Sabrina Sutton

At East Tennessee State University, the arts are thriving and represent one of the greatest areas of public outreach the university offers through public art exhibits, concerts, theatrical productions, film screenings, storytelling, poetry readings and much more. 

One area that constantly hosts public events is the Department of Music in ETSU’s College of Arts and Sciences.  On any given week of the academic year, the department hosts anywhere from one to five or more events, ranging from recitals by individual students to major concerts by ETSU student vocal and instrumental ensembles and performances by ETSU faculty and guest artists from around the world.

When the first notes of a concert are played or sung, the entire focus of the audience is on the individual or ensemble on the stage, but a lot goes into making that concert happen, not only on the part of the artists, but also on the part of numerous others.

One person at ETSU who plays a role in preparing for these moments is Sabrina Sutton, events coordinator in the Department of Music. 

Sutton assists the department’s faculty and students in scheduling their performances.  She collects program details, artist information and photos, which she uses to help publicize events.  She also sells tickets for events requiring admission, and prints programs to be handed out at each event.

Sutton works with the department’s Academic Performance Scholarship student workers, making sure that ushers and student recording system operators are available for each concert.

Before events, Sutton’s job is to ensure that equipment and signage are moved to the appropriate venues, coordinate with the piano technician to have the Steinway pianos tuned, and instruct the students in setting up the stages according to artist specifications.  She works concerts that require ticket sales (many events are free of charge), arriving early to set up the computer to sell tickets.  She enjoys greeting patrons, as well.

Sutton says she truly appreciates the arts.

“I love all different kinds of music – jazz, strings, vocal, piano,” she said.   “I meet so many talented people from all over the world, and I really love working with the students, especially, as well as the public.

“I try to always go to the students’ senior recitals,” she continued.  “I want the students to feel like they mean something to me, because they do.  They are a lot of help, and I appreciate them a lot.  And that’s what we’re here for – for the students and their education.”