Reflections on my first semester as a college professor

It's over. The fall semester at Southeastern University wrapped up last week with final exams, juries, and Fall Commencement. Campus has cleared, grades are posted, and Christmas break is finally upon us.

A few musings and highlights of my first semester teaching at a university:

1) Have you ever been in one of those situations where nearly everything you do, you're doing it for the first time? Well, a good portion of the past four months has been this way for me. Every day, it seems, there's at least one thing that my job requires me to do that I am uncomfortable doing, because I've never done it before. But I am quite aware that this is how one grows and expands knowledge. Thus, I am thankful for the opportunities that I have had so far, and I know that this will continue for awhile. For example, I am teaching two classes in the spring semester that I did not teach this fall.

2) Florida is hot.

Taken Dec. 18 at SEU. What you can't hear in this photo is Dean Martin singing "Let It Snow!"

3) It has been a true joy to share music of the marimba with many who have never heard it (yes, including several of my students). I have been blessed to play solo marimba several times in the area, and it's awesome to see people's eyes widen as they realize that a percussion instrument can actually be musical, too (can you believe it?!).

Are you listening?

I had the privilege of taking a real vacation last week, spending a couple days on the central coast of California at friend's wedding, followed by five days on the Gulf coast of Florida. I say real vacation because I've taken a few short "mini-vacations" in the last 5 years––a day or two here and there––but I'm talking about a real, week-long, sit-by-the-beach/pool-and-do-nothing vacation. Away from practicing, away from teaching, with no real agenda (other than finding a place to live in Lakeland while we were in Florida, which we did).

One afternoon, after my pale skin had taken all the beating it could handle from the Florida sun, I decided to put on some headphones and listen to music. As soon as I pressed play on a playlist of mostly piano and marimba music*, I found myself searching for something else to do while I listened to my iPod. 

"I should check Twitter or Facebook. I have a few games on my phone I could play. Maybe I'll read a bit. Oh, I can catch up on how Brad Stevens became the new Celtics coach! I could flip on the TV and just mute it. I should at least get a snack so I'm doing something."

Moving On (Part 2 of 2)

(If you missed Part 1, click here.)

Despite leaving many wonderful experiences and people in Indiana, what I am walking into at Southeastern University is a fantastic opportunity. Since finishing a masters degree in 2010, I have been freelancing in Indianapolis, but ultimately with a goal in mind of teaching college percussionists. Not only do I get this opportunity, but in a full-time position, with benefits (health insurance for musicians is NOT a given), surrounded by super helpful and welcoming people, in a state I don't mind moving to (it could be a lot worse...). I thought I would share a little more about what I'm stepping into, and the process by which this job has become a reality for me, with the hope that it may prove helpful for those interested in teaching college, and at least somewhat interesting to others.

Doctorate or Not?

Moving On (Part 1 of 2)

By now, most of you know that I have accepted a position as Instructor of Percussion at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. This is a very exciting time for my wife and me, and I feel incredibly blessed and undeserving of such an opportunity. However, as we step into the new and exciting, we leave behind family, friends, and jobs that mean a great deal to us. In particular, my job and experiences at Center Grove High School will be missed dearly. 

Fresh out of grad school in 2010, I moved to Greenwood, Indiana, with nothing more than a part-time job as a "pit tech" at Center Grove H.S. to count on (other than a couple writing gigs elsewhere). But by God's grace, and in his awesome plan, my three years at Center Grove turns out to be far more than I ever expected, and shaped me and prepared me for what's ahead more than I ever could have imagined. Here are a few highlights and reasons why my time at CG will hold a very special place in my memory for many years to come.

Midwest Clinic 2010