The Williston State College Foundation Board of Directors made the announcement Thursday at the Green Room of WSC during a news conference.
The basic goal of the new program, set to launch in the fall, is to draw more students to enroll to the school by boosting cultural and arts-related opportunities at the school.
"The foundation was concerned to get involved with this simply to do anything we can to enhance our on-campus enrollment and one of them was to increase our activities," said Terry Olson, executive director of the Williston State College Foundation. "The school luckily found Herb was the best fit for this. I hope it attracts a lot of students with his expertise and connections in our area.
"We are fortunate to have him. The more activities on our campus, the better for our students. It will enhance our enrollment," Olson continued. "Whatever we have going, we are going to push it as much as we can." "We have only had academic transfers in music. This represents a thrust to start a program," said Dr. Joseph McCann, president of WSC. He explained Parker will start on part-time status, and then the program will grow.
McCann credited the foundation's support in making the new music program possible.
"They are looking to help us get started and they are looking for some dollars to set up an endowment for a full-time position here at the college," McCann said. "The foundation board found that Mr. Parker has the zeal and the energy to invest in this point and time. The foundation is well aware of the need to enhance our humanities offerings - not only for the needs of the individual students, but for the good of the overall college experience that our students have."
McCann said he hoped within five years art and theater could be part of the WSC experience. He said local leaders from the community economic development and the private sector have stated WSC is short here in its ability to attract students into the arts and to hold cultural events.
"We have had vocal groups before, but we have not had a choir," McCann said.
He said there has not been a lead faculty member to accomplish the music program before.
"We know a number of community college students look at the academic programs in other areas first, but they want to continue to participate and perform," McCann said. "This is a natural for them as well as the student who wants to major in something else and wants to continue to keep their music intact."
He added that another dream down the horizon is to build a humanities building to house music, art, vocal and instrumental music, and theater.
"Some students who had an interest in music, were not aware we had a program," McCann said.
Parker said he visited with some of his former students and said there is an interest. He will making efforts in the coming months to contact students who have enrolled.
Parker envisions a vocal and instrumental program.
"We'll be focusing on voice lessons, vocal groups and a Williston State College Concert Choir," said Parker. "If there is an interest, we'll look at women's chorus, men's chorus."
Timelines for how rapidly this will have all hinges on interest levels.
"We'll look at what their needs are. If they want to bring their horns in and get something going, we'll do what they want, and then we'll put the groups together. If it's instrumental, that's fine too," Parker said.
He is very excited about the opportunities this means for WSC students.
"I'm willing to work with whatever that turns into," Parker said. "It will be regular class time. Whatever fits into the students' schedule. We want to let them know we're serious about developing a music program."
Parker is a native of Minot. He earned a bachelor's of science degree in education from Minot State University. He followed up with a master's degree there in music education. He completed graduate work at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo.
He previously worked as director of vocal music at Minot High School, where he taught five years. Then he continued his pursuit of his master's degree in one Greeley. Following his studies in Greeley, he went to Oklahoma City, Okla., and performed in night clubs for five years with a five-piece band.
He accepted a vocal/instrumental teaching position at Bishop Ryan High School in Minot in 1979, where he stayed for two years.
In 1981, Parker was hired on as the director of vocal music instructor at Williston High School where he remained 27 years until his announced retirement this spring. In his tenure at WHS, he also taught freshman band for four years and assisted with the elementary music programs.
He directed the Williston Concert Chorale for the community, he is a member of the Williston Strings where he plays bass. He also worked for several years with elementary book writer Bill Martin for summer conferences for teachers. He was the musical director of his educational workshops.
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