Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Cindy Carrell practices in the Reynolds Recital Hall on Oct. 25. Carrell practiced Monday through Thursday around 9 a.m. and throughout the day between her classes. [Jonathan Lindsay] Music professors apply professional in the classroom Experiences 148 [leadership] For professors, teaching was just one facet of their lives. Many had families, church groups and hobbies to tend to as well.One group of faculty members chose to hone their musical skills by participating in bands and symphonies around the area. By allowing themselves this musical outlet, the professors found satisfaction and enjoyment. “Participation in the making music process at this level is very fulfilling and personally satisfying,”Assistant Professor and Director of bands and orchestra Mike Chance said. Professor of Music Patricia Cox also felt the desire to maintain her musical side. “I am first and foremost a musician,”Cox said. “I can’t remember when I could not play or sing. Teaching is a professional role that I assumed much later in life. I can’t imagine life without some professional playing. Yes, it is more demanding and takes up about half of my weekends, but it is fulfilling.” Most people did not know how many hours professional musicians put into their work everyday. For instance, Cox’s schedule dealt a lot with her music career and teaching. On a symphony weekend, she put in 16 hours of practice towards playing a concert.The quartet rehearsed one to one and a half hours per week, and it took about three hours to do a gig. If she did an opera, it would take a solid week of night rehearsals, working from 7 until 10:30 p.m. Most of the time, she drove back to Searcy after the rehearsal or performance. She also played with Little Rock and Hot Springs musicians. Cox usually rehearsed for about two hours, performing the show on the same evening. When the quartet performed Handel’s Messiah at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, they began rehearsing at about 10 a.m., playing through each piece. After that, they performed the piece that night.The whole process took about six hours. For these musicians, striking a balance between their professional lives and their passion for music could be trying. However, it was their desire to become a better musician that made them better teachers. “I believe that I can teach only to the level that I have achieved myself,” Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Cindy Carrell said. “If I had never achieved a high level of musicianship myself, how would I know how to get someone else to that level?” Though they kept a rigorous schedule, the professors felt that their love of music and teaching blended perfectly together and that the outcome proved to be successful. [Cesia Martinez]
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