Tag: Cole Parsons


Music Student Teaches Bass Guitar and Performs on Stage


October 11, 2021 | Campus News Music

Cole Parsons is working toward an Associate in Fine Arts Degree while studying music at East Central College, his melodies also are heard outside the classroom.

Parsons, of Beaufort, is a 2018 Union High School graduate who plays bass guitar in three bands. The music he performs ranges from older blues and country, to diverse rock n’ roll from the 60s to the 80s, to contemporary rock and newer “poppy” music.

Parsons has been playing bass for 11 years. He was influenced to play by his father, who also is a bass player and, like Cole, has performed on stages in the area.

In addition to the bass, the younger Parsons plays piano, guitar, harmonica and periodically a few other instruments.

Teaching Bass

When he isn’t performing with a band at local wineries, or in the music rooms of ECC, Parsons is teaching bass at River City Music in Washington.

“Teaching has been a wonderful experience, I have really enjoyed seeing my students make progress, especially when their faces light up with pride as we overcome a particularly difficult passage of music together,” he said.

Parsons said he noticed an opening at River City Music last spring and mentioned his interest in the position to Dr. Jennifer Judd, who encouraged him to pursue the job.

“Dr. Judd said to go for it, so I interviewed, and it went really well,” he said. “I started with just one student and now I am up to six — they are all individual, personal lessons.”

Parsons added that he doesn’t have a set curriculum for his students, but encourages their individuality.

“I prefer to teach them the type of music they want to learn,” he said. “I ask what kind of music they like, or what bands they are into, and then I find songs that support the lessons.

“It is a lot easier to teach songs they want to learn because it encourages them to practice,” Parsons added.

Visit the River City Music YouTube page to see a video of Parsons talk about playing and teaching bass guitar here.

The ages of Parsons’ students vary just as much as the type of music they like to play. Right now, Parsons is teaching students with ages from 12 to 75.

In addition to his already jam-packed schedule — at River City Music, the ECC Music rooms and performing on stage — Parsons also writes music, including songs for himself and friends, and advertising jingles that he sells to earn royalties.

After Graduation

Parsons noted that he is not certain what he will do after he graduates from ECC in the Spring of 2022.

He may attend Webster University, but there are not clear plans to continue to a four-year school.

“I’m on course to graduate next semester and if I don’t go to Webster, I’d continue to grow my connections to the local music community and online, while I continue teaching and gigging,” he added.

Parsons noted that, while he enjoys performing, teaching bass has really grown on him.

“I have always wanted to be a player and now that I am teaching too, I enjoy being in between the two,” he said. “I really enjoy teaching, and that came out of nowhere.”

To learn more about the ECC music program, visit www.eastcentral.edu/humanities-arts/music/ or email Dr. Jennifer Judd at jennifer.judd@eastcentral.edu.

To learn more about classes at River City Music, or to sign up for bass lessons with Parsons, people may visit www.rivercitymusic.us.com or call 636-239-9674.


High School Students Complete STEM Academy


June 24, 2016 | Campus News

Students from six area high schools participated in East Central College’s second annual STEM Scholars Academy June 20-24.

The Academy gave students the opportunity to work with ECC faculty on activities related to science, technology, engineering and math.

“We touched on a variety of topics each day,” noted Fatemeh Nichols, chair of ECC’s science and engineering division.  “First we covered lab safety, college success and scientific methods.  Then the students moved on to activities in physics, engineering, ecology, microbial biotechnology, programming and physiology.  Engineering, physics and computer science were new topics to the STEM Academy this year.” The students selected an ECC instructor who will serve as their mentor as they work on a STEM related project during the upcoming school year.

“I was pleased with the willingness of the students to challenge themselves in the activities,” Nichols  stated.  “During the physics session they were apprehensive about the math, but an hour later they were designing and building bridges. The interest and determination of these students really makes me excited about future generations going into STEM fields.”

Participating students included: Calista LeBrell – Hermann High School; Kallista Stubblefield – New Haven High School; Jacob Hawkins, Jacob Jungbluth, Dillon Shadrick, and Trey Wideman – St. Clair High School; Alex Hanneken, Owen Karl, Clarissa Krimmel, Cole Parsons, and Lucas Pyatt – Union High School; Jonathan Mitchell – Warrenton High School; and Rachel Bauche and Trent Althen – Washington High School.

Nichols plans to offer the Academy next year to a new group of students who will be entering their sophomore or junior year in the fall of 2017.

High school students at East Central College’s Summer STEM Academy
Fourteen area high school students participated in East Central College’s Summer STEM Academy June 20-24. ECC faculty members worked with the students on activities and experiments related to science, technology, engineering, and math. Shown, front row, left to right, seated: Rachel Bauche, Trent Althen, Calista LeBrell, Kallista Stubblefield, and Jonathan Mitchell. Second row: Jacob Hawkins, Trey Wideman, Jacob Jungbluth, and Dillon Shadrick. Back row: Alex Hanneken, Lucas Pyatt, Cole Parsons, Owen Karl, and Clarissa Krimmel.