To the editor:

Although I (along with the majority of "timid bookish parasites" in the music department) was perhaps justifiably upset with articles appearing in the latest Clarion, I would like to direct comments to only a few points from the editorial.

First of all, the issue of representing the Bethel community.  Just who is it that best represents Bethel cultural attitudes--the music department or the Clarion?  The music department stands for a type of cultural expression that has proven through the years to communicate most effectively to an enormously large number of people.  But does this type of music tell "where Bethel is at?"

The students are the school and the majority of students are not in the music department and for various reasons do not agree with its ideas or aesthetics.  For example, following the concert presented in chapel by the woodwind quintet from the St. Paul Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, I overheard a sophomore boy say, "Now, that was a waste of time.  I mean, they played good and everything, but it was just a waste."  It was generally agreed by both student and faculty in the music department that this same concert that was "a waste of time" to some was one of finest concerts we have had on campus.

It therefore appears that the music department does not reflect the cultural interest of Bethel students.  Unfortunately, the Clarion does.  If the music department is to fairly represent Bethel, maybe it would be advisable for tour groups to take along copies of the Clarion in order for prospective students to see both the music department and the real Bethel.

The editorial suggested to me that the writer felt that the music department was doing the school a gross disservice by sending choral and instrumental groups on tour.  Since these groups do not adequately say what Bethel is really like, the most obvious conclusion seems to be that all music tours should be discontinued.  Along with tours, maybe we should also drop the Festival of Christmas.  Of course, I am being somewhat facetious.

In talking with people who are not sufficiently acquainted with Bethel, I have found that many think of Bethel on two points.  One is the fanatical, out-of-it type of ultra-religious school.  On a return trip from California last Easter, I sat next to the assistant chaplain from a nearby college.  He expressed this type of knowledge of Bethel by derisively asking if Bethel was "still determined to save the world."  He seemed to think we have a school of fanatical "holy rollers."  I doubt if this is the image we really want.

On the positive side, many people know of Bethel only because of the Festival of Christmas.  Whether or not the various departments (including, of course, music) involved represent the real Bethel to those who come only because they have heard about the program is not an issue.  Festival of Christmas (as are music tours) is an effective means of witness to the outside world.

So we have both negative and positive images.  The latter being at least partly advanced by the music department.  (Incidentally, it is not the purpose of tours to recruit students.  That is merely an important by-product.)

Why did this issue ever come up anyway?  It seems as though it was brought out largely by members of the music faculty.  I am sure a good share of the student body feels it was done because the music faculty (and music students) feel they have all the answers and wish to impose their ideas upon everybody else.  Whether or not we musicians do or do not have all the answers is not as important as whether or not these answers are forced on others.  I am positive the issues were brought up because the faculty is concerned and wants each student to think it out for himself with fair advantage given to all sides.  I think I know the music faculty well enough to know this is true.  In a choral conducting class, Dr. Berglund once said that he did not want any student coming out of Bethel looking like a little Berglund or a little Whitinger or a little anybody else.  He was speaking specifically about style and technique in conducting, but more broadly, he was saying that we should think for ourselves and decide what is right for us and not accept anything just because somebody else thinks a particular way.  Now, isn't that the purpose of a college education?

Now for the real crux of this letter in my own thinking.  I was contacted some time ago by Dr. Berglund concerning the writing of music reviews for the Clarion and I agreed to do so.  Subsequently, the Clarion news editor talked to me and it was determined that I would attend a concert by the Minnesota Orchestra on October 31 and write a review for the next week's issue.  Now, following the statements found in the October 24 Clarion, I am questioning myself concerning the wisdom of working on the staff of a paper that is obviously not in close agreement with what I hold to be true.  Would I really be doing a service to the student body?  Or would I be working against myself, my musical beliefs, and the entire music department?  I am not sure that I know.

Jay Swisher '70