Anthony Titus
Courses
History of Rock and Roll (in class and online), multi-stylistic Applied Guitar program and Class Guitar, Intermediate Class Guitar and Rock Ensemble, Music in Film, On Course
Background
At Inver Hills for eight years, Titus has also taught at the University of St. Thomas, Anoka Ramsey Community College, and Metro State University. Titus holds a bachelor's degree (Music) from North Carolina School of the Arts, an M.A. in music from San Diego State University, and is on track to complete his Doctorate in Music Arts at the U of M in spring 2009.
Teaching music and performance is a natural vocational pursuit for Titus. From a family of music professionals, Titus's mother and brother are professors of piano at Macalester College. His brother was a concert pianist before becoming a composer in residence at the Guthrie Theatre. "Growing up, there was hardly a moment that someone wasn't practicing or teaching music in my household," says Titus. He developed the "Inver Hills Music Jam" student group and is active with Learning Communities (themed classes that student groups take together). Titus is also a member of the Minnesota Guitar Society and the Minnesota Music Teachers Association.
Composing a great curriculum
Titus says he stays current with new technology since this has become increasingly important in the student experience today. He is a co-founder of the Online Mentor Program and serves on the Online Education Task Force. "The music department is responding to the rapidly changing music and music business industries by introducing courses that reflect both the technological literacy and the ethnic diversity of students, unique courses like African Drumming, World Music, History of Rock 'n Roll, Music in Film and Music Business are examples. Plus, all of our courses, excluding large ensembles, will be offered online including some applied music lessons."
Titus's interests also include music education for the blind; ethnomusicology (the comparative study of music of different cultures); conducting; and composition. Other interests include online learning; digital recording; video editing; mnemonics (technique of improving or developing memory); cognition; and speed reading.