JIM
VERDEUR
Area of Study: Music Education
Current City: Horsham, PA
Graduation Date: Spring, 1989
Current Occupation: Music Teacher at Hatboro Horsham School District, Musician, and artist endorser for
Yamaha Musical Instruments, D'addario Woodwinds and Theo Wanne Mouthpieces.
Website: www.jimverdeur.com
Why did you choose WCU and/or School of Music?
I remember that day very well. It was October 1983 of my senior year in High School.
I was sitting in AP Bio class when I decided I did not want to go to Dental School
(a dream from 2nd grade) and wanted to study Music. To be honest, reading text books
about ventricles and corpuscles was a complete drag. I couldn't picture myself doing
this for the next 8 years. Practicing and playing music for hours came easy, was a
passion and clearly presented itself as the path to follow. The search was then on
for the best Music Ed program I could find. I knew I wanted to find a school that
had a superior Music Ed program, and, was close enough to the city to gig. WCU clearly
stood out as the choice. I applied, had my audition, and was accepted by November.
How has the quality of education you received from WCU and/or School of Music prepared
you for life after graduation?
I am so thankful for my Theory and Ear Training classes. The classes have proven to
be the most valuable of all of the classes I took WCU. There isn't a day that goes
by that I don't use the information and training from these classes.
What is a typical day like for you?
Well... since I work at a Middle School I can say there is no typical day. Middle
School kids keep you on your toes. The one thing Middle School kids are consistent
with is being inconsistent. Not in a bad way, just, never the same day twice. Outside
of school I gig with many local Philadelphia singer/songwriters and have played with
Simon Kirke (Free and Bad Company) and did a run of shows with the Beach Boys recently.
I have had a day where I start in school with band at 7:30am and end the night playing
an auditorium in front of thousands. Nothing like a dose of reality at 7:30am the
next day to keep you grounded! I have also been doing more recording sessions lately,
and it is still a cool thing to record something, forget about it, and then hear it
months later on the radio. That thrill NEVER gets old!
What advice would you give to someone who would like to enter your field?
Never stop learning.
What advice would you give to our graduating seniors?
One day at Elementary Methods class was told the we would need to fight to justify
our jobs in the future. I remember thinking "Nah... that will never happen". Well...
more than ever, the fight is real and if you're not ready to fight for your art, go
into accounting.
What makes the WCU School of Music standout to you?
When I was at WCU there was an attitude (chip on their shoulders) with the professors
that there was a need to over achieve since we were a state school. In education today
one of the buzz words is "rigor." Rigor was a way of life at the WCU School of Music.
To do it right required at least 18 credits a semester and thick skin. I wouldn't
want to do it any other way, or, be treated any other way. I felt I was far more prepared
than most students graduating from other programs.
What's the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn't learn from your resume
alone?
I love to surf... I’m a weather nerd... and I'm preparing to run a marathon in January.