Alamance Community College has the unique ability to be many things to many people. Biotechnology, mathematics, welding, and horticulture are just a few. But perhaps one of ACC’s best kept secrets is its excellent Fine Arts program. Now at least three students are making the most of their opportunities by immersing their talents into the band program at Elon University in the latest new creative partnership between the two institutions.  

 

All three music students will ultimately receive their Associate in Fine Arts-Music degrees from ACC, but the chance to fine-tune their musical abilities with one of four possible bands on the Elon campus is an opportunity none wanted to pass up.

 

“This came about as a result of the Elon music faculty, especially those directing bands, wanting a relationship with our Fine Arts-Music program by inviting some of our students to play with them,” explained Dr. Roger Lane, Lead Instructor of the Fine Arts-Music program at ACC.

 

The genesis of the invitation goes back about four years when Elon’s music chair, Jonathan Poquette, contacted Lane about integrating ACC musicians into their band programs.

 

“I thought it was a grand idea, but I was concerned about our students receiving college credit for their participation,” said Lane.

 

Poquette agreed and began researching how this might work academically. The details took some time, but fell into place last fall when Poquette met with Lane, Dr. Lisa Johnson, ACC’s Chief Academic Officer, and Sonya McCook, ACC’s Dean of Business, Arts, and Sciences. Now ACC music students can participate in either of four band options at Elon: Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz, and Concert Band.

 

The deal was music to Dr. Lane’s ears. The ACC students will not only receive college credit (Band I/MUSIC Course 133 in ACC’s course catalog), but will pay ACC’s tuition price while Elon supplies the musical instruments.  

 

“Elon University’s program would like to include as many of our students as feasible to make up their bands,” said Lane.

 

Currently three musicians from ACC’s Fine Arts-Music curriculum are making plans to travel to Elon for band practices early next year: Hope Stevenson, Nathan Greene, and Aaron Jones.

 

Hope Stevenson, 19, began playing the clarinet in fifth grade and, like most aspiring musicians, continued honing her skills through middle school and at Cedar Ridge High School in Hillsborough.

 

When it came time for college, Hope initially thought she would pursue a degree in business, but her heart wasn’t in it. Her father advised her to find a pursuit she would enjoy as a career. That led her to Alamance Community College’s Fine Arts-Music program last year where she also serves as secretary and treasurer for ACC’s Music Club.

 

“Music has been a really big part of my life. In fact, my grandmother was a cellist in the Charlotte Philharmonic for twenty years, and she used to encourage me,” said Hope. “But recently she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s so whenever I play for her, it helps her to remember things.”

 

Hope plans to play with Elon’s marching band or wind ensemble this semester. Upon her ACC graduation in 2026, she wants to transfer to a music therapy program at a four-year school. “My grandmother’s condition has made me want to become a music therapist for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia, or maybe children or chronically ill people,” she said.

 

Pictured above are Nathan Greene (foreground) and Aaron Jones who will spend time this semester playing in the Elon music program band.

 

Nathan Greene, 17, is an Early College student on the ACC campus. Originally a piano student when quite young, his interest had gravitated to the trumpet by the time he reached middle school. By virtue of being on the ACC campus for Early College, he has been taking Music Theory in the Fine Arts program. Unlike his college classmates, he already has experience with Elon’s concert band. For the past two semesters, he has played alongside area musicians young and old in Elon University’s community-based band. The difference is that now he will earn college credit.

 

This spring Nathan will earn not only his Early College high school diploma, but also several ACC college credits. He plans to enroll in a university music program where he plans to major in Music Education.

 

Aaron Jones, 25, learned guitar at age seven, but mastered the clarinet by the time he entered the middle school band. Since then, he has played for church worship teams and performed in the Company Shops Band in Burlington.

 

Aaron was a student in ACC’s music program when Covid hit in March 2020. Rather than face online classes, he put his aspiring music career on hold and went to work full-time. Now 25, Aaron is completing his associate’s degree in ACC’s Fine Arts-Music program for a spring graduation.

 

Concurrent with his studies, Aaron has taught music lessons since 2022 at Burlington’s Pottshouse Music School, operated by his cousin’s husband who initially taught him how to play the guitar when he was seven. His music aspirations today include participating in an Americana blue grass band, where he is trying his hand at writing original songs.

 

“I hope to get more of a concrete answer about my future once I go to Elon this semester,” said Aaron. “I think that will broaden my music horizons because I know their music program is top-notch. I will get to experience more musicians in the jazz ensemble, which will be very different for me. I’m hoping I can meet some new musicians and see where that takes me. “