Curtains Close on 35 Years of Music

By Kyra Lieberman

Photos by Michele Meyers

Music Department Chair Dr. Douglas Peterson reflects on his time at DSC

Dr. Douglas Peterson began his career at Daytona State College as interim band director in the 1984-85 academic term. In the 35 years since, he has become Chair of the Mike Curb College of Music, Entertainment and Art and impacted thousands of students and members of the community who have enjoyed his performances.

Through the College’s many changes over the years, Peterson has remained the pinnacle of professionalism, leading by example and teaching his students and faculty about hard work and staying true to oneself.

Born in Pennsylvania, Peterson and his family moved to Daytona Beach when he was 12, where he later graduated from Mainland High School. He went away to college but returned every summer and played professionally in the Seaside Music Theater Orchestra and worked at the Bandshell on Daytona Beach. After earning his master’s from Indiana University, he returned to the area permanently and began substitute teaching. “I taught everything except music!” he laughed.

There was an opening for band director in DSC’s music program January 1985, and the rest is history. After becoming a full-time professor with tenure, the College gave him a one-year sabbatical to complete his doctorate degree in 1993-94.

In 2003, he became Chair of what was then the joint arts and humanities department, overseeing faculty and courses from instrumental music, production, theater, photography and fine arts, among humanities courses such as speech, political science and foreign languages. Over the decades he has helped design many new degree and certificate programs.

In 2017, Peterson received the Presidential Sterling Award for Teaching Excellence to recognize his contributions to the College and the countless lives of students and fellow faculty he has impacted during his time here. The College, in return, has impacted him just as much, he said.

Photo by Michele Meyers

On May 9, 2019, Peterson presided over the DSC Spring Concert for one final performance. The DSC Symphonic Band performed a lively set featuring American folk music highlights, including “Shenandoah” and Sousa’s classic, “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” He and the band practiced for nearly two months beforehand and he enjoys the performances because they are a finished product — there is no going back, only forward, and that is how he tries to live his life.

However, he says his time at DSC has gone by more quickly than he ever anticipated. When he first started, he did not know how many long hours and years he would spend, but it was worth it. He had many opportunities and offers for other jobs over the years, but never took them because DSC was different. Peterson thrives on the College’s personality, the positive atmosphere and the “oneness” of the comparatively small but ever-growing campus.

Peterson retires this fall, completing his 35th year serving the College. He plans to travel and continue to play the clarinet. He began, as he says, as “just a clarinet player,” but after years of honing his craft and becoming a master, he turned his passion into his career. He hopes students and colleagues remember him and follow in his footsteps of setting a high standard in their professions, whether it be music or anything else in life.

“It’s provided me a life, my friends, my colleagues, my education, allowed me to complete a doctoral degree.” He added, growing emotional. “This has been my life. I owe a great, great deal to this College.”

Photo by Michele Meyers

DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2019

At Daytona State College you have the opportunity to experience a comprehensive learning environment. Courses are offered in the performing and studio arts and the general education curriculum including the cultural and aesthetic core area. Additional participation in one of our bands or choirs, or drama and dance productions will also help enhance your educational experience while adding to the cultural fabric of our community. For more information about the Mike Curb College of Music, Entertainment & Art, visit www.DaytonaState.edu/dept_directory_hcs/index.html