From creating Yiddish operas to firefighting, from horseriding in Montana to fishing in Alaska, Harvard professors find interesting ways to spend their time away from the campus. No matter what their pastimes, one theme becomes clear: professors have lives too.

They lecture to us for two or three hours a week, hand out an assignment once in a while and grade tests if they have the time.

Some toil over test tubes in their laboratories. Others can be found perusing dusty volumes of ancient texts. Eventually, they all write lengthy tomes about their area of expertise.

But what are these Harvard professors really like? What occupies their time away from the campus?

Some enjoy kicking back and chilling to mellow jazz tunes. More athletic types can be found on the basketball court. You'll have a hard time locating the really adventurous types: they're frequently jet-setting around the world.

No matter what their pastimes, however, one theme becomes clear: professors have lives, too.

Music Makes the World Go 'Round

Like many people in today's high-strung society, a number of professors view music as a way to relax after a long day at work. A few select instructors even take an active role in creating melodies.

Professor of Geology Raymond Siever, who teaches Science A-37, "The Changing Surface of the Earth," says he plays an hour or two of piano before coming to work every day.

"I've been playing since I was seven years old. My mother made me practice when I wanted to play baseball," says Siever. "It was one of the nicest things she ever did for me."

Although he plays some jazz, Siever says that classical music is his real passion.

Siever, who last performed in a concert two decades ago with the Belmont Symphony Orchestra, says playing music and learning new pieces helps him to relax.

"I am constantly studying new things," says Siever, who just finished learning four Chopin preludes. "It has been a source of never-ending pleasure."

Assistant Professor of Music Graeme M. Boone, who teaches Literature and Arts B-71, "Jazz: An American Music," takes a more active role in his discipline after he leaves the classroom. Boone plays the guitar and banjo in a variety of different styles.

"I've played bluegrass, jazz and world music," Boone says. "I used to be in a punk band called 'The Wacked'--it was."