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September 2003

Smart and Brock change roles and envision good things for UNF

By AMY PARMELEE
Staff Writer

Gary Smart and Gordon Brock

The Department of Music is working on a new arrangement. Dr. Gary Smart has stepped down as chairman to take the first Gerson Yessin Professorship in Classical Music, and Dr. Gordon Brock has taken over as chairman.

"I served one four-year term (as chairman) and have decided that I would like to spend the rest of my academic career, the rest of my life, directly involved in music, teaching, composing, performing and mentoring," Smart said. "Those are the things I love and the things I do best. It feels terrific to have made this decision."

Since he arrived at UNF in fall 1999, Smart said he has enjoyed working with the music faculty, nurturing newer programs and moving into the new Fine Arts Center.

"I have seen some very bright, extremely accomplished kids move through the program and on to grad school and/or out into the professional world," Smart said. "That is very satisfying."

"I have been involved with administration for the past 10 years and that has its rewards, but nothing like the making of music and teaching the making of music," Smart added.

Smart said the two-year professorship will allow him some financial support for projects, which will be geared toward educational, classical composition and performance areas. He will continue to direct keyboard studies and compose pieces for the ensembles.

"I am honored to be chosen to initiate this professorship," Smart said. "These resources will allow the department to focus on some special events and projects that otherwise would be impossible."

The Yessin Professorship is named for the first chair of the music department. Yessin has been described as an accomplished pianist, dedicated teacher and superb administrator who inspired colleagues and students. He was hired in 1971 to create the program and retired in 1998. College of Arts and Sciences Dean Mark Workman said it was fitting for Smart to be named to the professorship.

"Like Gerson, Gary is an acclaimed pianist who has done much for the department and for the community through his musical and administrative talents," Workman said.

Smart said Brock will be "terrific" in his new role and the transition into the chairman's seat will be smooth since Brock has been his assistant for the last three years.

Brock joined the faculty in 2000, leaving the University of North Dakota, where he was director of bands. Brock, a native of western Canada, also was a public school teacher for 18 years.

He arrived at UNF with the goal of increasing the classical offerings. He said wind majors have increased 400 percent since then and the UNF Chamber Winds had its debut last spring.

"The jazz program is well-established in terms of its faculty and resources," Brock said, "so our hope is that we can increase the faculty positions to benefit the department as a whole."

That effort already is under way with the recent hire of a full-time orchestra conductor. Other new faculty members are on the horizon, due to upcoming retirements, and they will play a part in shaping the department's future.
Brock said the department is re-evaluating its curriculum to better suit the needs of its students, and he would like to see the start of a graduate program. The department has about 135 music majors this fall, although more than 200 students are involved in department ensembles and activities.

While the jazz program has brought international attention, other programs are not as well known. The music program's profile in the state, however, is growing.
The department was the host for two events at the Fine Arts Center that brought about 5,000 people to UNF. The Florida Community College Activities Association Winter Symposium and the Florida Bandmasters Association State Concert Band Festival helped to raise UNF's profile and worked as a recruiting tool for the music department and University.

"This has a tremendous impact on our image in the state," Brock said of the hosting duties. Brock said the department has had support from Sharon Papian, director of the Fine Arts Center, and her staff in putting these events together.
Brock envisions even more good things for the music department.

"What I'm interested in is the potential for growth," Brock said. "There's a strong vibe here, an energy that's intoxicating."

"The potential for our department is quite extraordinary."