Oberlin Portrait: Hudie Broughton

For anyone who has ever wondered how senior percussion performance major Hudie Broughton got his first name, here is the story:

His parents, wishing to continue the family tradition by naming him Walter Thomas Broughton IV, also wanted him to have a nickname. "When my mother was pregnant," he says, "my parents became fascinated with the life and music of blues singer Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter, so they nicknamed me Hudie."

Hudie, like most Conservatory students about to graduate, has other stories to tell, stories that center upon his Oberlin experience. For Hudie, Oberlin has been a journey of unexpected opportunities and avenues of exploration, one where his musical talents led him to discover previously untapped administrative skills. Hudie's latent talents have helped to make possible the second annual Classical Action benefit concert for AIDS, which brings the acclaimed chamber ensemble eighth blackbird to Finney Chapel in a benefit that takes place Saturday, Dec. 1.

They have also led to a marked change in his intended career path.

Broughton, who grew up in Duluth, Minnesota, took his love for percussion - "the only subject I enjoyed immensely in high school" - to new heights when he first arrived at Oberlin, practicing more than eight hours a day.

"I was a really dedicated performer my first year at Oberlin," says Hudie. "I was excited about studying with [Professor of Percussion] Michael Rosen. But after that first year, I really burned out. I wanted to be working around people and I wasn't finding that in a practice room."

An opportunity to combine his people skills with music soon presented itself. During his sophomore year he helped to resurrect Con Council, rebuilding its budget and renewing student interest. "It has been a tremendous success," says Hudie. "But the biggest problem we're facing right now is finding younger students to take over when the older members graduate. I really hope younger students will keep it going, and not let it fall by the wayside."

Hudie's experience with Con Council was the beginning of a professional involvement in arts administration. In the summer of 2000, an intense search for an arts administration internship led him to Oberlin alumnus Peter Nicholson, '91. "Peter connected me with Charles Hamlen, director of Classical Action, based in New York," says Hudie. Hamlen, interested in starting a collegiate chapter of Classical Action, took Hudie on as a volunteer with the organization that June. Afterward, Hudie worked for two months at Lincoln Center as the production assistant for the Mostly Mozart Festival.

"We produced 33 concerts in 29 days at different halls throughout Lincoln Center," says Hudie. "I assisted artists, coordinated concerts and times, and filled in whenever somebody needed an extra hand."
Hudie's favorite part of the Lincoln Center job?

"The emergencies - those last minute crises that required a clear head and creative solutions. If the conductor showed up ten minutes before a concert and realized he had left his tux in the cab, or a foreign performer had problems getting into the country, I was in my element."

Hamlen's desire for a collegiate branch of Classical Action became a reality in the fall of 2000, when Hudie, joined by Conservatory students Gloria Kim '02 and Rick Sanford '03, organized the Oberlin chapter and produced the first benefit concert last year.

"Our goal was to make it an annual event at Oberlin. The first concert was a success, so we wanted to build on that, attract more people and raise more money. We've made the tickets less expensive this year, and if we can get students to come - and get them involved - then perhaps after they graduate they will continue to support Classical Action."

Broughton has learned a lot from his experiences with the organization. "Working with Classical Action in New York and in Oberlin has really shown me the power of friendship and philanthropy, and the power of pursuing one's passion."
It was while taking statistics and economic courses in the College that Broughton discovered another passion.

"I never thought that I was good with numbers," he says, "but I seemed to have a bit of talent in these classes, plus I really enjoyed them."

Indeed, he enjoyed them so much that he is exploring the field of investments in New York. "My family has been involved in investments for quite a while, but I never thought that my interests would coincide with my father's profession. When I was at Tanglewood this summer, I started to add up all of the things that I enjoyed and was talented at, and everything seemed to point at a profession in the business world in New York, so that's what I'm working on now."

So, as with most stories, Hudie's has taken a turn he couldn't have anticipated when he entered Oberlin as a percussion performance major. He says that he couldn't be happier now that he has his sights set on a career in high finance in New York City.

"Mr. Rosen is very supportive of my activities," he says. "He is always supportive of students' passions, and encourages them to find out what field they really need to go into. I'm very thankful for his support, and am enjoying performing now more than ever."

What inspired you to become a musician? What keeps you inspired on discouraging days?
I really liked the attention of being on stage, the pressure of being in the moment. I think that, through my non-music work situations, or in situations where I feel more talented, I've been able to experience the same feeling.

What is the most memorable performance you have ever seen and why?
This past summer I was a production assistant at Tanglewood, where I saw a production of Strauss's Salome. It was Ozawa's last performance there, as well as Deborah Voight's first time singing the title role. I was working backstage with the singers, but I could tell the audience completely loved it. It was an all-star cast, absolutely terrific.

If you could master another instrument, what would it be?
Piano. It's like a marimba, but with harmony, more tone and a bigger range. It provides more options in sound quality and duration.

If you could not be a musician, what other profession would you choose? What profession would you definitely not choose?
I would choose any profession that incorporates serving and helping people - some form of sales or negotiation - and it would have to be something I am passionate about. I would definitely not be an orchestral musician. It's the only career I have explored deeply and can rule out. I can't say I would not like something until I've tried it.

What do you listen to for inspiration? In your free time?
Everything! Right now, I am on a Michael Jackson kick. I also listen to lots of piano music - I like Beethoven and Chopin. I really like to dance, so I listen to a lot of pop and dance music.

What do you like to read?
I don't do a whole lot of reading in my spare time. When I read, it's usually non-fiction.

What are three words that describe you?
Passionate, optimistic, driven.