Dr. Calvin Hofer, the head of the music department at Colorado Mesa University (CMU), has stepped down from his position to focus on teaching full-time. He will be replaced by Dr. Darin Kamstra, who will begin his new position on July 1.
“I will be focusing on teaching and conducting the CMU Wind Symphony, which premieres a newly commissioned band piece each year,” Hofer said. “I also plan to be more involved with the Maverick Stampede, in addition to teaching Beginning Conducting, Advanced Conducting: Instrumental, and an online section of History of Popular Music.”
Department heads have both faculty and administrative responsibilities, including curriculum setting, budget planning, faculty oversight and student relations.
“I am stepping down as I believe the music department is ready for new leadership. I look forward to focusing on teaching and serving the Department as best I can,” Hofer said.
In addition to his new teaching responsibilities, Dr. Hofer will also be focusing on projects important to the music department such as Rockestra, Middle School Music Camp and the new Music Forum designed to be a lab setting for music business and performance majors to provide real-life experiences.
“I want to teach full-time because that is why I pursued my undergraduate and graduate degrees. It’s where I started, and it is where I would like to get back to,” Hofer said.
