The cutting of the Lydian String Quartet came as a surprise to the Brandeis community as it marked the end of its 40-year tradition. The quartet has been a prominent feature in the University’s artistic endeavors since its inception in 1980, having studied with Robert Koff, a member of Julliard’s string quartet. 

The quartet has since performed across the United States including but not limited to: Jordan Hall in Boston, the Kennedy Center and Library of Congress in Washington D.C., Lincoln Center in New York City and the Pacific Rim Festival at the University of California. The quartet has also performed abroad in Europe and Taiwan, garnering incredibly positive reviews from the press along the way. 

The quartet includes Prof. Mark Berger (MUS) as its violist; Prof. Julia Glenn (MUS) and Prof. Clara Lyon (MUS) as its violinists; and Prof. Joshua Gordon (MUS) on cello. Quartet members are also esteemed faculty members at the University, teaching students and holding performances at Slosberg Music Hall. The group enriches the Brandeis community, and losing it is another extensive blow to the music department and a betrayal of the University’s history. 

One of the most notable aspects of the administration terminating this quartet is the lack of care and respect that was extended to its members. The Justice learned that the members were given 24 hours’ notice for a Zoom meeting with Provost Carol Fierke and Senior Assistant Provost Joel Christensen. During this meeting, Fierke and Christensen informed them that their contracts with Brandeis would not be renewed for the next academic year.  

Losing the quartet is another instance of the University cutting its funding for the arts in order to stay afloat. Administration also discontinued the Brandeis Arts Engagement department and some of the programming running under it. For instance, the Black and Indigenous and People of Color grant will be on hiatus for an unknown period of time. Last year, the University also started to phase out its Musicology and Music Composition doctoral programs. 

In an Aug. 28 statement, the Department of Music questioned, “Why should we aim to be a second-rate MIT when the world so desperately needs a first-rate Brandeis?” This question is more relevant than ever as budget cuts grow more severe.

Now, the loss of the Lydian String Quartet further marks the slow death of arts at Brandeis, a feature that the University has long prided itself on. 

One of the things that distinguishes the University is the diversity in interests of its students. The editors of The Justice represent many different departments, and we believe this diversity is what makes our paper, and our campus unique. Eliminating liberal arts programming will decrease the experience of both academic learning and extracurricular organizations at Brandeis. 

As admissions has recently expressed concerns regarding enrollment deficits, this board shares concerns regarding how these challenges are being addressed moving forward. In order to resolve our financial deficit, the University has begun implementing budget cuts that have removed aspects of Brandeis that make it unique. 

Members of this board chose to attend Brandeis due to programs such as the quartet, offering unique experiences to students that would not be available at other comparable institutions. While we recognize the importance of academic administrators — the positions that the quartet was eliminated to save — eliminating what  makes Brandeis unique removes incentives for potential future applicants. Is the $275,000 saved by eliminating the quartet worth the loss of this timeless program?

On Oct. 22 The Justice published an article detailing the removal of the quartet , which received many comments from community members expressing their concern. One commenter stated “Prospective parent here. Our son was excited to apply to Brandeis this year. But... yikes.” The sentiment of these removals being detrimental to future enrollments of the University was echoed by many of our users, garnering comments such as “They are discarding the very aspects of the college experience that are irreplaceable by AI, virtual school etc. I say this as a university admin at another school that is admittedly in a better position, and know that higher ed is at a crossroads in many ways,” and “How could dissolving the Lydian quartet possibly increase interest in enrollment? This is not the right move.” 

In addition to prospective parents, alumni have expressed their dissatisfaction with this decision. The deep love for Brandeis comes from the pattern of hope that past students have shared as they have continued to watch Brandeis grow over its 76 years of existence. As we are now watching the structures of the University crumble, this hope is dissolving. We call on Brandeis to save the programs that make us remarkable  and preserve the hope that the community members held. 

As a new leader steps into this position we ask that you look into all areas on campus and support all students and programs, especially those in need. As we prepare to welcome Dr. Arthur E. Levine ’70 onto campus on Nov. 1, we must also urge him to re-examine the financial state of the University to more evenly distribute losses, as well as respond to community members’ concerns. 

This is also a call for alumni who benefited from the diversity of Brandeis’ arts program to help us fight. We understand that many of you have benefited from the arts during your time on campus, and we ask you to help us now to ensure its longevity. We deserve the same positive experience that you received, and hope that you stand by us as we fight for the future of this university.