TubeNet

Just noticed that Alan Baer will be teaching at Rutgers.
http://mgsa.rutgers.edu/music/mus_f_dept_brass.php" target="_blank" target="_blank

I'll bite...noticed what?

I'll take a guess. Or do I get lifelines first?

My guess is: what's Al Baer doing on the faculty for a school in New Jersey?

Do I win?

Must be my stupid night...what's unusual about Alan Baer teaching at Rutgers? Is he no longer with the New York Phil? Is it difficult to imagine he would drive to Rutgers to teach there? It's really close to New York.

Must be my stupid night...what's unusual about Alan Baer teaching at Rutgers? Is he no longer with the New York Phil? Is it difficult to imagine he would drive to Rutgers to teach there? It's really close to New York.

Alan Baer is on the faculties of the Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College of Music, and Bard College Conservatory, but it's news to me that he'll be teaching at Rutgers. My recollection is that Scott Mendoker was teaching there. I'll edit my original post for the sake of clarity.

With three teaching gigs right there in New York plus one of the best symphony gigs out there, I find it difficult to fathom why he would want to drive to a completely different state to teach more. I even have trouble believing he'd have the time.

But then, depending on how many students each place has (I plead ignorance, especially in conservatories) maybe it does make sense.

I am not knowing.

After 21 years there, it was a difficult decision to make, but last summer, I auditioned for a one year position at UMass/Amherst while Matt Gaunt took a leave of absence. A week after I accepted the UMass gig, the Hartt School called and asked if I would consider teaching there and I agreed. So, I put @ 1000 miles a week on my car doing all three this last school year - and also missed my family terribly. Since that time, Matt had decided to stay in Chicago where his wife plays horn with the CSO. The UMass job will be open and announced shortly. It's a non-tenure full-time gig and I would love to stay there - and plan on throwing my name into the hat. The Hartt job is also wonderful and is mine (as long as I don't screw up...) It came down to doing the three schools and BARELY meeting the needs of my students or doing two schools and really contributing - so I chose UMass and Hartt. Along with Philadelphia Brass, my life is very full and I will be able to be a husband and father, too!! We'll be moving up to the Amherst area soon.

I wish Alan all the best at Rutgers. He and Steve Allen, the new euphonium teacher, will have a terrific time with my kids and Rutgers is very fortunate to have them.

Scott Mendoker

For anyone who has met Scott, you know he is a great person and player. For anyone who has not met him, take the time to say hello if you ever have the chance. Being from CT, we are glad to have Scott up a bit farther north in our neck-of-the woods and wish him well in both of his new posts.

Scott,

Good luck and best wishes for continued success at UMass and Hartt. Sounds like that was a killer commute last year. Good luck with the move! We'll miss you around here.

Morris

the elephant wrote:Now I am afraid that I will never get to meet you as I never get to New England.

If you ever do make it up this far, please look me up and I'll take you out to dinner!

Nick Pierce wrote:With three teaching gigs right there in New York plus one of the best symphony gigs out there, I find it difficult to fathom why he would want to drive to a completely different state to teach more.

Rutgers is on the New Jersey Turnpike at Brunswick, and it's no more than 25 miles as a crow flies from Manhattan. It's also a big school and I bet he'll teach more students in a year there than in those other three colleges combined in five years.

As to what he has time to do and what he wants to do with that time, that's between he and his clock, it seems to me. I just wish I still had that kind of energy.

Rick "who frequently drives to a completely different state to shop for groceries" Denney

I get the impression that Mr. Baer enjoys his travel time, especially when he is on his preferred vehicle.

Rick Denney wrote:

Nick Pierce wrote:With three teaching gigs right there in New York plus one of the best symphony gigs out there, I find it difficult to fathom why he would want to drive to a completely different state to teach more.

Rutgers is on the New Jersey Turnpike at Brunswick, and it's no more than 25 miles as a crow flies from Manhattan. It's also a big school and I bet he'll teach more students in a year there than in those other three colleges combined in five years.

As to what he has time to do and what he wants to do with that time, that's between he and his clock, it seems to me. I just wish I still had that kind of energy.

Rick "who frequently drives to a completely different state to shop for groceries" Denney

When I was at Rutgers (in New Brunswick), there were usually between 3 and 5 undergrad tuba students, and 2 grad students. Not a huge studio, but certainly not small.

Scott, I cannot express how much I value the 4 years I spent as your student while in school...I learned so much that I continue to think about every day. Best of luck to you and your family in New England....I'm sure Mason Gross won't be the same without you!!

My bad, sorry all, I should learn geography some time. May those posts stand or all time as a monument to my stupidity!

Uncle Buck wrote:I get the impression that Mr. Baer enjoys his travel time, especially when he is on his preferred vehicle.

The thought of being on his preferred vehicle on the New Jersey Turnpike, however, sends cold chills down my spine.

Rick "not a timid driver" Denney