The search for a new music department chair is in progress and has been narrowed down to three final candidates after the previous chair, Craig Johnson, relocated to Chicago.

Although Johnson is no longer with the university, faculty and staff said that he earned respect in the many years that he spent with Otterbein.

Provost Victoria McGillin said that Johnson was long respected and honored.

Paul Eisenstein, the dean of the school of arts and sciences, said that Johnson was a faculty member at Otterbein for close to 30 years and served as chairperson of the music department for 12 years.

To temporarily fill the position while the search for a permanent chairperson is underway, Dennis Davenport, who is a professor in the music department, stepped in to be the interim chair on a one-year basis.

The search for the new chair is national, which is typical of all faculty positions, according to Eisenstein.

“Music is a pretty strong and flourishing program here at Otterbein … so this hire is important,” he said.

“We need to have a very diverse array. We need someone who can cover everything,” said McGillin.

She also said that the music department chair has very specific responsibilities, which include tasks like covering for sabbaticals and managing the large number of faculty adjuncts.

The three finalists include Daniel Monek, from Marietta College in Ohio, as well as Salil Sachdev, from Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts, and the current interim of the program, Davenport. All finalists are currently serving as chairpersons at their respective schools.

“Sometimes decisions can be difficult,” Eisenstein said. “Especially if the candidates are all well-qualified.”

The committee that will decide the new chairperson is composed of three faculty members: Karen Eckenroth, Gayle Walker and Michael Yonchak, professors in the music department. The committee also includes Conni Birri, who is the operations manager, and Jared Joseph, a junior music major at Otterbein.

Each finalist is invited to campus for an open forum and presentation to faculty and students.

They will also go to lunch with a group of eight or nine students. Additionally, the candidates met with Provost McGillin and Dean of University Programs Sarah Fatherly, both full-time and part-time faculty, and other departments including education, theater and business.

Emails were also sent out to the music department, including all faculty and the 190 music majors, which announce the presentations as well as provide links to an evaluation to receive feedback on each candidate.

“We try to be as inclusive as possible,” Eisenstein said.

Andrea Keil, a senior music major, said, “I’ve heard a lot about it. The department’s been very good at keeping students in the loop.”

A special committee is expected to make the decision within the month of March, and the new hire will become effective for the next academic year, beginning July 1.