Expanding Musical Horizons

By Amy Charles, MBA ’23

Todd Wright ’82 found his rhythm early on in life. As the son of a coal miner, with both parents serving as ministers, Wright spent most of his time outside of school at church with family, occasionally singing in the church choir. His love for music was sparked in the band room of Belfry High School, where he first picked up a saxophone. “Being one of 10 children, I didn’t do many things on my own. Some of my friends were in the marching band at Belfry and they were staying after school for practice and having fun,” said Wright. “So, I talked to my folks about joining the band. They rented me a saxophone, which they later purchased.”

It was there that he honed his skills and was later awarded a music scholarship to then Pikeville College. Under the guidance of his mentor and professor, Bill McCloud, whom he met during his first year, Wright’s musical horizons expanded rapidly. Other faculty mentors included Jim Andy Caudill, Jeffrey Sandborg and Gene Schindler, who was his principal saxophone teacher.

“The hill” was a place for academic growth and a gateway to the broader world for Wright. His college years provided him with his degree in music education, but also with the opportunity to travel to Europe, an experience that profoundly impacted his perspective on music and life. This journey laid the foundation for his future endeavors and ignited his interest in cross-cultural exchange.

After earning two master’s degrees and his education specialist degree, Wright now serves as the director of jazz studies at the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University and is an award-winning musician. Of all his albums and numerous live performances, one of the highlights of his accomplished career was playing for former President Bill Clinton, a testament to the caliber of his talent and the respect he commands in the music industry.

“After President Clinton took a few minutes to shake hands and exchange pleasantries with important people at the fundraising event for his wife, he immediately came over, took my saxophone out of my hands, and talked to me about music,” said Wright. “He’s a brilliant and captivating man, no matter what side of the political aisle you are on. And he knew a lot about music.”

As an educator and recording artist, Wright has made his mark in the world of music. From his earliest influences in gospel and top 40 hits to his deep love for jazz, his music reflects the myriad of experiences that have enriched his life. Wright is dedicated to exposing his students to diverse cultures and perspectives beyond the classroom and concert hall. He has led his jazz ensemble on multiple tours abroad. These experiences are not just about performing but about opening students’ minds to global possibilities.

“Traveling around the world, seeing how other cultures live and how they view Americans has always been a great experience for my students,” said Wright. “This desire to show my students what else is out there for them in the world was born from that trip to Europe I took with the Pikeville College Chorale, under the direction of Jeffery Sandborg, in 1983.”

Inspired by the support and guidance he received from mentors throughout his life, Wright aims to pay it forward in the lives of his own students. Reflecting on the impact of those who went beyond the ordinary, whether cosigning for his first car or ensuring he had airfare for music conventions, they played a pivotal role in shaping his path.

My mentors opened many doors, and I would not be here if they had not made a way for me. I want to pass that along to my students in some capacity,” said Wright. “Being kind and compassionate toward others and helping them when you can are the principles and practices I learned at Pikeville College.