September 13, 2006

Lyndsay Fejeran-Bolivar

Ken Narducci, director of Wind and Percussion Studies, is a new associate professor of music at La Sierra University.  Narducci will oversee wind and percussion adjunct professors and direct both the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band.

Narducci held the same position at Pacific Union College for 24 years, but when an offer came from La Sierra University he decided that it was time for a change.  Narducci and his wife, Julia Narducci (a new assistant in the LSU Advancement Office), left Napa for Southern California.

“The faculty here are outstanding, active and engaged with the students,” said Narducci after visiting the University.

“At his initial interview, Ken Narducci established an immediate rapport with the members of the music department faculty,” says Kimo Smith, DMA, chair of the Music Department. “Ken has a wealth of experience in Adventist higher education.  With that experience he brings some fresh ideas to our department in terms of ways to take our Wind Ensemble to the next level of excellence through increased public exposure and participation in adjudicated events. Ken has a genuine desire to both nurture students and challenge them to reach their full potential, something our department constantly strives to do. 

Narducci received his BMUS in trumpet performance at PUC and completed doctoral studies at the University of Oregon in Music Theory and Conducting.

His Wind Ensemble at PUC created three cds featuring their performances and they were selected to perform at the College Band Directors National Association Convention in 1996. Narducci has coordinated band clinics; his ensembles have performed for 3ABN, Voice of Prophecy Heritage Reunion, and many conventions, church services and civic functions. Narducci has a rich academic background with experience as vice chair of the academic senate, voted educator of the year at PUC in 1995, and he received the national Zapara Excellence in Teaching Award for the Humanities.

When not teaching music Narducci enjoys sports. “Teaching is what I love to do and I don’t view it as work. It is as enjoyable as a hobby,” he says.