Faculty Fun Facts
This faculty member enjoys driving his motorcycle on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Who is Dr. Ross?
This applied faculty member played guitar in a bluegrass band for 8 years
Who is Dr. Kallestad?
This orchestra director recently accepted a new position with the New York Philharmonic
Who is Gustavo Dudamel?
This famous wind band composer never learned to play a musical instrument
Who is John Mackey?
This woodwind instrument is actually (relatively) new on the orchestra scene
What is the clarinet?
This applied faculty member holds a degree in computer science, and was on the way to completing a Masters degree in the same subject
Who is Dr. Goh?
This friendly face once interviewed David Maslanka for a newspaper article
Who is Jimmy McKenzie?
This world renowned conductor is both a college professor, as well as conductor of the Dallas Wind Symphony.
Who is Jerry Junkin?
This young American composer was nominated for a Pulitzer prize in 2022 - and is still in school!
Who is Kevin Day?
In Italian, the word for this instrument means "big trumpet"
This administrator paid for his Masters degree with a retirement account from a Holiday Inn
Who is Dr. Douthit?
This faculty member played violin in a band called "Groping for Elmo"
Who is Dr. Weise?
This prolific conductor was the teacher of Dr. Ross while at the University of Michigan
Who is H. Robert Reynolds?
This frequently programmed composer invented what would become the modern sports bra
Who is Percy Grainger?
Of the 14 types of this instrument originally invented, only 4 are used widespread today
What is the saxophone?
This applied faculty member has won auditions with the US Navy Band, the US Heritage of America Band, and was a runner-up for the President's Own
Who is Dr. Corbliss?
This newer face used to do gymnastics (and can still do a split!)
Who is Joe Figliolo?
This Chicago-based director now teaches at her old alma mater, one with a high reputation
Who is Mallory Thompson?
This English composer began taking trombone lessons "as a cure for asthma"
Who is Gustav Holst?
This instrument replaced the ophicleide in the orchestra as the result of a successful marketing campaign
What is the tuba?
While in college, this faculty member was in a rock band called "Calculus and the Armpit Noises"
Who is Dr. Gardner?
Which Grad Assistant once ran over both a mattress AND box spring on a major highway?
Who is T.j. Anderson?
This North Texas conductor co-authors the "Teaching Music Through Performance in Band" book series
This composer is an avid fan of video games, even taking the time to beta and alpha test some as well as write their music
Who is Julie Giroux?
This woodwind instrument was created to help its larger cousin be heard when marching with the military
What is the piccolo?