After serving as the head of the music department for five years at Texas A&M University-Commerce, Dr. Chris White is stepping down in August of 2010. White said his decision to resign was only based on his desire for a change of pace.
“I didn’t resign with the intention of leaving A&M-Commerce,” White said. “I resigned to change my daily activities.”
White has seen many changes to the music program during his time as department head, most notably the planning and construction of the new music building scheduled to be completed in May of 2010.
“We ended up with everything we wanted in the building, and it is the most efficient building I’ve come across,” he said.
White said he will be leaving the department head position with the music program in better shape than when he started.
“When I came into the program, we had problems with our curriculum, we had leveled out in recruiting and we had problems with facilities,” he said. “There were challenges that required leadership. We got those problems solved.”
White oversaw a change in the music curriculum, which has benefited music majors looking to go into elementary education. With specific classes for teaching music, he said those students gain an advantage when going out into the job market.
“The curriculum change has really elevated A&M-Commerce above other universities,” White said. “The kids we’re sending out in elementary education are already above others.”
Junior music-education major Tiffany Cagle said the changes in the music program curriculum have made her feel more comfortable about going into a career.
“I feel that I am almost prepared,” she said. “When I came in, I had no idea what it was going to take. I feel like I’m really close now because of the classes. I feel much more prepared, I’m giving lessons now, and I feel like if I had gone to another university it’s quite possible I wouldn’t be at the place I am now with the progress I’ve made.”
Cagle had White as an instructor for a music history class. She said she has a high level of respect for him and said he is a major part of what the music department is now.
“Dr. White’s just very knowledgeable about things,” Cagle said. “He’s someone that I think we all look up to and hope to, one day, be at his level of professionalism. I think the reason he’s made the department so great is he expects a lot of it.”
White has enjoyed being able to lead the music department staff through the many changes they have gone through.
“I am honored to serve as leader of that faculty,” he said. “They are the most talented group that I’ve been with.”
Dr. Randall Hooper was appointed as the new Director of Choral Activities at A&M-Commerce under White, and has enjoyed his time with the outgoing department head. White was the previous choral director, and Hooper said his guidance has been beneficial.
“I have appreciated Dr. White’s support of my ideas to take the vocal division area in the department of music to new levels of success,” Hooper said. “As an administrator, he works hard to give me the resources to do my job to its’ fullest and as a colleague he has become a valuable friend and mentor.”
White said he would like to stay at A&M-Commerce and take up a strictly teaching role. He has a passion for music and for teaching it to others, and that is the direction he would like to move toward in his career.
“How could you not enjoy sitting around listening to kids play music,” he said.