The official termination of the School of Music’s organ andchurch music degree programs was announced March 8 in a statementby University Provost Lawrence Dumas. But despite the decision,organ students have continued to express their discontent.
In a letter sent to administrators, fifth-year organ-performancedoctoral student Ross Updegraff decried the University’s decisionto end the program and the “painful” comments he said Music DeanToni-Marie Montgomery delivered at a meeting held for Musicstudents shortly before she announced her official recommendationto end the program.
Updegraff said at the meeting Montgomery discussed her reasonsfor ending the program, including the program’s decreasing level ofselectivity. He said he and the other students present felt thatthis discussion put their qualifications and talent intoquestion.
Updegraff sent copies of the letter to Dumas, Montgomery andUniversity President Henry Bienen on March 9.
In his letter, Updegraff said the administration’s handling ofthe program’s termination “has created wounds that are slow toheal,” and called for a “public apology.” He said none of theadministrators who received the letter responded.
School of Music officials could not be reached for commentMonday.
Updegraff’s complaints are the latest in a series of protestsfrom current students, alumni and music professionals — includingthe directors of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Operaof Chicago — who wrote e-mails and letters protesting Montgomery’srecommendation in January to end the organ program.
Dumas, NU’s chief academic officer, addressed the controversy ina written statement on March 8: “I am aware that this decision maydisappoint some people within and beyond the NorthwesternUniversity community. Nonetheless, I am confident that DeanMontgomery has given this matter the most careful consideration;and I commend her for her leadership in balancing the needs andpriorities of the school.”
Vice President for University Relations Alan Cubbage said theprovost took Montgomery’s recommendation as well as comments by theGeneral Faculty Committee into account when making hisdecision.
The General Faculty Committee is an elected body of staffmembers from across the university who “provide advice and counselto the provost,” Cubbage said.
Cubbage said the program’s cancellation is a “matter of usingthe resources in other areas.”
Montgomery cited declining enrollment and the departure ofDouglas Cleveland, the program’s only full-time professor, asreasons to end the program.
Students enrolled in the organ program will be allowed tocomplete their major, Cubbage said. Organ classes will continue tobe offered as electives. There are 11 students in the organprogram, 10 of whom will graduate this year.
James Thomasshower, executive director of the American Guild ofOrganists, said he thought the ending of NU’s program was “anunfortunate and ill-advised decision,” but he did not think itwould negatively impact the organ community as a whole.
The organ program, founded in 1895, is the School of Music’soldest program. It was established by School of Music founderChristopher Lutkin, an organist and choral director.
Although the program has experienced decline in recent years,Music senior Colin Lynch said Cleveland’s arrival in 1999 and theaddition of new classes signaled new growth.
“I think the dean is trying to portray the organ program as adying entity,” Lynch said. “It’s definitely something that’s aliveand in the process of growing and rebuilding itself.”
