News Article

St. Louis, MO

My wife, Kristen, and a few animals. We recently got a very large puppy so that keeps us busy.

The students and faculty were wonderfully enthusiastic during my interview process and who doesn’t want to be a part of that?! I also think A-State’s Music Department is primed for growth and in a position to provide a great educational experience for students.

I think it’s the ability to ask great questions and guide students’ exploration.

Mr. Harig taught my high school world history class. His lectures revealed the inter-connectedness of the world, the global impact of our local decisions, and his concept maps on the chalkboard reminded me of the movie “A Beautiful Mind.” He did it all with a sense of humor and it kept us intrigued to hear the next part of the story.

Someone who has the right combination of openness to change through new information but asks discerning questions before accepting it into their person.

my phone.

I think the value is in learning to do something really well. In today’s economy there are many people who work in a field other than the one they studied in college. However, learning to set goals, think critically, work with others, and persevere in an academic setting that says a lot to future employers. That list may seem trite but it’s the basis for all future success. “… the end of study is to make you a good [human] and a useful citizen.” - President John Adams to his son John Quincy.

Advance understanding for greater quality of life

If not music, I think I’d teach history or law.

I hear people so often say, “Oh, I didn’t inherit any musical ability.” The music-making process is accessible to everyone and anyone can have a way into it. Our culture has become obsessed with ‘natural talent’ which makes people afraid to join a choir or a band if they perceive that they’re not as good as others. Music is 99% skill-based and we are hardwired to learn it. Music belongs to everyone.

after my wedding ring, it’s our grand piano.

I re-read T.H. White’s “Once and Future King.” The language is so imaginative and packed with wisdom.

unnecessary reply-all e-mails.

At the time I’m writing this, I am preparing the Dallas Symphony Chorus for a live concert experience with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the National Geographic film “Symphony for Our World.” It’s beautiful music and has to be timed exactly so that the sound and visual components line up correctly.

find balance.

committing to more degrees and activities than necessary.

True confession: I listen to talk radio in the car. Because of my profession, music isn’t always the best decompressor. If I do listen to something, it’s probably classic rock (Boston, U2, Kansas, Aerosmith) or a Bach motet.

any gut-wrenching drama like “War Horse” or “What Dreams May Come.” Also any heist film.

“This Is Us” and before that it was “Parenthood.”

in 2018. It was the first chance I had to travel internationally with my wife or a choir. We went to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Tallinn, Helsinki, and St. Petersburg. I fell in love with that part of the world very unexpectedly and recommend it to anyone who’s Scando-curious.

I want to go to Iceland and experience the Blue Lagoon, repel into a volcano, hike the tundra, and eat new foods.

Elon Musk, John Battiste, Angela Merkel, and John McCullough.

time management is about making good choices - all the time.

take more risks.

watching nature shows and spending time with my dog.

stirring people with music.

two posters of the Desiderata that hung in my mother’s college dorm room.

the St. Louis Cardinals

breakfast on a burger (egg, bacon, hashbrowns, etc.)

anything that I would have as a pet.

a rainy morning, a sleepy dog, snacks for lunch, breakfast for dinner, and a long walk with my wife.

In my limited experience, I like that it has a pedestrian downtown and is easy to get across town. I just moved from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area where my commute could be 35 minutes or two and a half hours depending on traffic so I’m glad to escape that.

Karaoke crushes me.

Dogs, though cats have grown on me.

Hardback. I’m very tactile.

In Puerto Vallarta you can have both!

I like them both, but at different times in the day.

still run long-distance competitively.

You almost got me there. If told you, then my friends wouldn’t be the only ones who know.

“Remember, you are absolutely unique. Just like everybody else.” - Margaret Mead