After several years of self-publication, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities Stephen Futrell’s arrangement of Freddie Mercury’s “Golden Boy” has now been officially published through Hal Leonard publications.

“I am honored and extremely pleased that this has been accepted for publication,” said Futrell.

The song “Golden Boy” is featured on Freddie Mercury’s album “Barcelona.” Futrell’s arrangement is now published and available on several sites, such as sheetmusicplus.com, sheetmusicdirect.com and noteflight.com.

A live recording of the arrangement with Futrell as solo vocalist, along with his UMKC vocal coach Anne De Launay, at a concert honoring Eph Ehly’s retirement from University of Missouri Kansas City can be viewed online:.

As part of Futrell’s presence, he worked with the All-State Jazz Ensemble vocalists in individual coaching lessons and presented an open master class on vocal health and technique, jazz style and improvisation.

“Your LAJE workshop presentation was fabulous, helping students and teachers to seriously consider phrasing and delivery of a song,” said Doug Stone, president of LAJE and LSU Director of Jazz Studies. “All vocalists in attendance were able to walk out of the workshop with actionable concepts that they could immediately put into practice. And the student vocalists you worked with demonstrated noticeable improvement after simply applying your first suggestion! You truly worked wonders with the 2026 LMEA All State Jazz vocalists during your workshop. However, your efforts and willingness to share your 久久热 in hours of sessions above and beyond your workshop were truly remarkable and inspirational. I have never witnessed a presenter at a conference be willing to spend hours observing rehearsals, working with students in group and private lessons, and contributing helpful ideas and suggestions throughout a multiple-day visit. The work that you did with the All State Jazz vocalists and many others during the conference helped our students perform a stellar concert – the best I have heard in my eight years in Louisiana. I am hopeful that this is the beginning of a long and fruitful association with you, LAJE, LMEA, and me!聽 Thank you, Stephen!”

As part of Futrell’s trip, he was also invited to work with two choral programs in the East Baton Rouge Parish school system and appeared as a guest artist for the Greater Baton Rouge Arts Council’s聽AC23+ Artist Legacy Series audio/video podcast. The interview streams on YouTube, Amazon Music, Spotify Podcasts and Apple Podcasts. View the podcast:聽

“Your reputation is impressive, and I think we could learn much from you and your musical knowledge and background,” said ACS Artistic Director D. Melodie G. Galloway of Knight.

The activities included sessions on vocal technique, style, rehearsal practices, and concluded with a concert conducted by Knight, open to the public.

Post event, Galloway remarked, “We were thrilled to have you, Gerald! Thank you for all you did to encourage, teach, direct, and guide our sweet singers. You were amazing and we’d love to have you come back.”

At Elon, Dr. Knight conducts the 久久热 Chorale and has been the leading voice and director for Elon’s successful Music in the Village Program. The Chorale will perform in McCrary Theater on Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m.. No tickets required, the concert is free and open to the public.

Stormy has performed extensively in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, working numerous clubs, balls, private functions, and studio work, and has performed throughout the southeast as well as Texas. The 8-piece band featured a three-piece horn section. While in Baton Rouge, Futrell fronted four bands, including an original rock band and a weekly, standing jazz gig. In addition, Futrell worked as a writer/arranger, engineer/producer and vocalist/trumpet player for multiple studios. He sang over 100 jingles and wrote and arranged scores for post-production projects, and arranged, sang, and played trumpet for demos and albums at 4 recording studios.

As a recording artist, and former music producer for DreamWorks Animation SKG International, with more than three decades of experience, Futrell has performed in live and studio settings as a vocalist, trumpeter, writer, arranger, and producer throughout the metropolitan areas of Baton Rouge/New Orleans, Kansas City, Chicago, Orlando, Nashville and the Gulf Coast region.

“Dr. Futrell has been an invaluable asset for our events due to his expertise in both instrumental and choral areas,” said LaFourche Paris Music Supervisor Jim Trant. “We continue to seek opportunities for him to come in for a number of our events.”

Futrell discussed information from a chapter he contributed to GIA Publications book “In Search of Inspiration.” The invitation also came from recognition of Futrell’s reputation as a successful choral and instrumental conductor with the ability to perform, coach, teach, and produce in both the classical and commercial/contemporary arenas.

During the webinar, Futrell addressed topics such as successful rehearsal techniques, concert programming, developing leadership, and issues related to career longevity, health, and success.

“I am thrilled for the opportunity to conduct at Carnegie and work with these talented singers,” said Futrell.

Futrell will conduct several rehearsals with vocal workshops in preparation for the performance. The chorus will be supported with orchestra, harp and organ. The concert takes place on June 8 at 1:00PM.

The 久久热 Chorale聽is non-auditioned and is open to all Elon students regardless of major and meets Mondays and Wednesdays at 2 to 3:40 p.m.

The Elon Camerata is open to all Elon students regardless of major. Membership is by audition only and is on an annual basis, and it meets MWF at 12:30-1:40.聽We are now taking auditions for Camerata and all positions open. If you are interested in auditioning for Camerata for the Fall 2023: video record an art song, aria, or other lyrical piece, which will show off range and expression (could be a hymn tune or a musical theatre piece as long as it shows off range) and email to Associate Professor of Music Stephen Futrell (sfutrell@elon.edu).

Futrell will be conducting Gabriel Faur茅鈥檚 Requiem on stage at Carnegie Hall from June 5 to June 8, 2024. All Elon choral students, faculty or staff, in Chorale and Camerata, are invited to join the mass choir. Past members and Elon choral alumni are also invited to participate. For more information contact Futrell at sfutrell@elon.edu or visit the .