Alumni Spotlight: Oliver Chamberlain, Jr. '59, '64 MM

Oliver Chamberlain, Jr. is a self-employed researcher and writer with a vast musical background. Music has been his interest since elementary school. Upon high school graduation, he decided to pursue a Bachelor of Music degree in Double Bass Performance and Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting at NEC. Oliver shares, “I developed two major life skills at NEC: curiosity through my conducted research, and leadership through directing groups, such as the Alumni Chorus and my own early music ensemble, Aeolian Consort.” The skill of curiosity led Oliver to earn his Master of Fine Arts degree in Music History at Brandeis University, along with a Graduate Certificate in Musicology at the University of Michigan. The skill of leadership led him to obtain a sabbatical to study at American University in Washington, D.C. where he obtained his Master of Arts degree in Arts Management.

Oliver’s education led him to hold several administrative positions at Bowling Green State University from 1968 to 1986. In the College of Musical Arts, he was Chair of Music History and Co-Chair of the Department of Composition and History. From 1986 to 1996, Oliver next held the position of Executive Director of a new Center for the Arts at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. In 1995, he was elected President of New England Presenters and chaired the Annual Convention during his final year in Lowell. 

After he retired in 1996, Oliver was given the archive of Harold Caparn, landscape architect in New York City, who designed many of the gardens in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. This took Oliver in a new direction of researching, including his family background which resulted in the publication of a book in its second edition, A Clear Vision to Future Delight (2020), along with an official website. 

Oliver has remained connected to NEC since he graduated. He's participated as a mentor in the institution’s Mentor Program, which connects alumni with current students to provide guidance and support throughout their time at NEC. One of Oliver’s mentees received two Master of Music degrees from NEC and a PhD in Musicology at Indiana University, and now teaches at a college in Iowa and serves as a project manager for an audio equipment company. Oliver has also proudly founded his own scholarship at NEC, open to graduate students in Choral Conducting or Musicology. He now continues to research, write, and sing in a local choir.

Why did you choose NEC? 
I decided teaching music would be a realistic choice for me, so I enrolled in a college for teaching in New Jersey. Once there, I began playing in an orchestra nearby which was conducted by a graduate of NEC, and he recommended I apply to the institution. I chose to take the chance and was fortunate to have received a scholarship to begin my studies.

What have you been up to since graduating from NEC? What projects have you been working on? Do you have any goals you are looking to accomplish?
After graduating from NEC, I decided I wanted to integrate scholarship with performance. I chose to continue my education and received a teaching assistantship as the first Assistant Director of the Collegium Musicum at The University of Michigan. I went on to accept a position as faculty in Music History in the College of Musical Arts at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. I later became Chair of Music History and Co-Chair of the Department of Composition and History. One of my most proud accomplishments at Bowling Green was taking part in moving the School of Music from within the College of Education to an independent college within the university.

I spent a total of 18 years at Bowling Green before I became the Executive Director of the Center for the Arts at UMass Lowell. For the next 10 years in Lowell, I was responsible for selecting, contracting, promoting and presenting events by recognized touring artists and ensembles in music, dance, and theater. I brought in performers who were winners in the auditions of Young Concert Artists in New York. They presented exciting recitals and also gave inspiring masterclasses.

What are some of your favorite memories from your time at NEC?
Some of my favorite memories include my analysis class with Francis Judd Cooke ’74 hon. DM. I learned that Francis studied at the University of Edinburgh with Donald Francis Tovey, and became inspired to buy a series of books by Tovey because I wanted to approach musical analysis in the same way as I was learning from Francis.

Share a story about one of your favorite faculty or studio instructors.
I had the privilege of studying bass with Georges Moleux. He was a skilled instructor who could solfège my lessons from memory. I would sometimes have to ask him to be quiet during my lessons so I could hear my own playing. For example, I was once learning a new piece and he began to sing the piece over my playing. I had to ask him to please let me concentrate!

How have your NEC experiences shaped your artistic approach?
My conducting instructor, James Dixon, emphasized five key areas of focus for a successful performance: pay close attention to preparing the beat, the conducting gestures, the score, the overall work, and the performing force. These key areas have stuck with me throughout my career.

Share any other stories about what has inspired you at NEC and beyond.
The great artistry that NEC and Boston imbues has inspired me as a musician. Whether it was a performance at NEC, the BSO, or the Museum of Fine Arts, there was always creativity and talent surrounding me.

Do you have any advice for young musicians/current NEC students?
Always be open to learning new information and skills. It will help prepare you for any challenge you may encounter in your career. 

Learn More About Oliver:

Current Job: Self-Employed Writer & Researcher
Major: Double Bass Performance, Choral Conducting
Degree: Bachelor of Music, Master of Music
Class Year: 1959, 1964
Instrument: Double Bass

Website: www.haroldcaparn.com

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