Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was born in Salzburg, Austria. His talent for music is truly remarkable. He learned how to play the piano at 3 years of age by watching his father teach his older sister, began composing at 5 years of age, and when he was about 6, he played at the Bavarian court in Munich, the imperial court in Vienna, and noble houses. Up until he was 17 years old, he and his sister were touring musicians all around Europe. Most of Mozart’s compositions were written for himself in order to bring with him on tour. At 17 years of age, he was appointed concertmaster of the Royal Court of Salzburg.

​When he was 30, he successfully premiered his opera The Marriage of Figaro. Mozart was truly a master of every genre of classical music, from opera to sonatas, symphonies, and concertos. He wrote over 600 pieces of music in his short 35 year life.
The Magic Flute is an opera written by Mozart that is divided into two acts. It is a story of Love and Drama. In Act 1, the main character, Tomino, the main character and a prince, is in the woods fleeing from a serpent. He faints but is saved by three ladies, attendants of the queen of the knight. Once he wakes up, he hears Papageno, a bird catcher coming, so he assumes that it was him who saved him. The three ladies return and say that it was them who saved him, and gave him a picture of Pamina, the queen of the knight’s daughter. Tomino falls in love, but is informed that she has been kidnapped by a high priest. The queen then arrives and offers Tomino her daughter’s hand in marriage if he can save her daughter. Tomino is given a magic flute to aid him, and Papageno, who will help Tomino, three magic bells. When they arrive at the Priest’s temple, it turns out that he is kind and wise, and that he must undergo tests to prove himself worthy of Pamina.
Acts 2 begins with a series of tests. The first test is for both Tomino and Papageno to remain silent. During the test, Tomino and Pamina meet, but because he is not allowed to speak, Pamina fears that he doesn;’t love her anymore. However, three spirits ensure her that he does. With the aid of the magic flute, they go through a series of trials and are successful. The queen is angered by everyone’s happiness, but she is cast out into darkness to never be seen again.
By Josh Ho

​​Noah Davies composed Testament during the summer of 2024. He had attended the DC Trombone workshop and had the pleasure of playing David F. Wilborn's “Arise!” for trombone choir, which served as the main, initial inspiration for the melodic, harmonic, and motivic structure of Testament. However, as Noah developed the piece more, he realized how special this work would become. He wanted this piece to serve as a culmination (or a “Testament”) of all of the experiences and memories he made at Baylor University. Because of this, he dedicates “Testament” to the Baylor Trombone studio, for their endless, unwavering support and camaraderie throughout the last four years.

HALO
Martin O’Donnell – OG Theme’s composer
Before acquisition by Microsoft/Halo’s XBOX days:
Development of Halo – arduous development of Halo’s Mac demo for prep at Steve Jobs’ MacWorld Keynote event. Developers worked rapidly to piece together Mac Demo.
Time ran out to get sound working, but Martin O’Donnell took on the “impossible task” of putting together a full orchestral score in the final weekend, with only the words “Ancient, mysterious, and epic” to guide him.
Worked with Michael Salvatori on theme
Melody: Martin used Beatles song “Yesterday” reworked using a Dorian Scale
Utilized Gregorian chant
One of gaming’s most iconic scores
For over 2 decades, the Halo Franchise has taken popular culture by storm through its landmark innovation to the sci-fi action genre and deep video game storytelling.  Created by Bungie Studios and continued by 343 Industries, The adventures of The Master Chief and companion Cortana showcase a rich action-oriented space-opera experience which few games and media have been able to replicate. From humble beginnings within the then small Bungie Studios, the story of Halo’s musical themes come from unexpected origins.  
During Halo: Combat Evolved’s early development, dating back before the franchise’s status as a Microsoft IP, Bungie had secured the opportunity from Apple’s Steve Jobs to showcase their game at the MacWorld Event. With just a couple of weeks to piece together a working Mac Demo, time ran out to get the audio working. Knowing the importance of sound for the Demo on such a large stage, Composer Martin O’Donnell took on the “impossible task of putting together a full orchestral score in the final weekend, with only the words “Ancient, Mysterious,” and “Epic” to guide him. Working with Michael Salvatori, O’Donnell reworked The Beatles’ song “Yesterday” to a dorianscale using a Gregorian chant to create the melody, the result of which provided the base theme for one of pop culture’s most iconic scores.
Arranged for solo trombone, trombone ensemble, piano and percussion by Baylor SoM alum Sasha Romero, Halo incorporates the iconic main theme of the franchise, as well as the accompanying “Driving Rock Groove” to bring the series’ epic nature to life in the trombone setting. Included also withinthis medley is the emotional “Greatest Journey” theme from Halo 3, and other noteworthy themes spanning the Halo Franchise. Romero’s scoring of the overall melody between soloist, alto trombone, and T. Tbn 1, as well as lower part ostinatos and dramatic chord hits invoke a challenging but powerful driving force.  Romero’s arrangement also pays tribute to the iconic vocal theme through a profound singing section of the medley, allowing expressive musicianship and transition into the original theme which encapsulates the “Ancient, Mysterious, and Epic” proportions of the Halo series.
By Demetri Tyra

