February 12, 2004

School of Music announces it will close degree programs in organ

The School of Music has announced that it will close its degree programs in organ.

“This decision came after thorough review of the program and consultation with the elected School of Music Faculty Executive Committee,” said Dean Toni-Marie Montgomery.

“This recommendation was based on the combination of low demand, the fact that the one faculty member who teaches organ music on a full-time basis will be leaving Northwest-ern this year, assessment of the likelihood of the organ program’s achieving recognized excellence, and the need to allocate the school’s resources wisely.”

There currently are 11 students majoring in organ in all levels — undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral — representing less than 1 percent of the students enrolled in the School of Music. Enrollment in organ has been declining at Northwestern for the past decade, mirroring a national trend.

Montgomery said that it is important to note that all organ majors will be able to finish in the degree program in which they are currently enrolled provided they make normal progress to their degree. The school will honor its responsibility to provide enrolled students the courses and instruction necessary to complete their degrees. In addition, the music school will continue to offer instruction in organ for students who wish to study on a non-degree basis.

“We are mindful of the tradition of organ at the Northwest-ern School of Music, which is why we have given this decision a great deal of thought,” Montgomery said. “The School of Music is one of the top musical institutions in the country. We can maintain — and improve upon — that level of excellence by focusing our efforts and our resources in those areas where we are strongest and that are central to our mission.”

Given national enrollment trends in organ study and the specific issues Northwestern faces, it is unlikely that Northwestern would be able to sustain a high-quality program, she said.