ISSUED: 8 October 2014
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — The Shepherd University Department of Music is dedicating one of its classrooms to the late Dr. James Pantle, who taught for 36 years at Shepherd and coordinated the music education program. Room 125 in the Frank Center will be dedicated on Friday, October 31, at 5 p.m., following the university’s Founder’s Day Celebration.
The dedication will include a ceremony unveiling a bronze memorial plaque. There will be remarks and remembrances from Shepherd University President Dr. Suzanne Shipley, colleagues, and friends, followed by light refreshments.
In addition to teaching at Shepherd, Pantle served in several capacities in the collegiate chapters of the West Virginia Music Educators Association in the 1980s and 1990s. He also helped found the Millbrook Orchestra, which was based at Shepherd for 22 years.
Some of Pantle’s colleagues have shared remembrances , including his successor Dr. David Gonzol, associate professor and director of music education.
“How can I ever forget James Pantle’s kindness to me when I became his replacement in 2005? He gave to me so much of his material and books, with some 19th-century publications, including an 1891 copy of Luther Whiting Mason’s ‘The New First Grade Music Reader: Preparatory to Sight-Singing Based Largely Upon C. H. Hohmann’—a bibliographic treasure,” Gonzol said. “He also gave me a completely free hand, giving advice when I asked, as well as complete confidence in me that I would do the job well in my own way. How grateful I remain.”
The music department is putting together a photographic tribute and is asking anyone who has photos of Pantle they would like to share to send them electronically to Dr. Robert Tudor at rtudor@shepherd.edu.
Tax-deductible contributions are also being accepted by the Shepherd University Foundation for the newly established Dr. James Pantle Music Education Scholarship. Checks can be mailed to the Foundation at P.O. Box 5000, Shepherdstown, West Virginia, 25443-5000. Please write “Pantle Music Education Scholarship” in the memo line.
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