efforts are current," said Eernisse, who primarily composes and arranges church music. "ASCAP is trying to recognize the creative process for writers who aren't as much in the limelight."

"It is a way of acknowledging and rewarding people who are part of the creative process of writing music," he said.

Eernisse has composed and arranged pieces for a variety of vocal and instrumental groups. These include children's choirs, youth choirs, adult choirs, senior adult choirs, handbells, and a variety of brass and woodwind groups.

"I am grateful for the support of the college for this outlet that relates to my work," he added. "Recognition of this kind certainly benefits all of us."

His commissioned works include pieces for the Brewton-Parker College presidential inauguration, the Georgia Baptist Church Music Conference, First Baptist Church of Vidalia, Ga., and First Baptist Church of McDonough, Ga. He has written articles for The Church Musician, The Hymn and Creator.

Eernisse has served on the faculty of several music camps and band camps, and has functioned as an adjudicator for festivals and competitions at a variety of levels.

Professional organizations of which he is a member include Music Educators National Conference, Georgia Music Educators Association, Georgia Baptist Church Music Conference, and International Trombone Association. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and is listed among "Outstanding Young Men of America," "Who's Who Among America's Teachers," and "Who's Who in America."

As an associate professor of instrumental activities, Eernisse has served as director of the College Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band, and taught courses in brass and percussion methods, marching band methods, composition, and jazz. He currently directs the Brass Ensemble and the Baron Singers, and teaches courses in music technology, arranging, and private low brass lessons at Brewton-Parker.

"As an artist, scholar, performer, colleague, leader and team player, Glenn Eernisse rises to the top of the class," said Dr. David R. Smith, Brewton-Parker's president. "His centennial anthem was a wonderful admonition from the spirit of Romans 12 to train our minds and follow our hearts.

"He is gifted with great talent, but extends consideration and humility to those with whom he works. Brewton-Parker College is privileged to have this fine gentleman as an academic leader and professor."

-BPC-