New music department head hired
After sifting through a pool of applicants that came from all over the United States and Europe, James Bankhead, with his extensive and impressive resume, has been appointed head of the music department.
John Neely, chair of the search committee, said Bankhead’s “stellar background and a very long list of diverse accomplishments” is what set him above the rest.
“He brings the strengths of a performing artist and strengths of a seasoned academic,” Neely said.
The process of picking a new department head began as soon as the new college was created, Neely said. The position was advertised nationally, said Craig Jessop, dean of the Cain College of the Arts. He said the field was narrowed from 40 applicants to 4. Those four went through “extensive interviews” with faculty, students and Jessop himself. After the interviews, the selection committee put together a list of strengths and weaknesses about those four applicants and presented that list to Jessop.
“The selection committee can not rank them (the four applicants) but he clearly had many many positive and extensive experiences with a music department,” Jessop said.
Bankhead has been the chair for the music department at California State University, the executive director of The Green Bay Symphony Orchestra, a commander and conductor of The United States Air Force Band in Washington and conductor of the Opera Workshop Orchestra. It is because of these accomplishments, among many others, that Jessop said he is confident in the choice to hire Bankhead.
Having USU become a school of music is what Jessop said he sees for the future, and hopes Bankhead will help in that goal.
“It is time for us to examine ourselves and aspire to become a school of music and I have asked him to lead that discussion,” Jessop said.
Jessop said Bankhead’s experience and contacts with those in the music business will be an important asset to the college.
“He is a very talented man both as a musician, playing the oboe and an extraordinary leader,” Jessop said.
– megan.b@aggiemail.usu.edu