"Lights, Camera, Favorites," Glaze's Final Performance with UWF
March 26, 2019 | Brandy Gottlieb, CASSH Communicaitons | casshcommunications@uwf.edu
March 30 marks the final UWF Symphonic Band concert for Rick Glaze, UWF associate professor of clarinet and director of bands and the UWF Bachelor of Music Education program. Since 1990, Glaze has spent the past 29 years providing a formative influence on the UWF Department of Music.
In total, Glaze’s career in music education has spanned a total of 37 years. Prior to UWF, Glaze taught music for eight years in the Okaloosa County School System and at Okaloosa-Walton Community College (now, Northwest Florida State). As a clarinetist, Glaze performed for 19 years with the Pensacola Symphony and served as principal clarinetist for 14 of those years. He also performed as the principal clarinetist with the Okaloosa Symphony and as a member of the Pensacola Opera.
During his tenure at UWF, Glaze’s accomplishments to the department and discipline have been been many. In 1990, in accordance with the National Association of Schools of Music, Glaze formed the first UWF Symphonic and Jazz Band. Previously, the band had joint membership with Pensacola Junior College (now, Pensacola State College). He developed key academic programs, to include the Music Minor and Bachelor of Music Education degree programs. Additionally, Glaze filled the critical role of writing the self-study for the department’s recent NASM reaffirmation. In addition to teaching courses, which have included conducting, instrumentation, music for elementary education, and a variety of woodwind instruments, Glaze served as the chair of UWF’s Department of Music from 2001 to 2005.
“Mr. Glaze was a supportive and professional director. I appreciate all of the assistance and opportunities he provided..." - Pam Myers, UWF Alumna '99
Pam Meyers received her BA in English from UWF in 1999. She reflected on her experience with the band. “Mr. Glaze was a supportive and professional director. I appreciate all of the assistance and opportunities he provided, especially to someone (such as myself) who was not majoring in music. The CFPA became a second home to me while I was a student here, and I will be forever grateful for the wonderful memories and friends I made as a member of UWF's Symphonic band.” Today, Pam serves as the General Education faculty fellow and assistant coordinator for the English Composition program at UWF.
Each year, Glaze has represented UWF at the Florida Music Education Association Conference. For decades, his students from the UWF Symphonic Band have been selected to perform in the Florida All-State Intercollegiate Band.
Amy Miller was one of those students, having been selected for and participated in the Florida All-State Band for six years. Miller graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance. She performed with the UWF Symphonic Band from 2007-2017, as well as in the pit orchestra for theatre productions. Though her primary instrument was clarinet, Miller learned to play all the other woodwind instruments.
Of Glaze, she said, “One lesson Mr. Glaze and other UWF music faculty preach is to be a lifelong learner...He pushed me right outside of my comfort zone, which helped shape me into the musician and teacher I am today.”
“One lesson Mr. Glaze and other UWF music faculty preach is to be a lifelong learner...He pushed me right outside of my comfort zone, which helped shape me into the musician and teacher I am today.” - Amy Miller, UWF Alumna '17
In addition to serving as the office administrator for the College of Business MBA Program and SEA Center, Miller has continued to teach music lessons. She credits Glaze for having instilled values such as teamwork, leadership, followership, task management and commitment, all which have contributed to her current position at UWF.
Caleb Lovely is a 2014 UWF graduate who received a Bachelor in Music Education. Lovely is a band director for Escambia County School District and has been named one of the top five Teachers of the Year for district.
Of Glaze he said, "Mr. Glaze was one of the most connected professors I've ever had. His ability to emote and transform not only pieces of music, but student experiences, has stayed with me in my career of music education. Everyday with Mr. Glaze offered a moment for inspiration and positive contemplation."
"His ability to emote and transform not only pieces of music, but student experiences, has stayed with me in my career of music education." - Caleb Lovely, UWF Alumnus '14 and Escambia County School District band director
According to Dr. Sheila Dunn, associate professor of music and chair of the UWF Department of Music, Glaze’s Film Music class regularly had enrollments of more than 300 students, making it one of the largest and most popular courses on campus. She also noted that he has guided countless students through their music internships with area elementary, middle and high school bands.
Of Glaze, Dunn reflected, “Professor Glaze is a beautiful clarinetist. One of my fondest memories is performing Schubert's chamber piece ‘Der Hirt auf dem Felsen’ with him.” Of his work with the department, Dunn said, “He has always been a source of positivity and joy in our department. He will be dearly missed, and we wish him all the very best.”
During Glaze’s final film Symphonic Band Film Concert, students will perform “Lights, Camera, Favorites! An Evening of Professor Glaze’s Favorite Film Scores,” which will include Glaze’s favorite performed film scores during his tenure at UWF.
Performances will occur Friday, March 29, and Saturday, March 30, at 7:30 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre of the UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82. This event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. For more information or to reserve tickets, please contact the CFPA Box Office at 850.857.6285.
