Class of 2005, Music Education

With over a decade of teaching experience, Greg is the Director of Bands for Castle South Middle School. In addition, he serves as assistant to the Castle High School Marching Nights. Greg is confident that music education was the best choice for his career as he considers, “We are getting kids to translate notes on a page to a communicable language that every culture can understand.” His career choice continues to be affirmed through the “series of successes and growth, not only in class, but through relationships built throughout their time as my students.”

Greg appreciated the value of the student/teacher relationship early on in his own music career. He began studying the trumpet privately as a high school student with Dr. Timothy Zifer, Professor of Music at UE. As he continued to study with Dr. Zifer throughout college, the sense of community between the staff, students, and graduates at the University of Evansville became of great value to Greg. He states the faculty is “always available, they are a great resource to have, and are vital in the success of my program.” These faculty connections also proved valuable in shaping Greg's career. He attributes connections through his professors at UE with landing his first job with F. J. Reitz High School in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation. Greg feels that UE prepared him quite well for a career in music education, especially from a pedagogical standpoint. He also notes that the faculty taught him that he would not have all of the answers, but encouraged him where to find needed answers.

Some of Greg's career highlights include taking the South Spencer High School marching band to state four consecutive years receiving 9th, 8th, 4th, and 3rd place respectively. He also takes great pride in working with the Castle Marching Knights as they were recently crowned a Grand National Finalist. In his free time, Greg enjoys spending time with his wife, three children, and their dog. He also enjoys playing and watching golf, and traveling.