Personal Musings

It is impossible to reflect upon the activities of the past year without recalling the horrific events of September 11th. Although more than nine months have passed since the terror attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Western Pennsylvania, the images of that tragic day remain burned into our nation's consciousness. One of my most vivid recollections in the aftermath of the tragedy was the resumption of regular rehearsals with the Delaware Valley College Concert Band and Chorale. Predictably, each rehearsal started without focus, as if the musicians were questioning the relevance of their activity. "After all, how could music matter after what we as a nation had been through?" By the end of each rehearsal; however, nearly every person was grateful for the opportunity to immerse themselves into their music. It was as if their lives had been transformed temporarily by the beauty of the music.

Even before the attacks of September 11th, many Americans sought refuge from the pressures of our "winner-take-all world" by participating in the arts. Despite the tremendous benefits of new technologies, American culture has evolved into a dot-com digital culture, a social environment of constant stimulation. Telephone, television, VCR's fax machines, computers, the internet, e-mails, cell phones, beepers create a frenzied cacophony which prevents thoughtful reflection. In his commencement address to students at the University of Rochester, James Freedman, President Emeritus at Dartmouth College explained, "if we are to succeed in preserving our individuality against technological tyranny, we need to slow the tempo of our lives and extend the span of our attention. We need to emphasize a form of humane education that helps students to establish a rich interior life."

The arts can play an important role in this type of humane education. Just like protected wetlands and rainforests protect the ecosystem, the arts protect us from the excessive demands of our dot-com age. They provide an opportunity to explore the ideas and experiences of others as well as to challenge the foundations of our moral and ethical standards. In short, the arts allow us the opportunity to experience the rich spectrum of human emotions. They encourage us to look beyond the harsh realities of the present and seek a more fulfilling and hopeful future.

At Delaware Valley College, we are proud to present programs that enrich the lives of our students as well as community members. We thank you for your support over the past year and pledge our continuing support of the arts in the future.

Dr. Jack W. Schmidt