Great music is created when unique talents are led and supported by an exceptional conductor. It’s a truth Vanderbilt professor of choral studies and conductor of the Nashville Symphony Chorus Tucker Biddlecombe lives daily. Now Biddlecombe brings that harmony to the Class of 2030 as senior associate provost for residential colleges and dean of The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons.
“Conducting is much like educational leadership. You have a vision, but the real magic comes from the group. You’re trying to empower people to do their best work and be their best selves,” Biddlecombe said. “The idea of taking a musical perspective, a conductor’s perspective, and bringing it to the general Vanderbilt student experience is part of why I’m so excited to be a part of The Ingram Commons,” he said.
COLLABORATING, NOT COMPETING
Biddlecombe believes this collaborative growth mindset is just what overachieving first-year students need.
“So many students transitioning from the challenging admissions process still have in their mind, ‘I wonder what their scores were? What are they really good at? How will I compare?’ Some of that is inevitable, but there’s room for intellectual growth,” he said.
He believes part of the job of the residential colleges team is to help first-year students get comfortable making mistakes.
“The atmosphere that we are working so hard to cultivate encourages students to think bigger while also being OK not knowing all the answers, so they can take intellectual risks and engage in constructive conversations.” – Tucker Biddlecombe
CAMPUS FAMILY
Some of those interactions will happen right in Biddlecombe’s home. He and his wife, Mary, senior lecturer in choral studies and director of the Blair Academy at Vanderbilt, moved into their residence on The Ingram Commons over the summer with their two dogs, Bruno and Penny.
“Moving on campus was an easy yes for Mary and me because our favorite part of this place is the students,” he said.
He’s excited for students to engage in activities with faculty heads of house, who have expertise across numerous disciplines at Vanderbilt. They work with a team to develop programming that engages students intellectually, culturally, socially and emotionally.
“They’re incredible scholars. They’re incredible teachers. And then they’re ambitious people in the very, very best way, dedicated to living in this community and engaging intellect,” he said.
Biddlecombe himself is hoping to bring a salon series to the residence, where Blair faculty discuss a piece of music and students perform it.
ACADEMIC ROOTS
Biddlecombe has been teaching music his entire professional life. He started as a high school teacher, then came to Vanderbilt Blair School of Music in 2012 as a choral professor and conductor. He most recently was undergraduate associate dean for education at Blair.
“It was a great role of service—serving the academic community, serving students, serving the Blair dean—and it inspired me to this position today,” he said.
He also leads two acclaimed university choral groups and is the Billy Ray Hearn Chorus Director of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra.
MESSAGE TO PARENTS
Biddlecombe said he’s thrilled to be a part of one of Vanderbilt’s most iconic and generous traditions, Move-In Day, when hundreds of current students volunteer their time and energy to haul first-year students’ bags.
“I’m very excited to talk to the parents because I want to deliver a message that at Vanderbilt the paths to success are laid out before every student. It’s up to them to walk through the door, and for us to guide them on the journey,” he said.
“We’ve created this environment for your students to build intellectual vigor, to have purposeful growth, incredible relationships, and become future leaders, and it is truly up to them to take on these opportunities,” Biddlecombe said. “That is the essence of an excellent educational experience.”
QUICK QUESTIONS WITH DEAN TUCKER BIDDLECOMBE
HOMETOWN: Buffalo, New York
YEARS AT VANDERBILT: 14
FAVORITE SONG: It’s a moving target. Right now, “Something in the Water” by Lawrence from their album acoustic-ish
FAVORITE BOOK: Also a moving target. Enjoying Regime Change by Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman
FAVORITE FOOD: Mexican – Maíz de la Vida in Nashville is a must-visit.
FAVORITE SPOT ON CAMPUS: Choral Hall in Blair
TELL A FUNNY OR POIGNANT EXPERIENCE YOU’VE HAD AT VANDERBILT:
“Recency bias, but our performance of Julia Wolfe’s Fire in my Mouth was truly special. Everyone rowed together—singers, players, production staff … truly a great example of what we can be when we work together.”
- Learn more about Vanderbilt’s residential colleges.
