Appendix II
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Thoughts from 25 Years as Chairman of the Music Department
By John S. Shows
When I was appointed the Chairman of the Music Department in 1981, I had no idea that I would continue in that position for the rest of my active Evangel career. As a result, in my earlier years in the office, I was perfectly content to maintain an efficiently running department. The truth is Mr. Leslie Stubbs, Dr. Jesse Peterson, and Dr. Joe Nicholson had established an impressive music curriculum, had amassed an outstanding and dedicated music faculty, and had created a solid reputation in Christian higher education. So, when I became chairman of the department, my assignment was to continue to build on the solid foundation … to oversee the continued maturation of the Music Department. One great advantage I enjoyed was the mentorship of Dr. Joe Nicholson, who was still serving as professor of music while I took the departmental reins.
There are four areas where noticeable progress has been made, or significant change has taken place since 1981.
Personnel
Historically Evangel has been served by the most highly qualified teacher/musicians available. Four of these outstanding persons terminated their employment during these years: Mrs. Edna Freeman Baker, Professor Emeritus (1984); Dr. Joe Nicholson, Professor Emeritus (1991); Dr. June Kean (untimely death in 1998); and Dr. Calvin Johansson, Professor Emeritus (2003).
Eight full-time faculty members have been hired since 1981, and all are still serving on the music faculty. They include: Sharon Wilkins (1984), Susan Smith (1984), Dr. Linda Ligate (1986), Dr. Larry Dissmore (1988), Dr. Michael Kolstad (1991), Jane Berg (1996), Dr. Greg Morris (1999), and Matthew Warner (2005).
Significant contributors to the operation of the Music Department were the outstanding ladies who worked in the Music Office as Office Manager … Carol Stair (part of 1981), Lois Bernet (1981-1996), and Tonya Thurman (1996- 2006). Lois Bernet, Tonya Thurman and now Jozette Ausbury (2001-2007) served with distinction as Office Receptionist during some of these years.
Curriculum
The Evangel Music Department was admitted to NASM as an associate member in 1970, gaining approval of the Bachelor of Music Education degree. For the past 35 years that degree has had that distinction. In response to alumni suggestions, prospective student requests, and music faculty research, other degree tracks were considered, structured, and presented to NASM for approval. The Bachelor of Music in Sacred Music (now Church Music) was approved in June of 1986; the Bachelor of Music in Performance in December, 1986; and the Bachelor of Arts in music in November, 1992.
Several changes have been made in the musical ensembles during this 25-year period. The joint orchestra maintained between Drury and Evangel was ended in 1982, in favor of the Evangel University Orchestra (sans Drury). The Concert Band transitioned into the Concert Orchestra in 1996, the Jazz Ensemble was added to the curriculum in 1996, the Opera Scenes Workshop in 1999, and the Guitar Ensemble in 2005.
Facilities
Perhaps the most significant occurrence in the past 25 years was the planning, design, and oversight of the construction of the Barnett Fine Arts Center. The entire Music Faculty spent hours and hours dreaming, gathering data, offering suggestions, and ultimately approving the working drawings of the new facility. I had the privilege of representing the department’s considerable interest in the total process. The result is a state-of-the-art facility that will be able to serve the needs of the Music Department well into the future. One of the most exciting events in our history was our moving into the Lawrence & Alletha Barnett Fine Arts Center in the late summer of 2002, and the dedication of the facility in October, 2002.
Music Scholarships
With the establishment of the Kay (Daniels) Harrison Music Scholarship in 1976, the Evangel Music Department had its 1st endowed music scholarship. One of my goals during my years as chairman has been to see the endowed account for music scholarships grow to a million dollars. At the beginning of the 2005-2006 academic year, the Music Department had 36 endowed music scholarships with the account totaling $757,426.82. In addition, Music Performance scholarship monies and Academic Department scholarship monies have grown to over $200,000 annually. Also, an endowed account of $31,093.27 has been set aside for band instrument purchases and an endowed account of $43,188.95 insures a guest organ recital annually.
Writers Note: Just prior to Mr. Shows’ retirement in May, 2007, his goal for music endowments to reach at least One Million Dollars was surpassed!
JMN