Faculty Profiles

Colleges and Departments

Dr. Hunter Garth Close

  • Associate Professor at Physics, College of Science & Engineering

Scholarly and Creative Works

2025

  • Trombone section, soloist, Eddie Durham All-Star Big Band feat. Doug Lawrence and Loren Schoenberg. February 8, 2025 - February 9, 2025.
    Performances:
    • Eddie Durham Jazz Celebration. February 8, 2025 Parker Jazz Club, Austin, TX.
    • Eddie Durham Jazz Celebration. February 9, 2025 Evans Auditorium, San Marcos, TX.
  • Trombone section leader, soloist, Texas State University Jazz Ensemble at Butch Miles Jazz Festival, feat. Gregg Field, Lynn Seaton, & Robert Boone, Jr. February 8, 2025.

2024

  • Trombone section leader, soloist, Duke Ellington's "Nutcracker Suite", performed by Texas State University Jazz Ensemble. December 5, 2024.
  • Member of "Carrillo Combo", soloist, Texas State Jazz Combo Concert. November 24, 2024.
  • Trombone section leader, soloist, Texas State University Jazz Ensemble Concert. November 13, 2024.
  • Trombone section leader, Texas State University Jazz Ensemble concert. November 1, 2024.
    Performances:
    • Austin Jazz Society Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. November 1, 2024 - Present State Theatre, Austin, TX.
  • Trombone section leader, soloist, Texas State University Jazz Ensemble Concert. October 22, 2024.
    Performances:
    • October 22, 2024 - Present Parker Jazz Club, Austin, TX.
  • Trombone section leader, soloist, Texas State University Jazz Ensemble Concert. October 19, 2024.
    Performances:
    • Eddie Durham Jazz Festival. October 19, 2024 - Present Eddie Durham Park, San Marcos, TX.
  • Trombone section leader, soloist, Texas State University Jazz Ensemble at Texas Jazz Festival. October 18, 2024.
    Performances:
    • Texas Jazz Festival. October 18, 2024 - Present Heritage Park, Corpus Christi, TX.
  • Four-leggéd. HUNTERGC MUSIC PUBLISHING. 2024.
    Performances:
    • Texas State Jazz Combo Concert. November 24, 2024 - Present Railyard Bar & Grill, San Marcos, TX.
    • (Refereed) Reviewed by: Teofilo "Tito" Carrillo.
  • Trombone section leader, soloist, Texas State University Jazz Ensemble Concert feat. Marshall Gilkes. September 30, 2024.
  • Trombone section leader, solist, Texas State University Jazz Ensemble Concert. April 22, 2024.
  • Trombone section leader, soloist, Texas State University Jazz Ensemble Concert. April 9, 2024.
    Performances:
    • April 9, 2024 - Present Parker Jazz Club, Austin, TX.
  • Trombone section leader, soloist, Texas State University Jazz Ensemble Concert. March 4, 2024.
  • Trombone section leader, soloist, Texas State University Jazz Ensemble at Hill Country Jazz Festival feat. Terrell Stafford. February 3, 2024.
  • Trombone section, soloist, Eddie Durham All-Star Big Band feat. Doug Lawrence and Loren Schoenberg. February 1, 2024 - February 2, 2024.
    Performances:
    • Eddie Durham Jazz Celebration. February 1, 2024 Parker Jazz Club, Austin, TX.
    • Eddie Durham Jazz Celebration. February 2, 2024 Evans Auditorium, San Marcos, TX.

2023

  • Trombone section, soloist, Texas State University Jazz Ensemble at Eddie Durham Jazz Festival. October 21, 2023.
    Performances:
    • Eddie Durham Jazz Festival. October 21, 2023 - Present Eddie Durham Park, San Marcos, TX.
  • Trombone section, soloist, Texas State University Jazz Ensemble at Texas Jazz Festival. October 20, 2023.
    Performances:
    • Texas Jazz Festival. October 20, 2023 - Present Heritage Park, Corpus Christi, TX.

