Dr. John C. Webb Resume
As a baby in Dundee, Illinois, I would rock and roll for hours in my crib singing made-up songs, and of course, being too loud! My parents bought me a flute when I was 8, hoping that wouldn’t be too loud, but I really didn’t want to play a “girl’s” instrument! When I couldn’t even get a note out of the mouthpiece, my frustrated band director sent a note home to my mom saying “little Johnny” didn’t have the aptitude for music OR band. Mom did not like that. She called him and by the time she got through talking, he was sending his daughter Ellen over to give me flute lessons, and she showed me it WAS possible to get a note out of the flute! Career – saved! Thanks, Mom! Plus, later there would be fringe benefits to being the only boy in the flute section…
At 11, my family relocated to Buena Park, California to start Jungle Island – the wonderful world of woodimals, at Knott’s Berry Farm, where I worked as a teenager.
Band was my solace, and I was very lucky to have the same great band director for junior high and high school - Don Gunderson. He suggested that I learn how to play saxophone for marching and jazz. Career saved – again! I got a used tenor sax, and started wailing away. Instead of asking me if I’d practiced, my parents started asking “Are you going to play that THING again?” To make things even noisier, my grandfather bought us a Hammond Organ and put it in our house, so I made a ruckus with that, and my interest in jazz soon followed, starting with “stage band” in high school. Besides being a school band nerd, my buddy John Valenti and I started a garage band, and at age 17 we were playing gigs! Since 19, I’ve never held a job outside of music, so you could say I’ve never worked a day in my life! Maybe that’s a little tongue-in-cheek, but to improve as a musician I needed lots of help, and I’ve been fortunate to have had some fantastic teachers!
Education
D.A. (Doctor of Arts) in Saxophone Performance and Pedagogy, University of Northern Colorado
M.M.E. (Masters of Music Education) with a minor in Jazz Education, The University of North Texas
B.M. in Music Education, minor in jazz education, The University of North Texas
Associate of Arts Degree, Cypress Community College, Cypress, California
Former Teachers
I would be NOWHERE without the valuable guidance from these wonderful teachers:
Saxophone
Roger Greenberg
Debra Richtmeyer
Jim Riggs
Harvey Pittel
Flute
Dr. George Morey
Dr. Mary Karen Clardy
Jazz Studies
Rich Matteson
Dan Haerle
Dr. Gene Aitken
Gary Foster
Keyboard
Harold Grimes
Chuck Showalter
University Teaching and Administration
Professor of Music, The University of Texas at Tyler, Jazz Studies, Saxophone, Music of the Americas, World Music, Woodwind Methods, January, 2005-14.
Director, School of Visual and Performing Arts, The University of Texas at Tyler, 100% administrative appointment (promoted to Professor with tenure), August 2000-December, 2004.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Chair, Department of Music, 62.5% administrative appointment, 1997-2000. Also taught saxophone studio.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Saxophone, Jazz Studies, Cultural Music, (received tenure and promoted to Associate Professor in 1994), 1991-2000.
Chadron State College, Chadron, Nebraska, Director of Jazz Studies/Commercial Music (received tenure and promotion from Instructor to Assistant Professor), 1984-1991.
The University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado, Teaching Assistant, Jazz Combo (sabbatical), 1988-1989.
Mt. San Antonio Community College, Walnut, California, Instructor of Jazz Studies (a one-year sabbatical replacement position), 1983-1984.
California State University Fullerton, Jazz Ensemble, 1983-1984.
Lessons
I enjoy working with students who are invested in a musical career, and who have a passion for jazz! If this sounds like you, email me at drjcwebb@gmail.com for a consultation.
Musical Publications
I authored this textbook for the course called "Music of the Americas”. Enjoy! CulturalMusicPerspectives
My Doctoral Dissertation is below. The principles of pedagogy presented here should be quite helpful, as well as for any studio teachers looking for additional pieces to give to students in the classical style.
Pedagogical Problems and Solutions in Current Saxophone Works
These additional academic papers are available on request for cost of reproduction:
Increasing Teaching and Learning Effectiveness in Jazz Studies Courses Through Collaborative and Cooperative Activities
Classical and Jazz in the Studio? Bridging the Gap for Saxophone Majors at the University Level
The Primal Roots of Jazz: Rediscovering the Roots of Vodou
Country Bumpkins or Pure Geniuses? Identifying Meaningful Relationships Between the Blues of the Mississippi Delta and Jazz
Guidelines for Implementing Creative Performance Activities into Beginning Jazz Improvisation Classes at the Secondary and Post-Secondary School Level
A Study of the Stylistic Innovations of Five Major Jazz Saxophonists
Who Do I Listen To? IAJE Monthly Newsletter.
Wisconsin Teaching Fellow, (one of three UWW faculty selected). Project and Presentation: "Investigating Collaborative Strategies to Promote Active Learning in General Studies/Diversity Courses," 1996-97.
"The Juxtaposition of Native American Teaching Concepts into the Non-Native Curriculum: From Daily Lesson Plans to a Holistic Approach", 21st UW system Women's Studies Consortium Conference, October 4-5, 1996.
If you want my teaching philosophy statement, or for some insane reason, my FULL academic resume… contact me.