Madeline A. Lee (b.1994) is a freelance composer and arranger currently residing in Northwestern Virginia. She made her compositional debut with her work for brass quintet, titled Saudade, in January 2016. Since then, she has received numerous accolades for her works for brass. Her works have been heard on the international stage, receiving performances at such prestigious conventions as the International Trumpet Guild Conference, the International Horn Symposium, the International Women's Brass Conference, and the International Trombone Festival.

It Begins in the Dark was commissioned by Dr. Bradley Palmer and the Columbus State University Trombone Studio where they presented the World Premiere in April of 2023. This piece explores the emotions that arise from the end of any relationship. Lee describes these emotions by stating: “We are often left alone, unmoored, and even hopeless when we lose someone who was a major fixture in our life. “It Begins in the Dark” takes listeners from that place where it seems we will never see the light again and traverses the unfamiliar territory of starting anew.  The work ends with a joyous rhythmic figure to underscore the recurring motif, showing that while our environment and influences may shift around us, we can still find ourselves… even in the dark.”. 
By Tayton Crutsinger

Anthony Barfield is a trombonist, producer and composer who holds degrees from both The Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music based in New York City whose compositions have been performed throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. Barfield has received commissions from organizations such as the New York Philharmonic and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2012 at the New York Wind Band Festival where the wind band arrangement of this work was premiered. Mr. Barfield has performed as a trombonist at Avery Fisher Hall, Dizzy’s Coca Cola Club, Alice Tully Hall, and the Kennedy Center, among others.

Here We Rest was dedicated to the state of Alabama in tribute to the victims of its April 2011 tornado outbreak. The title was the Alabama state motto during the Reconstruction Era​

The opening of the piece presents a series of three modally mixed chords in F that form the basis of the accompaniment of the primary theme, which is introduced by the outermost voices(Trombone 1 and 8) and spreads inwards in the choir. A related melody, reminiscent of Copland, appears later in the opening section. A second theme is presented by solos from the upper trombone parts, accompanied by static A-flat major harmony and a descending chromatic line — a gesture that suggests a “lament” or a “line cliché”, a chord progression technique that involves moving a line stepwise up or down against a stationary chord.

A tutti restatement of the second theme ends without resolution in a developmental area. Here, earlier ideas are presented in unfamiliar harmonic settings; previous themes appear in unexpected keys and modes, and the opening chord series passes through ascending keys, skipping only the original F. The development concludes with a series of descending suspensions and resolutions before the opening themes return, first in the Dorian mode a tritone away from the original, then elevated to A major. The opening chord series returns, once again traveling throughout the many voices of the ensemble, now centered a half-step higher in F-sharp, and the piece ends without resolution, symbolizing the loss of the tornadoes’ 238 victims and the anguish of many more survivors.
By Grace Lipscomb

Antonio Lotti (1667—1740) was an Italian Baroque composer known for his sacred choral music, operas, and compositions for the Venetian musical scene. Lotti spent most of his career at St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, where he rose from singer to maestro di cappella, producing a variety of music that reflected the emotional depth and stylistic intensity of the late Baroque period. His compositions skillfully blend the contrapuntal techniques of the Renaissance with the harmonic language of the Baroque, often creating works of profound expressiveness and structural clarity.

Lotti’s Crucifixus a 8, a part of his Credo, is renowned for its haunting harmonies and expressive dissonance. The eight vocal lines intertwine with rich chromaticism, evoking the solemnity of Christ's crucifixion. Here, it is brilliantly arranged by Adrian Taylor.
By Matthew Willingham

Derek Bourgeois was a notable British composer renowned for his extensive contributions to brass and wind ensemble repertoire. Over his prolific career, he composed more than 100 symphonies, distinguished by memorable melodies and a distinctive sense of humor. Educated at Cambridge and the Royal College of Music, he devoted much of his career to teaching and conducting, significantly influencing the brass and wind band communities. His music remains celebrated for its harmonic richness and rhythmic complexity, continuing to engage both performers and audiences.


