A beloved member of the School of Music & Theater faculty, Mary Hall Kogen passed away in June 2022. Lisa Marsh, director of the Coordinate Movement program, remembered her longtime colleague and friend and spoke about the upcoming concert in honor of Kogen, on October 23, 2022.
Would you tell us about the idea behind the tribute concert in honor of Mary?
Lisa Marsh: Mary was a significant influence on many students and colleagues while at Portland State University. Her humanity and wisdom touched everyone in her path in a positive way. Through her piano teaching and ground breaking pedagogy classes, Mary was a pioneer. The Tribute to Mary Hall Kogen concert brings together former students, colleagues, and friends to honor her legacy.
What do you remember about working with Mary?
LM: I met Mary in 1980 when I auditioned for the School. From that day she encouraged me to reach the highest goals I could imagine. Specifically, she encouraged me to attend the Taubman Institute of Piano to further my study of piano technique, which eventually led to me creating the Coordinate Movement Program at PSU. She accompanied me to many workshops and was my cheerleader and support as I learned how to help injured musicians. One of her favorite sayings was “I have an outrageous request.” I use this saying a lot as I am envisioning the highest goals I can achieve.
What were some of her contributions to the School of Music & Theater?
LM: As a teacher and colleague, Mary exemplified commitment to excellence and integrity. Her ability to see the good and potential in each person was remarkable. Her students learned to teach through inquiry and compassion. Mary was passionate about teaching and created an environment of excitement in her lessons and classes. Always welcoming new faculty, she often hosted gatherings at her home—bringing faculty and students together. I believe she touched everyone she met in a very positive way.
She could be a tough teacher, in that she was always authentic. She would tell you what she thought, and she was usually right. Then she would help you do better.
What do you miss most about Mary?
LM: I miss her smile, her laugh, her readiness to go for lunch or a drink, her wisdom, her listening, her acceptance of everyone as equal human beings, her love of life, her fearless hope in the best of humankind, her love given to me.
What legacy did Mary leave in regards to the School of Music programs and pedagogy?
LM: I believe her influence on me was significant in the development of the Coordinate Movement Program. Professor Harold Gray was also a huge supporter and key player in the establishment and growth of our wellness program. Mary’s pedagogy style has impacted my piano teaching and also the teaching of my colleague Professor Connie Titterington. We both studied with Mary at PSU as graduate students.
The Mary Hall Kogen Coordinate Movement Endowed Scholarship will be an ongoing tribute to her legacy. This scholarship will be awarded annually to a pianist with a playing-related injury or interest in pursuing knowledge about wellness for musicians through classes offered in the Coordinate Movement Program.
The warmth of her personality created a climate of friendship and trust in our Music Department. I believe we still have this capacity, even in our chaotic world.
A concert to remember a friend
On Sunday, October 23 at 4:00 p.m., in Lincoln Recital Hall. School of Music & Theater faculty members Susan Chan, Hamilton Cheifetz, Chuck Dillard, Darrell Grant, Julia Lee, Lisa Marsh and Connie Titterington will give a concert to honor the memory of their colleague. Admission is free, but donations to the Mary Hall Kogen Coordinate Movement Scholarship are genuinely appreciated and welcomed.
Donations to the Mary Hall Kogen Coordinate Movement Scholarship can be made through the following link: http://giving.psuf.org/maryhallkogen.
Learn more.