ATU’s Trotter to Perform Music Honoring First Ladies – Arkansas Tech University

Dr. Mary J. Trotter, assistant professor of music at Arkansas Tech University, will be part of a world premiere performance of a set of musical compositions inspired by the First Ladies of the United States of America.

The performance of “East Wing Songs Volume III” will take place at Christ Presbyterian Church in Canton, Ohio, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6. Trotter will be joined by Dr. Sarah Howes, soprano, of the music faculty at Southwest Baptist University (Mo.). The set was composed by Jenni Brandon.

“We are honored and delighted to be partnering with Ms. Howes and Ms. Trotter to continue to promote the history of the First Ladies of the United States in this unique lecture-performance format,” said Patty Dowd Schmitz, president and chief executive officer of the National First Ladies Library and Museum. “We hope that this event will attract new audiences and admirers to the stories of these remarkable women.”

Trotter joined the ATU faculty in fall 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Whitworth University, a Master of Music degree from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Minnesota.

She teaches courses in piano and introduction to music in the ATU Department of Music. Originally from Snohomish, Wash., Trotter has served as pianist for state, regional and national American Choral Directors Association and National Association of Teachers of Singing events.

Trotter has presented her work at such institutions as Yale University, Colorado State University, Northern Arizona University, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, the University of St. Thomas, Gonzaga University and Southwest Baptist University.

She has given multiple performances of her lecture-recital entitled “I, Too, Sing America: the Friendship and Collaboration of Margaret Bonds and Langston Hughes.”

Trotter was named 2023-24 ATU professor of the year in a vote by the student body.

Learn more about the ATU Department of Music at www.atu.edu/music.