This past week I had the amazing opportunity to interview a professor, musician, and faculty member at Gannon University: Sam Hyman. Sam is the director of the Waldron Campus Center where he strives to bring students together, works with APB (the Activities Programming Board) and partners with SGA (the Student Government Association). He also supports many special events on and off campus and is responsible for Gannon’s Knight Club. Aside from his work at Gannon, Sam is a musician and performer who mixes and composes music. I sat down with Sam Hyman to ask him a few questions.

Q: 

What originally got you into music and who are some of your major inspirations?

A:  

My oldest brother had a band. There were always instruments in the basement or musicians in the house rehearsing. My mother sang in the church choir, and I started singing in the church when I was 8 years old. My main inspirations have been the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Beethoven, Mozart, Ramones, Vivaldi, and Stanley Turrentine.

Q:

As an experienced performer yourself, what are some tips that you can give to younger musicians?

A:

 Practice, practice, practice. If you want to perform for people, the best thing you can do is make sure you have everything down so that you don’t have to think about it and you can focus on getting emotion from your audience. 

Q:

What are all of the different instruments that you play and which would you like to learn?

A:

I have played the drums, clarinet, organ, woodwinds, strings, brass, percussion. I had to learn how to play a lot of instruments because I was a music major, but I would like to learn how to play the violin better.

All in all, I have learned a lot from Sam as well as the fact that he is a very down-to-earth person. If you ever run into him make sure to introduce yourself. He is very easy to approach. Also, as I am sure you have heard this many times by now, but welcome to Gannon! (or welcome back!) I hope you all have a great school year!