{"id":24569,"date":"2024-12-05T00:22:17","date_gmt":"2024-12-05T07:22:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/a-loss-to-the-music-community-san-juan-college-music-director-resigns\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T22:56:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T04:56:07","slug":"a-loss-to-the-music-community-san-juan-college-music-director-resigns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/a-loss-to-the-music-community-san-juan-college-music-director-resigns\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018A loss to the music community\u2019: San Juan College music director resigns"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Teun
Teun B. Fetz conducted the San Juan College Symphonic Band during their performance at Henderson Art Center in Farmington\u00a0on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. (Crystal Shelton\/Special to Tri-City Record)<\/span>Crystal Shelton<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

The stage was set. Musicians prepared. Then without a word, the concert was canceled, and the conductor was nowhere to be seen.<\/p>\n

In a Nov. 19 news release, San Juan College announced the cancellation of the concert scheduled for before Thanksgiving break. There would be no mention of the dismissal of Teun Fetz, conductor and director of instrumental music.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Teun Fetz has resigned his position as associate professor of music with San Juan College. The college cannot provide further comment, as it is a personnel matter,\u201d said college Executive Vice President Edward DesPlas in a statement sent to Tri-City Record<\/em> on Nov. 26.<\/p>\n

At Monday\u2019s largely attended board meeting, Nicholle Liessman with the faculty association gave a monthly update with emphasis on the resignation.<\/p>\n

Liessman said she was not informed by administration of the resignation and read the news in a Tri-City Record<\/em> article published Nov. 20.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to specifically address the lack of communication and guidance from those in a position of leadership,\u201d she said. \u201cI had no idea that my co-pilot for faculty association was not even in the same plane as I was anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

Liessman\u2019s colleagues also found out through social media, while others were informed in committee meetings, she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOthers found out when students came to them in panic, asking for guidance,\u201d she said. \u201cI repeat, they came to us in panic.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Nicholle
Nicholle Liessman, a member of the faculty association, reads the monthly update that included the resignation of music department director Teun Fetz, at the San Juan College Board meeting Monday. (Alx Lee\/Tri-City Record)<\/span>Alx Lee<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Liessman asked the board how faculty members could assist students when they are also unaware of the situation.<\/p>\n

Some students found out about the cancellation through email only to learn of the rescheduled date with no answers to their questions about Fetz, Liessman said.<\/p>\n

\u201cCommunity members have also reached out to various staff and faculty seeking clarity,\u201d she said. \u201cI do hope we learn from this unfortunate experience, because I hope that our goal here is to make students less stressed about any class or campus experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

SJC did not answer additional questions from Tri-City Record<\/em> about the resignation; however, Sherry Curry, public relations coordinator, did confirm Sheldon Pickering as the guest conductor for the remainder of the fall season of performances.<\/p>\n

In a collection of statements from those in music ensembles, a student disclosed how rehearsal was handled after the cancellation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a refreshment table set up, and two lower-level administrators gave us a brief statement on the matter, then asked if we had any questions,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n

When the administrators were asked what happened, the response was that it was a confidential personnel matter.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe administrators admitted the (importunate) situation had been handled less than ideally,\u201d the student said. \u201cThey were not well versed and had no substantial new information to provide. I felt like they were being used to deflect upper-level responsibility. In any event, we thanked them for being there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Teresita
Teresita Heinen, African Drumming Group student, speaks Monday during the San Juan College board meeting about the resignation of music department director Teun Fetz. (Alx Lee\/Tri-City Record)<\/span>Alx Lee<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>
Student voices<\/div>\n

During citizen comment, two students spoke of Fetz\u2019s character and time at SJC.<\/p>\n

Stephanie Lewis plays flute with the symphonic band while also taking part in other ensembles since 2018.<\/p>\n

Fetz holds musicians to a high standard, and considers everyone as professional with an encouraging and considerate demeanor, she said. His influence has spanned farther than the walls of SJC, Lewis said, as many professional musicians and music educators give their time to the ensembles.<\/p>\n

Lewis said the ensembles, which involve more than 100 students, were left with no consideration by the administration.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that as Dr. Fetz has tried to expand the music department, he has hit many walls,\u201d she said. \u201cSJC now has a stain on its good name.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Stephanie
Stephanie Lewis, San Juan College symphonic band member, spoke during a public comment period about former conductor Teun Fetz on Monday at the San Juan College board meeting. (Alx Lee\/Tri-City Record)<\/span>Alx Lee<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Stephanie
Stephanie Lewis, San Juan College symphonic band member, gives board members a copy of her statement and the collection of student statements at the board meeting Monday. (Alx Lee\/Tri-City Record)<\/span>Alx Lee<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

After her statement, Lewis handed board members the collection of students\u2019 written statements that also spoke to Fetz\u2019s character and tenure.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a member of the San Juan College for over 10 years, he has become a pillar of the community in San Juan County,\u201d said Melvin Larson.<\/p>\n

Larson mentioned the allegations of Eddy Rawlinson, dean of School of Humanities, which have resulted in friction between faculty.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my view, SJC has a black eye over this current incident, and keeping Dean Rawlinson is asking for a second black eye,\u201d Larson said.<\/p>\n

Other students wrote their frustration with the disregard to the musicians.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis action also demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the role of the college\u2019s music programs in the community,\u201d said violinist Joyce Kaferle.<\/p>\n

A lack of consideration from administration in rescheduling the date without input from the ensemble was another point mentioned by a student.<\/p>\n

Teresita Heinen, African Drumming Group member, was the second student to speak during citizen comment. She read from a collective statement of the group.<\/p>\n

Their statement touched on the cultural enrichment, community building, and educational value and impact.<\/p>\n

The ensemble has reached farther than SJC, according to the statement, with performances at local schools, churches, events and centers.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Fetz\u2019s approachable and trustworthy nature fosters meaningful connections with those around him,\u201d the statement said. \u201cLosing a valuable teacher is not just the departure of an individual \u2013 it is the loss of an invaluable asset to the educational ecosystem.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fetz did not respond to attempts for comment made by Tri-City Record.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Teun
Teun Fetz, former San Juan College conductor and director of music, has resigned form his position as associate professor and director of instrumental music. (File)<\/span>Crystal Shelton<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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