Volunteer of the Year—Jeffrey Highland
As I sit and write this, I’m listening to a “rock jazz” group, led by a violinist. Being a violinist myself, I love his creative styling as he improvises over the steady beats and chords going on behind him. It would be a dream of mine to play like that and be able to become as engrossed in the music as the performer clearly is. But, I’ve heard this song a dozen times, and eventually I start to pick out other aspects of the arrangement. The bass player is having his own fun, just beneath the obvious sounds of the violin, guitar and drums. The drummer playfully changes the beat structure while maintaining the same overall rhythm. The meanderings of the violinist would be nothing without these performers, who create the base of sound upon which the inspired improvisation can happen.
Sometimes I think that we stress the concept of leadership in the Fraternity a bit too much. And while there is certainly value in this emphasis, I know that most chapters operate effectively because, in addition to leaders, there are also collegiate brothers willing to work in supporting roles. Much as I might personally enjoy the ridiculousness of an all-violin rock ensemble, truly balanced groups need bass players too—brothers who are doing their part in the background, adding to the greater whole without being front and center.
Consider this the bass solo, then, in the words of Dr. Jeff Highland, Eta Nu (Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota) ’80. “As I look back on my personal life, my professional work and my experiences with Sinfonia, I see much of it from the viewpoint of an accompanist. Certainly, I’ve had moments in the spotlight; we all want to solo from time to time. But a more comfortable role for me has always been that of accompanist—an honorable and important role. The accompanist, as a partner, complements, supports and adds texture to the agenda at hand. As a Sinfonian, I like to think that this has been my contribution as an advisor to my chapter, to the Fraternity and to the Foundation.”
This might seem like an odd statement coming from Highland, because he’s been in numerous leadership roles, both in his career and within the Fraternity. At the time of his retirement in 2009, he was Provost of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Before that, he taught political science courses and served in academic administrative positions during a 32 year career at the university. As a Sinfonian, he was a long-time Faculty Advisor to Eta Nu Chapter at Saint Mary’s, Governor of Province 29, and Trustee on the Board of the Sinfonia Educational Foundation. It was for his contributions to the SEF that he was recently named one of our 2012 Volunteers of the Year. “I did some work on governance, drafted several revisions to the bylaws and developed some new process statements for the SEF during my time on the Board. I also recruited some new trustees for the Board with the able advice and assistance of [SEF President] Derek Danilson. I always take my responsibilities seriously and try to be helpful to those around me,” he says, invoking the idea of accompaniment once again.
Highland knows something of accompaniment in the literal sense as well. For more than 30 years, he accompanied a host of groups on the SMU campus, including the school’s choir, recitalists, and musical theatre productions. Current Eta Nu Faulty Advisor Robert Fisher, Eta Nu (Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota), ’95, adds, “There’s other ways Jeff has contributed to music on campus. For example, Blue Angel and Gaslight are music variety shows that have been on our campus since the ’60’s. One occurs in the fall semester and one in the spring semester. In Jeff’s 25-year run as Faculty Advisor, he directed more than 50 of these shows. These shows allow students who don’t have an opportunity to regularly perform music to do so. I think performances like these really cut to the core of Sinfonia’s Object.”
Of his continued support of the Foundation, Highland says, “As a young faculty member, I took my oath and joined Phi Mu Alpha, I became a Sinfonian for life. I am fortunate to have been able to be actively engaged with collegiate brothers for a quarter of a century; most of our fraternity brothers don’t have that opportunity. When I left Saint Mary’s, I felt that I needed to find another way to continue to help collegiate members realize the power of “brotherhood in music” in their lives, so I accepted the invitation to join the SEF Board. I was able to recommit to the ideals of our brotherhood and lend support to the Foundation, as it forwards its vital mission with the guidance and energy of other truly committed Trustees. I know many other adult Sinfonians who, remembering their own fraternal promises, have made similar efforts to support music in their communities.”
Since his retirement, Highland has moved west to be with family. He still supports the Foundation, stays abreast of events at Eta Nu, and continues his work in music. He serves as a substitute organist and pianist at churches in his hometown. He sings with several local choral groups, including a local Norwegian Male Chorus, part of the Pacific Coast Norwegian Singers Association. He notes, “the purposes of this organization are to preserve and enhance the tradition of Norwegian men’s chorus singing and to cultivate camaraderie among our fellow singers. As you might imagine, most of our members are in their post-career years, but as I participate with these singers, I am continually reminded of my time with my younger collegiate brothers. It is truly inspiring to me to see that opportunities to make music and to experience brotherhood enliven these older men just as these same opportunities have engaged our collegiate members for over a century.” Meanwhile, Eta Nu has memorialized Highland’s contributions with the creation of the Dr. Jeffrey R. Highland Award, presented from time to time in recognition of dedicated service to the Chapter.
Highland remains humble in the face of such recent attention—the bass player (or, in this case, pianist and organist) receiving an unexpected solo. He is appreciative and mindful of the real reason behind his long involvement with Sinfonia. “I am an ordinary guy who has had the opportunity to be involved with an extraordinary organization. I remain committed because I’m a better person as a result of my long association with Sinfonia.” He uses this as justification for his continued accompaniment of the Fraternity, whether through donating to the Foundation, being a Life Loyal Sinfonian, mentoring individual brothers, keeping in touch with Eta Nu friends or supporting Fraternity leaders as they guide the national brotherhood. “Music and the Sinfonian brotherhood have been great gifts to me. So I ask: ‘How can I say thank you and how can I return the favor?’”