Oberlin Portrait: David Boe

"I always wanted to be a teacher," says professor of organ David Boe. "I can't remember a time when I thought I wouldn't be teaching. I found when I was in school that I like the environment of a college and university and decided at that time to pursue a career in academia. Oberlin has been particularly rewarding as a place where students are very serious about what they're doing and we are well-equipped with facilities and faculty to carry out our mission as educators."

David Boe has been a member of the Conservatory family for almost 40 years. He joined the Oberlin organ faculty in 1962, was appointed associate dean in 1974 and acting dean in 1975. He served as dean of the conservatory for 15 years, from 1975 until 1990, when he returned to full-time teaching in 1990. In the spring semester of 1999, he was again asked to serve acting dean.

During his 15 years as dean, Boe was active as an officer in the National Association of Schools of Music, visiting more than 35 institutions nationwide as a consultant or evaluator. After his deanship Boe also filled two visiting professorships: one semester at Florida State, and another semester at Notre Dame.

"The administrative work was challenging and I enjoyed doing it," says Boe, "but I was eager to get back into full-time teaching. I've enjoyed both teaching and administration. It has provided me an opportunity to spend my entire career at an institution to which I am devoted and that I love, but with new challenges along the way.

"While I served as dean I missed the regular contact with students," he says. "It is very stimulating and rewarding to foster the development of students from the time they arrive to the time they leave.

Concurrent with his appointment at Oberlin, Boe is organist and director of music at First Lutheran Church in Lorain. He says of this role, "It is important for someone teaching organ and church music to be immersed in the practical side of the profession. You keep learning and developing as a musician in that setting. There are week-to-week challenges and its useful to convey that sense to students who are preparing for careers as organists."

Boe met his wife, Sigrid, while studying as a Fulbright scholar in Germany. "She was the daughter of the pastor at the church where I was studying with the organist," he says. He and his wife raised two sons in Oberlin. One is now a businessman, the other a professional violinist.

"Oberlin changes slowly," says Boe. "Even though almost the entire faculty has turned over since I came, there is a distinctive spirit at Oberlin where values have been in place a long time. Even outsiders associate those values with Oberlin. Which values? I believe this campus fosters the arts in a very intense and successful way. It also fosters an interest in social concerns. Oberlin students are talented and intelligent. The Oberlin spirit is fairly constant."

What is your first memory of music?
My mother was a singer. She sang children's songs to us at home. She was also a church choir director and, rather than getting a babysitter, she took me with her to rehearsals. I remember sitting through those rehearsals in my earliest memories.

When did you begin musical studies?
I began piano lessons at seven and organ at 13.

What inspired you to be a musician? What keeps you inspired on discouraging days?

My family situation inspired me to be a musician. My father was a pastor and mother was choir director. They needed an organist so I stepped naturally into that role. With so many talented students, faculty and great facilities at Oberlin, it's hard not to be continually inspired.

What is the most memorable performance you have ever seen and why?
My most memorable performance was when I saw Igor Stravinsky conduct "Symphony of Psalms" in Finney Chapel. The performance was pure magic--the musicians were so inspired they transcended even their own abilities.

If you could perform with one musician, living or dead, who would it be and what would you perform?
I would enjoy singing under Bach in his Thomanerchoir in a work like the "St. Matthew Passion," or B-minor mass.

If you could master another instrument, what would it be?
I would love to play the violin, but it's too late for that.

If you could not be a musician, what other profession would you choose? What profession would you definitely not choose?
I love the college and university setting, so I could probably be happy in some other teaching or administrative role within higher education. I would not want a profession that does not directly benefit the mind, health or well-being of another.

What do you listen to after a long day?
I can still enjoy a live performance after a long day. But I seldom listen to recorded music.

What do you like to read?
I read the New York Times, the Plain Dealer, professional journals and organ-related reading. I read spy novels when traveling.

Three words that describe you:
Fair, and open-minded.