It seems incomprehensible to imagine the music department at Brown without Arlene Cole being there. She was truly the heart of the department. I was privileged to have had the chance to work with her from 1990, when I first began teaching at Brown, to 2017 when I moved to the west coast to teach at Stanford University.
Throughout the years, I depended upon Arlene to identify those piano students that would make good accompanists for our student singers. She had a real instinct about which students would be suited to the task, sending me some amazing pianists whose participation greatly enhanced the musical experience for the singers in the vocal program.
When Paul and I accepted the offer to move from Brown to Stanford, Arlene personally made sure that the music department recognized the many years we had taught there by dedicating the annual graduation Jagolinzer recital to us in May of 2017. We were so touched and honored that she honored us in that way.
On a personal note, I loved Arlene’s sense of humor and hearing her distinctive laugh! And in later years, it was such fun seeing her beloved dog follow her throughout the corridors of Orwig and Morrison Gerard!
Arlene, there will not be another like you to grace the music department at Brown with the warmth, compassion, support, creativity, and love you bestowed upon your students and colleagues. You will be sorely missed.
With deepest condolences and love,
Kathryne Jennings
Senior Lecturer & Billie Bennett Achilles Director of Vocal Studies
Stanford University
Teaching Associate at Brown University (1990 – 2017)