Osteoblast, composed in 2004 for a trombone octet, Osteoblast is a vibrant and technically demanding piece that exemplifies Bourgeois’ expertise in rhythmic and melodic contrasts. The title refers to bone-forming cells, reflecting the composition’s energetic and robust character. The piece begins with a powerful fanfare, leading into a series of tempo shifts that create a dynamic musical landscape.

The rapid Presto sections require rhythmic precision and sustain a lively momentum, which is punctuated by slower, lyrical Lento passages. These contrasting moments introduce a haunting quality, highlighting the energetic drive of the surrounding material. Osteoblast embodies Bourgeois’ signature blend of intensity and humor, leaving a lasting impact with its bold and engaging musical narrative.
​By Gannon Allen

Book Study - Reserve by Wednesday 8:00 AM - books will be at the University House lobby in your name!

Friday, February 9th 2:30 PM - University House 2nd floor lobby
Friday, February 16th 2:30 PM - ''
Friday, February 23rd - 2:30 PM - ''

We will read through the first two chapters for this Friday, February 9th, and discuss our thoughts and talk about anything in the Formation Series lecture that peaked your interest. We will meet at 2:30 PM in the second floor University House lobby. I have 17 books - so sign up today!

Merry Christmas HRC,
 
At this point in your semester, you are likely feeling the full crush of final exams yet longing for Christmas to be here and all to be quiet in the house. Time with friends and family awaits but there are still pressing, important matters, looming tests, and the constant and compelling crisis of time management that weigh on your mind. As one test bleeds into another, you may find yourself feeling hopelessly task saturated. The immediate academic demands for performance, rankings, affirmation that you are indeed worthy, and ultimately, your academic identity are at stake. Or is it?
 
Relief vs restoration
I spend precious time throughout my year at a family ranch in Flynn TX that has been in my family for 7 generations. I feel a stewardship to this property and to be honest, the upkeep can be a burden, however the gift of this place far outweighs the physical work to be done. I often identify these times of solitude and physical work with a place in my soul. I am able to see from my perch on the back deck, a field that leads down to a meadow and a spring fed creek. The field along with hundreds of acres were carved out of the TX wilderness by my great great grandparents using crosscut saws, burning stumps, and a team of mules. The clearing allowed for planting, harvesting, sustenance and growth. I cannot help but be reminded of how easy I have it. My coffee comes to me at the push of a button, I have the privilege of swiping a card to eat food at Penland, most all of my day-to-day needs are met. How is it possible that any of us can feel stress or anxious. 
 
As I am sitting here writing, the beauty of a transcendent sunrise over the back pasture stirs my soul and gives rise to my awareness of how small I am and how majestic He is. There are levels of our thought life that traffic frequently in the crisis of now and the concerns of earthly things that must be done immediately. There are also levels of thought and prayer, that delve into a deeper reality of our position, significance, self-worth and value. Just as I begin to focus on the eternal, there is an agitated place in me that is clamoring for relief. Even though the morning washes over my soul and my thoughts begin to untangle and become clearer, I am seized by the carnival of desire, worry, ego, and concerns for the immediate. How unbelievable it is for our joy and deeper thoughts to be so easily hijacked by the temporal.
 
There are two kingdoms vying for our souls. The carnival of desires and distractions offer relief. For many, relief can be a bag of cookies, bottle of wine, Netflix binge, relationships, spending, or just checking out. Perhaps there is a heaviness in your earthly struggles. Everyone has a dream that shatters, illness, loss of a loved one, relationship breaks, career changes, and real despair. We are foreigners in a strange land. This is NOT our home. Remember, we are in exile! Resignation is a byproduct of a craving for relief. I believe early adulthood can be a battle between striving and indulging. The carnival offered relief, and the glorious beauty of the sunrise in a moment of deep peace offered restoration. One is temporary and demands our attention now. The other is eternal and requires our discipline and devotion. Time in nature heals, restores, and deeper thoughts about our Savior transforms us and renews our hearts and minds. This is where I need to stay and want to spend my time but I struggle to stay right here. Everything screams for my immediate attention. How do we balance these two worlds? The world of relief vs the world of restoration. We desire both. We need but one!
 
