Transylvania’s music program is honoring Merrilee Elliott’s 40 years as a flute instructor at the university with a recital performed by her colleagues and students.
The public is invited to the free concert Sunday at 3 p.m. in Old Morrison Chapel. The recital is based on a quote by Hans Christian Andersen: “Where words fail, music speaks.”
Elliott, who began at Transylvania in 1985, has performed with the Lexington Philharmonic and various area chamber ensembles while also teaching at Asbury, the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts and private lessons.
“When I found out that Merrilee was retiring at the end of this school year, I knew we had to give a recital in her honor,” said Angela Eaton, coordinator of applied music.
It’s an example of how Elliott has found a supportive community at Transylvania over the years. “It’s been a pleasure to work with the students and have the support of the faculty,” she said. “We all stick together, and it’s been good.”
She has also benefited professionally from being an instructor at the school, having toured throughout the South with professors and other performers in the Transylvania Quadrant Ensemble and premiered works written for her by faculty. “I was able to do a lot of professional things through Transy that I wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise,” she said.
Eaton commended her service to the university. “Merrilee is an excellent teacher, flawless performer, advocate for students and steadfast friend. The Transylvania music program will miss our precious jewel next year.”
Elliott’s students joined in praising her.
“During my time at Transylvania, I had the wonderful opportunity to take flute lessons with Merrilee,” senior Kennedy Kniffley said. “Merrilee has always encouraged me to be a well-rounded and studied flute player, and I will never forget the many composer reports, sight-read duets and scales patterns that I completed under her tutelage.”
“When I think of flute lessons with Merrilee, I remember her eclectic and amazing style as well as her unwavering encouragement,” said former student Jennifer Wagenmaker Crabtree ’05. “She fully supported me from the time I was a new freshman through my senior recital and beyond.”
Pictured (l-r) in the top photo are Erin Kendall, Carson Calico, Merrilee Elliott and Kennedy Kniffley.