�鶹��Ƶ

Le Belle Voci performs at annual state conference

December 17, 2021

Le Belle Voci, the women's ensemble at �鶹��Ƶ, performed at the Georgia Choral Directors Association annual conference this fall semester.

Article By: Staff

The Le Belle Voci women's ensemble at the University of North Georgia (�鶹��Ƶ) performed in October at the Georgia Choral Directors Association (Ga-ACDA) annual conference.

It was the first time Le Belle Voci received this prestigious honor, Dr. John Broman, director of choral activities and professor of music at �鶹��Ƶ, said. Ga-ACDA is a nonprofit professional organization for choral directors.

The performance exposed the 19-member ensemble to choral directors from colleges and universities across Georgia.

Le Belle Voci features 15 to 20 �鶹��Ƶ students and a few community members. Each singer goes through a rigorous audition process, must sight-read music and have previous singing experience. The group rehearses twice a week and receives one hour of college credit.

Contact the Author

Smith is nation's top Army ROTC cadet — Smith is nation's top Army ROTC cadet
�鶹��Ƶ has both the No. 1 overall Army ROTC cadet out of 5,538 graduating nationally and the No. 1 National Guard commissioning cadet out of 1,491 for the 2025-26 academic year.

Blue Ridge recreation opportunities grow — Blue Ridge recreation opportunities grow
Recreation options keep expanding for students at �鶹��Ƶ's Blue Ridge Campus. A basketball and pickleball court recently opened.

Symposium will focus on cybersecurity — Symposium will focus on cybersecurity
�鶹��Ƶ will host a high-impact symposium titled 'Cyber Threats, Cybersecurity and Cyber Expertise' from 3-4:30 p.m. Oct. 28, with special guest Maj. Gen. Ryan Janovic.

Veterans appreciation events set for Nov. 10-14 — Veterans appreciation events set for Nov. 10-14
�鶹��Ƶ will celebrate its student veterans Nov. 10-14 during Veterans Appreciation Week.

Statement on concerns about textbook

Recently, questions have been raised about a passage in a course textbook. After fully reviewing the concern, we want to be clear: the reference in question was not describing Christians or Christianity. The passage refers to an extremist group that misuses Christian symbols to promote hate.

In today’s world, misunderstandings can travel quickly. But our foundation at the University of North Georgia remains steady. We respect people of all beliefs. We reject hate. And we are committed to preparing students to think critically, lead with integrity, and serve in communities across our state, nation, and world.

Education is not about avoiding difficult words or ideas — it is about teaching students to navigate them with context, discernment, and respect. The world is complex, and we are developing students to lead in both these times and what lies ahead. That is what this course, and this university, are about.

We also recognize that learning and scholarship sometimes touch on sensitive, complex, or controversial ideas. That is not a weakness of higher education — it is its strength. Our responsibility is to provide the context, freedom, and support that allow both students and faculty to engage with these ideas thoughtfully. Academic freedom allows us to remain true to our values: protecting freedoms, honoring all beliefs, rejecting hate in every form, and preparing leaders who can meet a complex world with courage and integrity.

While one line in a textbook can get lost in translation, our values have never wavered. For 152 years, the University of North Georgia remains committed to building leaders through debate, dialogue, and learning. That is who we are. And that is what we will continue to do.