I stayed on the porch a little longer hoping to see a deer move through the creek bottom. I ask God to bring to mind those things He wants me to know. I want to seek His face, feel His presence, and trust His love. The clean smell of an early rain and the color of the trees against the sky in this early morning light help place me in the holiest of all sanctuaries. I am choosing to ignore the carnival of desires and demands that leave me in immediate need of relief and busyness. As soon as I check off the boxes of things to do, there are immediately more boxes. I am not advocating the abandonment of all responsibility in favor of a sanctimonious "God is in control" religiosity. On the contrary, I am charged with carrying the heaviest load He places on my shoulders. Remember, it is His will to work and to do that abides in me through the grace and strength of His might. God's invitations are subtle and always present. The sunrise came and went, my need for breakfast was raging, and yes, there are actually things to do. This will never change. My soul however had been disentangled, lifted, assured, and I received it. Perhaps it is this very practice that sustains me and guards my heart. Perhaps it is this very practice of seeking the wilderness in my soul and asking God to visit me there, that gives me strength to deal with unchecked boxes in my life.
 
Resilience as a spiritual discipline
I am always surprised by my quick turn towards acting like a victim. My list of grievances and areas I feel I have been transgressed well up when I am consumed with checking boxes. How quickly we blame others, situations, conditions, institutions, ideologies, and imaginary obstacles for our lack of comfort and "success." Will these conditions change? If they did change, would I suddenly walk in freedom? 
 
The two worlds of Relief and Restoration are designed to grow us spiritually. We traffic simultaneously in both and I believe the charge is for us to develop a deeper love language with our creator AND build up our hearts and minds in such a way as to produce character, and endurance. But it is the practice of resilience that we must develop. It is a spiritual discipline. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" - 2 Cor. 4:17
 
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces [a]patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." - James 1:2-8
We often overlook spiritual disciplines and assume that spiritual maturity comes to us with knowledge or simply because we had a conversation experience. It comes to us through trials, experiences, and grace. It comes to us through testing, faith, and "setting our face like flint" and ultimately, it comes to us through daily practice. It comes to us through discipline, desire, and a "suffering" the daily renewing our our mind and choosing to walk in wisdom and trust. If we do not practice these things on a daily basis, then we are tossed, turned, driven, and indulgent. If we refuse to be shaped by God's design, then we are only seeking relief and thus shaped by other designs. If we indulge then we are living in the temporary world and not the beautiful place - not in the world of Restoration. 

Sin is an incredibly unpopular topic, except when it is generalized in the way that "all have sinned" or glossed in the care and nurturing of the Baptist Christian tradition, and we are affirmed in our human condition because "all have sinned." It is comforting knowing that Im not necessarily worse off than everyone else.

Laying aside those things which so easily entangle our hearts and minds; the lust of the flesh, the boastful pride of life, the carnivals of desire, and the entitlements of ideologies, takes intentionality, time, and requires our devotion. Sin, thanks to Adam, is the human condition that we must put to death daily. Yes, forgiveness is a free gift from our Lord and Savior but Paul exquisitely states, "so do we go on sinning, no, may it never be?" What is the reason for your stress? Why are you so easily swayed, angered, vexed, and separated from the world of Restoration? Laying hold of peace, redemption, and grace involves our submission and trust. This involves a "doing" on your part! This involves ritual. This is worth our work. This process is not cheap. This process involves practice!

The uncomfortable truth lies in our failure to hit the mark (sin) - failure to make proper sacrifices, failure to live and tell the truth, failure to trust, failure to reveal yourself or be revealed - all that weakens you. It is in this weakened state that you will be unable to thrive in the either world, and you will be of no benefit to yourself or others. You will fail and suffer, stupidly - I have and continue to do so. Living in the temporal stress of relief will corrupt your soul. How could it be otherwise? Life is hard enough when it is going well, but when it is going badly? Is this not worthy of our deepest hope? 

What shall I do when I’m tired and impatient? Gratefully accept an outstretched helping hand. This is something with a twofold meaning. It’s an injunction, first, to note the reality of the limitations of individual being and, second, to accept and be thankful for the support of others—family, friends, acquaintances and strangers alike. Exhaustion and impatience are inevitable. There is too much to be done and too little time in which to do it. But we don’t have to strive alone, and there is nothing but good in distributing the responsibilities, cooperating in the efforts, and sharing credit for the productive and meaningful work thereby undertaken. - JBP 12 Rules
 
What is your hope in? Do you hope the world will work itself out? Do you hope to get an A? Do you hope to be happy? What is the actual object of your desire? Is happiness a condition or a product? Do we hope in the right things? The journey to developing resilience is a gift and is conditional on where our hope rests. 

