Music students have objected to the decision made by the Department of Music to not renew the contract of Eric Benjamin, director of Instrumental Ensembles and lecturer in Music.
Benjamin currently teaches a class in Musical Theory and is the conductor of the Mount Holyoke Symphony Orchestra. While contract positions are renewed on a three-year term, Benjamin’s contract was extended for a year due to internal reasons within the Music department. However, his contract has not been renewed for the next academic year.
“The Department will continue to support the orchestra by dedicating a portion of our restricted funds for the budget, and the College is committed to supporting the Director of Orchestra position, so it is our hope that current students will remain in the orchestra and new students will join in the fall,” said Linda Laderach, professor of Music and chair.
She added, “We are grateful for the years, the service and the energy Eric has given to the orchestra, and we extend all good wishes for his future.” However, she stated that college policy did not permit her to discuss any faculty member’s personnel record.
Laderach informed the Orchestra in an email on April 8. “On behalf of the music department, I must tell you that Eric Benjamin will not be returning next year. We are in the midst of arranging for an interim director for the year and will conduct a full national search during 2010-11 to find a permanent director,” she wrote.
A number of students are disappointed with the Music department’s decision.
“I’m sad. He was one of the first people I met…I find a kindred spirit in him. He is an amazing, fantastic person,” said Hannah Blackmer ’12.
Skylar Robinson ’13 agreed. “I just got to know a new conductor,” she said, adding that she “didn’t see any problems personally.”
“I’m really upset, I liked his style and his music choice. I’ll miss his interest and enthusiasm,” Alexandra Molnar ’13 concurred.
“I’m surprised. He’s a very good conductor,” said Zenya Molnar ’13. “Everyone I’ve talked to shares my view.”
“Everybody I’ve spoken to is disappointed and a couple of us have discussed the issue and we’re trying to write some letters just to express our disappointment to the department. We love the department. The people are wonderful to us but we just want let them know that we feel like they’re making a mistake,” said Barbara McAlister ’11, who is in Benjamin’s Musical Theory class.
Contracts are renewed on the basis of student evaluations and in class observations.
“If their criteria is based on how students respond to the professor I would hope they would change their mind…I feel like as a teacher he absolutely matches up,” said McAlister.
This Sunday, Eric Benjamin will conduct the Orchestra for his last time on the podium at Mount Holyoke. According to Laderach, The program includes “Miles After Miles,” a new work by Five College 40th Anniversary Professor Dan Warner of Hampshire College, “Three Pieces for Blues Band and Orchestra” featuring blues harmonisist, Annie Raimes, and pianist Mark Gionfriddo, “Four on the Floor” and the premier of “The Girl and Her Balloon” by Mount Holyoke Sarah Mauro ’10.
Eric Benjamin declined to comment.
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