Staff Writer- Alex Ogle

This week’s Gustie of the Week is Dr. Andrew Kendall. As a faculty member of the Music Department, Dr. Kendall takes on many important roles, including conducting the Choir of Christ Chapel, the Lucia Singers, and teaching a variety of the department’s courses, such as Music Theory and Conducting. Dr. Kendall is a well-established part of the Gustavus community, having attained a bachelor’s degree in music education through Gustavus in 2015. He then went on to teaching in middle and high schools before going back to school and attaining a DMA in choral conducting, which he used when invited back here to teach in 2023. 

When Dr. Kendall came to Gustavus as a student, he was drawn to the strong set of traditions that Gustavus holds, along with its success in the arts. Already knowing that he wanted to teach music, the decision was a no-brainer. But another large draw came from the college’s value of going beyond. Having the opportunity to engage in all the different parts of campus helped him to feel like anything was possible.

“In a lot of other places that I remember visiting, it was you could either do this or that… and with Gustavus, it was the ‘both, and’ that I was attracted to, because I was one of those students… that did a lot of different things,” Dr. Kendall stated.

Once Dr. Kendall came back to Gustavus as a teacher, he found that the reason he came back was because of the home that Gustavus built around him. He sits at the desk that his former professor recruited him at as a student, and he feels welcome back by Dr. Brandon Dean, who asked him to become a professor at the school. It was the place that helped him realize his goals, and it became the place where he could achieve them. 

Dr. Kendall now enjoys Gustavus in a new light, appreciating the small things around him on the hill that make his day a little brighter. He especially appreciates the community around him. Realizing the full meaning of community as a professor has been a worthwhile experience for him.

“It really is a community at Gustavus, and just getting to be around that again now as a faculty member is a special thing for me,” Dr. Kendall commented. 

Dr. Kendall has done many things with the Gusties in his music department, but the most memorable of all have been his performances. He recalls this past year when he and the Lucia Singers performed at the Minnesota Music Educators Association Annual Convention, as well as all of his Christmas in Christ Chapel performances. To Dr. Kendall, these all felt like pinch-me moments; to be able to carry on such a level of artistry through Gustavus tradition has been an honor, he states, to carry on.

Who he carries that tradition on with and for is the most important for Dr. Kendall. He specifically mentions his former teacher, Dr. Greg Aune, who has supported him throughout his Gustavus journey, both as a student and faculty member. Dr. Kendall also appreciates the influence of his current colleagues, many of whom he took classes with as a student. 

“They all certainly have influenced me in that way, and they continue to, because I know how excellent of educators all of those people are,” Dr. Kendall said.

Many of his colleagues, as well as his students, feel a similar influence that comes from Dr. Kendall. Dr. Brandon Dean–the Jon and Anita Thomsen Young Distinguished Endowed Chair in Music and the conductor of the Gustavus Choir–appreciates the lightheartedness that Dr. Kendall brings to any situation he is in. It helps him, Dr. Dean says, to find the good-humored, silver lining in his own experiences, and makes working with Dr. Kendall very enjoyable.

“What I most appreciate about Dr. Kendall, aside from his outstanding contributions in the classroom, is the positivity he brings to every situation. Approaching complex circumstances with humor (albeit Dad humor) makes working with him a joy,” Dr. Dean commented.

Sophomore Will Prahl is thankful for Dr. Kendall’s past experience as a Gustie student. He says that it helps him empathize with the current students in his classes and relate to them more. Having been a student here himself, Prahl believes that Dr. Kendall understands the value of a Gustavus education and will work hard to bring that to each and every one of his students.

“I have had Dr. Kendall for 2 classes, 2 years of choir, and he is also my advisor, and I don’t have a single negative thing to say about him. He genuinely cares about students and the quality of our education, and this is clear in everything he does,” Prahl said.  

Dr. Kendall hopes that he can continue to give a quality education to a growing number of individuals in the music and choral programs. Whether they are new students or current students, he aspires to grow the program’s profile by creating performance opportunities that will get students excited about music on campus. He is also working on a longer-term project in the music department–a justice choir, which focuses less on traditional performance and more on social justice aspects, which he hopes will engage more students with the arts on campus.

Most of all, he wants people to know that he will always find a place for everybody in the music department. The music program at Gustavus welcomes any and all students who want to participate, and he will do his best to make sure it stays that way. Whether it’s through his sunny demeanor or his conducting skills, Dr. Kendall will make sure that the music department is a home for all. Creating that type of lifelong community, he says, helps people to connect through anything and everything. 

“Everyone is welcome, and we’ll always find a place for you.”