Mohammed AL-Abdulla

            4/1/2013

                                                      Patrick M. McCarty

Today at Avila University, I interviewed Patrick M. McCarty. H

e is the director of the athletic band at Avila University. I first asked him about his general background in music. He said that both of his parents were teachers and musicians. He started doing music his entire life. He started with piano, and then took up percussion and violin. All through out middle school and high school he played in the orchestra and the band, and took private lessons. He did the same in college at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, where he got his Music Education degree. He played a lot of percussion, and learned how to play every instrument possible.

            Next I asked him how he decided to become the director of the athletic band at Avila University. He said that as he was working on his Master’s degree at the University of Kansas, Avila was looking to start a new band program. Avila had never had a program like that before. He said that Ambedy Bryson talked to him about starting ad drum line at Avila. So for a couple of years he was coming in as part-time to do the drum line. They went to play for the football games and basketball games. Now he is full-time and is teaching private lessons, music appreciation class, and continuing with the drum line. And now there is also a jazz walk band going.

            Third I asked what other things he had done since starting at Avila University. He plays drum set a lot in different venues, mostly with the Majestic Rhythm Review, which is based out of Lawrence. He also plays for high schools when they need a drummer for musicals or choir variety shows. He also does a lot of work with writing marching shows for area high schools. So he writes the music and the drill movements, and then he also teaches the students at Avila how to play drums. He also teaches private students on drums. He spent time learning different cool songs, where they could all play together.

            Fourth I asked him what techniques or skills he finds more effective on the students when he teaches them. He said to be very encouraging and motivating was great. A lot of students were motivated to succeed. Also, to give feedback all the time and more information on how to improve them and help them get going.

            Fifth I asked him about his future plans. He said one was to get a drum line of about ten to fifteen in the near future, to have a marching band to go with it, recruiting a lot of brass and wood players to join us, so as to have a full band and to play really cool tunes.

            Finally I asked him what he promises to Avila. He said his mission is to always provide a very welcoming, fun and spirited environment for the university through music.