The College of Arts and Sciences has decided to sustain its bachelor’s degree in music and preserve affiliated tenure-track positions, according to faculty and Interim Arts and Sciences Dean Donald Brennan, Ph.D.
Last October, the College of Arts and Sciences, under Brennan’s baton, announced it was considering the elimination of its bachelor’s degree in music. As the semester ended, however, the college decided to retain the major and all three of its tenure-track faculty lines.
“I want to make it clear that a decision to eliminate the music major had never been made,” Brennan said. “I met with the music faculty before Christmas . and began an initial conversation with them on how we can all work together to further develop the program and the major.”
In order to re-evaluate the major’s role at Saint Louis University, Brennan requested a report from the music faculty. The music department delivered this report on Nov. 17, 2006 and described the importance of the major, as well as the feasibility of continuing a high quality program with its current resources. It also listed strategies to increase recruitment and visibility of the music program on campus.
“Apparently, the report was convincing,” said music professor Robert L. Hughes, Ph.D. “In our discussions with him, Dean Brennan seemed to be genuinely excited about the future role of the music program in the life of the College of Arts and Sciences and the University . as far as I know, we’re here for the long term.”
In a letter distributed in early October 2006, music professor Pamela Dees, Ph.D., suspected that the small program size and financial concerns caused the college to question whether the program should continue. “It evidently is all driven by budget considerations,” Dees said at the time.
SLU operates a relatively small music program, with approximately 20 undergraduates and three tenure-track faculty members. In contrast, the University of Missouri-Columbia retains 225 music majors and 35 faculty members.
Some students see the program’s diminutive size as a boon. Senior pre-med and music major Carrie Neill said, “It may be small, but the program is really close-knit, and the professors do a great job at making sure every student gets the best educational experience possible.”
Arts and Sciences administrators, faculty and students acknowledge a need for continued growth of the music program. Many agree the responsibility for that growth lies with students themselves.
“We’re not completely out of the woods yet, and students are key in making or breaking the music major,” said Andrea Hibbeler, a piano performance and entrepreneurship double major.
Hughes encourages interested students, faculty and staff to take an active role in the arts by attending SLU ensemble performances, theater performances and student recitals. He also recommends that music minors, non-majors and faculty take classes and lessons from the department; many lessons are taught by SLU faculty or members of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra.
“Saint Louis is a rich musical community,” said 2006 SLU music alumna Rachel Lehenbauer. “It is so important for liberal arts schools to take a stand in fostering and encouraging the study of music . Without the music major, SLU would lose some very talented and intelligent students and musicians.”
“Come to us, let us know who [you] are. Don’t wait for us to invite you,” Hughes said. “A liberal arts education is why students come to SLU, and music is part of the liberal arts puzzle.”
