Strolling towards the forum building, Orbie Ingersoll looks more like a ranch hand than a Moorpark College music professor; donning cowboy boots, faded blue jeans and large shiny belt buckle.

To say Ingersoll is unorthodox in appearance as well as in teaching methods, is certainly an understatement.

For anyone who’s taken one of his classes, you soon realize he’s unlike many professors on campus. Posturing on the Forum’s stage, “Orbie” as he likes to be addressed, grabs your attention with his forceful intonation and brazen sense of humor.

“I’ll die for you,” Ingersoll said with fervor in his voice. In the same breath, he barks of his intolerance for any disruption during his lecture. For example: a chirping cell phone. You’ll instantly receive a failing grade, he said.

Ingersoll is a music professor with Moorpark College who currently teaches Fundamentals of Music, Aural Skills, and Music Appreciation. He displays passion and conviction during lectures and typically his music classes fill the Forum building.

Even in his sternest of voices, Ingersoll speaks of vulnerabilities and compassion. “Great art, whether it be sad or happy, is a lot like a mother picking up her child and holding it close to her,” he said.

Ingersoll was born in El Dorado, Kansas, in 1941 and now lives with his wife and two sons in the City of Ventura. He has a professional bachelor’s in trumpeting and a master’s in conducting and has been a music professor at Moorpark College for nearly 40 years.

“For 28 years I was principal trumpet in the Ventura County Symphony Orchestra and for five years I was associate conductor for that orchestra,” he said.

Ingersoll, in his teenage years had jobs ranging from digging ditches, shuffling tar buckets up ladders, to repossessing cars. His interest in boxing started early on after his father became the national boxing champion of the United States. When he had to choose between a career in boxing or teaching, Ingersoll, in his early 20s, chose a diploma over the boxing ring. He began teaching at Moorpark College in its inaugural year of 1967.

Although Ingersoll’s peers appeared to be hesitant in responding to questions about him as a man or a professor, his studentsdidn’t hold back.

“I think he has nice strong convictions and I think that if you are paying attention, he can inspire great things within you as a human being. Especially in a world of apathy,” stated social work major, Allyson Haser, 22.

“He’s a lot more, a lot more dramatic and it’s more interesting to watch and not like fall asleep after a two-hour lecture,” added Sarah Phelps, 19.

Josh Tajchman, 25, commented more on Ingersoll’s character by saying, “I have to give him props, cause he’s from Kansas. I like that about him. He keeps it real, his Midwestern upbringing. That’s what I like about him, personally.”

“I realized not too long ago, only let’s say 10 years ago, [that] the classroom is very much like an empty canvas if you’re a painter, or an empty piece of staff paper if you’re composer. There are some incredible things that can be done in teaching,” Ingersoll said.

Conveying with your students and they’re engaged psychically, emotionally and mentally;it’s a splendid thing, he said.