Music

Music has always been a part of my life. Since my mom's side of the family is Polish, my great-grandfather and mother were accordion players well-versed in the polka. I still have memories of jamming with Mom on her accordion and me on my trumpet. My great-aunt was an opera singer who paid for my early lessons as well as funding private lessons for all her nieces and nephews. My dad's side, on the other hand, is descended from Scottish pirates. At the age of 7, I joined the St. Joseph's Men and Boys' Choir in my hometown of Canton, Ohio. I had a great boy soprano voice at the time, and it was a well-known choir in town with many recordings. Then one day they hired a trumpet player. He got to play by himself. Later, while in high school, I became the trumpet player at St. Joe's, where I played every Sunday with that fine choir. I continued to study music through college and graduate school and first learned about Hillsdale through my friendship with Jim Holleman, who is now chairman of the Music Department.

All music, all styles. Though I love all artists, the jazz trumpeter Miles Davis has had the biggest influence on me.

Jazz combo class

Every year we place more and more students into prestigious music schools for graduate work. The University of Michigan, the Eastman School of Music, Indiana University--they all have Hillsdale students in their graduate programs. This is what makes me most proud.

The students.

Get all your application paperwork in on time.

Their integrity.

cmccourry@hillsdale.edu