Toni-Marie Montgomery, dean of Northwestern’s School of Music, decided to reopen the search for a director of the jazz studies program in Fall Quarter. Although three potentials applied to NU, Montgomery said the school had not found the right candidate.
The school conducted a nationwide search to find applicants. Montgomery said the position will be filled by Fall Quarter 2007 instead of 2006, as originally expected. She is in negotiations with music Profs. Dan Farris and Joel Spencer to remain in their interim positions as coordinators until the position can be filled.
The position opened when the former director Don Owens retired last year.
“We need a director whose expertise and talent matches that of the faculty we currently have,” Montgomery said. “We’re not willing to hire someone who does not meet those expectations.”
Montgomery wrote in an e-mail to students that she was impressed with the candidates’ abilities.
“Each of the individuals who visited in connection with the search had real strengths; and I was impressed by their musicianship,” she wrote. “As you will understand, we were looking for someone who had the rare combination of outstanding musicianship and the vision and talents necessary to lead and strengthen our jazz program.”
Montgomery also wrote that she made her decision to reopen the search after meeting with members of the search committee, which consists of several music professors including Chairman Michael Burritt. Members of the committee could not be reached by telephone Tuesday.
“I have met with the members of the search committee who have agreed to continue working to identify an individual who merits an appointment as a tenured senior faculty member in the School of Music,” Montgomery wrote.
She also wrote that her decision was partially based on a report by two nationally recognized experts who came to NU to provide their perspectives on the future of the jazz program at NU. Montgomery declined, through an e-mail to the Daily, to discuss the details of the report because the decision was a “personnel matter.”
The three candidates performed pieces, directed student jazz ensembles and met with students, faculty, the search committee and School of Music administrators as part of the search process, Montgomery said. The position would have been a tenure-track appointment at the rank of associate professor or professor, according to the job description. Responsibilities include providing leadership and vision for the program and possible courses.
Music sophomore Joshua Moshier, who plays jazz piano, said the program needs a director who will remain strong.
“I appreciate that they want to find the best person possible,” he said. “My concern is we need to bring in students. There are only three pianists (in the jazz program) right now, and one is graduating, so we will only have two next year.”
Moshier also said a director would help the program reform admissions and grow to make sure talented students are admitted into the program, which currently has 12 students.
Music and Weinberg sophomore Dan Friedman shared Moshier’s concerns. Friedman, who plays guitar and is in the jazz studies program, said he was saddened by the decision.
“It’s hurtful,” he said. “Every year that goes by, we will have fewer people coming in. (The program) is going to die off. You can’t keep up a jazz combo with fewer and fewer people.”
Reach Ketul Patel at [email protected].
