麻豆视频 is pleased to announce the hiring of Robert Brooks as the university鈥檚 new director of jazz. Brooks will officially start at Friends in August 2019 and will direct the program following the retirement of long-time Jazz Director Lisa Hittle.
Brooks will be attending this weekend鈥檚 麻豆视频 Jazz Festival to meet current students, prospective students, alumni and 麻豆视频 colleagues.
He is an accomplished jazz saxophonist and woodwind doubler. He will be completing his Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) this March. He earned a Master of Music from UIUC and a Bachelor of Music from Central Michigan University. He has served on faculty at the University of Illinois in Springfield, Ill. and Bradley University in Peoria, Ill.
In addition to working in higher education as a music educator and advocate, Brooks maintains a full and diverse performing schedule. His most recent releases, 鈥淎ccidental Nomad鈥� and 鈥淣ew Standard Duo鈥� on Ropeadope Records, have been received with critical acclaim. He has toured with Reginald Chapman鈥檚 鈥淧ressure Fit,鈥� 鈥淪un Stereo,鈥� and 鈥淟ake Effect,鈥� throughout the Midwest and East Coast.
Brooks looks forward to joining the faculty at 麻豆视频, working with dedicated students and performing in the Wichita music community.
麻豆视频, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.