Spartanburg Methodist College focuses on stimulating students’ cultural experiences and love for the arts – whether it is through music, the spoken word, or visual arts. Each year, a program of events is developed with the student in mind — events that both showcase student talent, expose them to outside influences, and generate a greater appreciation for the culture and arts of different groups and backgrounds.
SMC also offers strong programs in voice and choral performances and many students participate in extracurricular activities such as the SMC Singers choral group and the SMC Troubadours. The Troubadours are an elite, touring choral group, with students selected by audition. They perform at special functions, including the SMC Fall and Spring Concerts, chapel services on campus, and perform on a touring series each year primarily at local United Methodist churches and schools in the Upstate area.
The SMC Troubadours for Spring of 2014 include:
Emmy Baker, Sophomore, daughter of Roger and Lydia Baker of Bonneau, S.C. Baker is a graduate of Timberland High School;
Taylor Littlejohn Barr, Sophomore, daughter of Lanny and Jean Littlejohn of York, S.C. Barr is a graduate of York Comprehensive High School;
Lillie Perkins, Freshman, daughter of John and Susan Perkins of Duncan, S.C. Perkins is a graduate of James F. Byrnes High School;
Danielle Needs, Freshman, daughter of John and Mary Needs of Chesnee, S.C. Needs is a graduate of Chesnee High School;
Kristen Ridings, Freshman, daughter of Eric and Lucretia Ridings of Boiling Springs, S.C. Ridings is a graduate of Boiling Springs High School;
Kristen LaPointe, Sophomore, daughter of Jeff and Lori LaPointe, Simpsonville, S.C. LaPointe is a graduate of Mauldin High School;
Carl Gibson, Sophomore, son of Gary and Robin Gibson of Inman, S.C. Gibson is a graduate of Dependent Christian School;
Jesse Harris, Freshman, son of Arthur and Martha Harris of Bluffton, S.C. Harris is a graduate of Bluffton High School;
Ben Emswiler, Freshman, son of David Emswiler and Deborah Shirley of Spartanburg, S.C. Emswiler is a graduate of Paul M. Dorman High School;
Ryan Almquist, Sophomore, son of Todd and Tina Almquist of Taylors, S.C. Almquist is a graduate of East Side High School;
Shawn Saliba, Sophomore, son of Mitchell Saliba and Kathi Vidal of Spartanburg, S.C. Saliba is a graduate of Paul M. Dorman High School;
Leah Meahl, Sophomore, daughter of Bruce and Rhonda Meahl of Greenville, S.C. Meahl is a graduate of Wade Hampton High School;
Tiffany Morgan, Sophomore, daughter of Eddie Callaham and Lorraine Morgan of Plum Branch, S.C. Morgan is a graduate of McCormick High School;
Logan Phillips, Sophomore, daughter of Randy and Julie Phillips of Blacksburg, S.C. Phillips is a graduate of Blacksburg High School;
Travis Goodjoin, Freshman, son of Marilyn Goodjoin of Spartanburg, S.C. Goodjoin is a graduate of Paul M. Dorman High School;
Quinton Barker, Sophomore, son of Sterling George of Moore, S.C. Barker is a graduate of James F. Byrnes High School; and
Megan Knight, Freshman, daughter of Michael and Teresa Knight of Inman, S.C. Knight is a graduate of Chapman High School.
Last year SMC’s Troubadours sang for the Case Brothers’ Saturday Afternoon Musical Event, and also performed at New Beginnings United Methodist Church (Boiling Springs), Greenville First Church of the Nazarene, Sharon United Methodist Church (Greer), Bethel United Methodist Church (Spartanburg), Pelham Road Baptist (Greenville), St. James United Methodist Church (Spartanburg), and Nazareth Baptist Church (Blacksburg). They were primary participants in SMC’s “Mr. Scrooge!”, as well as participating in five chapel services on campus. Most recently, the Troubadours performed in January at Methodist Manor of the Pee Dee and at Highland Park UMC (Florence).
Bethel United Methodist Senior Pastor David E. Nichols commented “the SMC Troubadours were wonderful at Bethel. They were bright and joyful on top of singing beautifully. They were very talented and inspiring.”
“We are always looking for new entertainment for our Fall Festival. I’d heard the Troubadours sing at our Wednesday night meal in the past and knew they’d be a great addition to our festival. Because of the proximity of the St. James UMC to SMC, we hope to have them back next year and invite SMC students to be a part of St. James during their college experience,” shared Annette Haynie, St. James United Methodist Church member.
The SMC Troubadours are under the direction of Dr. Lanny Lanford, Professor of Music and Director of the SMC’s Music Department. Lanford brings over thirty years of experience in conducting and in higher education teaching to his current position and holds a B.A. (with a choral emphasis) from the University of South Carolina; a Master of Church Music degree in theory and composition from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY and returned to South Carolina to complete his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Composition. To schedule the SMC Troubadours at your church or event, please contact email@example.com or 864-587-4275.