14 May 2026

Snead State Community College will host its third annual Summer Songwriting Workshop June 15–18 in the Maze Music Building on the Boaz campus.

publicity shot of a musician standing in front of an open door looking out a window with his hands in his pockets

The four-day workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily and is open to participants age 14 and up. The cost to enroll is $50 per person.

Participants will study with Nashville songwriter Jack McKeon alongside Snead State’s music faculty. The workshop is designed to guide students through the process of writing songs, developing lyrics and melodies, and gaining insight into the music industry.

McKeon returns for his second appearance at the annual workshop, where he will share his songwriting process and industry experience while assisting students in developing their own work. A Nashville-based singer-songwriter originally from Chatham, New York, McKeon is known for his honest, plainspoken vocal style and eclectic roots sound.
Influenced by artists such as Hank Williams, Guy Clark, Tom T. Hall and John Hartford, McKeon focuses on timeless, message-driven lyricism. Since relocating to Nashville in 2021, he has built a reputation for storytelling through song, showcased in his 2024 debut album, Talking to Strangers.

As part of the event, the College will host two free public concerts in Fielder Auditorium. McKeon will perform at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, offering attendees a chance to hear his original music. The workshop will conclude with a free concert and recording session at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 18, featuring songs written by participants during the program.

The deadline to register is Friday, June 12. For more information or to register for the workshop, contact Dr. Monica Baker at monica.baker@snead.edu.

24 March 2026

Snead State Community College invites the community to attend a free concert on Friday, March 27.

The concert features performances by Snead State’s Mas Que Mariachi and the Huntsville-based group Los Tres Amigos, featuring Luis Trevino. Trevino is a Texas native living in Alabama since 1989. He has performed as a solo artist as well as with an ensemble, entertaining audiences across the south, southeast, Midwest, and Northeast. Trevino specializes in playing jazz and mariachi trumpet including vocals in English, Spanish, and some Brazilian Portuguese.

Mas Que Mariachi is Snead State’s Mariachi group, comprised of students and faculty from the college. The group was formed in 2025. Los Tres Amigos has been performing since 2010, providing festive music such as mariachi, pop, and more. They have entertained audiences from across the deep south and the Midwest.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. and will be held in Fielder Auditorium, located in the Story Administration Building at 220 North Walnut Street, Boaz.

For more information, contact Music Instructor Dr. Kathleen Ruhleder at kathleen.ruhleder@snead.edu.

23 March 2026

The Guitar Ensemble at Snead State Community College welcomes guest artists to perform at the ensemble’s first concert.

The concert is on Saturday, March 28, at 3 p.m. in Fielder Auditorium, located in the Story Administration Building at 220 North Walnut Street on the Boaz campus.

The concert will feature solos, duets, and larger ensemble pieces. The Guitar Ensemble is led by Director Taylor Goodwin, an instructor at Snead State. Goodwin has been playing as a freelance professional with a wide variety of bands and artists for over a decade. He received a Bachelor in Music Technology degree from the University of Alabama in Birmingham in 2016 and a Master in Commercial Music degree from Belmont University in 2018. While teaching at Snead State, Taylor maintains a nationwide performance schedule, playing regularly with Nashville country act Matt Bennett as well as Alabama-based Winston Ramble.

The group will also be joined by Snead State Music Instructor Dr. Kathleen Ruhleder, who has performed as a vocal soloist with several orchestras, has sung in professional opera choruses and choirs and performed in musicals professionally. She has played the guitar for enjoyment and to lead worship and children’s music since the seventh grade.

Guest performers John Kulinich and Ryan Brown will also perform during the concert.

John Kulinich is a Birmingham-based professional guitarist. He has performed for decades throughout the United States and the world with artists including Rollin’ In The Hay & Taylor Hicks among many others.

Ryan Brown is another Birmingham-based professional musician, specializing in bass and hybrid seven-string guitar. Brown has extensive nationwide touring and recording experience and is a first call bass player for elite artists and musicians statewide. He regularly performs with the Alabama based comedy-bluegrass act Yellow Dandies as well as with the rock band Winston Ramble.

Admission is free to the Guitar Ensemble concert, and the community is invited to attend.

17 February 2026

group of musicians at a piano, drum set, keyboard, and with saxophone, trombones and trumpets playing in an auditorium — The Faculty and Friends Showcase Recital has become an annual event for Snead State Community College’s Fine Arts Department. Pictured is a performance during the 2025 event. The 2026 showcase is coming up on March 1.

The faculty of Snead State Community College’s Fine Arts Department will have their time to shine during the upcoming Faculty and Friends Showcase Recital.

The community is invited to attend the recital on Sunday, March 1, at 3 p.m. in Fielder Auditorium, located in the Story Administration Building on the Boaz campus. Admission is free.

Featured performers include Jazz Band Director Don Blakeney, Community Wind Band Director Nathan Haskew, Piano Instructor Dr. Monica Baker, Department Chair and Voice Instructor Dr. Kathleen Ruhleder, and Division Director and Theatre Instructor Kyle Steffen.

The afternoon will showcase a mixture of vocal and instrumental performances. Joining our faculty are friends of the program including Rhonda Robinson, piano, and Ethan Nessler, tenor.

For more information, contact Dr. Ruhleder at kathleen.ruhleder@snead.edu.

23 January 2026

Snead State Community College welcomes special guests to the third annual Black History Concert, and the community is invited to attend.

Dr. Reginald Jackson, Assistant Professor and Director of the Gospel Choir at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, will be the featured guest artist during the concert scheduled for Friday, Feb. 20. The performance will begin at 7 p.m. in Fielder Auditorium, located in the Story Administration Building at 220 North Walnut Street in Boaz.

Dr. Jackson is an accomplished music educator, speaker, and performer from Madison. His dynamic delivery and broad knowledgebase have opened opportunities for him to perform globally, including locations like Turkey, France, and Japan. He teaches gospel keyboard improvisation and gospel vocal techniques and is experienced on the soprano and alto saxophone, clarinet, flute, piano, and Hammond B-3 organ. He has proficiency in pedagogical tips for playing by ear, Gospel music pedagogy, relevant aural and oral practices, and performance styles of sacred music.

Dr. Jackson has worked with Gospel Recording Artist Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Bishop Marvin Sapp, and the Florida State Jazz Ensemble. He has served as faculty with the University of North Alabama, Alabama A&M University, Calhoun Community College, and Oakwood University.

The Black History Concert will also feature performances by the combined choirs from Snead State Community College and Gadsden State Community College as well as the Snead State Jazz Band.

Admission to the Black History Concert is free. For more information, contact Snead State Community College Music Program Director Dr. Kathleen Ruhleder at kathleen.ruhleder@snead.edu.

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