Alcorn State University to host program on ‘Blues to Southern Soul’

Dr. Renardo Murray

LORMAN, Miss. -- Dr. Renardo Murray, associate professor and associate dean at Alcorn State University, will give a talk on “The Transition from Blues to Southern Soul” at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, in Dumas Hall, Room 107, at Alcorn State University, Lorman Campus.

The program is sponsored by the Southwest MS Center for Culture and Learning, and Alcorn State University College of Arts and Science. It is free and open to the public.

“Dr. Murray is a talented and experienced musician, teacher, administrator, and a gifted speaker,” said Teresa Busby, executive director of the Southwest MS Center for Culture and Learning. “We are delighted that he has agreed to share his knowledge of the blues and southern soul as part of our fall speaker series.”

Busby said Murray’s presentation will be “informative and entertaining as he explains that in addition to rhythm and blues, southern soul was influenced by country, gospel, rock, and pop.”

Murray is an associate professor of Music and the associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. A native of Jackson, he served as director of Bands at Alcorn from 2011-2018. His experience includes a stint at Jackson State University where he served as assistant band director and later as interim director of bands and music instructor.

Murray also served as band director at Yazoo City High School, Blackburn Middle School, and Clinton High School. He worked as assistant band director for Wilkinson County High School.

With regard to his education, Murray earned his Doctor of Philosophy in music education from the University of Mississippi and a master’s degree in the same field from Jackson State University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Alcorn.

For more information, call 601.877.6551. To request disability-related accommodations contact the Disability Coordinator at least five days in advance at 601-877-6460 (office) or e-mail at disabilityservices@alcorn.edu.