The Bluegrass is Always Bluer at E.T.S.U.

At fall commencement 2011, one student made history by becoming the first to graduate with a bachelor's degree in bluegrass, old time and country.

Bluegrass studies were first introduced in East Tennessee State University in 1982. 

In fact, it was ill-received by many academics who believed that the styles of music were beneath higher education.

It soon became the goal to educate the students about the country music of the 1940s and 1950s that still underlays the music of today. Since then, its students have been able to perform at many prestigious establishments and have successfully toured the bluegrass and country circuits of foreign countries.

The bachelor's program has a hands-on focus that has appealed to many individuals from all over the world.

"I stumbled upon the major," says Emma Forester, a freshman of the program. "I was messing around on the Internet and searched for ‘bluegrass major.' I didn't think that anything would come up. It did, and the rest is history."

ETSU's bluegrass program offers both vocal and instrumental curricula, as well as an individualized focus that is not common in higher education. Upon acceptance, the student is offered the opportunity to join a band. Much like the theatre department, which allows its students to take a one-credit-hour course to document their involvement in a show, students of the area of bluegrass, old time and country music studies can take a similar course for band rehearsal. 

A heavy weight is placed on each student gaining professional experience as a performer. All bands are required to complete three scheduled performances per semester.

In the future, Forester says that she sees the program placing more of an emphasis on the business side of the music industry.

"It's an amazing opportunity for musicians to grow and realize that you can actually make a career out of playing bluegrass music," says Forester.

Students in the bluegrass, old time and country program say that the program gives them the ability to come together and do what they love to do: play.