2019

  • Mestas, G. R., & Close, H. G. (2019). Framing the pursuit of a physics degree as a hero’s journey. United States: American Institute of Physics. https://doi.org/10.1119/perc.2019.pr.Mestas
  • Close, H. G. (2019). Meaning and purpose in the pursuit of physics teaching careers. United States: American Institute of Physics. https://doi.org/10.1119/perc.2019.pr.Close

2018

  • Sault, T. M., Close, H. G., & Wolf, S. F. (2018). Student Cognition in Physics Group Exams. American Institute of Physics. https://doi.org/10.1119/perc.2018.pr.Sault
  • Daane, A. R., Haglund, J., Robertson, A. D., Close, H. G., & Scherr, R. E. (2018). The pedagogical value of conceptual metaphor for secondary science teachers. Science Education, 102(5), 1051–1076. https://doi.org/DOI: 10.1002/sce.21451
  • Daane, A., Haglund, J., Scherr, R. E., Robertson, A., & Close, H. G. (2018). The Pedagogical Value of Conceptual Metaphor for Secondary Science Teachers. Science Education, 102(5), 1051–1076. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21451
  • Wolf, S. F., Sault, T. M., & Close, H. G. (2018). Information flow in group exams. American Institute of Physics.
  • Close, E. W., Mailloux-Huberdeaus, J.-M., Close, H. G., & Donnelly, D. (2018). Characterization of time scale for detecting impacts of reforms in an undergraduate physics program. In AIP Conference Proceedings: 2017 Physics Education Research Conference. American Institute of Physics.

2017

  • Close, E. W., Mailloux-Huberdeau, J.-M., Close, H. G., & Donnelly, D. (n.d.). Characterization of time scale for detecting impacts of reforms  in an undergraduate physics program.

2016

  • Scherr, R. E., Harrer, B. W., Close, H. G., Daane, A. R., DeWater, L. S., Robertson, A. D., … Vokos, S. (2016). Energy Tracking Diagrams. The Physics Teacher, 54(2), 96–102.
  • Wolf, S. F., Blakeney, C., & Close, H. G. (2016). Group Formation on Physics Exams (pp. 400–403). Retrieved from http://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14279&DocID=4633
  • Close, E. W., Conn, J., & Close, H. G. (2016). Becoming Physics People: Development of Integrated Physics Identity through the Learning Assistant Experience. Physical Review: Physics Education Research, 12.

2015

  • Conn, J., Close, E. W., & Close, H. G. (2015). Learning Assistant Identity Development: Is One Semester Enough? In P. V. Engelhardt, A. D. Churukian, & D. L. Jones (Eds.) (pp. 55–58). https://doi.org/10.1119/perc.2014.pr.010
  • Close, H. G. (2015). Geometric reasoning about damped and forced harmonic motion in the complex plane. American Journal of Physics, 83(9), 794–801.
  • Close, H. G., & Scherr, R. E. (2015). Enacting conceptual metaphor through blending: Learning activities embodying the substance metaphor for energy. International Journal of Science Education, 37(5–6), 839–866.
  • Close, E. W., Seeley, L., Robertson, A. D., DeWater, L. S., & Close, H. G. (2015). Seattle Pacific University: Nurturing Physics Teachers at a Small Liberal-Arts School. In E. Brewe & C. Sandifer (Eds.), Effective Practices in Preservice Physics Teacher Education: Recruitment, Retention, and Preparation. AIP Press. Retrieved from http://www.phystec.org/webdocs/EffectivePracticesBook.cfm

