Mark KrugerFaculty

Dr. Kruger’s research interests are centered around understanding affect, social interaction, and the acquisition of musical expertise, as well as the problems associated with measurement in each of these areas.   He has enjoyed a long-term collaboration with Dr. Mark Lammers (retired), former chair of the Gustavus Music Department and his brother, Dr. Jonathan Kruger, Department of Fine Arts, Rochester Institute of Technology.  In addition, he has collaborated with members of the physics department at Gustavus and at SUNY-GENESEO, Geneseo, New York. His work on affect has looked at the impact of music on emotional experience and on the role of social interaction styles (conversation) on depression.  His work on expertise has ranged from examining the practice habits of students to looking at differences between the autobiographical memories of professional musicians and age matched adult musical performers and audience members.  His work on musical performance has focused on understanding how performance, measured physiologically and musically, on the brass instruments (trumpet, horn, trombone, and tuba) is influenced by differences in expertise, task demands, and auditory feedback.

He has served as a member of the college faculty since 1981.

Courses Taught