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Music, B.A. | Class of
Jon Compton
Senior Operations Research Analyst, Office of the Secretary of Defense
Employer: Department of Defense
Job description: I work in the Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation office within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. My job is to run studies that examine complex problem sets that face the department.
Until around the year 2001 I engaged in various musical pursuits, composing music and performing on keyboards. Since the events of 9/11, however, I've been more single minded about my current professional career path. My musical outlet is entirely centered around teaching my children about music and helping them learn to perform better on their instruments (my son, 12, plays clarinet and bassoon, my daughter, 14, plays flute and harp).
About Jon
Why did you choose this program?
At the time I chose the program primarily because it interested me and was more engaging than my original major was. Ironically, I eventually earned my doctorate in International Relations and Formal Methods.
How did this program prepare you for your job?
What this program did more than anything was cause me to learn how to learn. But even more importantly, it exposed me to analytical thought via music theory, as well as how to apply analysis in the pursuit of creativity. This way of integrated thinking served me very well later in life even though I never resolved an Italian augmented 6th chord again.
What did you enjoy most about the program?
What I enjoyed the most was the atmosphere, the camaraderie, and the engaged attention that I received from many of my professors. There was also a sense of youthful hubris and confidence that was so enticing at the time, yet when looked back upon I realize how little we actually knew or understood about music and about life. If done right, this should be one of the best times of your life.
What would you say to prospective students who are thinking about applying to this program?
I would say to any prospective student that you are about to engage in what will likely be one of the most formative, engaging, challenging, difficult, and exciting adventures of your life. Put all of yourself into it. Be simultaneously open-minded and skeptical. Be challenged by your professors and challenge them in return. Do not be intimidated, but also be respectful of yourself, your peers, and your professors. You will form some of your closest friendships over the next four years, and you will never forget this period of your life. Revel in it.
I embarked upon many paths throughout my life after I graduated, but I never left music behind, even if it was just to listen. Musically, I mostly liked to perform progressive rock/metal music, and was lucky enough to get to play with many great musicians within that genre, including Derek Sherinian, Virgil Donati, Simon Phillips, Tony MacAlpine, and others. Although I was never of their caliber as a player, we all have love of music in common. Whether or not you pursue music after graduation, it will always be a part of your life. In my opinion, music is the ultimate expression of creativity entirely created from the minds of human beings. It distinctly connects us yet makes us unique. Many will tell you a degree in music is a bad idea, but I look back upon my experience as one of the key formative events of my life. If you put in the effort, it will be in yours as well.