Music Notes: September 21, 2025

by Chad Pittman, Music Ministry Leader

My undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree was an extremely fruitful and meaningful time for me. I studied at the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music, part of Baldwin Wallace University (formerly Baldwin-Wallace College) in Berea, OH, a suburb of Cleveland. The university is a private liberal arts institution. Many of the conservatory faculty are part of the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra and enjoy active performing careers.  The conservatory was founded by Albert Riemenschneider, a German-born musicologist who fled to the United States during the First World War. Notably, in order to save them from certain destruction, Riemenschneider traveled west with as many original J.S. Bach manuscripts as he could get his hands on. While scholars believe that many perished during the war, Riemenschneider’s effort preserved musical treasures that current students and scholars from around the world study and enjoy today.

During my undergraduate studies, I dipped my toe in as many experiences as I could: I studied organ extensively with a wonderful teacher, followed the intense Music Education curriculum, and served as a conducting apprentice for several conductors on the faculty, both choral and instrumental (orchestral and wind band). I especially enjoyed my experiences with the seasoned and long-term faculty members who had countless stories, experiences, and much wisdom to share. Each year, as part of the renowned Bach Festival in the spring, we sang one of the four major Bach works in its entirety, a priceless experience for a young student.

As I continue to introduce myself to our congregation, I will write about some of these experiences and look forward to sharing memories, stories, and similarities with folks in our own congregation.