Music
Northwest Mississippi Community College Department of Music
The NW music department offers advanced instruction in vocal and instrumental music. Many students who are passionate about music choose to enrich their collegiate experience at NW by participating in one or more of the choral or instrumental ensembles offered through the music department. *See the choir and band sites for more detailed information on music ensembles and how to audition.
Students who wish to pursue a career in music may begin that journey at NW. The music degree pathway (major) is a comprehensive two-year plan designed to prepare students to graduate and then transfer into a college or university program where they will complete the final two years of an undergraduate degree in Music Education, Music Performance, Entertainment Industry Studies (music business/industry), or other music-emphasis degree of their choice.
Northwest Choirs
The vocal department at Northwest Mississippi Community College incorporates multiple ensembles, including the mens and womens choirs which employ all the singers at the college, and the audition-only Chamber Choir. The Northwest Entertainers is an elite pop vocal group. The Northwest Choirs regularly perform throughout the year; both locally and regionally. The vocal music department also offers applied instruction for major and non-major voice. Our vocal ensembles perform regularly at campus and community events as well as collegiate festivals.
Northwest Bands
The Band Department at Northwest Mississippi Community College incorporates multiple ensembles. The Ranger Marching Band employs all instrumentalists as well as the color guard and dance team. Within the instrumental music department students can participate in smaller ensembles such as the Northwest Jazz Ensemble I, Jazz Ensemble II, Jazz Quintet, Steel Band, Percussion Ensemble, Brass Ensembles and Woodwind Ensembles. In addition to many public performances and concerts, the instrumental music department offers applied instruction for major and non-major lessons for all woodwind, brass, percussion instruments and piano.
Scholarships
- Scholarships are available for both instrumentalists and vocalists.
- For information on vocal audition requirements click here.
- If you have any other choir-related questions contact:
Reese Norris, Director of Choral Activities Phone: (662) 562-3337 - For information on instrumental audition requirements and any other questions contact:
Tim Garrett, Director of Bands Phone: (662) 562-3336
NWCC Music Faculty
Jeff Triplett, District Director of Fine Arts Instruction, Coordinator of Entertainment Industry Studies
Phone: (662) 562-3922 Email: jtriplett@northwestms.edu
Dr. Saundra Bishop, Director of the Entertainers, Piano, Music Theory
Phone: (662) 562-3333 Email: sbishop@northwestms.edu
Tim Garrett, Director of Bands, Applied High Brass Instructor
Phone: (662) 562-3336 Email: tgarrett@northwestms.edu
J Reese Norris, Director of Choral Activities
Phone: (662) 562-3337 Email: rnorris@northwestms.edu
John Ungurait, Assistant Director of Bands, Applied Percussion, Jazz and Steel Bands
Phone: (662) 562-3335 Email: jbungurait@northwestms.edu
Jennifer Whitehead, Applied Woodwind Instructor, Music Theory
Phone: (662) 562-3346 Email: jwhitehead@northwestms.edu
Dr. Stellah Mbugua, Assistant Choral Director
Phone: (662) 562-3329 Email: smbugua@northwestms.edu
Lacey Halley, Adjunct Applied Voice Instructor
Phone: (662) 562-5356 Email: lhalley@northwestms.edu