Tennessee Tech University’s School of Music and theatre program will host “Kaleidoscope: A Music and Theatre Showcase” on Sunday, March 8, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Red Silo Brewing Company in Cookeville’s WestSide district.
Colin Hill, director of Tech’s School of Music, said the event gives students an opportunity to showcase their talents while raising funds for the School of Music and Theatre program.
“Kaleidoscope gives students a chance to show off their talents while also fundraising for the School of Music and Theatre program,” Hill said.
All proceeds from the event will support student scholarships, student travel, and the purchase and repair of musical instruments, equipment and tools, Hill added.
The ticketed event will also include food provided by The Pizza Machine and Tech alumnus Brad Norris.
“Mr. Norris is the choir director at White County High School and a superb chef,” Hill said. “He caters our annual Homecoming Music Alumni Reunion, and we are excited to partner with him again this year. His food is amazing.”
During three hours of live performances, Kaleidoscope will feature a diverse showcase of musical and theatrical expression.
“Kaleidoscope is a collage-style concert featuring short performances from every area of the School of Music and Theatre program,” Hill said. “With two stages, 10-minute sets will alternate throughout the event. This format highlights a wide variety of ensembles, genres and art forms, showcasing the talent of our music and theatre students.”
Hill expressed gratitude for the opportunity to utilize a locally owned staple of Cookeville’s historic district as this year’s home for Kaleidoscope.
“Red Silo has been a strong supporter of the Tennessee Tech School of Music, and we’re excited to team up with them this year! Last year, they donated items for our event at 37 Cedar, and this year, they’re not only providing those donations but also hosting the event,” Hill said. “Their generosity helps keep our costs low, maximizing the efforts of our fundraiser.”
The event comes as Tech’s College of Fine Arts, which encompasses the School of Music and theatre program, is seeing record-high enrollment and community engagement.
“The School of Music has experienced a lot of growth over the past five years,” Hill stated. “Since 2020, enrollment has nearly doubled, thanks in part to the launch of two new programs: musical theatre and live audio engineering technology. These programs have quickly become some of the school’s fastest-growing majors, drawing students from across the state.”
Hill sees events like Kaleidoscope as avenues for sustaining momentum and maximizing local creative impact.
“We believe it’s important for Putnam County and the surrounding area to have access to high-quality musical and theatrical performances, and events like Kaleidoscope provide our students with real-world training and experience,” he concluded.
Kaleidoscope is an ages 21-and-up event. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at:
https://www.tntech.edu/univadv/cac/kaleidoscope.php
– by Andrew Buckner