Lastly, I would submit that it is precisely these sacraments of ritual, studying the Word of God, the Last Super, Baptism, fellowship with the body of Christ and ultimately, a daily desire to submit your will to the will of God that gives us resilience. This my dear friends is so difficult, but it is this life of freedom, peace, and long suffering that will allow us to traffic in a foreign land. 
 
Formation series this January in the HRC -  "The Practice of Resilience"
The series will focus on the necessity and charge to approach life with a determined mindset to developing strength during times of adversity. By seeking true restoration, rather than relief, instills purpose and fortitude. Practicing strength in times of adversity is a spiritual practice that must be developed. Drawing wisdom from scripture, Christian tradition, and developing a community of service-related experiences and practices, we will uncover concepts to help build the vital discipline of resilience in our daily lives. Peace through unwavering faith and living in the mindset of a transcendent purpose.

• recovery from trauma
• supernatural graces
• intentionality of practicing resilience
• abiding vs visiting

 
 
The HRC Academic Committee has been discussing failure, resilience, and fear.
 
What has been your biggest failure?
What are your fears/worries for the future?
What do you do to bounce back from failure?
Are there specific people/resources that helped you come back from failure?
What does failure look like to you?
What events in your life constitute failure?
List 3 words you associate with failure.
Is your mindset about failure more standards for yourself or external standards?
What do you feel are the consequences of your failure?
How do you approach setbacks/roadblocks?
How do you get in the mindset of taking risks without overwhelming fear of failure?
 
Wishing you a Merry Christmas:
It has been an honor meeting each of you. I have enjoyed our conversations and I continue to be impressed by the level of dedication, talent, and stewardship in the HRC. May the peace of the Lord be with you this Christmas season. We ask that you travel safe and to spend time during the break reflecting on God's grace, mercy, and love. Seek His face, Feel His presence, and Trust His love. 
 
With admiration,
 
Brent Phillips
Professor of Trombone, Baylor School of Music
Faculty in Residence, University House, North Village
Director ~ Mountain Light Music Festival

Hello dear ladies of University House! I have missed you all. Welcome back to Baylor!

I have thought about you all over the break and have prayed that you would find rest, restoration, and a renewed sense of purpose and strength. Each of you possesses a unique set of skills and talents, and it is increasingly apparent to me that you 1) deserve to be here, 2) have both the maturity and the fortitude to continue along this path.

For a few of you, you may have decided that you needed to change majors, or at least rethink your current major. This is completely normal and why you came here in the first place! I remember early on in my musical study at Rice, I often worried I hade made the wrong decision or maybe I overestimated my ability to follow this dream I had of being a professional musician. After a very long first semester of what seemed like endless hours in the practice room, learning scales, it was much less sexy and appealing than I had imagined. No worse for the wear, I elected to stick it out and just do the dirty work - that is, actually learn the scales.... and I mean, every possible kind of major, minor, harmonic, melodic, modal, pattern and arpeggio known to all of western music... That was my assignment and I absolutely hated every second of it... Or did, I?

When I finally stopped worrying about where I ranked, and how good everyone else was, and simply began the process of learning, something strange happened. I got better. I began to relish my little practice cave in the basement of the music building. I found a time early in the morning, before classes that allowed me to get in and get out. I found I enjoyed coffee.. I stared a running routine and ran to the music building before practice. I went to my first class a little less fresh and sat in the back.
I began to look forward going in deep on patterns, Arban etudes, and Blazhevich sequences... I found a mysterious sense of calm and security in the routine I had established - through necessity and invention. I began to take inventory of how far I had come and was proud of the quality and became less concerned about the monumental task ahead of me. I thought much less about how everyone else was better and more about how much better I was doing.. 

Perhaps you have found yourself neck deep in code, formulas, theory, biology terms, cellular work or anatomy. The first semesters of school may also have NOTHING to do with things that matter to you. You are "forced" to take Christian Scriptures, or Heritage, or a writing course, or perhaps you are plowing through British Lit!! This is where practice can help. Find your routine, do the dirty work, and eventually, you may just find some peace. Don't wait for your conditions to change to be joyful. Learn to chose joy in spite of your conditions. 

