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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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Music professor wins CSC excellence award

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G.W. “Sandy” Schaefer sits at the keyboard Tuesday following a rehearsal for “The Birds” ensemble. — Photo illustration by T.J. Thomson
G.W. “Sandy” Schaefer sits at the keyboard Tuesday following a rehearsal for “The Birds” ensemble. — Photo illustration by T.J. Thomson

Sandy Schaefer, director of the music business program at Chadron State, is one of three nominees for the 2013 Nebraska State College System’s Teaching Excellence Award.

Schaefer won the CSC’s annual Teaching Excellence Award, which automatically nominates him for the NSCS award.

“I basically inspire and share my love of music,” Schaefer said. “I am lucky to have a job that allows me to do this.”

Schaefer directs “The Birds,” a student jazz group that regularly performs at Wrecker’s Roadhouse in Chadron, as well as other events regionally. This experience allows students to learn how to collaborate and develop responsibility to the group, he said.

“When you put a student on stage, they learn to stand on their feet and improvise, which is high-impact learning,” he said. Schaefer arranges every song “The Birds” perform.

After coming to CSC in 1999, Schaefer developed the music business program in 2002. As a part of that program he takes students to the annual National Association of Music Merchants show in California, which is closed to the public and by invitation only.

“Everybody in the world who builds instruments or supplies and buyers for retail stores of the music industry attend,” Schaefer said.

Generation Next, a part of NAMM that encourages students majoring in music business, is a major event for the students attending the tradeshow. This semester a former CSC student of Schaefer’s music business degree is interning with NAMM. The association takes only a single intern per semester.

Schaefer has taught both in-person and online classes, and has introduced innovations in both formats.

He developed one of the first online fine arts classes at CSC, and teaches his “African American Popular Music” class with his textbook, “Here to Stay: Rock & Roll Through the 70s.” He records lectures and gathers YouTube videos that he posts online for this class.
His accomplishments and accolades do not stem solely from the classroom, however.

Schaefer was instrumental in developing and maintaining the radio station KJZC 90.5 at CSC. This is a non-commercial station that plays only jazz music. The FCC opened a window for this station in 2007, with seven days to file applications. After being chosen by the FCC, it took Schaefer and Richard Dabnay a former NASA employee, three years to get the station on the air.

Schaefer is also part of CSC Professors of Jazz who have been entertaining audiences since their formation in 2007. They perform original compositions and a mix of well-known jazz standards.

The NSCS’ criteria for the award includes demonstrated teaching effectiveness, academic advising, professional development, course quality, and other professional contributions. The recipient receives the award and a check for $3,000. Sheri Grotrian-Ryan, associate professor of business, from Peru State College and Mark Leeper, professor of political science, from Wayne State College, are the other two nominees.