MUSIC TO MEDICINE

Brendan Garrett ('93) made a life-changing and life-saving decision all in one career change -- from professional percussionist to cardiovascular technician.

With a bachelor's in music, Garrett immediately found work after graduation as a musician at the Dutch Apple Theatre in Lancaster County, Pa. He credits JMU with providing him with skills that gave him an edge over other musicians: "My JMU professors trained me to be an open-minded and diverse musician."

Being a professional musician, though, has its pros and cons. "I love music, and in many ways playing the shows is great," says Garrett. "I've been able to spend a lot of time with my kids that wouldn't have been possible if I were working a 9-to-5 job. But my kids are growing up; and I know that it is very difficult to have a family and work full time as a professional theatrical percussionist. You work every holiday, and you're never around for family birthdays and anniversaries.

When my daughter, Alexa, [now 3], was born, she was rushed to Hershey Medical Center, one of the best hospitals in the country, because of a blood clot on the right side of her brain. I called the theater to say that both the baby and my wife had life-threatening conditions; and one of the first questions they asked was, 'Can you still play tonight?' That might seem cold to people outside of theater, but it really is 'the show must go on.' That mentality isn't always conducive to healthy family life.

After working several years as a professional drummer, Garrett began to consider a career change. He always found the medical field interesting, so he began there. "I narrowed my choices to either CVT or radiology, but because there have been a lot of cardiac problems in my family, I wanted to become more familiar with that area," says Garrett. As a cardiac technician, he aids doctors in diagnosing patients with cardiac health issues.

The degree of fulfillment is also a change. As a musician, he was able to bring happiness and entertainment to people for only a night at a time. Now, Garrett admits, "as a cardiac tech you can have a real impact on someone's life."

Even after a successful career switch to the medical field, Garrett, a lover of heavy metal music, claims, "I'd still love to be a drum roadie for Metallica."

-- Melinda Marcelo ('04)