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Collegedale, Tennessee
Beloved music professor Ken Parsons to take final bow after 26 years
Ken Parsons conducting students in a class. (Photo by Katie McConnell).
Anaya Miller Contributor Ken Parsons leaned back in his chair as music from practicing students filtered into his office, a sound to which he has grown accustomed while teaching at Southern Adventist University for 26 years. Such memories will follow him after he retires in May. Before coming to Southern, Parsons worked at Forest Lake Academy in Florida for 14 years and at Redlands Academy in California for two years, prior to getting his master’s degrees in music education and theology from Walla Walla University and a master’s degree in brass performance from the University of Oregon. During his career at Southern, Parsons has worked with woodwind and brass instrumentalists, in addition to launching new projects. He has directed a flute choir and a woodwind quartet and conducted the Jazz Ensemble and Wind Symphon. When the Southern Steel Band first began, Parsons requested funding
from the Administrative Council for the endeavor and has conducted the group for the last five years. Parsons also teaches trumpet in music education classes and is a coach and player in the Brass Quintet. Having taught for so many years, he could not point to a specific event as the high point in his career during an interview for this article. Instead, he commented on his favorite aspect of teaching. “I think high points are when I see the light go on in a student’s eyes, or they say, ‘Oh, I get it now,’” Parsons said. “It’s learning about different ways of organizing sound, different ways of expressing your emotions through music and finding ways to make that kind of communication meaningful. In that sense, it’s exciting all along the way.” Students from the Wind Symphony expressed in an email their enjoyment learning from Parsons. Esther Kim, a senior nursing major, has been a student of his and has played flute for the Wind Symphony for four years. “Mr. Parsons’ passion for music and
teaching has made playing in the ensemble very special,” Kim stated. “His classroom, full of his dad jokes that mostly land, cultivates an environment of comfort and community. Whether in the rehearsal room or on tour across the country, Mr. Parsons consistently reflects God’s love.” Franc Henry Madrio, a senior automotive service management major, has participated in the horn section of the Wind Symphony for four years. “Mr. Parsons always knows how to keep band fun and engaging,” Madrio stated. “He loves cracking jokes and doing silly impersonations during rehearsals, but he always makes sure that we, the band members, are learning and getting better every day.” Linton Feitosa, a senior computer science major, said he had a positive experience with Parsons in his three years playing French horn for the Wind Symphony. “Mr. Parsons is a highly dedicated director and a superb educator,” Feitosa said. “In addition to carefully planning concerts, activities and tours, he shows
deep concern for each member of the ensemble. He takes time to pray for the requests of the members and is always willing to engage in friendly conversation.” After retiring, Parsons plans to stay in Collegedale and use his free time to continue his own musical career on the See Parsons on page 3
Ken Parsons, associate professor. (Photo by Katie McConnell).
“Mr. Parsons’ passion for music and teaching has made playing in the ensemble very special." - Esther Kim