Day in the life: Professor Lou Bunk
by Josh Giaquinto
edited by Jennifer Rehm
(photo: Josh Giaquinto)
Professor Lou Bunk drove all the way from Somerville, MA to teach six classes today, as well as being the head of the music department and the only full time faculty for the music department.
The final class Professor Bunk taught this evening was history of western music. The class has nine students in total, three being music minors and six being music majors.
The class ran from four p.m. to five p.m. and had a casual environment were everyone got a chance to speak.
Professor Bunk started the class by discussing registering for the second part of the course, history of western music II. Which is required for music majors and minors.
Peter Borzellino, a junior music major said, “Lou is an insightful and intelligent professor who has helped me a lot at Franklin Pierce.”
The professor then had the class listen to music from the 17th century. They listened to three pieces from the composers Domenico Scaralatti, Arcangelo Corelli, and Buxtehude. Bunk led the class as a group conversation were everyone was able to give their thoughts on the music.
Professor Bunk said, “Being the only full time faculty of the music deparment gives me a certain amount of freedom to run things how I think is best. being such a small major, I get to take the time to know each student individually.”
Bunk teaches the majority of music classes on campus including music theory two through four, history of electronic music, history of western music, computer music, recording techniques, and in the spring he teaches the rock band ensemble.
Junior music major Alex Wentworth said, “Lou is one of the best teachers I’ve ever met. Not only in an academic way but also on a personal level. He’s juggling the entire music department and I think he’s doing wonderful.”
“I love the music department here because there is so much attention given to each student.” said Junior Michael Mottola, “However I wish the program had more funding to help us replace broken instruments.”
Professor Bunk said, “I’m not stressed about running the department. We have six part time instructors who help when they can.”
After history of western music, Bunk stays from five p.m. to six p.m. to meet and help students, then he leaves to drive home.
