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Not This - Album by Ethan Ropp
Ethan Ropp ’26, senior bassist from Greenville, South Carolina, who is a physics and music major, released his first album funded in part by the Furman Fellows grant he received.
Zhen Simmons Winner of 2026 SCMTA Composition Competition
First-year student Zhen Simmons (pron. Jen!), a Classics and Philosophy double-major from Simpsonville, SC, was a winner of the 2026 Composition Competition with the South Carolina Music Teachers Association. Her piece “Reverie in Watercolor” was entered in the Senior Division Solo Category. Zhen is a student of Dr. David Gross and a former student of Dr. Amanda Montgomery at the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities in Greenville.
A Standout Young Artist: Stroman Takes First Place in SC Bach Competition and will Debut Composition in Charleston
First-year student Daniel Stroman was the winner of the second annual South Carolina Bach Young Artist Competition. Competing along with violinists, cellists, and a gifted baritone singer, Daniel gave a spirited performance of the Prelude and Fugue in G Major, WTC I, followed by the Toccata in e minor. The judges were impressed with his mature understanding of the Baroque style as well as his clean and balanced voicing. His first place award was accompanied by a significant cash award.
Daniel is also an accomplished composer and he will have one of his pieces performed at Piccolo Spoleto in Charleston, South Carolina this summer in the Young Composers of South Carolina concert:
This concert features South Carolina’s next generation of young composers. Each has earned awards in national, regional, state and local composition competitions. Piccolo Spoleto 2026 is proud to support these rising artists at the start of their musical journeys—before their works are heard in films, commercials and concert halls worldwide.
June 5 at 6 p.m.
Parkside Church | 43 Moultrie Street
Free admission; donations welcome at the door.
Stroman is from Johns Island, South Carolina and attended the Charleston County School of the Arts. He is pursuing his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and studies under Dr. Derek Parsons.
Furman Student Georgia Thomas Wins District Round of Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition
Furman University senior vocal performance major Georgia Thomas, soprano, has been named the winner of the South Carolina District of the prestigious Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition. She advanced to the regional round, where she was also awarded an Encouragement Award.
Thomas, a student in the studio of Dr. Grant Knox, distinguished herself among a highly competitive field at the district level, earning top honors and advancing to regionals. There, she continued to impress the panel of judges and was recognized for her artistry and promise with an Encouragement Award.
Following her graduation from Furman this spring, Thomas will continue her studies at the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), where she will pursue a master’s degree in vocal performance.
The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition is one of the nation’s most prestigious opportunities for emerging singers, and Thomas’s success reflects both her individual achievement and the strength of Furman’s vocal program.
A Trip to Remember: Band Supported the Team on the NCAA Stage in Philly
The sights, the sounds, the energy — Philadelphia delivered all of it, and the band matched it beat for beat. As the men’s basketball team entered the court on the NCAA stage, the band was right there with them, filling the arena with the spirit, pride, and unmistakable sound that defines our program.
From the moment the buses rolled into the city, students were buzzing with excitement. Between rehearsals, game‑day performances, and exploring historic Philly, the trip became more than just a chance to play at a major tournament. It was a shared experience that brought the group closer together and showcased the heart of our school community.
Inside the arena, the band’s presence was impossible to miss. Their fight songs, chants, and high‑energy performances kept fans on their feet and gave the team a powerful boost during every run. Opposing crowds took notice too — more than a few spectators commented on the band’s enthusiasm and musical punch.
Off the court, students made the most of their time in the city. They sampled local food, visited iconic landmarks, and soaked in the atmosphere of a city that lives and breathes sports. For many, it was their first trip to Philadelphia, and the memories made along the way will stick long after the final buzzer.
While the tournament run was cut short, the impact of the trip is still resonating. The band returned home proud, inspired, and grateful for the chance to represent the school on one of college basketball’s biggest stages. It was more than a performance — it was a moment of unity, celebration, and school spirit that won’t soon be forgotten.
Photos from NCAA Basketball Tournament
