Southern Utah University is a caring campus community where students come to explore their interests and prepare for meaningful careers and life experiences. With more than 145 undergraduate programs* and 18 graduate and certificate programs across six academic colleges, SUU proudly offers world-class, project-based learning opportunities where students gain professional experience before entering the job market.

Located in the world’s best backyard, SUU is the University of the Parks thanks to its close proximity to several outdoor recreational areas and its educational partnerships with the National Park Service. SUU’s safe, residential campus allows students - more than 10,000 - to create lifelong friendships along with once-in-a-lifetime outdoor adventures in conjunction with innovative academic endeavors.

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Jazz guitarist Mckay Tebbs lives in Cedar City, Utah where he is helping to launch a Commercial Music program at Southern Utah University. Tebbs specializes in crafting original interpretations of jazz standards and pop/rock music. His original songs are melodic and memorable, while his ability to improvise over his own accompaniments sets him apart as an outstanding guitarist. 

 Tebbs enjoys getting out of his office to share his music with the people in his community. In the past, he has traveled to different school music programs and strengthened them by offering instruction and donating new guitars.  Tebbs relates, “I had a man come into my office one day and introduce himself as Dave Caswell. He said that he loved building guitars, and wanted to get them into the hands of students to play. After talking with him, I agreed to bring his guitars to the schools that I visited. It wasn’t long before we ran out of guitars. It was a great experience for me to be able to give back something to these schools to support them in their work.”   

Originally from Utah, Tebbs began playing the guitar at age 12 and was teaching people in his hometown by the time he was 17. It was during that time that he discovered Berklee College of Music from which he eventually graduated with honors. During performances, Tebbs talks with the audience about the importance of building dreams and gaining an education to help make those dreams come true. He shares personal experiences from his own life to inspire others to work hard and dream big.  

Tebbs has earned a doctorate degree from the USC Thornton School of Music and has taught thousands of guitar lessons to students of all styles and levels. He has performed with Theater West of Scottsbluff, Ne and was a special guest performer on the Nebraska Public Radio show Friday Live. Tebbs was a featured soloist in the contemporary guitar concerto Chaos Theory by James Bonney and has performed with many different jazz and pop artists.

Music Education

Recording

Jazz Guitar

Commercial Music

Music Theory

English

 Portuguese

Personal Website

SUU Department of Music Faculty & Staff Website

Spotify Album

Dr. McKay Tebbs Appointed as Director of Undergraduate Music Technology at SUU

Introducing...Commercial Music: A Pop Concert

Commercial Music Program Gains Real-World Experience at NAMM

Music Professor Builds Foundations for Students' Dreams

Keeping in tune with what is to come from the music department

Shawn Mckay Tebbs

Guitar Time with McKay Tebbs

Director, Music Tech/Assistant Professor, Music

Watch McKay Tebbs, a professor in our Music Department in the College of Performing and Visual Arts at Southern Utah University, tell his moving story of how he was able to achieve his dreams as an artist and the day he made the heartfelt promise to give back to the music community that had shaped his life. 
Inspired by his own experiences and a deep passion for music, McKay created the Commercial Music Scholarship at SUU. This scholarship aimed to provide aspiring musicians with financial support and mentorship, empowering them to pursue their dreams and achieve their musical goals. McKay's dedication to giving back was driven by a profound appreciation for the opportunities that a scholarship afforded him to start his journey. By establishing the Commercial Music Scholarship, McKay sought to create a lasting impact and inspire others to support and uplift the next generation of musicians.

To donate to this scholarship: please visit suu.edu/givenow

About SUU:
Southern Utah University is a caring campus community where students come to explore their interests and prepare for meaningful careers and life experiences. Offering more than 150 undergraduate programs, 32 graduate and certificate programs, as well as a professional doctorate degree across seven academic colleges, SUU proudly offers world-class, project-based learning opportunities where students gain professional experience before entering the job market.

Located in the world’s best backyard, SUU is the University of the Parks® thanks to its close proximity to several outdoor recreational areas and its educational partnerships with the National Park Service. SUU’s safe, residential campus allows students - more than 12,000 - to create lifelong friendships along with once-in-a-lifetime outdoor adventures in conjunction with innovative academic endeavors.

