Ladies of Lee open concert series honoring Earl Miller - March 2

Thursday, February 13, 2014

photo Ladies of Lee is a 40-voice ensemble from Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn.

IF YOU GO¦ What: Ladies of Lee in Earl Miller Memorial Concert Series.¦ When: 3 p.m. Sunday, March 2.¦ Where: St. Luke United Methodist Church, 3210 Social Circle.¦ Admission: Free.¦ Phone: 423-877-6447.¦ Email: stluke musicdirector@gmail.com.

A concert series honoring a longtime Chattanooga musician and educator will launch Sunday, March 2, with a performance by the Ladies of Lee.

The Earl Miller Memorial Concert Series will honor Miller's legacy and outstanding contributions to music in the Chattanooga area. He died in 2005 at age 81.

"He gave so much life to the world of music, and he would be proud that his vision and tradition are continuing through these communitywide concerts," says Sarah Strickland, music director at St. Luke United Methodist Church, where the concerts will take place.

Miller earned a Bachelor of Arts from Tennessee Wesleyan College, a Bachelor of Music from the University of Chattanooga and a master's degree in music from Columbia University in New York. He was a piano teacher at Cadek Conservatory of Music and an associate professor of music with Cadek Department of Music at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

He held membership in the Music Teachers Association, American Guild of Organists, Chattanooga Music Club, Chattanooga Music Teachers Association, Music Educators National Conference, Chattanooga Institute Noetic Sciences and the YMCA.

Early in his career, he served as minister of music at Elizabeth Lee United Methodist Church and choral director for Gordon Lee High School. He then served as choir director and organist at St. Luke United Methodist for 37 years. After his retirement, he was named music director emeritus.

The initial concert series was hosted in 1997 by Miller himself and featured 13 musicians and groups. This year's series also will highlight the talents of local and regional musicians with four concerts taking place at St. Luke throughout the year.

The 40-voice women's ensemble from Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn., was formed in 1965 to minister through singing and service. A reception will follow the 3 p.m. concert.