In a special weekly series, the College of Liberal Arts is featuring a faculty member from one of our 13 departments. We asked questions about why they are passionate about the subjects they study and teach, and how they found their path to CSU. See all “Faculty Friday” features here.
Rebecca Phillips
Associate Professor of Music; Director of Bands
1. What do you like most about Band?
I love the combination of beautiful sounds when a finely trained ensemble performs together. The timbres are endless!
2. What inspired your interest in band?
My father and uncle were professional bandsmen in one of the premiere military bands in Washington, D.C., assigned to the White House.
3. Which class is your favorite to teach and why?
Wind Symphony — it is incredibly rewarding to hear individual students progress throughout their time here at CSU and, as they each become more proficient at their instruments and their musicianship, the entire ensemble improves drastically.
4. What did you want to be when you were little?
An astronaut, of course!
5. When did you know you wanted to go into higher education/research?
After a decade of teaching high school in Florida, I realized that I would enjoy a new challenge of teaching students at the undergraduate and graduate level.
6. How did you get to CSU?
I was previously the Associate Director of Bands and Director for Athletic Bands at the University of South Carolina. CSU searched for a Director of Bands in 2014 and I decided it was the right time in my career to move from the second position in a band program to the lead position.
7. What is one thing students would be surprised to learn about you?
I played varsity basketball in college for a season…and I did not ride the bench!
