Trudy Faber Concludes Four-Decade Teaching Career

For 43 years, Trudy Faber, professor of music, delighted audiences with her annual spring recital at Weaver Chapel. Her passion for music clearly displayed itself even more March 28 as she played the organ keys for the final time as a full-time faculty member.

For this recital, she performed some pieces she has played before, including “Litanies” by Jehan Alain, which she performed at her first recital at Weaver Chapel in 1967. “I will end with what I began,” she said.

And what an ending it was. As the sound of the organ filled the chapel, an era of sacred music instruction and teaching also ended, one that inspired numerous alumni to pursue graduate work and land sought-after positions in churches and music programs around the country and the world. Faber herself has performed in 31 states and nine countries as an organist and/or harpsichordist.

Chair of the music department for nine years, Faber has also directed the Wittenberg Handbell Choir for 26 years, expanding it from three octaves to four. A 1960 graduate of Calvin College, she has led the Handbell Choir in area performances on campus as well as abroad, including a 2004 concert tour of Korea and Japan. Despite her retirement plans, Faber has agreed to continue to serve as the director.

Faber studied harpsichord, continuo playing (Amsterdam Conservatory) and organ on a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship in 1960-61, before taking graduate courses at the University of Toronto and earning a master’s degree in music and a minor in English literature from Smith College in 1966. She joined Wittenberg’s faculty later that year.