English is not tied solely to the creation of written literature – it is also tied to things such as plays, movies…and musicals. We see the connection between the musical and the literary in the work of Dr. Clinton McCallum, who joined the English Department as a full-time lecturer for the first time during the 2023-2024 academic year.  During his work at Stevenson University so far, he has primarily focused on literature as writing, despite his experience with theatre and musicals. He has taught ENG 151 College Writing I, ENG 152 College Writing II, ENG 180 Storytelling, ENG 205 Subcultures, and ENG 281H New Worlds from 1984 to the Hunger Games. 

Scholarly and Creative Achievements 

One of his works, “Falling Up: Ascent in Electronic Dance Music” was published in the Journal of Popular Music Studies’s 33rd issue. He has a work set for being published, specifically based off one of his songs, “in a hall of mirrors waiting to die.” 

Speaking of songs, Dr. McCallum has made several songs – one of which is Bowel Resection, part of an album centered around “mechanization and degradation, in inhuman tasks and the inherent human elements always present in their production.” Even in his musical works, Dr. McCallum is clearly an academic. The song he specifically worked on, Bowel Resection, is here.

Engagements and Public Appearances 

In addition to teaching writing and literature, Dr. McCallum is a composer, performer who studied music composition at the Oberlin Conservatory and earned a Ph.D. in Music Composition at UC San Diego. He has toured extensively in several bands and experimental music collectives. 

This year, Dr. McCallum achieved remarkable artistic success with the completion of his chamber opera, “PARADISE TBD,” where he served as composer, librettist, and performer. 

His opera explores themes of climate change, poverty, colonialism, corruption, and the aftermath of natural disasters, showcasing his multifaceted talents, including video editing and audio engineering for the film version of the performance. 

Looking Forward 

Looking forward, Dr. McCallum’s research interests – especially “The intersection of speculative fiction with real world social experiments and with science” will always have more to discuss. Not only that, he has another theatrical work planned for the future, in collaboration with Ian Power, a composer. He says that “That project combines music, ritual, and humor into short genre defying works.” 

Additional Resources and Readings 

in a hall of mirrors waiting to die, Spektral Records SRL4-08039, 2009.

Round Round Down, New World Records NW 80748, 2013.

post written by Finn Sheerin