Jason Fox, B.M.Ed, adjunct instructor of music, was one of five St. Bonaventure University faculty members recognized for professional excellence at the University's 150th Commencement Exercises in May of 2010.
Fox, an adjunct instructor in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts’ Music Program, received the Adjunct Faculty Award for Professional Excellence for his role in helping to revitalize the music program at St. Bonaventure.
“Three years ago the department’s music ensembles were undergoing a reassessment,” said Dr. Leslie Sabina, professor of music. “The SBU Concert Band was in need of a spark, various campus constituents were lobbying for the re-establishment of a Pep Band, and there was a need to form a small brass ensemble. … I immediately realized that only one person living in the area could organize and bring excellence and passion to these disparate ensembles – Jason Fox.”
Membership in all three ensembles has dramatically increased, said Sabina, noting the Pep Band, which was lucky to draw one or two students a year, now includes more than 20 student musicians.
Laura Peterson, a lecturer in the music program, called her colleague “a remarkably energetic and dedicated teacher and performer.”
Four SBU students submitted letters supporting Fox’s nomination, citing the improvement in performance of each of the ensembles under Fox’s direction, his encouragement of students to stretch their musical boundaries and even to learn new instruments, and his willingness to put in extra, uncompensated hours with students to help them improve.
Fox earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from Central Methodist University, where he was a featured cornet player with the University Band. He has performed as a guest conductor, guest cornet soloist and band member throughout the region.
He is music director of the Allegany Alumni and Friends Band and the former music director of Southern Tier Swing, a swing and jazz band.