Some passions that illuminate my life
Teaching -- I've always loved teaching. With the advent of desktop computers and the World Wide Web, I find myself making a full time career out of exploring ways in which computers can improve and enhance the teaching/learning process.
Singing -- I'm a baritone, and sing in The Renaissance Revival, an a cappella vocal group my wife and I started over 25 years ago. We give several concerts a year in the area. We also sing in a quintet at the Golden Lamb Buttery during the Christmas season in colorful Renaissance costumes. When possible, I study voice, most recently with Rick Gomez at UConn.
Renaissance a cappella music -- Polyphonic music for unaccompanied voices is one of the most haunting and beautiful of all musical expressions. Josquin, Victoria, Palestrina, Lassus, Senfl, Tallis and Byrd are among my favorite composers. Link to a Victoria motet (midi, not voice, but I haven't yet got around to making some quicktime recordings from our group's recordings).
Classical Guitar -- I study classical guitar with Judy Handler whenever possible, and have been playing off and on since college. I especially love music by John Dowland and many other Renaissance composers, J. S. Bach, and flamenco.
Flamenco Guitar -- As a kid, I grew up partly in Spain, and fell in love with the sound of flamenco guitar. I have one authentic flamenco guitar, very different in tone from the sound of classic guitars, and love the flashing rhythms, moorish harmonies, and soulful incantations of this style. Link to a short flamenco run by Paco Pena (midi).
Theater -- I tried out for my first play in 1984, got cast as the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert & Sullivan, and have been in at least one play every year since. I just completed my 20th show, Pirates of Penzance again, but this time I played the Major General. Favorite shows include: The Secret Garden, Chicago, The Mikado, H.M.S. Pinafore, and Hearbeats..
Hiking -- My wife and I love to get out for a good hike. Our best hike ever was a three week trek in the Himalayas, from Pokhara to Jomoson. We recently hiked the Nipmuck trail from Mansfield Hollow to the Mass. border (in 2-3 hour segments).
Canoeing -- We've done a lot of day trips and a good number of canoe-camping trips. The most memorable was the Allagash waterway in Northern Maine.
Thomas M. Terry, Ph. D.
Department of Molecular & Cell Biology
University of Connecticut U-3044
Storrs, CT 06268