Alumni Sketch:

London-Silas Shavers ’00

By his own admission, London-Silas Shavers ’00 came to Valparaiso University as a “hot-shot arrogant kid.” He left the university a seasoned clarinetist, and much more. Today, Shavers uses all the skills he acquired at Valpo in his multi-faceted career. He is the professor of clarinet at Rhodes College; a member of the woodwind faculty at Northwest Mississippi Community College; a member of the woodwind faculty at Germantown Baptist Church Conservatory of Music; and an adjunct instructor of music at Southwest Tennessee Community College. He also has sung in operas, and was a featured quartet soloist with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and with the Rhodes College Singers at Carnegie Hall.

Hometown: Chicago

Education: Bachelor’s degree in music education, Valparaiso University; master’s degree in clarinet performance, Western Michigan University; pursuing a doctoral degree in musical arts, University of Memphis.

On his Valpo education: “When I arrived at Valpo, the VU Center for the Arts was a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility; the music faculty was fantastic; and there were many opportunities to develop my talent by playing in high-caliber clarinet sections and performance ensembles.

“I had many professors who were special mentors. Jeff Doebler ’87 Mus.M. personifies ‘role model,’ and was also a friend. He instilled in me the importance of music education at all levels. Denise Chigas-Kirkland broke me down, stripped me of ego, began rebuilding my technique, and fostered my passion for clarinet playing. Dennis Friesen-Carper inspired me to become a conductor-composer, and Christopher and Maura Cock and Ralph Klapis helped me discover a talent that I didn’t know I had, my voice.”

On his career:  “I am constantly reminded about the rewards of my work when I reflect on the commitment I made to nurture my talent; the students I’ve produced and inspired; the great ‘musical moment’ experiences I have had playing in orchestras, wind, and chamber ensembles; and the feeling of accomplishment after a good performance.  I thank God every day that I am allowed to do what I do.”