I remember taking African Pre-history, Space Physics, Sociology, The Japanese Mind, Bismarck To WW2, Shakespeare, and a writing course that nearly decimated my GPA.... Oceanography or "underwater rocks for jocks" seemed a safe bet for a budding musician trying to spend hours a day practicing, but I was sorely mistaken. 

It is so strange how at the time I considered these courses my plight and suffrage for a cause to purse my musical dreams - but now - I remember every one of those classes FONDLY! How is that possible? My professors showed mercy and were genuinely concerned. They helped me and they seemed proud, as if I possessed some innate ability that I myself knew nothing about... They actually thought I was worth the trouble... They would actually come to my Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra Concerts and make it a point to tell me how much they enjoyed the Mahler, or the Berlioz, and asked me to write a little something about the text found in Orf's Carmina Burana... 

Like me, you may have made mistakes along the way and miscalculated one thing or another. Baylor is a good fit for you. You are becoming better people and I know you are developing into beautiful women with high standards, excellent ideals, and a true sense of strong character. 

Life is very good. Try to love one another. I think you women are doing well, and I know you have great things in store. Pray that God will direct your paths, stay open in all your classes, and seek His face, feel His presence, and trust His love. 

Say hello to me when I pass - you make my day. You are lovely and I am proud. 

Your FIR,

BP

We can choose joy in the face of adversity or pain. We can chose joy in the midst of difficulty. Joy is the entrance into the things of God that for so many have seemed out of reach. Joy is actually an obedient act that allows us to keep mental wellness. 

Jesus endured the cross because of the JOY that was set before him. The Joy of the Lord is our strength, not just a giggle or a smile, but rather a reality that gives us an emotional and mental encounter, an act of surrender that engages us to the heartbeat of God.

Choosing Joy actually causes our circumstances to work well. Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks and walk in joy. I believe that Joy is the greatest evidence of conversion. They will know we are Christians by our love, peace and joy.. Love is the greatest of these but Joy is a powerful weapon that I believes help usher in peace. 

If you have questions about what it means to be a Christian or if you are not sure if this is something you even want, and would like to discuss - by all means - let's talk. 

Rejoice greatly, you have been given the keys to the kingdom and nothing can take that away from you - not your failing test grades, dying family member, daily pressures, failing relationships - nothing. 

Joy is your birth right and you have been designed to live this way. Joy is not a denial of life challenges or walking in oblivion to huge problems, but instead a powerful tool that was granted to you that allows you to function.

Last - if you are not free from sin, stress, addiction, depression, until death, then Jesus is not your savior - death is...

Somehow, rejoicing before your have earned the right to become happy transforms you into a person who can live a Christlike powerful life. 

Joy - comes in the morning - after you have made a choice to surrender to His purposes and walk in Joy.

Humbly - your FIR - BP

It has been a pleasure getting to know many of you this past week. I have enjoyed visiting with you at Penland, walking to class, eating breakfast, and in passing. I have been at Baylor for nineteen years. I tend to take stock in the merits and challenges for each incoming freshman class. I believe that your class carries with it a certain stoicism and strength. 

You have lived through trying times and endured a pandemic. You now face historic inflation, increasing college expenses, global instability and an uncertain economy. Your generations is in many ways redefining social norms, terms, and values. Your freshman class is capable, resilient, adaptive, and ready. 

What are the challenges you face personally this semester? What are the things in your life that can be improved upon? Are there areas of spiritual growth, interpersonal relationships, family, career goals, academic goals, that you can be intentional about firming up and correcting? I would encourage you to design your routines around these goals. Try to avoid "reacting" to stress and allow your daily fellowship of close friends to help you navigate. 

Consider making sacrifices and being of service to others to help guide your routines. College is inherently a selfish time. This is not all bad. You are investing in your future and making your plans. All of your intention and energy is focused on "you" - your degree, your classes, your projects, your homework, your emotional and academic needs.

Consider how you might make daily sacrifices in your routines for others? Why, because you will be happier. You will be fulfilled. You will begin to use your gifts and talents for His service and helping other people and in turn will help you to become a more powerful and strong woman. Write down 10 ways you can sacrifice for others, in small ways. Take this list and transfer it to your daily routine and schedule. Example - eat breakfast with your suite mate, bring her coffee, take out the trash, invite someone out, meet someone new, lead a small group study, complement your neighbor, get to know someone who is not like you, wash the dishes, pray.

