Raphael Jimenez developed a passion for music at a young age. He believes part of his job at Michigan State University’s College of Music is instilling that same passion in his students.
Jimenez, associate director of orchestras, said it’s important to love what you do and to lead others to pursue their loves.
He participated in an orchestra in his youth, and was inspired by the motivational and charismatic leaders he encountered in his musical experience.
“Students come here with a lot of expectations, and we just want to nurture that and make sure they leave MSU loving music even more than when they came here,” he said.
Jimenez is in charge of three music ensembles. He is artistic director and conductor of Musique 21, music director of opera productions and associate director of orchestras, which includes conducting the philharmonic and symphony orchestras.
He is currently working on a concert to be performed by the Symphony Orchestra at the Wharton Center 8 p.m. Feb 5. The concert will feature songs from three composers –Debussy, Bartok and Stravinsky – and solos by four College of Music faculty members.
###