Graham Stewart spends most of his time representing about 188,000 Ohio University alumni.
When he finds time for himself, though, Stewart has achieved a reputation as an award-winning whistler.
I've always whistled ... it's just something I did to keep busy
said Stewart, who is the assistant vice president of Alumni Relations and executive director of the Alumni Association.
(When I had a paper route as a teenager) they called me 'the whistling paperboy' because they could always hear the paper coming he added.
Although he had been whistling since he was five, Stewart didn't realize his skill level until a friend showed him an article in 2004 about the International Whistlers Convention (IWC) in Louisburg, N.C.
The IWC, held every April since 1976, requires each contestant to whistle a classical and popular piece and to perform in a category called allied arts which means combining whistling with talents such as comedy, singing or playing an instrument. Each whistler is judged by his or her pitch, tone, musicality, song choice and accuracy. The competition usually lasts five days.
I really didn't take myself too seriously
Stewart said. I took it as 'this is a once in a lifetime
just for fun' thing.
When he heard about the competition, Stewart decided to invite his daughter Quenna Stewart, who was 13 at the time, to come with him. Despite having little preparation, both Stewart and Quenna Stewart took third and second, respectively, in their age divisions.
Quenna Stewart, who plans to attend OU this fall, said music always has been a part of her life. She plays the piano, cello, trombone and currently is teaching herself to play the guitar.
I'm really into music in general
and I believe whistling is a form of music
Quenna Stewart, now 17, said. My dad really likes it and it kind of rubbed off on me.
Even with a trophy, Stewart considers his whistling a hobby and something to entertain others.
For a lot of people
whistling is annoying because (some people aren't good at it)
so my goal is to be at least pleasing and use some variations and tempos and dynamics
and just be a little more musical with it
he said.
