Parker also auditioned for and earned a scholarship at Ketch’s behest, then played in UNC’s Jazz Ensemble for four years and in other University groups. Parker also played for Ketch as a high school senior and quickly saw how knowledgeable and supportive Ketch was. Ketch’s mentoring has influenced thousands of other students, such as John Parker ’14, associate principal trumpet with the Houston Symphony Orchestra. I still have that document, and it’s guided many of my choices.” It’s sort of a plan toward professorship. “It listed my strengths, and he had added all the skills that he wanted to teach me. “It was a mock résumé titled ‘Renee McGee, Trumpet Professor,’” McGee says. She talked with Ketch, who showed up at her next lesson with a three-page document that bolstered her confidence. On his advice, she applied for and was awarded a Kenan Music Scholarship that pays tuition, room and board.ĭuring her first semester, she landed a spot in the UNC Jazz Band but was considering dropping her chemistry major. As a high school senior, she met Ketch while interviewing for a spot in Carolina’s music program. She played in the jazz program and studied privately with Ketch for four years. Renee McGee, a senior trumpet major, is a beneficiary of Ketch’s approach to teaching and mentoring students. Roy Cooper recently conferred the music professor as a member of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.Īt the passionate heart of that career: playing and teaching the trumpet. The four-time teaching award winner and former chair of the music department may be best known as founder of the Carolina Jazz Festival, still going strong since 1977.īecause of Ketch’s career of significant influence on and service to North Carolina, Gov. Ketch, a music professor and director of jazz studies who will retire July 1, has combined teaching, performing and bringing talented high school students to campus in his 43 years at the University. Handyįor Jim Ketch, life and trumpet are one and the same and, boy, has he put a lot into each. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill) “Life is like a trumpet. Jim Ketch mouths sounds while directing students in the UNC Jazz Band. By Scott Jared, The Well, Tuesday, May 12th, 2020 Carolina music professor Jim Ketch talks teaching, performing and basketball as he nears retirement.