Welcome
Welcome to the website of Brian Thacker, Assistant Professor of Music at Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee. My duties at Bethel University include teaching the low brass studio, brass methods, music theory, and music industry courses dealing with technology. Before my appointment at Bethel I worked at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in the School of Music as an Instructional Technology Consultant. In that position I collaborated with faculty on integrating technology in the classroom, performance studies courses, and distance education.
Construction has Begun!
Construction has begun on the recording studio. I will be posting a photo gallery shortly with the various stages of the demolition and construction. While it makes for teaching classes this semester a challenge I am not going to complain, since it is going to be nice to finally have a facility that was supposed to be completed before I excepted the job at Bethel! For now, the rooms will be constructed and the school will still be using my equipment for the next year, but it has been stated that
… Read more...Bethel Studio Update
I found out today that I need to move all of the studio gear ASAP since construction is set to begin on January 3rd. From my understanding the studio will be constructed in phases, with the physical space construction to be completed this spring. At that time the recording studio will still be utilizing my gear, but the planned phase for next year is the acquisition of studio equipment. This is
… Read more...Ska Jazz Series
Starting with the new year (2012) I am planning on creating a new audio series for the site. It will consist of Ska versions of jazz standards. Why Ska? Two reasons: Its a genre near and dear to my heart Its very easy to create Ska rhythm section parts in GarageBand on the iPad I see this as a way to better familiarize myself with all of the technological wonders I have available to me,
… Read more...Hector Berlioz on the Trombone
"In my opinion the trombone is the true head of that family of wind instruments which I have named the epic one. It possesses nobility and grandeur to the highest degree; it has all the serious and powerful tones of sublime musical poetry, from religious, calm and imposing accents to savage, orgiastic outbursts. Directed by the will of a master, the trombones can chant like a choir of
… Read more...Academic Recording Studio Proposal
My offices have now finally moved into the space that is to be the future academic recording studio. Even before I moved in, the University had a representative from the construction firm on campus to appraise the room situation. Since then I have met with this individual as well as my Division Chair and Dean and presented a proposal for the space. There was a brief discussion about
… Read more...