CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – Saturday was the day the music died at Clarion University for some students, alumni, and faculty. For all intents and purposes, the proverbial “fat lady” sang at commencement services on Saturday, December 17, 2016.

The three remaining music majors graduated after a Workforce Plan in 2013 eliminated the Music Department and future music majors.  Existing majors at that time were assured that they would be able to complete their degree.

The three final music education majors in the photo above — Katie Kohlenberg, Andrew Ortega, and Jeremiah Dobo — have good feelings about Clarion and feel they received a great education that prepares them for life after graduation.

There still remain some questions and bitterness about the decision to eliminate the music program.

The second floor of the Marwick Boyd Fine Arts Building, former home of the Music Department, is described as the loneliest with so many empty offices and practice rooms vacant and only offering music and vocals from a once proud program.

“It was really rough for these students,” said Brent Register one of two music professors retained to serve general education requirement for music.

“Aside from the usual stress of university life, they completed a degree in which there seemed to be no external support system. They held their heads high and took care of business. I’m very proud of them.”

Register also has received multiple comments from music graduates reaching back for decades, as well as from the daughter of a now-deceased music faculty member, Rex Mitchell.

Students do have the opportunity to participate in musical ensembles, with Casey Teske, the other remaining music professor, serving as director of instrumental ensembles in addition to his general education musical duties.

Steve Johnson, a former music faculty member who now teaches in the mathematics  department, serves as director of choirs and the Marching Band.  All of the musical performance groups are now mostly comprised of students who were active in music during high school.  Some music ensembles were forced to hire student musicians from Mansfield and IUP to perform in annual concerts to augment the groups.

A bittersweet graduation

Bittersweet is a word used to describe what the last three graduates felt with graduation.

“Of course it was exciting to graduate, but at the same time, in the back of my head, I’m thinking, ‘this is it,’” said Jeremiah Dobo. “I student taught at North Clarion Elementary and some of the students there joked that my “species” (meaning music education majors at Clarion) were going to be extinct. I guess they’re kind of right. It’s really bittersweet.”

“As far as my Clarion experience was, I loved it. The faculty and people are fantastic. The program was a quality program. It was unfortunate that the University refused to invest in the program. There are so many great music teachers to come from this program, and I’m proud to have been a part of that legacy. I’m sad however, that my contribution to that legacy is being one of the last.”

The only complaint Dobo had was the workforce plan.

“Overall, I love Clarion. The only big complaint I ever had was the workforce plan that cut the music program. It never should have happened but as long as the current leadership is in charge, it won’t change. I suppose I am somewhat hopeful, even if it’s unlikely, that someday the Music Ed degree will be reintroduced. But, who knows if that will ever happen. I can hope though.”

Deep sadness and a weight on shoulders

“Graduating felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders,” said Andrew Ortega. “Even with that being said, I feel a deep sadness, and that weight will always be there. While in college, I loved my time as music major, but towards the end, I just wanted out the door.”

“I felt so alone, no one else coming into the major. Having only three students who were music majors truly made me feel as if my degree wouldn’t be worth it. But, with the help of the professors that were still there, as well as the professors who retired or had to leave, they all encouraged us to keep going.”

“I am happy that I am done; but, I am deeply saddened that we cannot mold young anxious mind into music educators anymore.”

Music Department never less than stellar

Katie Kohlenberg fought hard against the “moratorium” of Clarion’s music program.

“I started at Clarion University five years ago in the fall of 2011 as a music education major,” said Katie Kohlenberg. “I chose Clarion because of its wonderful reputation and accreditation for the music department and its music professors. My experiences within the department have never been less than stellar. The music professors have prepared us not only to be music teachers, but also to be excellent musicians, individuals of good character, how to network, the value of integrity and honesty, and the list goes on.”

“When I found out the music department was going on moratorium in the fall of 2013, meaning that we would not be able to take any more music majors into our department at Clarion, my heart was broken. My colleagues and I fought hard to keep our department, attending board meetings, and holding signs and petitions in the free speech area of our campus, along with the help of APSCUF. We even had shirts made saying Save Our Music.”

“These past few years have been rough not only on our music majors, but we could see it in our music professors as well.”