Failure to make the proper sacrifices, failure to reveal yourself, failure to live and tell the truth—all that weakens you. In that weakened state, you will be unable to thrive in the world, and you will be of no benefit to yourself or to others. You will fail and suffer, stupidly. That will corrupt your soul. How could it be otherwise? Life is hard enough when it is going well. But when it’s going badly?

What shall I do when I’m tired and impatient? Gratefully accept an outstretched helping hand. This is something with a twofold meaning. It’s an injunction, first, to note the reality of the limitations of individual being and, second, to accept and be thankful for the support of others—family, friends, acquaintances and strangers alike. Exhaustion and impatience are inevitable. There is too much to be done and too little time in which to do it. But we don’t have to strive alone, and there is nothing but good in distributing the responsibilities, cooperating in the efforts, and sharing credit for the productive and meaningful work thereby undertaken. - JBP 12 Rules

I am proud of each of you and I believe you are each uniquely equipped to walk confidently and humbly towards helping restore the soul of our nation. By repairing your own soul and seeking noble service and charity, with the blessing of our Lord and Savior, your stories will help postpone the current decay of our civilization. We need peace. We need joy. We need to love others the way Christ loved us - show His love. They will know we are for real by our love for one another. 

Until we meet again,

Brent Phillips
FIR - University House
​Baylor School of Music 

What can I say? I have only raised boys. I live primarily in the company of men. My beautiful wife, Meredith, is still a complete mystery to me however I think she understands me well. We communicate differently and on a heart level that I obviously don't share with other men. 

The last two years University House has been an all freshman male experience. We did things like mountain bike rides, early morning runs, Johnny Zombie tag, we had a campus wide Amazing Race and we watched plenty of football. 

You will notice the construction of a new fire pit just outside our Uhouse front entrance. The men of Uhouse and I began a weekly "Fireside Hang" with guest speakers, hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks, s'mores and plenty of late night conversation.

So - my question to the women of Uhouse is this - how can I best serve you? How can I help you on your academic, spiritual, and emotional pathway to maturity? I am delighted and honored to serve you and I feel God has placed me in this unique position for my own spiritual growth as much as yours.

We will do breakfasts, invite guests, cook out on Thursday evenings and hopefully you will be up for some adventures. I would like to host day hikes in Cameron Park, games, speakers and help facilitate discussions on your calling, mission, career plans, and vision.

Thank you for letting me serve you. 

​ 
Dollar Cost Averaging - Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) is an investment strategy in which an investor divides up the total amount to be invested across periodic purchases of a target asset in an effort to reduce the impact of volatility on the overall purchase. The purchases occur regardless of the asset's price and at regular intervals.
 
What Is a Roth IRA?
A Roth IRA is an individual retirement account (IRA) that allows qualified withdrawals on a tax-free basis provided certain conditions are satisfied. Established in 1997, it was named after William Roth, a former Delaware Senator.1
 
Roth IRAs are similar to traditional IRAs, with the biggest distinction between the two being how they’re taxed. Roth IRAs are funded with after-tax dollars; the contributions are not tax-deductible. But once you start withdrawing funds, the money is tax-free. Conversely, traditional IRA deposits are generally made with pretax dollars; you usually get a tax deduction on your contribution and pay income tax when you withdraw the money from the account during retirement.2
 
This and other key differences make Roth IRAs a better choice than traditional IRAs for some retirement savers.
 

• KEY TAKEAWAYS
• A Roth IRA is a special retirement account where you pay taxes on money going into your account, and then all future withdrawals are tax-free.
• Roth IRAs are best when you think your taxes will be higher in retirement than they are right now.
• You can't contribute to a Roth IRA if you make too much money. In 2021, the limit for singles is $140,000 (In 2022, the limit is $144,000). For married couples, the limit is $208,000 (In 2022, the limit rises to $114,000).34
• The amount you can contribute changes periodically. In 2021 and 2022, the contribution limit is $6,000 a year unless you are age 50 or older—in which case, you can deposit up to $7,000.34
• Almost all brokerage firms, both physical and online, offer a Roth IRA. So do most banks and investment companies.

