Michael Palumbo Oral History Interview

Oral history interview by Mary Heers with Michael Palumbo. Topics include: His grandparents being professional musicians; Learning to play the violin at an early age and practicing each day before going out to play; Switching to the viola in college; Playing in the school orchestra; Various musical performance jobs to earn money during college; Participation in the ROTC during high school; Being drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War; Military service at the United Nations Command in Korea; Returning to school to finish a Masters degree after his military service; Teaching high school music before becoming a college professor; Completing a Doctorate degree; Employment as a music professor at Weber State University until retirement; Performing with the Ballet We and st orchestra for thirty years; Conducting a chamber orchestra in Ogden; His participation in the American Viola Society and American Federation of Musicians and his hopes for continued music education in Ogden.

Michael Palumbo retired as the Director of Orchestral Studies and also as a viola professor from Weber State University in 2013. Both of his maternal grandparents were professional musicians, which was the impetus for him becoming a musician. As a young man, he was drafted into the military during the Vietnam Conflict. He ended up serving in the United Nations Command in Korea during that time. Aside from teaching at Weber State, he also was principal violist for the Ballet West orchestra for 29 years. He now conducts the Chamber Orchestra Ogden, is the president-elect for the American Viola Society, and president of the local Musicians' Union. He shares experiences and his views on music education.