2014

  • Close, E. W., Conn, J., & Close, H. G. (2014). Learning Assistants’ Development of Physics (Teacher) Identity. In P. V. Engelhardt, A. D. Churukian, & D. L. Jones (Eds.) (pp. 89–92). AIP Conference Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1119/perc.2013.pr.010
  • Schiber, C. C., Close, H. G., Close, E. W., & Donnelly, D. (2014). Student use of a material anchor for quantum wave functions. In P. V. Engelhardt, A. D. Churukian, & D. L. Jones (Eds.) (pp. 325–328). AIP Conference Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1119/perc.2013.pr.069
  • Close, H. G., Schiber, C. C., Close, E. W., & Donnelly, D. (2014). Students’ dynamic geometric reasoning about quantum spin-1/2 states. In P. V. Engelhardt, A. D. Churukian, & D. L. Jones (Eds.) (pp. 93–96). AIP Conference Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1119/perc.2013.pr.011
  • Close, E. W., Conn, J., & Close, H. G. (2014). Development of Integrated Physics Identity through Physics Learning Assistant Experience. In J. L. Polman, E. A. Kyza, D. K. O’Neill, I. Tabak, W. R. Penuel, A. S. Jurow, … L. D’Amico (Eds.) (Vol. 3, pp. 1533–1534). International Conference of the Learning Sciences. Retrieved from http://www.isls.org/icls2014/Proceedings.html

2013

  • Close, H. G., Gomez, L., & Heron, P. R. L. (2013). Student understanding of the application of Newton’s second law to rotating rigid bodies. American Journal of Physics, 81(6), 458–470.
  • Scherr, R. E., Close, H. G., Close, E. W., Flood, V. J., McKagan, S. B., Robertson, A. D., … Vokos, S. (2013). Negotiating energy dynamics through embodied action in a materially structured environment. Physical Review Special Topics: Physics Education Research, 9(2).

2012

  • Scherr, R. E., Close, H. G., McKagan, S. B., Close, E. W., & Vokos, S. (2012). Representing energy. I. Representing a substance ontology for energy. Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 8(2).
  • Scherr, R. E., Close, H. G., McKagan, S. B., Close, E. W., & Vokos, S. (2012). Representing Energy. II. Energy tracking representations. Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 8, 01–11.
  • Close, H. G., Close, E. W., & Donnelly, D. (2012). Nesting in graphical representations in physics. In S. Rebello, P. Engelhardt, & A. Churukian (Eds.). AIP Press.
  • Close, E. W., Close, H. G., & Donnelly, D. (2012). Understanding the learning assistant experience with physics identity. In S. Rebello, P. Engelhardt, & A. Churukian (Eds.). AIP Press.

2011

  • Close, H. G., & Heron, P. R. L. (2011). Student understanding of the angular momentum of classical particles. American Journal of Physics, 79(10), 1068–1078.
  • McKagan, S. B., Scherr, R. E., Close, E. W., & Close, H. G. (2011). Criteria for Creating and Categorizing Forms of Energy. In S. Rebello, C. Singh, & P. Engelhardt (Eds.). Melville, NY: AIP Press.
  • Close, E. W., Scherr, R. E., Close, H. G., & McKagan, S. B. (2011). Development of Proximal Formative Assessment Skills in Video-Based Teacher Professional Development. In S. Rebello, C. Singh, & P. Engelhardt (Eds.). Melville, NY: AIP Press.
  • Close, H. G., & Scherr, R. E. (2011). Differentiation of Energy Concepts Through Speech and Gesture in Interaction. In S. Rebello, C. Singh, & P. Engelhardt (Eds.). Melville, NY: AIP Press.
  • Harrer, B., Scherr, R. E., Wittmann, M., Frank, B., & Close, H. G. (2011). Elements of Proximal Formative Assessment in Learners’ Discourse About Energy. In S. Rebello, C. Singh, & P. Engelhardt (Eds.). Melville, NY: AIP Press.
  • Scherr, R. E., Close, H. G., & McKagan, S. B. (2011). Intuitive Ontologies for Energy in Physics. In S. Rebello, C. Singh, & P. Engelhardt (Eds.). Melville, NY: AIP Press.
  • Scherr, R. E., Close, H. G., & McKagan, S. B. (2011). Supporting Proximal Formative Assessment with Relational Discourse. In S. Rebello, C. Singh, & P. Engelhardt (Eds.). Melville, NY: AIP Press.

