After 34 years in the Morris School District, Doug Rutan is hanging up his baton.
The Morristown High School music teacher has chosen to retire rather than accept a transfer to the Frelinghuysen Middle School. He will conduct the MHS symphonic band for the last time on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at 7 pm.
“I can’t think of a better class to go out with. My son’s in the band, and these are people I’ve know since they were in kindergarten,” said Rutan.Nearly 300 individuals signed a student’s petition earlier this month protesting the district’s planned transfer of Rutan to the middle school, where he began his career in the district.
Administration officials said a drop in high school students choosing music elective courses prompted the decision.
Rutan, former director of the MHS marching band, said he was flattered by the petition but did not oppose the transfer. He acknowledged some “serious soul searching” since his wife Allison passed away last year, and the pending transfer just caused him to rethink things some more.
“I was going to retire soon anyway,” said Rutan, who turns 62 this year.
Retirement makes financial sense, and will give him more time to help his daughter deal with health issues, said the Mt. Olive resident.
Students, alumni and parents, posting on Rutan’s Facebook page, thanked him for inspiring them.
“You’re a big part of my development as a musician and a person…. and my story is just one of thousands,” said Jason Didner.
“We are losing one of the greats,” said Kerri Lee Farrell.
MERRY TUBA CHRISTMAS
Rutan, a Gettysburg College graduate, started his teaching career in Mahwah 40 years ago. He spent 18 years at Frelinghuysen before coming to Morristown High School in 2001.
His ties to the high school run deep. He met his late wife there in the mid-1980s, when she was a student in the color guard. They remained friends for a decade after her graduation, he said, and then romance blossomed.
Rutan helped lead the marching band to a state championship in 1997. One of his proudest achievements, he said, was helping the marching band and color guard rebound from dwindling participation five years ago.
At that time, he said, the band was down to 25 students and the color guard had just one member. Now it’s around 90 and 25, respectively, he said.
A euphonium player, Rutan also helped bring a Merry Tuba Christmas to the historic Morristown Green in 2012. Rutan said he plans to keep that tradition going, along with assisting the marching band as a volunteer.
On Wednesday he’ll be sitting in on percussion for the wind ensemble, and on Thursday he’ll take a turn on trombone with the school orchestra. He’s hoping Wednesday’s farewell is a celebration.
“It’s kind of bittersweet in a way. It’s supposed to be about the seniors and the kids,” he said.
That kid connection is what Rutan said he will miss most.
“It’s about getting them to play at a higher level, and stressing the emotions of music,” he said.
“The bond that music teachers have with students is different than teachers in a lot of other disciplines. It’s a more emotional connection, probably, than with math.”
I’ve known Doug since he taught my daughters thirty years ago. He’s a dedicated teacher and all-around good person. He is leaving a tremendous legacy with the music students of the Morris School District and he will be missed.
Good luck in your retirement Doug!