Genesis director will retire after 24 years on the job

Genesis director and vocal instructor Dave Barduhn announced his retirement April 12, effective Aug. 31.

“I told the students first and then I put it up online (on Facebook),” said Barduhn.

Within hours, he said he had hundreds of responses from former students and colleagues who were “shocked, amazed and grateful all at the same time.”
Barduhn has been directing vocal jazz group Genesis for 24 years of the group’s 45 year existence and said in a post on the Genesis Facebook page that his retirement is the swan song for the group, whose last performance is scheduled for June.

Barduhn is in his thirtieth year of teaching and will turn 58-years-old in June, saying that those are “magic” numbers in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).

“In reality with my PERS pension and sticking around and teaching two classes I’ll actually end up taking home more money than I am now. So there is the mechanics and the math of the whole thing,” Barduhn said about why he is retiring.

“But in reality,” he added, “the vision of the college does not match my vision anymore. The support that the performing groups, specifically the jazz band and Genesis, that sort of thing, that used to be so special here does not exist anymore. It has been one challenge after another… Jazz on this campus has been shown the door.”

“We’re going out on a very strong year and I want the program to stay with that reputation,” said Barduhn, admitting that it is “probably mostly” his doing that is bringing Genesis to an end.

“My suggestion is that if or when they replace me they hire a concert choir specialist, which in reality will go in line a lot more with what the local district’s high schools do,” said Barduhn. “The idea is that we’ll refocus into trying to make the chamber choir to be the showcase group, at least that’s the suggestion I’m making. Whether or not they follow through on it is up to (the administration).”

There have not been talks about a replacement for Barduhn as of yet. There has been no time as a department to “regroup,” said Dean of Integrated Media, Performing and Visual Arts Janet McIntyre.

McIntyre would like to “invigorate” the program to bring students from the community to the performing arts department by “pursuing close relationships with high schools in the district and community members.” “My hope is that we can take a step back and look at a direction that the community, students and faculty feel can provide the most robust and meaningful curriculum,” said McIntyre.

“On Saturday we held our annual college festival and there were nine colleges there, all amazing groups, all did small tributes to the students and myself and when we performed at the end of the day there was a 5 minute standing ovation. That speaks volumes. I know what impact Genesis has had and I know what impact I have made with my students. I feel very strong about choosing this time to go out,” said Barduhn.

McIntyre said, “I’m grateful to what he gave to the college all these years. He should be commended for his long-time service.”

The last on-campus performance for Genesis will be May 18 and 19 as part of the 45th annual NW Vocal Jazz Festival.