The music faculty of Lawrence University is a central part of the school’s Conservatory. It is a diverse group of professional musicians, scholars and pedagogues. Unfortunately, quite a few faculty members will be retiring at the end of the 2023–2024 academic year. Each has made an immense impact on generations of students and will be sorely missed.
Associate Professor of Music David Bell has been teaching clarinet since 2009. Bell brought an immense background in performance to his position, being featured in last winter’s Wind Ensemble concert for Artie Shaw’s “Concerto for Clarinet.” Junior Tucker Hall-Klingensmith fondly recalled Bell “walking onstage like a marionette” for the performance.
The theory department says goodbye to Associate Professor of Music Gene Beringer, who has taught at Lawrence since 1995. Biringer brought a high level of expertise in music theory, having been trained by two luminaries in the field, Allen Forte and David Lewin.
Aside from teaching the theory sequence, Biringer also taught upper-level classes in Schenkerian Analysis, Renaissance Counterpoint, Minimalism and Beyond, Contemporary American Opera since 1976 and Music and Mystical Experience. Sophomore Grace Hitchens fondly recalled Biringer bringing pastries and sparkling water to her final Theory and Analysis 3 class with him.
Instructor of Music Donna DiBella has taught at Lawrence since 1996. In that time, she gave sight-singing classes to hundreds of music students, becoming an iconic figure to the Conservatory. She is well known for her optimistic and enthusiastic demeanor, offering a genuinely positive learning experience. DiBella supplied the classroom with a vast repertoire to engage with. Among these were her own compositions and arrangements, including both catchy and intricate tunes. She uploaded many of these to the Choral Public Domain Library, where they are free for anyone to download.
Instructor of Music and Teacher of Tuba Marty D. Erickson has instructed at Lawrence since 2002. A veteran performer and pedagogue, his previous positions span numerous institutions and ensembles throughout the country, including the United States Navy Band.
First-year Sam Uelmen recalled that her lessons often included listening to CDs with Erickson—a unique approach to musical instruction. Uelman furthered emphasized his humor and that he was “always at concerts to support us and talk to us afterwards.”
Professor of Music and Teacher of Saxophone Steven Jordheim has taught since 1981—over four decades! Jordheim is well known for his outstanding pedagogical abilities, with students often remarking that a few lessons with him had been more impactful than years of previous lessons.
Senior Luis Trejo commented that “Professor Jordheim is a remarkable saxophone teacher, academic advisor and life mentor. I am beyond grateful for my time under his instruction.”
Lecturer of Music and Teacher of Flute Suzanne Jordheim has been at Lawrence since 1993. Aside from individual flute lessons, she also directed Flute Ensemble and taught music education classes. Her knowledge of Baroque music is particularly valued by her students.
Sophomore Sarah Pedlar commented that she loved “seeing Mrs. Jordheim’s appreciation for the beautiful and adorable things in life […] Her constant joy in even the small things always inspires me to appreciate every little thing I can.” Pedlar explained that “it’s a thing about her that stands out to me, and I know it does to a lot of her other students as well.”
Instructor Carl A. Rath, a Lawrence alumnus himself, first taught at LU from 1978 to 1981. He returned to the university in 2012 and has been a bassoon instructor ever since. In addition, Rath has taught classes on popular music as well as both directing and arranging music for the Viking Bassoon Ensemble.
Like Bell, Rath was also in last winter’s Wind Ensemble concert, playing the “Guignol” bassoon concerto by Stephen Michael Gryc under Associate Dean of the Conservatory, Kimberly-Clark Professor of Music and Director of Bands Andrew Mast’s baton. The performance demonstrated his complete mastery of the instrument, with moments of genuine excitement, gentle restraint and hushed lyricism.
Sophomore Tara Maycroft emphasized Rath’s caring demeanor. They recalled that for their final lesson of their first year, the two chatted at Seth’s Coffee shop, where Rath checked in on their wellbeing.