To my family and friends around the world:
The earth travels its annual circle ‘round the sun. We’re one day past the longest night of the year. Winter is here, and with it the promise of new birth . . . and of Christmas . . . just a few days hence.
Many of us reflect on the year that has past during this time of year. We marvel at some of the happenings, and perhaps regret a few. We take stock, we rejoice, and we prepare for another cycle of life.For me, this has been a most wonderful year!
(As you read on, please do click on all the links if you wish, since they’ll each take you to a different place.)
I continue at Ball State University, where I’m now the #2 person in the School of Music. As Associate Director, I directly oversee the academic offerings, the enrollment and registration process, travel budgets, external alumni relationships, and a host of other items. Earlier this year I received promotion to the rank of Associate Professor, which in academic parlance is just one step shy of the highest you can go. My final tenure review is positive, and so I fully expect that I will receive a tenured professorship as of the Board of Trustee’s meeting in May.
University Singers has been the only constant in my years at Ball State University We’d talked about a trip to Brazil this coming May, but have put it off for a year so that we can better be prepared. Meanwhile, the whole show concept has changed this year, with a strong emphasis on personal characterizations and a linear story line. The reviews have been very, very rewarding. Here is a picture of this year’s glee club just before performing three weeks ago, and here I am at that same concert. You can also view a number of rehearsal photos. Our annual Spectacular is April 13 and 14 in Emens Auditorium. Perhaps you can come??
Other professional activities this year included judging at several different competitions, leading the Missouri All-State High School Show Choir this summer (my first all-state gig!), gearing up for the national student conducting competition I run this next March in Miami, and presenting lectures at a couple of out-of-state choral conventions. I was also named this year to the 2007 editions of Who’s Who in the World and Who’s Who in America.
University administration seems to be where I’ll stay for the rest of my career. I’m comfortable in that role, and I enjoy making the world safe for my colleagues to teach. Someone has to do the admin work, and it might as well be someone capable!
As you know, I love to travel. THE major trip this year was back to China, yet again. AJ has put all of my emails home, and a number of pictures, on line. This trip was with 16 Ball State University students on a summer field study program. I also traveled to Chicago for the divisional choral directors’ convention, to Lawrence to guest lecture for a couple of days in September, to Oklahoma City for a summer planning session for ACDA, to Cincinnati in June to meet my old student Michael Johnson at a Reds game . . . and to Gettysburg, Washington DC, and Williamsburg on vacation this summer. I also met my sister and niece, Beth and Anna, in Chicago for three days in October. We had a grand time as tourists there. The new year brings travel to China once again. I’m hopeful I can work in a European trip during the summer too, but we shall see! I’ll be in Miami in March, and in Birmingham in January, both on business.
AJ continues to be my joy and pride. He’s now 22 years old, full of poise and serenity. He’s carrying some heavy responsibilities at school: Cardinal Corps (where he’s been seconded to the President’s office for a number of meet/greet duties); Business Fellows (where he’s getting paid like a grad assistant, even though he’s a senior); summer orientation leader this past May through July; student employee in the Dean’s office in Teachers College. The role where I see him the most (aside from in his role as my son) is as Company Manager of University Singers. Not many coaches have pleasure of coaching their son in college. My role in University Singers is very much like a coach; this year is extraordinarily special for me with AJ by my side. AJ will finish his academic studies in Elementary Education this next semester, then take an Urban Semester next fall in Indianapolis before going to student teach in a year’s time in Texas. I’m increasingly aware of the blessing and luxury I had last year as I was able to spend a remarkable amount of time with him over the course of the school year—really much more than most any parent gets with their college-aged kid.
My family continues in Lee’s Summit. Pop and Jo hold down the fort. Beth and Robert still live just a few blocks away. Luke started Kindergarten this year; Joseph is already a year old. Karen moved from Clinton to Lee’s Summit this summer. She now teaches in the Grandview school district. Her eldest, Blayne, turned 18 a few weeks ago; Kristen will be introduced in a minute. Aunt Esther is still the last of her generation to be with us. I’m looking forward to seeing all of these kinfolk in a few day’s time.
Every year for the last six years I’ve written a Christmas carol during the days leading up to Christmas. The carols have been named for friends and family, thus Kristen Marie, the 2006 carol named for my niece who is now 15 years old. The text is by Phillips Brooks, who also wrote the text we know as ‘O little town of
Bethlehem.’
Commencement was last weekend. Since admin work is never done, I’ve put in a number of office hours this week, but I’ve watched movies too! I just returned a few hours ago from my last official gig of the semester, playing piano for the President’s holiday reception at her office. A weekend awaits, then Christmas day. May your holidays be merry, and your life be filled with harmony, grace, and peace.
Best wishes from this little corner of this big world,
Jeff
