CU Professor Shanti Simon Views Music As Connection
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Last year, professor Shanti Simon joined CU 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó’sÌýCollege of Music from the University of Oklahoma as director of bands,Ìýwhere she oversees the band program, leads the wind conducting program and teaches undergraduate conducting. Previously, she served as flight commander and associate conductor with theÌýÌýin Colorado Springs and theÌý in Washington, D.C. Her leadership at CU is guided by music’s power to bring people together, an insight she credits to her global travels.
How did you decide to pursue conducting as a career?Ìý
Becoming a conductor was a natural outgrowth of my love for music, which started in elementary school and extended into high school, where I had a positive experience in the band program. When I was a sophomore, I realized music was something I could pursue as a career.Ìý
I did my undergraduate degree at Florida’s Stetson University in music education and trumpet performance, taught in Florida public schools for four years, and then decided to get my master’s and doctorate degrees in conducting at the University of Minnesota. At 30 years old, when I was coming out of my doctorate, I applied to the Air Force and won a job. I was a professional conductor for my seven years on active duty.
You’ve traveled the world with the U.S. Air Force Band. What performance is among the most memorable for you?Ìý
The Air Force gave me an opportunity to do what I love as a profession and serve my country at the same time. My first performance was memorable because it was my first assignment in Washington, D.C. It was in 2011 for the National Tree Lighting at the White House with theÌý, one of the best jazz ensembles in the world. As a young trumpet player, I grew up listening to them on cassette tapes. And then, here I was, conducting this group for the president of the United States and the first family at the White House.Ìý
But what I think are the most memorable performances I did with the Air Force are the full honors funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. There are bands of all services out there 365 days a year honoring our fallen heroes. Allowing families a space to feel emotions during a fragile time of their lives is really meaningful. I’ll always remember the professionalism and care that was put into those funerals, and what it felt like to be honoring something much bigger than me or the bands.
When deployed to the Middle East, what were your main duties?Ìý
I was deployed in 2016 for six months. My job was leading a band for theÌý, and I worked closely with the public affairs officer to determine where the band could be most helpful to meet the Air Force commander’s priorities. We were stationed in Qatar and went to Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Egypt.Ìý
Before I left, I wondered about the purpose of military bands in the region. It didn’t take long for me to understand. The mission was twofold: first, to support the troops and bring a taste of home to the forward operating bases, and, second, to build relationships with our host nations and allies in the region. Every day, music was able to open doors to conversations and connections between people.Ìý
Can you give examples of this?Ìý
We would often learn the songs in the native languages of the countries that we were in. We would collaborate with other musicians, sometimes play on radio programs. We were not just representing the Air Force — we were representing the United States in these missions.Ìý
When we were at school performances, we knew these interactions with kids could have a long-term impact on how they view the United States. Once, the band was setting up in a cafeteria surrounded by windows. The kids just were coming to the windows and looking in. They could not wait to get in. Then they had a wonderful experience singing along, and at the end, the kids came up and hugged the musicians, hugged someone in an American uniform. I looked at those interactions as a chipping away at the negative narrative and replacing it with a positive experience that really only music can do.Ìý
Another time, we went to a NATO base in Kabul, Afghanistan, to perform for the troops. One day, we were instructed to go to the Afghan side of the base. In order to do this, we had to get armored up and travel in an armored vehicle from one side of the base to the other. We set up in a hangar to create an atmosphere where the NATO and Afghan troops could share time together. When we first started the concert, the troops kept to different sides and didn’t talk to each other. But by the end of the hour, people had gone to the other side and were having conversations. We gave them a chance to get to know each other as people through music.
Was there something about CU 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó that inspired you and your family to move to Colorado?Ìý
The College of Music has a mission to develop its students as universal musicians. This resonated with me because, after my professional experience with the Air Force bands, I saw a disconnect between what I learned in my studies and what I ended up doing with the Air Force. Now, I want to try to bridge that gap so that we’re preparing our students the best we can for the professional jobs that exist beyond CU.Ìý
What else should we know about your work here?Ìý
I’m thinking about crafting seamless concert experiences through innovative audience engagement. I want people to come to the concert hall and have something happen in the space that makes them want to come back. I’ve been exploring all kinds of things, from video to lighting to memorized performances where we take away chairs and stands.
What do you do when you’re not conducting?Ìý
I have a wonderful husband, Jebodiah, who supports my career and everything I do, and two young kids. A lot of my time and joy is spending time with my family. I still serve in the Oklahoma Air National Guard as a public affairs officer. I also love hiking. I’m really excited that this will be my first full summer in this area.
What else should we know about you?Ìý
I love music, I love people and I love the connection that music brings for people. I’ve really found my place here at CU, and I plan to spend the rest of my career building on the legacy of this incredible program.
Photo by Casey A. Cass