Meet Our Faculty: Dr. B.A. Ferguson
Meet DR. B.A. FERGUSON
Assistant Professor, School of Liberal Arts, Visual and Performing Arts Department
Faculty member since 2021
301-539-4826
baferguson@csmd.edu
Pronouns: they/them
Courses Taught
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Music Theory
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Ear Training
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Private Instruction (Guitar)
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History of Rock Music in World Cultures
About
Dr. B.A. Ferguson is a career musician who teaches, performs, composes, and researches music. Their focus in research and composition is in video game music. Dr. Ferguson's performing background includes many styles of guitar, electric bass, piano, and organ. They are primarily a guitarist trained in the classical style, but Dr. Ferguson always loves to rock out when they can!
Dr. Ferguson composes video game scores as a freelancer. As a performer, they play with two touring tribute bands based out of San Antonio: Mothership: San Antonio's Premier Led Zeppelin Tribute Band and Q: The Music of Queen. They are also in a duo called the MIENT Duo with trumpeter/flugelhornist Dr. Michael Averett.
Educational Background
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music, University of Texas at San Antonio, 2007
- Master of Fine Arts in Music, Texas State University, 2011
- Doctor of Philosophy in Music, University of Kansas, 2020
Q&A
I am never complacent in my teaching style, and I want to always be learning. My main goal is to get you to think about music differently than when you came into my class. If you are learning an instrument, then I want to train you for a career in music. No matter what, I want to see you grow and learn in a safe environment, and I will foster that in any way possible for each student.
I enjoy everything when it comes to video games, and I love talking about them!
Helping my students to start the CSM Composers Club, which should start Fall 2022!
Most of all, CSM's dedication to community is outstanding!
Music is something we take for granted, and my goal is to get you to think about this sound art differently. This means the classes will be fun, messy, and, above all, musical! In addition, we will exercise our critical thinking in relation to this wonderful art, as you should as a college student.
Notable Conferences or Publications
Publications:
- Ferguson, Brent and T.J. Laws-Nicola. “Playing Music Videos: Three Case Studies of Interaction between Performing Video Games and Remembering Music Videos.” In Nostalgia and Video Game Music: A Primer of Case Studies, Theories, and Analyses for the Player-Academic, edited by Can Aksoy, Sarah Pozderac-Chenevey, and Vincent Rone. Bristol: Intellect Publishing, 2022.
- Laws-Nicola, T.J. and Brent Ferguson. “Harmonic Chains: Weaponization in Omega Quintet.” Journal of Sound and Music in Games 2:iv (2021): 1–12. (https://online.ucpress.edu/jsmg/article/2/4/1/118801/Harmonic-ChainsWeaponization-in-Omega-Quintet )
- Ferguson, Brent. “Face-Melting Counterpoint and Chiptunes: Composing the Score for Mystiqa: The Trials of Time.” NACVGM, June 24, 2021. https://youtu.be/bPpfJt8lq0M.
- Ferguson, Brent (creator, curator, contributor). “Music Theory Examples in Video Game Music.” Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy, 2020. https://jmtp.appstate.edu/music-theory-examples-video-game-music.
Compositions
- “The Twelve Trials of Hercules” (for orchestra), commissioned by Martha Placeres. Premiered at The President’s Concert, Washburn University, Topeka, KS, May 3, 2019. Performed at the Symphony Orchestra Concert, Florida Southern College, Lakeland, FL, November 1, 2019 Published in the UCLA Contemporary Music Score Collection, 2020
- “Emeralds” (for voice and guitar, words by T.J. Laws-Nicola), commissioned by T.J. Laws-Nicola. Premiered at the New Music Guild Concert, Lawrence, KS, March 25, 2019. Performed at the New Music Recital, Washburn University, Topeka, KS, April 25, 2019. Performed as part of the UNT/KU Composer Interchange, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, February 10, 2020. Published in the UCLA Contemporary Music Score Collection, 2020
Last updated: 10-27-22