⚡Come soar with us at https://www.suu.edu/

Connect with Southern Utah University:
Visit SUU's website: https://www.suu.edu/
Follow SUU on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suutbirds/
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SUU: Commercial Music Scholarship

"Fly Like An Eagle" a concert presented by Alternate Currents, featuring Special Guest Artist Joseph Wooten.

Program

Direct Currents - Dakota Allison, Kaylin DeLespinasse, Cooper Gardiner, Halle Hacking, Kyson Larsen, Kennie Lewis, Joseph Morse, Sophia Nelson, Paul Pulsipher

“Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson

“Day Tripper” by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

“Yellow” by Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion

“The Middle” by Jim Adkins, Zach Lind, Tom Linton, and Rick Burch

“Bridge over Troubled Water” by Paul Simon

“Don't Stop Believin’” by Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry, and Neal Schon

“Jackie and Wilson” by Andrew Jon Hozier-Byrne

“Into the Night” by Penelope Campion (performed by Penelope Campion)

Intermission

Alternate Currents - Jackson Alder, Zach Allred, Savannah Billeter, Penelope Campion, Giveson Gelin, Spencer Lloyd, Cayleb Martinez, Ember Moat, Brady Poor, Bridger Saunders, Alex Selden, Taylor Shamrell, Isaac Sumner, Will Walker, Michael Westwood

“Rubbish” by Isaac Sumner
“Jump Jive and Wail” by Louis Prima, arr. Jacob Lee
“Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder, arr. Paul Pulsipher
“City Lights” by Savannah Billeter, arr. Jacob Lee
“Shake it Off" by Taylor Swift, arr. Jacob Lee
“Devil Went Down to Georgia” by Charlie Daniels, arr. Michael Westwood
“Skate U” by Mike Maher
“Smooth” by Carlos Santana, arr. Jacob Lee

Alternate Currents with SUU Choirs and Special Guest Joseph Wooten

“Fly Like An Eagle” by Steve Miller, arr. Jacob Lee

"Layla" by Eric Clapton, arr. Jacob Lee and McKay Tebbs

Dr. McKay Tebbs is a music professor at Southern Utah University where he directs
the Commercial Music program and serves as the Undergraduate Director of Music
Technology. As a jazz guitarist, Tebbs specializes in crafting original interpretations
of jazz standards and pop/rock music. Tebbs has been teaching guitar and other
music classes for over 20 years and is a graduate from both Berklee College of
Music and the USC Thornton School of Music. Prior to his SUU appointment, Tebbs
worked as a professor of guitar and Music Industry at Chadron State College in
Nebraska.

Jacob Lee is a composer, performer, and educator who is intrigued by the ability
for storytelling in music. He seeks to create music that is both publicly accessible
and mentally stimulating. As a composer, Jacob has received commissions from
ensembles and artists such as the Utah Opera, the Delgani String Quartet, the
Orchestra of Southern Utah, and Estelí Gomez (of Grammy-winning ensemble,
Roomful of Teeth). As a performer, he has performed throughout the Western
United States with ensembles such as the Utah Shakespeare Festival, the American
Creators Ensemble, and Apollo’s Army. Jacob holds degrees in piano performance
(B.A.) from Southern Utah University, music composition (M.M.) from the University
of Nebraska-Lincoln, and is in the process of completing concurrent degrees in
music theory (M.A.) and music composition (PhD) from the University of Oregon. He
currently teaches at Southern Utah University.
Commercial Music Information

The Commercial Music program at SUU was started in Fall of 2022 and
allows students to learn songwriting, recording, music technology,
entrepreneurship and performance skills, all with an emphasis in
commercial/contemporary styles of music. The commercial music
ensemble Alternate Currents features a horn section, rhythm section,
backup singers and a lead vocalist. They play a variety of classic Pop/R&B
tunes along with original songs written by members of the group. They
group won the “Best Band” award in the 2022 SUU Battle of the Bands and
recently performed on a national stage at the NAMM show in Anaheim, CA.
A scholarship for SUU Commercial Music students was recently started as a
means of supporting these young musicians in pursuing their dreams.
Please consider donating to this fund by clicking on the following
QR code. All supporters who donate tonight will receive a free audio
recording of tonight’s performance. To receive your recording, simply
make a donation and then take a screen shot of your confirmation page and
email it to Dr. McKay Tebbs at mckaytebbs@suu.edu.

"Fly Like An Eagle" a concert presented by Alternate Currents on Friday, February 16, 2024.

