“C-O, C-O-D-Y, G-I-F-F-O-R-D, Cody Gifford, Cody Gifford, Cody Giffffffford,” chant the musicians of the CU Golden Buffalo marching band during rehearsals last semester. This chant is for their graduate assistant Cody Gifford.
Arkansas-raised Gifford, 34, is no simple graduate assistant and music student. Music is not only Gifford’s study, it is his entire life.
“I lived in the band room,” Gifford said of his high school days.
And this is still where Gifford lives. As conductor for the Orchestra, graduate assistant for various musical organizations on campus and student of Allan McMurray, distinguished professor and director of bands for the College of Music, Gifford spends a good deal of his time in the rehearsal halls of the Warner Imig College of Music.
“I have known Cody Gifford for more than a decade,” McMurray said.
Gifford moved to Colorado in the mid-90s, after completing a bachelor’s degree in music education from Arkansas Tech. He moved here to study with McMurray and work towards a master’s degree in music and instrumental conducting at the College of Music.
“At that time he was a fledgling conductor who had more enthusiasm than ability,” McMurray said. “His strongest attributes during his two years in residence were his curiosity and his ability to bring people together.”
During this time, Gifford received a job at Niwot High School as director of band, orchestra, jazz and teacher of rock ‘n’ roll history.
Gifford laughs when he was asked about his time at Niwot.
“I was at the right place at the right time. It was a great experience; it challenged me,” he said.
After obtaining his master’s degree, Gifford entered a new phase of his life.
“Somewhere there is a top-10 list of the most stressful and challenging things one can do in one’s lifetime,” Gifford said. “I tried to do all of those things in one year.”
In June of 2001, Gifford married his wife Melody and by August, they were overseas in Israel, looking for new jobs and a new lifestyle. This came after living with his parents and then his in-laws, Gifford said.
“We arrived there just after the Second Intifada had started, and on top of that, we were living out of our suitcases when (9/11) happened, so it really put us out of sorts for a while,” Gifford said. “But with tragedies on an almost-daily basis, we were surrounded by good friends, Israelis and other American teachers, who were strong and resilient, who made us feel safe.”
The Giffords spent four years in Israel working in the Walworth-Barbour American International School in Israel. Cody was teaching instrumental music to grades five through 12, and Melody was teaching choral and general music to the same age group.
They were both also active in the theatre program there. They ran “Fiddler on the Roof,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “The Crucible,” for which Gifford wrote an incidental score, among others.
At the same time in Tel Aviv, Gifford became involved in an instructor certification program for the Alexander Technique, a study very appealing to aspiring musicians, actors and dancers, that helps to recognize and eliminate habitual limitations within one’s movements and thought.
While it was difficult for Gifford to leave Israel, in the fall of 2005 he returned to CU to pursue his doctor of musical arts degree in instrumental conducting and once again study under McMurray.
“Cody’s life experiences have added to his breadth and depth,” McMurray said. “He knows more about life and can bring that to his music leadership. He has traveled and can bring a knowledge of cultures and peoples to his interpretations. He is more confident. Because of his experience and maturity I asked Cody to start the Campus Orchestra.”
The Campus Orchestra was formed last semester as an ensemble and creative outlet for non-music majors who still wanted to continue their craft.
“Students not majoring in music have had ample opportunities to continue making music at CU in bands and choirs,” Gifford said. “Opportunities for string players have been limited though. It was time to create an opportunity for those players to create music.”
The student-musicians involved in the Campus Orchestra overwhelmingly agree that it is a success.
“Cody faces a huge challenge in trying to compensate for the various skill levels in the Campus Orchestra,” said Katie Ziesman, a junior English major and cellist. “But he handles it with great skill, and he makes the ensemble a lot of fun to be a part of.”
David Guo, a freshman integrative physiology major, agreed.
“(Cody) is really knowledgeable with what he is doing. His training and background are very apparent, and he is very flexible in terms of conducting to different levels of playing,” said Guo. “It’s revolutionary.”
Gifford will be conducting his doctoral recital in Grusin Music Hall on Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
“This is a recital inspired by popular music styles and popular culture,” Gifford said.
Gifford’s repertoire, to be performed by a compilation of volunteer music majors, will include Graham Fitkin’s “CUD,” George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” Eric Whitacre’s “Godzilla Eats Las Vegas” and Michael Daugherty’s “Dead Elvis,” during which a bassoon soloist will dress as Elvis.
Gifford is able to brush off any anxiety accompanied with this recital.
“The players have the hard part,” Gifford said. “I’m ready to do it. It’s going to be a fun program.”
This celebration follows another one in Gifford’s life. Last November, Gifford’s wife Melody gave birth to a baby girl.
“I guess I’m finally becoming an adult,” Gifford said. “We named her Shirah. It’s Hebrew for song.”
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Brandon Springer at brandon.springer@thecampuspress.com.