2010

  • Close, H. G., & Heron, P. R. L. (2010). Research as a guide for improving student learning: An example from momentum conservation. American Journal of Physics, 78(9), 961–696.
  • Kahle, E. C., Scherr, R. E., & Close, H. G. (2010). An evolving model for seeing colored objects; A case study progression. In C. Singh, M. Sabella, & S. Rebello (Eds.). Melville, NY: AIP Press.
  • Scherr, R. E., & Close, H. G. (2010). Transformative professional development: Cultivating concern with others’ thinking as the root of teacher identity.
  • Close, E. W., Close, H. G., McKagan, S. B., & Scherr, R. E. (2010). Energy in action: The construction of ideas in multiple modes. In C. Singh, M. Sabella, & S. Rebello (Eds.). Melville, NY: AIP Press.
  • Close, H. G., DeWater, L. S., Close, E. W., Scherr, R. E., & McKagan, S. B. (2010). Using the Algebra Project method to regiment discourse in an energy course for teachers. In C. Singh, M. Sabella, & S. Rebello (Eds.). Melville, NY: AIP Press.
  • Scherr, R. E., Close, H. G., McKagan, S. B., & Close, E. W. (2010). Energy Theater’: Using the body symbolically to understand energy. In C. Singh, M. Sabella, & S. Rebello (Eds.). Melville, NY: AIP Press.

2009

  • Sleigh Bells Swing. 2009.

2000

  • Panic Button. JumpStart. 2000.

1997

  • How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Ska. It Is What It Is Records. 1997.

1995

  • Ninety-Nine Paid. Pinche Gringo Records. 1995.
  • Echolalia. 2023.
  • Trombone section, soloist, Duke Ellington's "Nutcracker Suite", performed by Texas State University Jazz Ensemble. November 30, 2023 - Present.
    Performances:
    • Duke Ellington's "Nutcracker Suite". November 30, 2023 - Present Evans Auditorium, Texas State University.
  • Trombone section leader, soloist, Texas State Salsa Night - Orquesta del Río. November 30, 2023 - Present.
    Performances:
    • Texas State Salsa Night. November 30, 2023 - Present Railyard Bar & Grill, San Marcos, TX.
  • Trombone section, soloist, Texas State University Jazz Ensemble concert. November 8, 2023 - Present.
    Performances:
    • Texas State Jazz Ensemble. November 8, 2023 - Present Performing Arts Center Recital Hall, Texas State University.
  • Trombone section leader, soloist, Texas State Salsa Night - Orquesta del Río. November 3, 2023 - Present.
    Performances:
    • Texas State Salsa Night. November 3, 2023 - Present The Davenport, San Marcos, TX.
  • Trombone section, soloist, Texas State University Jazz Ensemble concert. October 20, 2023 - Present.
    Performances:
    • Texas Jazz Festival. October 20, 2023 - October 22, 2023 Heritage Park, Corpus Christi, TX.
  • Trombone section, soloist, Texas State University Jazz Ensemble concert. October 20, 2023 - Present.
    Performances:
    • Texas State University Jazz Ensemble. October 20, 2023 - Present Roy Miller High School, Corpus Christi, TX.
  • Trombone section, soloist, Texas State University Jazz Ensemble concert. October 10, 2023 - Present.
    Performances:
    • Texas State University Jazz Ensemble. October 10, 2023 - Present Parker Jazz Club, Austin, TX.
  • Trombone section leader, soloist, Texas State Salsa Night - Orquesta Del Río. October 6, 2023 - Present.
    Performances:
    • Texas State Salsa Night. October 6, 2023 - Present George's, Texas State University.
  • Trombone section, soloist, Texas State University Jazz Ensemble concert. September 25, 2023 - Present.
    Performances:
    • Texas State Jazz Ensemble. September 25, 2023 - Present Performing Arts Center Recital Hall, Texas State University.
  • Trombone section, soloist, Texas State University Jazz Lab Band concert. April 17, 2023 - Present.
    Performances:
    • Texas State Jazz Lab Band. Performing Arts Center Recital Hall, Texas State University.
  • Trombone section, soloist, Texas State University Jazz Lab Band concert. March 6, 2023 - Present.
    Performances:
    • Texas State Jazz Lab Band. Performing Arts Center Recital Hall, Texas State University.
  • Intergalactic Beach Party. 2022.