Featuring the SUU commercial music ensemble Alternate Currents and the SUU combined choirs.

Directed by Dr. McKay Tebbs and Dr. Andrew Briggs

Heritage Center Theater
Cedar City, UT
February 16, 2023

Program

Brady Poor’s Funny Little Jazz Combo
“Stal”..........C418 (Daniel Rosenfeld)
from Minecraft: Volume Beta 
arr. Carlos Eiene
Brady Poor, tenor and soprano saxophone;
P.J. Howa, guitar; Nick Stein, piano;
Will Walker, acoustic bass; Sheldon Stevens, drums

“It’s Raining Somewhere Else ” ........... Toby Fox
from Undertale Soundtrack arr. Brady Poor
Brady Poor, tenor saxophone; Josh Romero, vibraphone;
Nick Stein, piano; Zach Anderson, synthesizer;
Will Walker, electric bass; Sheldon Stevens, drums and cabasa

“Sing a Song of Song" ............ Kenny Garrett
Brady Poor, alto saxophone; Seth Seegmiller, flugelhorn;
P.J. Howa, electric guitar; Zach Anderson, piano;
Will Walker, acoustic bass; Sheldon Stevens, drums


Commercial Music Ensemble “Alternate Currents”

“Unwritten“ (as performed by Natasha Bedingfield )........... Natasha Bedingfield,
Danielle Brisebois, and Wayne Rodrigues
Ellie Zierse, lead vocals

“Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” (Part I) ............James Brown
Savannah Billeter, lead vocals

“Standing Out” ...............Penelope Campion
arr. McKay Tebbs
Penelope Campion, lead vocals

“Another Day” (as performed by Buckshot LeFonque) ...............Bill Gable,
Branford Marsalis, and Frank McComb
arr. Brady Poor
Cayleb Martinez, lead vocals
Brady Poor, tenor saxophone

“Failed Tails” .................Savannah Billeter
arr. McKay Tebbs
Savannah Billeter, lead vocals

“Ordinary World” (as performed by Duran Duran) ...... Simon Le Bon, John Taylor,
Nick Rhodes, and Warren Cuccurullo
arr. Cayleb Martinez
Cayleb Martinez, lead vocals; Alex Selden, electric guitar;
Michael Westwood, electric violin



INTERMISSION



“Come Together” (as performed by the Beatles) .............John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Taylor DeMille, lead vocals
Drew Holland, tenor saxophone

“Easy on Me” (as performed by Adele) ................ Adele Adkins and Greg Kurstin
Penelope Campion, lead vocals

“Junk Pile” ...............Isaac Sumner
Isaac Sumner, tenor saxophone

“Dead Girl” ................Ellie Zierse
arr. McKay Tebbs
Ellie Zierse, lead vocals; Brady Poor, alto saxophone;
Zach Anderson, synth keyboard

“Superstition” .................Stevie Wonder
transcribed by Luis Barboza
Savannah Billeter, lead vocals
Brady Poor, alto saxophone



“Alternate Currents” Featuring SUU Combined Choirs
Andrew Briggs and Kristin Briggs, directors
Tracey Bradshaw and Charity Whittaker , pianists

“Jessica’s Star” .............McKay Tebbs
Beau Barrett, Sara Larsen, Annie Hancock, Ally Clayton, and Kendall Miller, vocal soloists
McKay Tebbs, acoustic and electric guitar

“Man in the Mirror” (as performed by Michael Jackson).............Glen Ballard and
Siedah Garrett
arr. Ed Lojeski
Beau Barrett, Cayleb Martinez , and Hannah Gillings, vocal soloists

“Right Now” ..................Van Halen
arr. McKay Tebbs
Taylor DeMille, Amber Collier, and Cayleb Martinez, vocal soloists
Dr. McKay Tebbs, Electric Guitar


The Commercial Music program at SUU was started in Fall of 2022 and allows students to learn songwriting, recording, music technology, entrepreneurship and performance skills, all with an emphasis in commercial/contemporary styles of music. The commercial music
ensemble Alternate Currents features a horn section, rhythm section, backup singers and a lead vocalist. They play a variety of classic Pop/R&B tunes along with original songs written by members of the group. They won the "Best Band" award in the 2022 SUU Battle of the Bands and have been a featured act at the BumbleBerry Inn stage in Springdale Utah.

SUU Commercial Music Pops Concert -  February 16, 2023

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