Newly appointed Setnor School of Music director hopes to increase school’s community involvement
The College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University has appointed Patrick Jones as director of the Setnor School of Music.
Jones, who began the position July 1, said his duties will include spearheading the artistic direction and strategic planning for the school. As director, Jones said he hopes to build upon the university’s commitment to community engagement, which he said attracted him to SU, and the position, in the first place.
In particular, Jones said reading about the work of 10 SU graduate students helping teach music to high school students with disabilities at SubCat Studios in Syracuse made his eyes well up.
‘My goal and desire as director of Setnor is to engage the school in these kind of activities, … engage students in meaningful ways in society,’ he said.
Jones said he hopes to help establish a strong presence in the city through the newly created Center for Live Music in the 21st Century.
The center would provide business planning for the Syracuse Philharmonic Orchestra, which was organized after the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra declared bankruptcy in May. Though Jones said fully establishing the Philharmonic could take years, a Sept. 11 concert is in the works.
VPA students would also gain access to real-world experience by working with both the center and Philharmonic in areas such as marketing and audience development, Jones said.
Prior to working at SU, Jones held a number of positions in higher education, including chair of the musical education department at Boston University. While working in the field of academia, Jones has traveled extensively with the Air National Guard as chief of Air National Guard Bands. He plans to retire in October following 30 years of service.
Jones said his strong administrative and musical backgrounds will be essential to the planning and academic leadership facets of being Setnor’s director.
A little more than a month into the position, Jones said he has been impressed with the number of intelligent questions that have been raised to him by students.
In addition to overseeing Setnor, Jones said he will teach an undergraduate ‘Foundations of Music Education’ course in the fall.
He said: ‘It’s important to stay connected in the classroom when you’re in administration.’
Published on August 8, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Contact Debbie: dbtruong@syr.edu | @debbietruong
