Former students of Allan Hancock College’s longtime music department instructor Marcus Engelmann, wherever they are encountered, always remember the soft-spoken instructor in reverent tones—this writer included.
Generations of musicians have learned music theory, electronic music, or sound recording under the tutelage of Engelmann. He’s been at Allan Hancock College 30 years now, but alas, all great things must come to an end.
At Hancock’s Retirements and Recognitions Celebration on May 12, Engelmann was honored along with 14 other retirees. He was only one of three faculty members to receive a 30-year pin, and before he was presented with his retirement recognition, Hancock’s Interim Dean of Academic Affairs Margaret Lua spoke briefly about Englemann’s career and what he meant to so many.
“Dr. Engelmann’s students think he walks on water as both a professor and a mentor,” she said. “His colleagues feel the same way and have no idea how they will continue without him.”
It’s hard to imagine a Hancock College music department without Engelmann, as he forged a number of popular classes after his arrival in 1986.
The school offered a much more traditional selection of music classes, Engelmann explained, including orchestral arrangement and counterpoint. Part of why Engelmann was selected was to create the electronic music and sound recording technology classes that have now been in place for decades.
“There have been major changes over the years,” he said. “Our student body has changed gradually and their kind of background and musical education has changed.”
Engelmann presided over the sound recording technology classes during the digital boom, always staying on top of the newest technology. Magnetic tape may have been replaced by computer-based recording, but professional recording techniques never changed.
Hancock now offers a sound recording certification for students who complete enough of the requisite classes, thanks to Engelmann. Before he arrived, the only sound recording classes on offer were through Hancock’s film department.
“It was something that was just not there before, really,” he said. “It kind of feels like it was mine, so I feel proud that it’s been successful over the years. We’ve virtually never had a class let go because there were too few students.”
Many of Engelmann’s students were also familiar with the fact that he is a composer. At the request of this writer’s music theory class, he shared a graduate school recording of his orchestral work Earthrise. Just a few years ago, in February of 2013, the Santa Maria Philharmonic Orchestra gave a rousing live performance of the piece.
Engelmann said that when he moved to Santa Maria to teach at Hancock, he was hoping to find time for composing, but the schedule of a full-time teacher was taxing on his personal creative time. He does have a piece for choir and French horn solo that’s nearly completed, he said, that he hopes to premiere next year with the Allan Hancock College Singers and the college’s fine arts instructor David Passage, who also plays the French horn.
“The one thing I’m looking forward to, other than spending time with my wife, is getting time to compose,” he said. “I’ve loved teaching, fortunately, but a lot of the time and energy I hoped to put into composing I’ve had to put into other things.”
The 30 years Engelmann spent at Hancock was never wasted though, he explained, because of his involvement in the incredible community of people that teach, attend, and create in the fine arts department there.
“I’m certainly going to miss my colleagues, the faculty here has been wonderful,” he said. “It’s one of the reasons I stayed so long. When I first arrived here 30 years ago I really didn’t intend on staying for this length of time, but it’s been my colleagues and the students who have made this the special place it is, and I’ve always felt proud to be part of the fine arts faculty.”
Arts Editor Joe Payne actually met his wife Candice in Music Theory I, so Engelmann and his classes have a special place in both their hearts. Contact him at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in May 19-26, 2016.