Many activities provide me with relaxation from the stresses of academia. Most of them are pretty typical; others are not.

I have a devout love for music and music performance. Most of the time, playing my tuba is the only love in my life. I listen to all types of music, excepting (first) RAP and (second) Country. I love classical orchestral music. My favorite composers are probably Tchaikovsky, Copland, Stravinsky, and Berlioz. My favorite individual piece of music is probably Berlioz's Fantastic Symphony. I also love listening to movie soundtracks; my favorite composer is probably John Williams, though Alfred Newman runs a close second.

I also love to listen to choral music, though I am by no means a good singer. I've had the honor and pleasure of associating with the Ohio Northern University Singers on tour as their recording engineer.

In terms of music performance, my primary instrument is tuba. However, I have played trombone, French Horn, euphonium, string bass, and bassoon in the past. I enjoy concert band slightly more than marching band, though I have done both. At Ohio Northern University, I even was privileged to serve as Field Commander with the ONU Marching Band.

As part of my alumni activities, I served as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Alumni Association of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma , and chaired the 2005 NAA Convention Programs Committee, which was responsible for the social activities of the alumni at the 2005 convention in Lexington, KY.

I currently play tuba with the Lakeshore Symphnic Band and the Port Washington City Band. I have played a few solos, including Tubby the Tuba James Curnow's Concertino for Band and Tuba. I also play tuba with the Milwaukee School of Engineering Symphony Orchestra. Previously, I have played with the Plymouth COmmunity Band in Plymouth, MI.

Another venue for relaxation is model railroading. I am currently modeling the Nickle Plate Road in the late steam era in HO scale.

In terms of physical activities, I enjoy bicycle riding and roller blading. I am not great at either sport, but they do provide the necessary distractions for me.