164. John Milbauer, Pianist and Conservatory Leader

Show Notes:

John Milbauer explains that, although he didn't graduate from Harvard, his education and career followed a unique path involving music and academia. John reflects that his focus has been a combination of music and ideas, but the structure of academia often separates the two. He mentions his role as Dean of the School of Music at DePaul University in Chicago where they are bringing the two together to provide musicians with a more holistic approach to creative development and expression.

Choosing a Career Path

At 17 John was accepted into both Harvard Summer School and Aspen Music Festival, and he had to choose which one to attend. He chose Harvard after the advice that young musicians should not pursue music if they can pursue a career in a different field that offers a better chance at success. He describes his love for music and his initial excitement at Harvard, including taking calculus and expository writing. John applied to Harvard’s admissions in seventh grade; to him it represented a world of ideas, culture, sophistication and globalism that small town Wisconsin did not offer.

Leaving Harvard for a Conservatory

John recounts his childhood in northern Wisconsin and his early musical training with Joan Moffitt. He explains how many music instructors tend to teach students bad habits that have to be unlearned later. He explains that he needed purely technical training and he realized that Harvard wasn’t set up to provide technical training in music studies, and so, in the middle of his sophomore year, John left Harvard for a conservatory. He details his educational journey from Harvard to Eastman to Juilliard, highlighting the importance of technical training, and the relationship between the mind and body when pursuing creative development. 

A Career As a Pianist

John pursued his career as a pianist. He talks about his time at the Hungarian Liszt Academy on a Fulbright. He explains the challenges of being a musician in their 30s, including the need for a stable job with benefits. John shares his experience as a piano faculty member at three universities, including the University of Arizona. He describes his decision to pursue a mid-career Master's in Public Administration at the Kennedy School of Harvard, influenced by his 25th reunion.

Moving to a Career in Higher Education Administration

John talks about going back to Harvard at 49. He realized he needed  broader knowledge, particularly about developing economies, and goes on to explain his decision to pursue a career in higher education administration, influenced by his Kennedy School education. John describes his role as Dean of the School of Music at DePaul University and his efforts to integrate music and academia. He highlights the importance of combining his musical skills with his understanding of economics and government, and shares three key takeaways from his Kennedy School education: economic complexity, the importance of imagination, and the need to resist quantifying good deeds. He explains how these lessons have influenced his work at DePaul, including his approach to growing the school's programs.

Harvard Reflections

John discusses the importance of imagination in music and the arts, influenced by his class with Roberto Unger. He highlights the role of values in his work, influenced by his class with Rohit Deshpanda at Harvard Business School. John also recounts a special performance with Steve Balderston, a long-time faculty member at DePaul, which helped build trust within the community, and shares a memorable performance of John Cage's Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano, which attracted a full house.

 

A Vision for DePaul School of Music

John discusses the importance of revealing the beauty in music rather than imposing his own interpretation. He outlines his vision for the DePaul School of Music, including its role as a top orchestral training institution. He emphasizes the importance of diversifying the curriculum to include recording arts and performing arts management. John discusses the need for conservatories to focus on specialized training while maintaining a broad educational approach, and he highlights the potential for DePaul to become a leader in complex and diversified higher education in the arts.

Timestamps:

05:14: Early Musical Training and Harvard Experience

10:27: Career in Music and Academia

16:02: Transition to DePaul University 

21:55: Impact of Kennedy School Education 

28:01: Personal and Professional Highlights

34:04: Vision for DePaul School of Music 

Links:

Faculty: https://www.depaul.edu/faculty/john-milbauer

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/43vQxUUaMmzDFTKBND7u2B?si=34e1d0776d604cfb

DePaul University:  https://magazine.depaul.edu/s/1906/23/interior.aspx?sid=1906&gid=2&pgid=4425

 

This episode on The 92 Report:  https://92report.com/podcast/164-john-milbauer-pianist-and-conservatory-leader/

*AI generated show notes and transcript