Sinclair360

A classroom may not seem like a typical stage; but for Dr. John Parcell, it’s a magical place where some of his greatest performances have taken place. The beloved Sinclair Community College music professor weaves humor, interaction and music theory into an hour-and-15-minute session that often leaves participants feeling as if it were only a matter of minutes. His one-on-one time with students is just as precious, as he accompanies them in performances or simply helps them on a paper to be presented at a national conference. “They all meld together and create one wonderful teaching experience,” Parcell said.

Parcell’s impact on his students has been evident for some time. Many have been accepted into – and even sought out by – some of the area’s finest music schools, and most have had great success in their music careers. This past year, however, Parcell’s recognition grew to a national level, when The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching named him the 2009 Ohio Professor of the Year.

Parcell – who was selected from among 300 professors statewide – said that he felt as if he had already won, when he was informed that Sinclair was going to nominate him. When he actually received the title, he felt more humbled, considering the caliber of the colleagues who surround him daily. “I’m more comfortable in thinking about it as a win for the school and for all the dedicated and talented professors,” he said. “We are just a large community of people trying to allow these students to be successful.”

A community-college kid at heart

Parcell interviewed to be an assistant professor at Sinclair in 2004. At the time he was finishing up a one-year stint as a visiting professor at Haverford College, a prestigious four-year institution near Philadelphia. He was immediately attracted to Sinclair, because it reminded him of the community college that he first attended right out of high school. “It was such a great experience for me, because I was very successful there and I hadn’t been that successful in high school,” he recalled. “It was a chance to restart. When I interviewed at Sinclair, I immediately felt a connection and knew I’d be able to identify with a lot of the students there.”

Parcell said that he was able to find himself academically, thanks to the guidance he received from the professors at his college. His professors exhibited to him that a quality education would allow him to move forward in his love for music and enable him to reach any level that he could conceive. It was a huge change for Parcell, who had spent his high school years ditching schoolwork to compose music for his rock band. At the time he put all of his energy into touring with his band or recording music. “But from that point forward, it was smooth sailing academically – once I put my head on right,” said the 41-year-old professor.

From 1996 to 2003, Parcell continued in his love of music education, by working toward and receiving his master’s degree and then doctorate of music from Stony Brook University in New York. His dream of teaching music was realized in 2004, when Sinclair hired him into its Department of Music. Four years later he had become an associate professor by title, but also an adored teacher by nearly all who took his courses.

“John is a gifted and award-winning musician and composer; but in the eyes of his students and colleagues, he is first and foremost an exemplary teacher,” said Dr. Kathleen Cleary, dean of Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences. “John’s students achieve levels of excellence in and out of the classroom that they do not know are possible for them.”

Almost every day Parcell feels as if he runs into a student who reminds him of himself. He finds joy in watching students, who maybe had been a little lost academically, one day find their place. He sympathizes with them as they try to balance studies with the reality of everyday life. “Some of my students work in a factory or wait tables. Some even work on dairy farms,” he said. “That’s what I love about the community-college student: Many of them have pretty full lives, and they are just trying to make ends meet and take care of their families.”

Performing alongside his students

One thing is for sure: No matter what responsibilities Parcell’s students have outside of Sinclair, they all share their love for music inside the classroom. It’s there that they learn from Parcell about music theory, music composition and aural skills, or ways to listen to music and transcribe its notes.

Some students participate in Parcell’s online music-appreciation class. The course, which was developed by Parcell, was the first online course offered in Sinclair’s Department of Music. He also finds time to teach private lessons in jazz piano and jazz drumming.

Perhaps one of Parcell’s favorite things outside of the classroom is performing in school productions and composing music for special events. Two years ago he wrote the music that was played at Sinclair’s commencement ceremonies. The two-minute piece might be played again this year.

His most recent work, however, was created for Sinclair’s Theatre department. He wrote original music for the department’s production of Antigone, a Greek tragedy; his music was featured during the chorus section of the play, as cast members spoke in unison.
He also worked on a Japanese-inspired production two years ago. That work was particularly enjoyable, because he and several others became part of the play as they performed onstage.

It’s those times, as well as many others, when Parcell sees his work come alive and where he is able to watch his students grow. “I just really like working with other people, especially students, because it gives you a whole new level of energy,” he said.

By Julie Thompson

Julie Thompson is a freelance writer in Dayton, Ohio. She can be reached at thompsonwriting@att.net.