Building on tradition with enthusiasm

As a former Gustavus student and a current instructor, Chad Fothergill tries to find a balance between life and work. Chad initially came to Gustavus as a student with the intention to be a physics major, but quickly discovered he was more inclined to be a music major and history minor.

“I changed pretty quick. I decided I liked practicing more than I liked calculus-based physics homework,” Chad said.

Chad describes his change from a physics major to a music major as a move of opportunity; there were far more choices at Gustavus than at his small high school.

“I played trumpet in the Adolphus band (now VASA) for a few years, sang in the choir of Christ Chapel, [I was the] accompanist for the Lucia singers and played in Chapel occasionally,” Chad said.

His involvement in the Gustavus music scene was only one of his roles at Gustavus. Chad was a collegiate fellow in Pittman for two years and worked at the music office in the summer.

Now, as cantor for Christ Chapel and director of music, Chad’s love for music continues to permeate his life. As director of music, all of the services come across his desk.

“Even a twenty minute chapel service takes anywhere from one to two hours of preparation,” Chad said. This preparation involves working on hymns and lessons with students who are playing and finding out what fits best. It is a lot of work, “But I’m happy to do that.”

Chad also teaches several classes, including organ, music theory, music history and what he calls ear training.

Ear training “[is] the development of the seeing ear and the hearing eye,” Chad said. He teaches students how to visualize and write down what they hear him play on the piano.

Those who know Chad describe him as passionate, engaging, intellectually stimulating and easy to get along with. Chaplain Rachel Larson describes him as a person who stood out even when he was an undergraduate.

“[Chad] embodies what we really say we’re about here at Gustavus, the core values that we hold,” Larson said.

“[His] passion really inspires his students to set high goals and work hard,” Junior Meghan Peterson said.

“He is very well-liked and easy to get along with. He wants to make learning engaging and interesting, which is always appreciated by students,” Junior Karl Grant said. “I know … that his pleasant attitude and desire to teach, learn and inspire are genuine.”

Those who talk with Chad often leave with more than just the answer to their question.

“He has a lot to say,” First-year David Lim said. “He pushes you to think in ways that you may not of thought about previously.”

As cantor for Christ Chapel, Chad describes his role as one connected with history. A cantor helps an

assembly find its voice by playing in the church and teaching in the school. He enjoys that he is connected as a cantor to famous composers like J.S. Bach.

“I’m kind of honored to be part of this 500 year tradition. [It’s] very humbling,” Chad said. He says that being connected to history causes him to judge his own work as a cantor.

“It sets a standard that I try to emulate in my own work,” he said.

This standard is something that he tries to emulate in everything he does, giving a lot to both the church, colleagues, students and the community.

“He’s always pushing for more. For excellence,” Larson said.

Chad has an abundant knowledge of the practices of the church and its history, whether yesterday or the past. He is able to sense how to read history and interpret it in a way that recognizes the tradition. He pulls from these resources when planning a service.

“I’m glad to say that I’ve learned a lot from him,” Larson said.

Chad brings a lot of ideas to his job as a cantor and director of music, often going above what is truly needed. Striving for excellence is something that those around him notice and recognize, and he tries to embody excellence.

His return to Gustavus was a change in perspective.

“There’s a part of me that never understood what it meant to be a Gustie until I came back,” he said. “At my core, I feel very much transformed by the experience [of coming back].”

Of course, the change from former student to faculty was not without its challenges.

“The faculty perspective was an adjustment. The hardest thing to do was call my colleagues by [first] name. Most of them were my professors at one time or another,” he said. “It’s a little strange.”

The care that Chad feels for his students is something that they appreciate.

“Chad is one of those professors who cares about you as a person, not just as a student,” Peterson said.

Being close-knit is something that students enjoy about organ lessons. They feel as if they are a family because they are able to get to know Chad and their fellow classmates well.

Chad is thankful for the opportunity that found him. He is humbled to be a part of the Gustavus faculty.

“The talents, gifts, creativity and intellect of my faculty collegues just floors me,” Chad said, “and my students continually challenge me to be diligent in my practicing, articulate in my own teaching and expressive in my playing.”

Returning to Gustavus has allowed Chad to learn how to work toward a balance of  life and work.

Discovering his passion for teaching and discovering this is the type of environment where he thrives is a blessing that Chad says he wouldn’t have gained otherwise.

When Chad is not on campus, he’s usually recharching at home where he has no cable or Internet to distract him.

“It’s nice to retreat a bit,” he said.

When asked if there was anything he wished people knew about his position at Gustavus, Chad didn’t give a long answer.

“I do my thing and do it well,” he said. Simply put for a man following in the footsteps of a long and historical tradition.