South Carolina State University News July 2013 SC State’s Director of Bands to serve as Guest Conductor for the Intercollegiate Music Association Eddie Ellis, director of Bands at SC State University will serve as the guest conductor for the 54th annual Intercollegiate Music Association’s (IMA) Conference. This event is scheduled to begin on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014 on the campus of Norfolk State University located in Norfolk, Va. The IMA Conference provides an immeasurable opportunity for promoting excellence in both large and small instrumental ensembles. Ellis is one of many renowned African-American conductors who will be featured at the annual conference. “I was totally taken by surprise when I received the invitation from Dr. Adolph E. Wright, president of IMA. The highest honor one can receive is one of commendation by your peers,” says Ellis. “Whenever you are asked to be a guest conductor for a conference it is an honor. This very prestigious invitation is one that I will cherish. I am proud to represent SC State University.” Ellis is currently the director of Bands at SC State University where he is responsible for all band programs and activities. He has conducted the symphonic band, the wind ensemble and the “Marching 101 Band.” The “Marching 101 Band,” has performed for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Band Directors’ Consortium. The band members have also attended the mid-west band and orchestra clinic and the Conn-Selmer Summer Institute for music majors. In addition, the “Marching 101 Band” has performed for the National Football League’s (NFL) Atlanta Falcons and in numerous community parades and civic functions. Prior to working at SC State University, Ellis served as the director of Bands at Morris Brown College upon the death of professor Cleophus Johnson. Ellis’ duties at the college included teaching music humanities, conducting methods and materials for teaching high school band, drill design and supervising instrumental student teachers. He also conducted the symphonic band and the famed, “Marching Wolverine Band.” Major accomplishments at the college included the marching band students being featured in the movie, “Drumline,” and the Morris Brown College Symphonic Band was named the first African-American college band to perform for the Georgia Music Educators Association. Ellis holds memberships in the Georgia Music Educators Association, the College Band Directors National Association and the South Carolina Music Educators Association. He is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Ellis is a 1975 graduate of Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Ga. with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public School of Music and a minor in education. In 1986, he obtained a Master of Music Education degree from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Ga. He has also studied at Florida State University, The Cincinnati Conservatory and The University of Texas at Austin. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.