Kirby Davis (left), of the University of Kentucky; David D’Angelo, University of Georgia; Erik Alvar, University of Florida; Lazarrus Miller, University of Mississippi; SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey; Xavier Scaife, Auburn University; Mason Soudelier, Louisiana State University; Ben Keith and Michael Pendowski, both from Auburn University, gather after their performance at the 2017 SEC Legends Dinner. Photo courtesy SECU
OXFORD, Miss. – Lazarrus Miller, a senior music performance major at the University of Mississippi, recently participated in the 2017 SEC Football Championship festivities in Atlanta as part of the conference’s Student Music Ensemble.
For the second year, the SEC Student Music Ensemble provided jazz music for the football championship activities, including for the SEC Legends Dinner and SEC Pregame Hospitality Party. The group was made up of six student musicians from league universities, including Auburn University, Louisiana State University and the universities of Florida and Kentucky.
Miller, from Shannon, was the group’s pianist. He was nominated for the ensemble by Michael Worthy, Ole Miss associate professor of music. Miller said he was “excited and delighted” when he found out he had been selected for the group.
“I feel like the music department has helped me mature as a musician,” Miller said. He explained that his versatility and flexibility, fostered by his professors, have made him a successful jazz musician.
In the improvisational spirit of jazz, the student musicians and directors, David D’Angelo of the University of Georgia and Michael Pendowski of Auburn University, met and rehearsed for the first time just hours before their first performance at the SEC Legends Dinner.
All the students were individually recognized by SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey following their performance at the dinner.
“It is quite an honor for Lazarrus to be chosen for the SEC Music Ensemble,” Worthy said. “Not only is this an incredible opportunity for him, but it reflects well on the music department and Ole Miss.
“We are very proud of Lazarrus and his talent.”