In 2002, a few years after retiring from playing and beginning to look for a new direction, I was approached by the Dean of The Boston Conservatory, who asked me if I was interested in the new Assistant Dean’s position there. We discussed it, but when I learned that the position was 12 months, I decided to withdraw my name, and hope for something that was more on a teacher’s schedule (9 months). Even back then, I knew I wanted to use my summers for artistic and relaxing pursuits. I just wasn’t quite sure what that would look like. A few months later, I was approached again, this time by the new Director of the Music Division at Boston Conservatory, Dr. Karl Paulnack. He asked if I’d be interested in the 9-month position of Assistant Director of the Division. I interviewed, and we hit it off great. He and I had a good run of 12 years together, and I think it’s fair to say that with the support of the upper administration, we reinvented the Music Division. The size of the department increased by 50%, and the quality increased by just over 980%. Ok, just kidding - you can’t really quantify that last one, but just ask anyone who was around in the late 90s how much things changed.
Over the years, as opportunities appeared at the school, I would raise my hand and get involved. I joined committees, taught classes that needed to be covered, volunteered for conducting opportunities – whatever – and created a position for myself that was custom made. As you might expect, after several years of this, I had taken on too many things. Luckily, the new merger with Berklee wouldn’t allow me to be administration AND faculty anymore, so I was able to shed the administrative piece, and become a full-time Professor of Music, markedly reducing my hourly load. 15 years after retiring from playing, I’ve landed in the ideal place. I continue to be grateful for all of the opportunities the school has given me over the years, including this transition to full-time faculty where I can directly impact the lives of young musicians. I know I’m going to really enjoy the opportunity to serve the students in this way.
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AuthorLawrence Isaacson is a conductor and educator based in Boston. Biography >> Archives
July 2018
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