Music instruction and performance opportunities at Heidelberg University are to look different in about three weeks.
Grant Cook III, associate professor of choral music and music history, accepted a position at University of Mount Union. He has directed the concert choir and Chamber Singers at Heidelberg, according to the school's website.
Greg Ramsdell, director of Heidelberg University-Community Chorus and assistant professor of choral music education, is to become director of choral activities when the new academic year starts July 1.
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PHOTO BY JILL GOSCHE
Grant Cook III, associate professor of choral music and music history, directs during Heidelberg University’s baccalaureate service last month.
"My new teaching responsibilities will include conducting the concert choir. I will begin teaching conducting," he said. "Those are responsibilities that Grant formerly performed."
Ramsdell said his new responsibilities are an opportunity for him to teach more in his area of expertise. He said he is looking forward to working to build the tradition of excellence he thinks already exists at Heidelberg.
"My main goal is to continue (the tradition of excellence) and to build upon it," he said.
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Ramsdell, who is completing his third year at Heidelberg, said he will be retaining some of his current responsibilities, such as teaching secondary choral methods and directing Singing Collegians.
Prior to Heidelberg, Ramsdell spent two years as an assistant professor of choral music education at University of Central Arkansas in Conway.
Ramsdell said he loves the Tiffin community and the way Heidelberg is a welcoming campus.
Family brought him to Heidelberg. Also, his high school choral music teacher is a Heidelberg graduate and pointed him to an advertisement about the job opening.
"I'm originally from Galion, Ohio, and my parents live in Galion. My wife is originally from Findlay, Ohio, so Tiffin was a nice halfway point between both of our hometowns," he said.
When the new academic year starts in about three weeks, the Department of Music will become the Heidelberg School of Music, according to information from Heidelberg. John Owen is to serve as director of the school, and Doug McConnell is to serve as director of music programming and music technology coordinator.
The business and education departments already have made the transition to schools, according to the information.
Cook could not be reached for comment.
