By Raychael Moseley / Managing Editor

Jeremy Wagner, Missouri Valley College’s Director of Choral Activities, will not be returning for the fall semester after college administrators decided not to renew his contract. As Wagner is the only teacher left in the music department, the move came as a surprise to many and has left people wondering what will happen to the music extracurriculars and classes. 

In a letter emailed to staff and faculty, President Joe Parisi stated that the college must take necessary steps toward securing the future of MVC. This included cuts from both staff and faculty, including Wagner. 

“I’m incredibly disappointed,” Wagner said. “I’ve given a lot of time and energy into this institution over the past three years. A student that has music as part of their education is a more well-rounded human as well as stronger academically. Music creates connection, unlike any other class that is offered on campus.”

Wagner emphasized that his situation is not a new one for arts programs at schools across the country.  

“This isn’t a new struggle, we are taught in our courses how to advocate for our program because we know that the first things to get cut are those arts programs,” he said. “Those that are in the programs and are studying to go into those fields also know that it creates more empathetic people.”

Wagner is deeply hurt not just for himself but for the students across the MVC campus as they won’t be able to sense that community in music anymore. 

“It is clear on campus how vital these programs are  because we have  those people in the arts in every aspect of it they can be, we have visual arts majors coming into choir or doing theatre and all of these things and they have no home now,” he said 

Student Azul Hernandez had aspirations of being a music major and took many of Wagner’s classes. 

“As a student in an Art major, with aspirations in a Bachelor’s degree and a career in music, Professor Wagner’s departure has a big impact on me.” she said. “Since I entered the school in 2023, my purpose was taking a major, or at least a minor in music but the school never had that program. Professor Wagner and his few classes were my only source of support and guidance that has kept my education in music growing and helped me pursue my goals. Professor Wagner has been also a person and teacher with whom I can trust and go to whenever I need help.”

Professor Wagner’s departure will significantly diminish my access to formal music education and practice, making it much more challenging for me to keep developing the skills and preparation necessary in music for my future career and professional goals in music.” She added.

Regarding the future of the Music department, Dr. Parisi said he is passionate about continuing these programs.

“It’s very odd to me that we don’t have a band or music program,” he said. “To me it’s not any different than football or wrestling or cheerleading. We have not sunsetted any programs here.”

Parisi went on to say that the college is trying to be strategic about where and when it commits resources.

“We are reinvesting and trying to evaluate using objective data to provide us with opportunities to reinvest  for the future sustainability of the college,” he said. “We want to enroll in theatre, dance, music. It’s on my agenda to get there, we’re just not there yet.” 

Wagner, however, said he doesn’t feel the commitment is there.

“It feels weird that there has been a running theme on campus of saying one thing and doing another,” he said. “This feels pretty similar in that vein.”

Wagner also added that MVC had a hiring freeze and then went on to hire new people, 

“They say there is a strict hiring freeze and then announce new coaches,” he said. “It’s a tough pill to swallow.” 

Wagner is unsure about his future plans and is currently looking for other jobs as they come up.