It’s a bit of a challenging commute for Carleton’s artist-in-residence Don Ross, but he says it’s been worth it this past semester.
The accomplished fingerstyle guitar player is wrapping up his semester as the Carleton music department’s artist-in-residence. He spends two days each week at Carleton, and then travels back home to Halifax.
“It’s more expensive this way, but it’s better for family life,” Ross said via email. “I already spend so much time on the road that my wife definitely appreciates it.”
As artist-in-residence, Ross taught private guitar lessons, and a third-year lecture on music theory and harmony for guitarists. He also took part in performances throughout the semester, led a master class, and will be involved with a dance show later this month.
“I can honestly say that [the experience] been overwhelmingly positive,” Ross said about his time. “It’s great to be back in academia, and around so many keen young minds. It’s rejuvenating.”
Even with the long days spent in Ottawa, Ross found the experience fulfilling.
“By the time I was offered the opportunity, I was no longer living very close to Ottawa, so it’s been a bit tough having to travel so far to come in and work at the school, but it’s worked out well overall,” he said. “Teaching is very demanding and the long days have been exhausting, but rewarding.”
What impressed Ross most was watching the creative abilities of students here at Carleton.
“I’ve gotten a kick out of getting to hear some of the original music that my students have composed. It makes me hopeful to hear ongoing creativity,” he said. “Most of the students I’ve worked with individually are singer-songwriters who have wanted to bone up on their guitar skills, so I’ve gotten to hear some fine original songwriting.”
Highlights for Ross have included working with Mickey Magennis, an Irish songwriter who is currently studying at Carleton.
“It’s been lovely to see his eyes light up as we’ve worked out some lovely two-guitar arrangements of some of his tunes,” Ross said.
As a faculty member, a couple things Ross wanted to stress included: “an increased sense of musicianship, some heightened skills, and a glimpse into a life in music.”
Ross said he was originally approached by Carleton music professor James Wright about working as artist-in-residence while he was living in Montreal.
In his proposal, Wright cited Ross’ extensive teaching and composition background as reasons for Ross’ appointment, calling him one of the “world’s leading guitarists.”
“In his teaching of guitar skills, harmony, compositional form and the art and craft of songwriting, Don is quite simply one the very best in the field,” Wright said in an email.
Ross is a graduate of York University’s music program, and has been a performing musician since 1988. He has performed in Europe, North America, Russia, India, Australia, and all over eastern Asia. Ross is also a two-time winner of the U.S. National Fingerstyle Guitar Competition, and some of his compositions have become standards for world guitar.
“A ‘musician’s musician,’ he is widely revered, and our students know that they are incredibly fortunate to have direct contact with him,” Wright said.
“They have been rising to the challenge, and I sense that Don is enjoying working with them as much as they are thrilled and honoured to be working with him.”
Photo provided
