John Parsons

Dr. John Parsons (PhD, MM Music & Human Learning and BM Music Studies, The University of Texas at Austin) joined the TTU School of Music faculty as an Assistant Professor of Music Education in August 2021. Prior to this appointment, he served as Assistant Professor of Music Education at Ithaca College from 2020–2021. Dr. Parsons is passionate about his work as a teacher trainer, leading undergraduate courses in the principles of human learning, woodwind and brass methods, ensemble pedagogy, and serving as a field supervisor for preservice teachers.

As a researcher, Dr. Parsons' work is centered on the intersection of attentional focus and motor control in the context of music learning and performance. He has co-authored and presented work at the Clifford K. Madsen International Symposium for Research in Music Behavior, the International Symposium on Performance Science, the International Society for Music Education, the National Association for Music Education, and Texas Music Educators Association conferences. Dr. Parsons has also recently published work in the Journal of Research in Music Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, and The Southwestern Musician.

Prior to his graduate work, Dr. Parsons served as a high school band director for 10 years (Westlake High School/Eanes ISD; Hendrickson High School/Pflugerville ISD), teaching a diverse array of students and ensembles including wind bands, orchestras, marching band and jazz ensembles. Dr. Parsons is a member of the International Society for Music Education, the National Association for Music Education, the Texas Music Educators Association, and the Texas Bandmasters Association.