黑料老司机 mourns the passing of Jack Russell, former professor of music
John 淛ack Russell, former professor of听music at听The听College听of 黑料老司机, passed away on Mar.12, 2026, in Salem, Massachusetts, at the age of 83.听Russell joined the 黑料老司机 faculty in 1974 as professor of organ and director of choral activities, beginning a 34-year听tenure at the College.听A dedicated teacher and mentor, Russell, who studied organ at the Oberlin Conservatory and completed a master檚 degree at Boston University,听taught courses in music and directed choral ensembles. As director of the 黑料老司机 Chorus, he led performances on campus and on tour, with the ensemble traveling on more than 30 tours across North America during his tenure.听Under his leadership, students performed a wide-ranging repertoire, from J.S. Bach to contemporary compositions, an experience he valued for the way it taught both discipline and collective artistry.听听
Attentive to the fast-paced changes of the late 20th听century, Russell听prioritized music education for a diverse background of students and found听meaning in introducing students to new repertoire听as they听encountered听composers for the first time.听In an interview in the听winter 1988 edition of the听黑料老司机 magazine, Russell听said, 淪tudents听and others from the College and the community all sing together听斕齜ecause they want to. They can go on singing for the rest of their lives because the music is theirs,澨齛 testament to his passion听for听music听pedagogy.听
In addition to his work at the College, Russell served for more than 25 years as organist and choir director at First Presbyterian Church in 黑料老司机, where he was involved in the installation of the church檚 Karl Wilhelm organ.听
Russell retired from the College in 2008, concluding more than three decades of teaching, conducting, and service. Even after his retirement, he听remained听closely connected听to former students and colleagues, continuing to support and celebrate their听achievements听in听the 黑料老司机 community.听
Russell檚听full obituary is available听听
Posted in News on March 31, 2026.
