August Sturgill, from Chatsworth, GA, graduated in December 2021 with an MA in Music Education. He was among the students selected for the first annual Lesson Plan Competition at the Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA) Conference in January 2022.

When did you know that JSU was the right school for you?

I knew JSU was the right school for me when I saw the Southerners perform in my hometown. I said, “I wanna do THAT.” The rest is history.

What are some benefits of your major?

I get to inspire children to create art and become a new generation of great thinkers, artists, and musicians. I also get to conduct research to improve the state of music education in the United States, which is a cause that is very near to my heart.

What is your favorite thing about JSU?

I think that my favorite thing about JSU is simply the community. It reminds me a lot of the town I grew up in. Close-knit, friendly, helpful. Also, we have a wonderful staff of professors and instructors who care deeply about their students, and really push them to be the best they can be in their chosen profession.

What clubs/organizations are you involved in?

While at JSU, I was a performer in the Marching Southerners, Encore! Show Choir, A Capella Choir, and the JSU Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble. I also was a charter member of Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity, where I served as the Warden and VP.

What is one way that you have grown during your time at JSU?

I grew mostly as a professional, and I became much better at organization, writing, and critical thinking– things that were always hard for me as a person with ADHD.

What is your favorite course that you have taken?

This is hard to decide, but if I had to pick one that had the greatest influence on me as a professional, it would be Research Methods. It ignited my drive and passion to become an educational researcher and pursue a doctorate in Sociomusicology.

What do you plan to do after you graduate?

I have accepted a teaching position at Hardy Elementary School in Chattanooga, TN. I hope to begin teaching band on the middle school level soon after. I also plan to work with staff here at JSU to author and publish research articles in scholarly journals for music education and obtain a doctorate in sociomusicology.

What is a fun fact about yourself?

If I wasn’t a music educator, I’d open a bakery!

What advice do you have for first-year students?

Make friends and build connections in your chosen field. It will help a great deal after graduation!