 
Cryptocurrency is a type of currency which uses digital files as money. Usually, the files are created using the same ways as cryptography (the science of hiding information). Digital signatures can be used to keep the transactions safe, and let other people check that the transactions are real.[1][2][3] The first cryptocurrencies were made to be free of government-given currencies.
Cryptocurrencies use 'decentralized control'.[4] That means that government can not control cryptocurrencies. This is different to 'centralized' electronic money and central banks.[5] The control of each cryptocurrency works through a distributed ledger (a list of transactions shared by everyone), usually a blockchain,[6] that serves as a public financial transaction database.[7]
Bitcoin, first released as open-source software in 2009. It is often called the first decentralized cryptocurrency.[8] Since then, over 4,000 cryptocurrencies (sometimes called altcoins, which is short for alternative coins) have been created.
 
My personal favorites - Dogecoin, Etherium, Bitcoin, Etherium classic.
My crypto strategy - I treat crypto investing as a third level priority of investment. This may continue to move up my investment list as fiat currency continues to devaluate (inflate). I would not necessarily recommend crypto as a single source investment strategy unless you are willing to risk losing everything. 
That being said, my crypto portfolio is now occupying a significant portion of my portfolio but I have years of Roth and Trad IRA contributions. As inflation is projected to continue at staggering rates, I see blockchain as a hedge against inflation and it seems more and more individuals (free from mutual fund/investment/retirement planners) are moving towards crypto. As governments continue to print more and more Fiat the value to me is becoming increasingly worthless. A hedge against this would be to own bitcoin and ultimately use those tokens as payment for goods and services. I feel like the day is around the corner when that may happen. 
I am currently on Robinhood and Coinbase. 
 
I have been using the Robinhood “Cash” for daily small coffee, gas, and lunch out purchases - linked to my Apple Wallet. Robinhood cash is essentially a pre-paid debit card the account comes from designated profit from sold crypto assets or stock gains. 
 
In many cases, cryptocurrencies cannot be converted to real currencies; it is only possible to convert them to other cryptocurrencies, or to use them to buy things. Some cryptocurrencies can be converted to real currencies: They usually have a high volatility, and using them carries a high risk.[9] They are also a target for so-called Pump-and-Dump-Attacks.[10] They act like a big distributed economic system: as they are not issued or controlled by central banks, their value is difficult to influence: For this reason, they cannot really take the place of a stable currency.[11]
Cryptocurrencies are prone to speculation, which makes building a system of more or less stable exchange rates very difficult.[12] 
 
Whales - Another problem is the inequality of distribution: Many cryptocurrencires are held by only few people. As an example: about 1.000 people hold half of the total amount of bitcoins in the world. This means that if any of these persons starts using their cryptocurrency, this has an effect on the exchange rate. It also means that these people have a great influence on the value of the currency, and are able to change its value easily.[13] The currency itself only documents ownership changes. Exchange rates of cryptocurrencies are established outside the system. Exchange rates are issued by brokers and traders; their indication is no guarantee that the currency is traded at the value proposed. In itself, the unit of cryptocurrency has no value.
In contrast to cyptocurrencies, real currencies are controlled by central banks. Certain econnomic phenomena such as inflation or deflation may change the value (and exchange rate) of a currency. The people who own units of the currency have no direct influence on its value.
 
According to Jan Lansky, a cryptocurrency is a system that meets six conditions:[14]

1. The system does not require a central authority, distributed achieve consensus on its state [sic].
2. The system keeps an overview of cryptocurrency units and their ownership.
3. The system defines if new cryptocurrency units can be created. If new cryptocurrency units can be created, the system defines the how to create new units, and how to determine the ownership of these new units.
4. Ownership of cryptocurrency units can be proved exclusively cryptographically.
5. The owner of a unit of cryptocurrency can transfer this unit. For this transfer to be successful, the current owner must prove the ownership.
6. If two different instructions for changing the ownership of the same cryptographic units are entered at the same time, the system performs at most one of them.

 
What Is Fiat Money?
Fiat money is a government-issued currency that is not backed by a physical commodity, such as gold or silver, but rather by the government that issued it. The value of fiat money is derived from the relationship between supply and demand and the stability of the issuing government, rather than the worth of a commodity backing it. Most modern paper currencies are fiat currencies, including the U.S. dollar, the euro, and other major global currencies.
 
KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Fiat money is a government-issued currency that is not backed by a commodity such as gold.
• Fiat money gives central banks greater control over the economy because they can control how much money is printed.
• Most modern paper currencies, such as the U.S. dollar, are fiat currencies.
• One danger of fiat money is that governments will print too much of it, resulting in hyperinflation.

 
Brent Phillips - Professor, FIR - University House