music notes

Sept. 20, 2022, during the 2022 Air & Space Forces Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference in Maryland.

Space had been a part of the Air Force for years, but it officially became a separate branch under the Department of the Air Force in 2019, similar to how the Marine Corps operates under the Department of the Navy.

As a veteran of both the U.S. Air Force and its band, Teachenor did not take this task lightly. He had to write a song that encapsulated the mission and vision of the Space Force’s Guardians to ensure it would stand the test of time.

There were several submissions, but Teachenor’s rendition rose above the rest. He said he couldn’t have done it, however, without the support from the first-ever Chief of Space Operations Gen. John “Jay” Raymond, Lieutenant Colonel R. Michael Mench, Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force Roger Towberman and U.S. Coast Guard Band trombonist, staff arranger and chief musician Sean Nelson.

Teachenor submitted the anthem right after the Space Force was officially established in 2019, and it took two years and nine months for it to go through the approval process.

“I had no idea they were choosing my song,” he said. “There were times I thought, ‘Well, I haven’t heard anything, so I guess nothing’s going to happen.’ And it was a wonderful surprise when it did happen.”

The Space Force officially implemented the anthem on

Teachenor has an expansive resume to qualify him for such a monumental moment: He’s written songs for and recorded with major artists such as Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The award-winning, multiplatinum singer, songwriter and producer has also performed on ABC’s Good Morning America and at iconic venues such as the Grand Ole Opry.

Teachenor also serves as a Sumner County commissioner.

“It brought me such joy to see my world of music and my world of military and my love for country collide in such a way that I had the opportunity to pen the words of the song the Guardians will sing while they wear the uniform,” Teachenor said.

He’s now passing along his passion for music as an adjunct professor of songwriting for the MTSU College of Media and Entertainment’s commercial songwriting program.

 STefan PeTreScU bidS MUrfreeSboro, TenneSSee PhilharMonic farewell wiTh March 4 reciTal

FOR MORE ThAN 20 yEARS, violinist and concertmaster Stefan Petrescu has graced Murfreesboro with his music. Soon the curtain will fall on his seasoned career in the ’Boro, as he will be retiring and moving to Florida at the end of Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra’s current season.

To express his thanks, Petrescu welcomes the community to attend his recital on March 4 at First Presbyterian Church, 210 N. Spring St., Murfreesboro.

Petrescu first came to America in 1983 while touring with the Romanian Symphony. On his second tour in 1989, he decided he wanted to move to the U.S. Murfreesboro embraced him, and later his family, with open arms. Prior to becoming concertmaster for the Tennessee Philharmonic, the accomplished musician won several prizes as a violin soloist in Romania. He has since performed around the world in Paris, Moscow, New Orleans and Nashville. He also holds degrees from the George Enescu National University of Arts in Romania.

The Saturday, March 4, farewell recital, which Petrescu provides as a “thank you” to the community, begins at 4 p.m.

 ShaMrockS and ShenaniganS: The SecreT coMMonwealTh conTinUeS ST. PaTrick’S TradiTion

ThE SECRET COMMONwEALTh RETuRNS to put the “shenanigans” in the annual local Shamrocks and Shenanigans St. Patrick’s Day Party. The band, which over the decades has become synonymous with Middle Tennessee’s St. Patty’s Day scene and Celtic music in the region, will perform at Cedar Glade Brews on Friday, March 17, on its 30th anniversary.

The band started in 1993 with the intention of playing one St. Patrick’s Day gig at Middle Tennessee State University. The audience’s overwhelmingly positive response led to an enduring career playing pubs, clubs, private events, Renaissance fairs, and conventions in addition to Celtic, Americana and international music festivals.

While the band is influenced by The Pogues, The Chieftains and traditional Irish pub bands, its music fuses original material with traditional American and European folk styles. The creativity stems from the versatile members: Rob Campbell, Uncle Don Clark, Troy Guinn, Franko Hashiguchi, Vicky Plant and The Gnome.

Join TSC at Cedar Glades in your best green attire for traditional Irish fare and a sham-rockin’ good time. It should be an unforgettable night (unless you drink too much of Cedar Glades’ Ruari II Irish Red or Proper Dry Stout that they are releasing that evening).

For more information, find an event page for the Shamrocks and Shenanigans St. Patrick’s Day Party on Facebook or visit tscband.com. Cedar Glade Brews is located at 906 Ridgely Rd., Murfreesboro.