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presence at your institution raises the bar for excellence and elevates the qual- ity of education for all students pursuing degrees in music. I hope to continue to have an impact on students, teachers, and colleagues throughout the course of my career. Journal: What is the significance of faith, family support, mentorship, and fraternity for you? Murdock: Since I was a very small child, faith and music have been integral parts of my life. As a product of a low- income family in the inner city, I over- came the odds because of encourage- ment from my family and, to a greater extent, because of the gift of music which manifested significantly through musical experiences and opportunities in church. By the age of 6, my great-aunt had taken me to my first piano lesson after a gener- ous family friend created a scholarship allowing me to take lessons for a year at no cost to my family…Little did I know it, but at that time, I was being given a unique and priceless gift that would open doors to me for the rest of my life.... In the fourth grade, I was encouraged to join the school band, and by 5 th grade, I was competent on three different instruments and was playing piano and conducting regularly in local churches. In middle school, I joined the school choir, and it was through my choral experience that I learned that music education was the field I was destined to pursue…my family understood that music education was necessary to the growth of the whole student. Being the first in my immediate family to complete a four-year college degree, it became my mission to make the family proud and to continue to achieve in my chosen field. In doing so I aim to honor God, my fam- ily, and my mentors by using my gifts for good, and continuing to walk in integrity. I am also intentional about giving back
Murdock poses with Grammy. Opposite page: from left, Harvey Mason Jr., CEO, Recording Academy, Jeffrey Murdock, 2021 Music Educator Award Winner, and Michael Sticka, President/ CEO of the Grammy Museum, attend the 64 th Annual GRAMMY Awards - A GRAMMY In The Schools Salute to Music Education at the House of Blues Las Vegas on March 31, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Maury Phillips/Getty Images for The Recording Academy).
part of change. A part of someone real- izing the potential and purpose within themselves. May I never take this mo- ment for granted. Today. It starts, and it continues. But we are nowhere near the end.” I have found that my impact on junior faculty in my department as well as young teachers throughout the state and region has been more far-reaching than I could have ever imagined. One junior faculty member recently wrote the fol- lowing: “Dr. Murdock is a gifted administra- tor. Despite being in high demand as a clinician throughout the world, the voice and choral area has thrived under his leadership. During his time as area coordinator, recruitment has rebounded from the dip in enrollment from Covid, and vocal faculty have been given teach- ing assignments based on their strengths (ensuring high quality instruction and mentoring of students). In addition to everything on his plate this year, Dr. Murdock served as a wonderful mentor to me and to the other the new voice faculty members, patiently answering every question about curriculum, regu- lations, auditions, scholarship alloca- tion, scheduling, and any other items that needed clarification as we settled
into our roles within the department. Of all my academic posts, this was the smoothest transition I have ever had into a new job, thanks to Dr. Murdock’s mentorship and guidance.”
A young teacher from Atlanta, GA, early in his career, wrote the following:
“It feels nearly impossible to give words to the experience that would give it justice; however, the closest description is that working with Dr. Murdock is transformative. From the downbeat of the first rehearsal, Dr. Murdock had the entire room under his spell. His joyous approach to music-making was infec- tious and inviting. Every detail from his repertoire selection to the structure of the rehearsals was planned with inten- tion. I was mesmerized by the way Dr. Murdock worked with the students, weaving in historical context, musical nuance, and vocal technique seamlessly. He created an environment where the students truly felt safe to take risks and to learn." From a collegial perspective, it was an absolute dream to work with Dr. Mur- dock. He is communicative, empathet- ic, organized, professional, and humble. He anticipates possible challenges and works proactively to find solutions. His
18 | SUMMER 2022 ♦ THE JOURNAL
PUBLISHING ACHIEVEMENT IN EVERY FIELD OF HUMAN ENDEAVOR
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