(WARRENSBURG, Mo.) — As a way of reintroducing the community to the sounds of Elvis, the University of Central Missouri Center for Religious Studies will sponsor a free concert in the Elliott Student Union atrium at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, according to a press release.
The concert is part of the center’s year-long celebration, “Channeling Elvis,” which will include the implementation of a new online course, “Elvis: Memphis Messiah,” for spring semester 2014.
The concert will feature UCM faculty members Mick Luehrman, Tony Schaffer, John Check, and Michael Sekelsky. Tunes will include, “That’s Alright,” “My Baby Left Me” “It’s Now or Never,” “Love Me,”  “I Can’t Help Falling in Love,”  “Good Luck Charm,”  “She’s Not You,” and possibly the famous “Jailhouse Rock.”
Luehrman, Shaffer and Check is a popular trio known for the large array of musical instruments they use to play a diverse variety of musical styles. They are preparing to release their first CD of all original songs.
Mick Luehrman has been performing professionally since the 1970s and was a founding member of regional acts such as Diamond Jim, Mr. Smith, The Hummin’ Birds and Monkey Grip. An insightful songwriter and music archivist, he is also a visual artist, teacher and chair of the Department of Art and Design at the UCM.
Multi-instrumentalist Tony Shaffer performs in many styles, is a published author and teaches writing in the Department of Academic Enrichment. John Check plays upright string bass, sousaphone, clarinet and trombone, and performs occasional vocals. He teaches music theory and is a member of UCM faculty instrumental ensembles. He is at home with a diverse group of musical genres, from classical to jazz and even polka, a musical form that he learned at an early age playing in his father’s band in Wisconsin.
Sekelsky joined the UCM faculty as percussion instructor and assistant director of bands is now chair of the Department of Music. As a jazz drummer, Sekelsky is a member of the After Hours Trio and has performed with the Boulevard Big Band, the Little Boulevard Band, The Trilogy Big Band, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, and the Kansas City Civic Orchestra.
For additional information contact Marla J. Selvidge, professor and director of the Center for Religious Studies, at [email protected] or 816-331-2395.