ECU’s Dr. Nick Meyers joins the Recording Academy / GRAMMYs

ADA, Okla. - Dr. Nicholaus (Nick) Meyers, Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at East Central University, has dedicated his career to the improvement and betterment of his students. Alongside his dedication to the future of ECU's students, he has also continued to achieve significant success of his own. His most recent achievement underscores his exceptional standing in the field of music: he has been accepted as a voting member of the prestigious Recording Academy / GRAMMYs.

"This will open doors to work with more Grammy winning composers and Grammy nominated composers," Meyers remarked about the accomplishment. "It takes me to the next level. Everybody I've talked to said that when they received this invitation, their life changed."

Meyers, who has been with ECU for seven years, is a native of Augusta, Ga. After receiving his B.M. at Augusta State University (ASU), he went on to receive his M.M. at the University of Tennessee (UT) and his D.M.A. from North Dakota State University (NDSU), where he spent seven years and also served as the Assistant Director of the NDSU Gold Star Marching Band. Meyers has also taught at ASU, Troy University, Augusta Technical College and was the Assistant Director of Bands at Lakeside High School in Evans, Ga.

Since accepting his position at ECU, Meyers has worked diligently to not only maintain the integrity of ECU's marching band and music program but continually works to improve the program in new and innovative means. Meyers has developed a reputation as a leading figure in his profession and played a pivotal role in helping ECU and other local bands return after the Covid Pandemic.

This honor comes as a culmination of decades of hard work, both inside and outside of the classroom. In order to qualify for the Recording Academy, prospective candidates must meet a series of qualifications, including active marketing and promotion; awards and honors; an established online presence; press history such as interviews, highlights and reviews; twelve commercially distributed and verifiable credits in a single profession (credits translate to CD and streaming recordings) and two strong pier recommendations.

Meyers compiled his application on his own time, while simultaneously leading ECU's band and assisting the ECU music department through a fulfilling academic year. After much anticipation, Meyers recollected, "I was sitting in Colorado one night in June when I got the email," before adding with a laugh, "I'm having this framed."

When asked what this means for him, Meyers showcased the mentality of mentorship and comradery that has made him a favorite professor on the ECU campus, "This is a highlight for me but only part of it is voting for the Grammy Awards. Along with that, we have something called Grammy U. The idea there is to help and mentor younger or newer people coming into the recording/producing side. And another one of the biggest things is trying to demonstrate our rights as composers or producers."

After decades of work in the music industry, as well as a dedicated career in higher education, Meyers continues to look at the futures of other up and coming musicians as much as himself, "It's not about notoriety. This is a peer organization, so peers across the world are recognizing me. That's important-to be recognized. And in turn, I will help recognize others."

When asked how this will benefit his students, Meyers added, "It's about the connections. Connections for me and for our students on an international level. I get the chance to virtually meet with Grammy winners and nominees, along with other up-and-coming artists once a week, every week. There's a lot to it. and I'm learning more and more about how to make sure my students benefit as well; it's not just about voting for the award."

As Meyers learns more about how this new honor in his personal life will have a positive impact on his students, he also shares hopeful news about his life as a professor as well; "Numbers are up in band, numbers are up for music majors this Fall. The marching band grew by 30% this year and music majors have doubled."

All things considered, this academic year promises to be an exciting time for Meyers, as well as the students at ECU who are impacted by his hard work and success.

For more information about the Department of Performing Arts or upcoming events, email Meyers at [email protected].

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