Critical Thought and Inquiry (CTI) classes allow students to learn subjects outside of their major and get to know professors in other departments. However, you take only one class in each of the CTI categories, so there are some faculty you may not know. This is the fourth part of a series of articles highlighting different departments on campus in order for you to become familiar with the faculty at William Jewell College.
Dr. Ian Coleman
Coleman is the department chair. He has done some of his study in the UK, including undergraduate work at Bath Spa University and receiving a certificate in education from University of Exeter. He completed his master’s and doctoral work at the University of Kansas and taught at Manhattan Christian College for five years before coming to Jewell in 2002. He has been the department chair since 2004 and teaches music theory and music composition. As a trombonist, he taught private lessons on his instrument before becoming department chair.
The Department of Music is in a transition period as it restructures much of its program, especially the music education major. A new “Music in Society” class will also be added next year. Recent accomplishments and a solid foundation are two of many reasons to be optimistic of the department as a whole, Coleman said.
“All departments ebb and flow, and I think we are very much on an upward swing,” said Coleman.
Dr. Tony Brandolino
Brandolino is a professor of music and director of strings. He did his undergraduate and master’s work at Northwestern University and received his doctorate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. A skilled violinist, Brandolino privately teaches all violinists and violists and directs various chamber music ensembles. He also directs the Liberty Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble that is a combination of Jewell students and local volunteers and professionals.
Dr. Ann Marie Rigler
Rigler is the college organist and a professor of music studies. She completed her undergraduate work at Simpson College and Southern Methodist College. She received two master’s degrees—one in Librarian Information Science and another in Musicology—at the University of Illinois and a doctorate of Music Arts, organ performance and pedagogy at the University of Iowa. Before arriving at William Jewell College in 2004, Rigler held positions at the University of Wisconsin, University of Northern Iowa, Wayne State College and Penn State College.
If Rigler is not performing and teaching organ, she is teaching keyboard skills and music history. She is currently the pianist for Chapel Choir and is conducting a research project on recent developments in organ pedagogy. For her, the value of a position as a music professor at Jewell stems from the ability to do so many things.
“Whatever I’m doing at the moment is my favorite thing to do,” said Rigler.
Having four organ students, which may be more than the expected one on a campus of 1,200, is also a plus.
Dr. Calvin Permenter
Permenter is the director of keyboard studies. He completed his undergraduate work at the Cincinnati Conservatory, masters at Drake University and doctorate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. A veteran professor of 36 years, Permenter teaches keyboard skills, piano pedagogy, piano literature and private piano instruction. He is also involved in the Oxbridge program.
Over the course of his time on campus, Permenter has noticed a shift in both the kinds of music performed and the attitude of the music department as a whole.
“I think we’ve fine-tuned the liberal arts education,” said Permenter.
Dr. Ron Witzke
Witzke is a professor of music and coordinator for vocal studies. He finished his undergraduate work at Southern Nazarene University. After teaching elementary music for three years, he started his master’s studies in music at the University of Texas. He originally took a one-year position at Jewell for a professor then on sabbatical that later chose not to returns. After a temporary leave of absence, Witzke received his doctorate at the University of Indiana.
Upon his return, Witzke began teaching within the new Critical Thought and Inquiry program. In addition, he also directs operatic performances, performs on- and off-campus, teaches private voice lessons and has long taught an academic study of Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle. Witzke says he enjoys private instruction and lecturing equally and values the attention students receive while on-campus.
“We don’t have graduate students, which I’m glad for, because the undergraduates get to perform,” said Witzke.
Dr. Anthony Maglione
Maglione is the director of choral studies and the conductor of the Concert Choir, Men’s Chorus and Choral Scholars. He completed his undergraduate work at Westminster Choir College, received his master’s degree at East Carolina University and completed his doctoral studies in Conducting at the University of California Los Angeles, where he conducted various choral groups. He started teaching at Jewell in 2010.
In addition to his conducting responsibilities, Maglione also teaches ear training and various upper-level music education courses. Like his colleagues, Maglione enjoys seeing the diversity of students, not just music majors, involved in the music program. In the near future, he’d like to see that number grow, but that’s not to say that he isn’t satisfied with the current state of affairs and recent success.
“I get to deal with the future of my profession, the future colleagues I’m going to have and that’s a lot of fun,” said Maglione.
Dr. Langston Hemenway
Hemenway is the director of instrumental studies. He did his undergraduate work at Oklahoma University, received his master’s degree in conducting at the University of Kansas and did his doctoral work in Instrumental Conducting at the University of Michigan. He has taught previously at Derby High School and North Central College.
When not directing the Symphonic Band or Jazz Band, Hemenway teaches Beginning and Advanced Conducting, instrumental methods and secondary methods. Though he enjoys all his classes, Symphonic Band is something special.
“[Symphonic Band] is a synthesis of all the things that I get to teach,” said Hemenway.
Hemenway is looking to grow and develop the band program. Though it already had “good bones”—facilities, private teachers and skilled students—the program is small and is lacking in many things that he wanted to see in the future. In addition to getting at least 65 members, Hemenway is also in the process of developing a drumline to have a presence at athletic events, as many larger colleges do. The ultimate goal is a full-fledged marching band, but for now, the focus is improving the size and quality of a program that he believes is on the up.