Herbert Midgley

A four-time SFA graduate, Herbert Midgley earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in music theory and composition, a Master of Education in secondary education and a Master of Fine Arts in filmmaking and cinematography. His composition instructors include Californian composers Mr. Delbert Bump and Dr. Mac Cooks, and SFA faculty member Dr. Dan Beaty.

Midgley has been an active composer for the last two decades, with numerous compositions during both his professional and collegiate career including one symphony, 12 original works for band, other large-form compositions, many works of electronic music for both tape and live performers and many Avant-garde compositions. He also has written a great number of chamber works, including quartets and quintets for wind and string instruments, solo piano works and solo works for many other instruments.

Prior to joining SFA's School of Music faculty, Midgley taught in the Texas public school system as an all-level music teacher and was the first music teacher in the city of Zavalla. During his time there, he produced many elementary music programs using his compositional and performing talents.

He works closely with Musical Instrument Digital Interface technology and is considered an expert in music software, instructing students in the utilization of computer technology for music, including music notation, sequencing and CAI software. He has presented many music technology sessions at various conferences all over Texas, including the Texas Musical Educators Association and Technology in Music Education, and served as a music technology coordinator and instructor for younger children in the SFA Music Preparatory Division.

Midgley also is an active filmmaker. He has more than 1,000 videos on YouTube on various subjects: education, music theory, composition, guitar, music videos, short film and sci-fi film shorts. He is a director, screenwriter, editor, film composer and a noted actor, appearing in short and independent films in his career. Midgley is a sought-after film composer due to his background in filmmaking.

Midgley is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Pi Kappa Lambda, National Music Honorary Society and Kappa Delta Pi, an international education honor society.

He maintains a private guitar studio with the SFA Music Preparatory Division.