Not many people have been a composer, arranger, orchestrator, performer, conductor, film score producer; worked in the video game industry; worked on several scenes of an opera; owned their own business; and been the leader of a collegiate jazz ensemble. George Oldziey, however, has done all of these things.

Originally from the New York City metropolitan area, Oldziey began playing the accordion when he was just eight years old. Not liking the sound, he switched to trumpet in fourth grade. "I became very good, very quickly, and made regional and all-state band and orchestra four times in high school," he recalls. Oldziey attended the Manhattan School of Music for his undergraduate degree and earned a bachelor of music in trumpet.

Embouchure problems, however, forced Oldziey to quit playing the trumpet after finishing college. "I took up piano as a hobby, and then decided to focus on jazz piano in order to pursue that as my new musical career," states Oldziey. "In hindsight, it turned out to be a blessing. Switching my focus to piano significantly helped my composition and arranging technique down the road." Oldziey went on to earn a master of music in composition from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University). He states, "I loved the trumpet, but when I couldn't play it any more, I wanted to receive additional musical training in the hopes of continuing a musical career. Composition seemed like the most logical choice."

Oldziey began teaching private trumpet lessons when he was just 13 and enjoyed it. In high school, he also directed a jazz band, which was composed of other all-state band members in his area. "I discovered I had a knack for rehearsing an ensemble," says Oldziey. "Also, most of what I have accomplished has come from practical application and the school of hard knocks. I think that has enabled me to pass along my experience to my students in more of a 'real world application' way." In 1992, Southwestern hired Oldziey to a one-year, temporary position teaching the jazz ensemble. Since then, he has been hired every year (with the exception of a brief hiatus a few years ago) to conduct the jazz ensemble.

In addition to conducting the jazz ensemble, Oldziey teaches private jazz piano lessons. "I think first and foremost, I'd like to see my students come away with a sense of discipline and responsibility in regard to reaching for a goal and planning how to accomplish it," says Oldziey. "Whether or not they decide to pursue a musical career, learning to practice an instrument with efficiency and preparing for a performance are skills that will carry over into every aspect of a student's future career and life in general."

Southwestern has been Oldziey's only faculty position as he owns George Oldziey Music, Inc and finds time to arrange scores for video game and film industry. His film score credits include Sin City, Kill Bill Vol. 2, Once Upon a Time in Mexico and Spy Kids 2 among others. His score for Wing Commander 4 was named as one of the top ten game scores of the 1990s. Oldziey's score for the Playstation 2 version of Spongebob Squarepants was noted when the game won the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Best Game of 2003.

Oldziey has also been recognized by his peers and has been chosen to chair the committee that will select the 2007 Grammy Award for "Best Arranger." He notes, "It is one thing to be recognized by an audience. But it also means a lot to gain the respect of others who do what I do and also have struggled to make a mark in the business that is music."

Oldziey's favorite saying is "luck is the residue of design," which is attributed to Branch Rickey, the farm director of the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1950s. "His point was that you make your own good fortune happen by being prepared for it when it comes your way. I've found that to be true in all aspects of my life and career."