Published November 14, 2024

CAPTION:(L-R): Eugene Bowie Bratcher, David Turrentine, Dr. Nicholas Bratcher, and Sharon Turrentine pose at the VAPA Piano Bar event at Bon Aire on Sept. 21. Nearly $25,000 was raised to support the ULM Wind Ensemble as they travel to perform at Carnegie Hall next
year.  

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MONROE, La. – The University of Louisiana Monroe School of Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA)
is celebrating the success of a recent fundraiser as well as the naming of Director
Dr. Nicholas Bratcher as the endowed super chair in visual and performing arts.  

Piano Bar event raises funds for Wind Ensemble trip to Carnegie Hall 

On September 21, 2024, the ULM Foundation presented the 2024 VAPA Piano Bar event
at Bon Aire, the home of ULM President Ron Berry. The event featured live music from
ULM Instructor Justin Havard, along with Assistant Professor Dr. Nancy Carey and ULM
Advancement Officer Sarah Siereveld. Additionally, longtime friend and supporter of
ULM Sharon Turrentine performed a rendition of “Summertime” from George Gershwin’s
Porgy and Bess. 

The VAPA Piano Bar raised nearly $25,000 to support the ULM Wind Ensemble as they
travel to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City on June 24, 2025. The ensemble
was selected to perform after ULM VAPA Director Dr. Nicholas Bratcher submitted concert
footage as part of an audition.  

“For ULM, this performance represents a chance to elevate our music program’s visibility
and reputation on a national level while providing life-changing experiences for our
students,” said Bratcher. “The Carnegie Hall performance is more than just about performing
music. It’s about expanding horizons, fostering artistic growth, and building a legacy
for the School and Visual and Performing Arts that will inspire future generations
of student musicians. For many of our students, this will be their first time out
of the state and truly the opportunity of a lifetime,” stated Bratcher. “I would like
to thank Dr. Ron Berry and Dr. Christine Berry for their continued support of VAPA
at ULM, Dr. Mark Arant, Dr. John Pratte, Sharon Turrentine, and the generous donors
for our students. Additionally, our VAPA faculty and staff are also to be commended
for the work they do with our students,” he added.  

The ULM Wind Ensemble is currently composed of 43 students. Participating alumni from
the audition will also be invited to attend the trip and perform at Carnegie Hall.
 

The ULM Wind Ensemble will continue to raise funds for its Carnegie Hall performance
tour. Donations can be made payable to “ULM VAPA Foundation” and can be addressed
to the ULM School of Visual and Performing Arts, 700 University Ave., Monroe, LA 71209.
 

VAPA Director named Endowed Super Chair in Visual and Performing Arts 

Nicholas Bratcher, D.M.E., Director of the School of Visual and Performing Arts, and
also Professor of Music and Director of Bands, was selected as the recipient of the
Sharon Griffith Turrentine Super Endowed Chair in the School of Visual and Performing
Arts. The endowment, established in 2023, was an effort by longtime supporters of
the university, David and Sharon Turrentine, to make a transformational gift to ULM
and use the powers of visual and performing arts to do so. 

As the endowed super chair holder, Bratcher will be responsible for promoting intellectual,
artistic, and cultural diversity and collaboration in all facets of the school; overseeing
and managing faculty affairs, including recruitment, retention, and development; and
working collaboratively with key academic and community partners to represent ULM
School of Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) on and off campus. These are duties that
Bratcher already works diligently to perform as the current Director of the School
of Visual and Performing Arts. 

“I am proud to have this honor bestowed upon me, because it signifies recognition
of the work done (and work to be done) by myself and my colleagues within visual and
performing arts,” said Bratcher. “I also understand that being recognized for this
position allows more opportunities for financial support provided by our generous
donors, as well as the institution itself, to our projects and productions. This endowed
super chair will allow more support for students, as well as opportunities to lead
initiatives within VAPA. My gratitude is beyond words, but I am thankful and confident
that this role will allow me to increase VAPA’s visibility within the academic community
and provide resources for our growing and thriving programs.” 

“Dr. Bratcher will honor this tremendous chair through his vision and advocacy for
the School of Visual and Performing Arts,” said Dr. Mark Arant, ULM Provost and Vice
President of Academic Affairs. “The gracious consideration of the Turrentine family
will prove to be a wise investment in the futures of myriads of artists, performers,
teachers, and citizens.  Nick will ensure the best implementation of this gift.”  

About ULM VAPA 

The School of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Louisiana Monroe aims
to provide students with the highest level of arts education, research and educational
opportunities to majors and minors. VAPA aims to offer curricular, co-curricular and
extracurricular opportunities to students enrolled at ULM, as well as provide cultural
activities, special events and performances for university, local and area communities.
The School of Visual and Performing Arts aims to serve as an expert resource to school
arts programs throughout the region. VAPA at ULM offers degrees in various disciplines
in art and music as well as experiences in dance and theatre. Learn more at www.ulm.edu/vapa