Monday, August 16, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section C·Page 5
Veteran fine arts professor filling KU's dean vacancy
By Mindy Sigle
Kansan staff writer
Carole Ross, acting dean of the school of fine arts, sits between Murphy Hall and the Art and Design building. Ross came to the University of Kansas as a pianist and teacher. Photo by Roger Nomer/KANSAN
As she brings the round, animalprint eyeglasses to her face with strong, graceful fingers, you can see that Carole Ross uses her hands often.
"I wanted to take piano lessons at the age of 3," Ross said. "I never wanted to play anything else."
She has known what she wanted to do with those hands for a long time.
Ross did learn to play. Now, the Pennsylvania native is the acting dean of fine arts at the University of Kansas.
"Juillard was very competitive," she said. "But it was an opportunity to study with the best music teachers in the world and the most outstanding talent in the world."
After Juilliard, she attended the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and received a doctorate in musical arts.
Before working at the University, she taught at the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music, recorded a record for Capstone Records and performed with numerous orchestras.
Ross came to the KU as a visiting lecturer in 1970. In 1972, the University hired her as a full-time faculty member to teach piano in the department of music and dance.
"I really came to the University of Kansas to see the Midwest and had every expectation to return to the East Coast," Ross said. "But then I came to love it here."
In 1980, Ross was the director of graduate students in the school of fine arts. She has served as associate dean since 1983, except for one year when she served as acting associate vice chancellor for academic affairs.
July 1 was Ross' first day as acting dean of fine arts, following Peter Thompson's return to teaching in the department of art after 13 years as dean. Ross is expected to serve as acting dean for the 1999-2000 school year.
"It would be my preference that she stay in the job." Thompson said. "She would be a wonderful permanent dean."
Thompson has worked with Ross since she came to the University.
"Carole is extremely talented, intelligent and creative," he said. "It is hard to accomplish anything in the short time that she does have, but the school will be extremely well run. She knows the school better than everyone."
Because Ross had to make a quick transition to acting dean, she had to finish up her responsibilities as associate dean.
With her busy schedule, she does not have much free time; however, she did have time to travel to Singapore last year.
Academy of Fine Arts to teach piano.
Ross stayed 10 days, and, as a result of the trip, one of the students there is coming to the University. Ross will be teaching piano to one freshman, Tai-Tee Koh from Singapore, and two graduate students in the fall.
"The best times that I have had have been working with students." Ross said. "I love teaching and working with grad students."
Amber Heiserman, Lawrence junior, appreciates Ross' love for her students.
"She's really available to her students. She'll always give you great advice. She's always there for you, and, any questions that you have, she'll answer." Heiserman said.
Heiserman has known Ross for six years because her mother, Lynn Heiserman, is Ross' secretary.
In her new position, Ross has ambitions for the school.
"I want to move the school forward. I don't want to hold it in this transition period," Ross said.
Edited by Chad Bettes
Kansan staff writer
Derek Helms
Campanile bells toll for professor; concerts liven hill during semester
For 36 years, Albert Gerken has walked up the 70 steps of the Campanile to go to work. With a closed fist and active feet, Gerken presses the 53 maple keys and 27 foot pedals of the University of Kansas' carillon.
"There is really nothing else like it," Gerken said. "The carilion is such an interesting instrument."
In 1963, a professor from the University of Michigan called Gerken about a carillonneur opening at the University of Kansas.
A carillon is a musical instrument with bronze, cup-shaped bells arranged in chromatic series and played from a keyboard. Carillons a range of at least two octaves.
"The earillon is quite complex," said Gerken, professor of music and dance.
The carillon in the Campanile has 53 bells ranging in weight from 12 pounds to 7 tons. Gerken said that the carillon's keys are pushed down with a closed fist for added leverage.
Gerken began playing the carillon as a graduate student at the University of Michigan. He and a friend were majoring in organ with aspirations to work in churches.
"Initially, we decided to study the carillon because many churches have one," he said. "Then we were simply taken aback by the sound."
"Obviously with that kind of weight you need some mechanical assistance," Gerken said. The provided assistance makes the carillon entirely mechanical.
When Gerken took the job, his time was divided between teaching music theory and playing the carillon.
Now Gerken teaches only carilon students. He requires that students have prior experience in music. Each student spends one hour a day in the practice room in the Campanile, with much of the practice time devoted to preparing for recitals.
Carillon recitals are scheduled for 3 p.m. Sundays and 8 p.m. Wednesdays when classes are in session.
Gerken estimates that 75 percent of his work time is devoted to playing, although when the carillon is heard tolling the every fifteen minutes during the day, it is most likely an automatic program.
Mark Holmberg, associate professor of music and dance, was appointed assistant University
Albert Gerken, KU carillonneur strikes the wooden keys that play the bells in the Campanile. Gerken and others play concerts during the school year. Photos by Jamie Roper /KANSAN
carillonneur in 1976 after two years of study with Gerken.
"My interest in the instrument grew from listening to Professor Gerken play," Holmberg said. "He really encouraged me to take up the carillon."
As a member of The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America, Gerken also performs throughout the U.S. and Europe.
"I've played almost every major carillon in North America and Europe," he said.
Additionally, Gerken has published 60 or 70 pieces of carillon music, often adapted from other works.
Gerken said he still loves to play the Campanile's carillon.
"I would say our carillon is one of the top 5 in the country," he said.
- Edited by Mike Miller
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