Matthew Roeder, assistant professor of music.

Our faculty are a source of great pride. From rocket science to classic architecture, from the art of dance to the art of creating a successful business plan, our faculty bring a whole world of expertise, experimentation and excellence to our students and our community. In our new series, Inside CU will introduce readers to instructors, professors and research associates who contribute to our learning environment.

Each month we'll profile a different faculty member with a three question, Q&A-style interview. If you know of someone who you would like to see featured, or if you would like to participate, please email insidecu@colorado.edu with full name, title, department, office phone number and/or CU-Boulder email address.

Questions are:

• What drew you to your field of expertise, and keeps you passionate about your work?
• What do you enjoy most about being a faculty member? What is the most challenging part of your profession?
• What are your favorite activities/interests apart from your work?

Please include a short paragraph about your background and a jpeg photograph.

Our first profile is with Matthew Roeder, assistant professor of music and the associate director of bands, and director of the "Golden Buffalo" Marching Band. He is a member of the conducting and music education faculties and is responsible for teaching courses in both conducting and music education as well as conducting university instrumental ensembles. He received the 2007 Marinus Smith Award from the University of Colorado Parents Association and has received the Residence Life Academic Teaching Award for the past two years. He is an active member of the College Band Director's National Association, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, National Band Association, Music Educators National Conference, Colorado Bandmasters Association, Colorado Music Educators Association, a lifetime member of Phi Mu Alpha and an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi. He remains active as a clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor throughout the United States.

What drew you to your field of expertise, and keeps you passionate about your work?
Quite simply, I love the art of music and the great experiences that student-musicians and the listeners/audience have through music and music-making. I enjoy teaching music to students from all academic areas and degree programs on campus. The fantastic collaborations that occur on a daily basis through the preparation and performance of all music types as well as the interactions that students have with their colleagues and instructors as they learn about music teaching and performance keep me passionate about my field.

What do you most enjoy and what is the most challenging aspect of your profession?
The many varied responsibilities required of my position allow me to gain great enjoyment from my job. While I can be found conducting a large university ensemble and teaching music education students in the classroom, I am also fully involved in the tradition and pride of CU through my work with the university athletic bands. As director of CU's "Golden Buffalo" Marching Band, I have the opportunity to collaborate with the university administration, members of the athletic department staff, representatives from the alumni and parents associations, and of course, all academic areas on campus since any CU student is eligible to participate in the marching band. While all of these wonderful aspects of my position are enjoyable, they can also prove to be challenging as I strive to balance my workload and continue to be the most effective professor possible for my students.

What are your favorite interests and activities apart from your work?
I enjoy spending time with my family in the spectacular outdoors of the Front Range and Colorado. Hiking and mountain climbing are favorite outdoor activities for me. I find great inspiration for teaching and performing through my outdoor activities. In addition to my responsibilities on the music faculty at CU, I also serve a music director for the Colorado Wind Ensemble, a community-based semi-professional adult wind band centralized in Denver.