2000-2001 News ArchivesGreenville College Professor Chosen to Lead New National Music ProgramFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11/3/00 Following a nationwide search, the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities decided Greenville College's own Professor Warren Pettit is the man for the job. The CCCU has asked Pettit to be the founding director of its new Contemporary Music Program, and he has accepted. At the end of the spring 2001 semester, Pettit will end a 14-year tenure teaching music and directing the Contemporary Christian Music Program at Greenville College. The CCCU is an international alliance of more than 140 Christian colleges and universities in 15 countries worldwide. The new Contemporary Music Program joins nine other off-campus study programs offered by the CCCU. Each of these programs offers students an opportunity to join others with similar interests from all over the United States in a focused environment. Other programs include the China Studies Program, the Los Angeles Film Studies Center, the American Studies Program in Washington D.C. and more. Greenville's Academic Dean, Dr. Karen Longman, considers any of these "one semester microcosms" a great opportunity for students to take part in a concentrated, interdisciplinary program. Pettit plans to launch the Contemporary Music Program (CMP) as a type of "artist colony" providing 24 students per semester an opportunity to live and work in community with faculty members, experts in the field, and other students. Twelve students who are planning careers as vocalists, musicians, songwriters, recording artists, performers, producers, or recording engineers will join the Artist Track. The other 12 students will be on the Executive Track preparing for careers as artist managers, agents, record company executives, music publishers, concert promoters and entertainment industry entrepreneurs. As founding director, Pettit's responsibilities include finding a suitable location for the colony's campus (a decision he hopes to make by Christmas), choosing four other faculty members, and planning the remodeling of the facility. The completed campus will include rehearsal space for individuals and groups, a professional recording studio, a central meeting room/classroom, a media room and resource library, offices, a place for the students to live and several common areas. According to the CCCU, the mission of the program "is to prepare persons academically and creatively for potential careers in the mainstream music industry. The CMP seeks to develop artists and future music executives with a Christ-centered vision for music content, production and delivery." The new Contemporary Music Program will launch in the fall of 2001. During his 14 years at Greenville, Pettit shaped the college's Contemporary Christian Music major into one of the most popular programs on campus. According to senior Scott Beale, "Pettit makes things happen. He gets the gear and programs [the music students] need in order to develop skills that will make them competitive in their field." Courses he has taught include Digital Video, Media Symposium, Studio Recording, Media Technology, Music Business Survey, and Philosophy and Ethics of CCM. Just last year, Pettit headed up committees that designed two new cutting-edge, interdepartmental majors: Digital Media and Media Promotions. Classes in those new majors began this fall. Despite the exceptional opportunity Pettit has chosen to take advantage of, many students are sad to see him go. Many have also expressed concern over the future of the CCM program he has been such an integral part of over the last 14 years. "It's like Michael Jordan leaving the NBA!" exclaimed Beale when he heard of the decision. In response to these fears, Pettit claims, "It's flattering to think I'm the only one who can do this job, but it's simply not true. There are other people out there with the same abilities…" And he's sure Greenville will find one of those people willing to take the position. According to Dr. Longman, Pettit is currently working with two other music professors, Dr. Tom Stampfli and Dr. Michael Johnson, to draft a job description that will both cover Pettit's position and take into consideration the future direction and growth of the Music Department. Not only does this position provide an exciting opportunity for Pettit, it is a great honor for Greenville that he was chosen out of applicants from all over the country. Dr. Longman feels this will give the college's CCM program even more national prominence. For the next three years, Pettit will be "on leave" from Greenville but wants to stay as involved as the college will allow. He has already set up weekend seminars that will take place once per semester in Greenville. He also feels that Greenville College is currently set up as a great resource for students to participate in the new CCCU program, and he is excited about the prospect of seeing some Greenville students again in the fall. Dr. Longman says this will be a "win-win partnership" and plans continual access to Pettit as an excellent resource person. Greenville College is a four-year accredited Christian liberal arts school with more than 1,200 traditional undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree completion students. Founded in 1892 and affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, the college is located in Greenville, Illinois, 45 miles east of St. Louis. -- END -- Last updated: November
6, 2000 |