The earliest notes of Sunderman Conservatory of Music Prof. César Leal ’s life song set up an introduction to a career that fuels his passions for music and connection.
Leal was born in Colombia, South America, into a very musical family. His family members would gather at Leal’s grandmother’s house every Sunday for lunch and a jam session.
“It would be hours, and hours, and hours of playing,” he recalled fondly.
Looking back, Leal believes he knew at an early age the path he would take, even though his teachers may have had other goals in mind.
“I went to a private school that promised parents their kids would turn out to be a lawyer, doctor, or politician,” he said. “They returned my dad a musician.”
After earning his bachelor’s degree in music performance from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia, in 2001, Leal cashed in his savings and headed to the United States with CDs containing his recital. The music was eclectic and soulful. Florida International University recognized his talents, and Leal’s new movement began in America.
Four years later, after earning his doctorate in philosophy in musicology and ethnomusicology from the University of Kentucky and working as orchestra conductor at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, for six years, Leal sought to teach at a college with a conservatory. He wanted to explore a liberal arts institution, one where both music played a central role on the student experience with new artistic opportunities, and he could continue his research. He discovered that opportunity at Gettysburg College.
He has since taught at Gettysburg for five years, serving as the director of orchestral activities and coordinator of musicology. He challenges his students to pay attention to what he calls “the goosebump test.” While they are playing, he often stops them and asks if they feel what they are performing. If they do, that feeling will likely resonate with the audience.
Throughout his career, Leal has led ensembles in academic and professional settings across the United States, Panama, Colombia, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Ukraine.
Leal believes music gives people the opportunity to be their true selves. He uses music as a window to understand history or personal stories through a different lens.
“The beautiful thing about music is you cannot hide anything,” he said. “It’s a tremendous gift to the community.”
It’s also that community that brings his career to life. Leal jokes that the relationships he has made through his work have prevented him from having to book a hotel room while traveling the world to perform, conduct, or speak. He especially enjoys working with youth ensembles and instilling an early love for the power of music.
He also remains deeply connected to his family. Leal visits his brother in Florida and his parents in Colombia when his schedule allows, but he doesn’t need to be in person to know what is happening in their lives.
“It’s a Latinx family, so there can be 10 calls a day,” he said.
When Leal makes those calls, he doesn’t consider the practice to be calling home.
“‘Where is home?’ is a very loaded question for me,” he said.
On June 6, 2024, Leal began to feel a little more comfortable answering that question. During the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day at the Eisenhower National Historic Site, Leal became an American citizen, culminating a 23-year journey.
“Even after living in the U.S. for more than half of my life, becoming a citizen of this country has profoundly changed my experience here,” he told the Class of 2028 during the Gettysburg College First-Year Walk. “I now feel at home.”
He uses his story to better connect with students and others where they are. Leal prides himself in learning as many languages as possible and can currently converse in French, Italian, Spanish, and English.
“I try to learn how to think in different languages,” he said. “I take any opportunity to practice it.”
Leal approaches another hobby, cooking, much less intentionally.
“I love to cook and learned to do so as a kid because my mom, a passionate feminist, wanted to raise useful sons,” he said. “I don’t follow a recipe and I find this to be a useful and transferable skill.”
With a life built around connections, Leal occasionally heads to the woods to disconnect and pay attention to nature. When he resets his mind after a hike, he is excited to return to Gettysburg College and help students understand who they are through music.
“The students here are so eager. I really enjoy challenging them,” he said.
by Alex J. Hayes
Posted: 02/24/25