Upon Retirement: Aaron Beck Reflects on 29 Years of Teaching Music
Several longtime professors retired from Lewis & Clark this year. Q&As with each retiree will be published in The Source throughout the summer. Check out the employee comings and goings archive for a full list of those who joined our community recently and those who said a fond farewell.
After 29 years, James W. Rogers Professor of Music and Director of Musicology Aaron Beck is retiring from Lewis & Clark.
In the following Q&A, Beck reflects on some of the joys of teaching, the excellent quality of Lewis & Clark students, and his plans for the future:
What was your path to Lewis & Clark?
I completed my PhD in historical musicology at Columbia University in 1993. That year, before defending my thesis, I went on the job market. I met Gil Seeley in Pittsburgh at a conference—he was doing interviews for the L&C job for a music historian. We had a wonderful conversation. I loved his enthusiasm, and he appreciated my interest in music, art, and literature. We shared a love for basketball. I applied and visited campus, it was magical. I remember the sound of the wind in the trees.
What was your favorite course(s) to teach?
My favorites were History of Western Music 1 and 2, Sound and Sense and teaching in the core. I also loved teaching Writing About Music, a course I designed when I first arrived at L&C.
What did you enjoy most about your work?
Teaching—the classroom. Helping students embrace life’s possibilities through learning about music. Going to hear student recitals. Mentoring students with the research in senior theses. I enjoyed seeing students thrive—in and out of the classroom—on the basketball courts and giving papers at conferences.
What changed the most during your time at the college? What remained constant?
I think what changed most for me is the lessening of the emphasis put on students’ international travel and experiences. When I first arrived—the L&C overseas programs were at the forefront of the students’ educational experiences. Students raved about their travels, and it was more a part of thinking about their four-year plans.
Constant: The excellent quality of the students. Not only are they academically gifted, L&C students are quality people. By this I mean they care about others, the environment, equality. Many students remain attached to the earth—to camping, hiking, paddling and being in nature and the opportunity to be in Oregon and the grounding that nature provides. This, I think, fosters humility—a favorite medieval virtue of mine at the base of the tree of virtues. I spent much time in NYC and did not have this. I have learned to understand nature’s privilege and its gifts.
What’s something people might not know about you?
I am an alpinist.
What is your favorite place on campus?
Evans classroom 0129. I taught there for 30 years. Many amazing discussions, sharing and music. It has a piano and a wonderful view of the woods. One day as I was teaching I noticed that students were glancing out the window—I stopped and said is everything okay? One pointed and said, “There is a Pileated woodpecker!”
What are you most proud of?
My teaching. I worked hard at it, perfected different techniques, took chances, and cared about my students.
What’s next for you?
I will keep writing, and making music. I hope to teach here and there. Travel to Italy. Hike in the Aosta Valley—Gressoney La Trinite, where I grew up. Spend time with my children. Spend time with LC alumni. Take care of my garden. Stay curious. Help others. Thank you, LC! Students, faculty, staff and alumni: You got this.
