ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in memory of Jody Jay Nagel.
We will remember him forever.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvUKmAe0Zx8
March 22, 2023
March 22, 2023
"Dear Ashley,

Your father was one of the best professors I had while at Ball State. I was a harp major and when I ended up in his band arranging class he was classically blunt with me "why the hell are you here instead of orchestral arranging?" I remember being very nervous about having him as a teacher since I had heard rumors that he was a very tough teacher. What I hadn't heard, but what was equally true, was that he was a good teacher and very fair. He taught me things about arranging that I still use almost every week as I arrange pieces for church or my own students. He cared about good music and creativity. He taught me to write out my arragements so well that I still get comments on how clearly I write out parts!

Mostly, I remember him talking me into taking composition lessons with him despite my plea that I had nothing to say musically. We got about three weeks into the lessons and he looked at me and said "wow, you have nothing to say do you?" It was hilarious and we spent the rest of the semester debating religion which was a blast! Here, again, he was honest and fair. It was excellent training for me on how to debate well. He didn't argue with what he thought I had said, he listened and argued with what I had really said! When he came to my senior recital I felt very honored.

I wish this wasn't coming to you so long after the fact but please know that I am one of (I am sure) many students who was very lucky to have been taught by your father! And whether he would have liked it or not I will be praying for his soul - I am sure that would have made him grin!

Most sincerely,
Kelly W"
March 25, 2021
March 25, 2021
Jody was a special person and good friend. He made the world a more interesting place and talking with him was stimulating. I wish I had tried harder to get together this last year during COVID isolation. My last contact was the voice mail he left suggesting that we go for a walk when the weather improved. I wish I hadn't erased it.

Thank you for making the recording of the Zoom memorial available. I didn't know it was happening when live, and had been looking for some way to try to process his passing.

I noticed that the thing that he was always most excited about was thinking about his daughters. He was so proud of you and your accomplishments, and his eyes lit up and his tone of voice lifted whenever we talked about family.
March 16, 2021
March 16, 2021
"I taught viola at Ball State from 1999-2002 and Jomar handles a few of my compositions. Your father was a good friend. In addition to him creating a beautiful trio for me and 2 BSU colleagues called "Patterns", I have also conducted some of his string orchestra music over the years when I have been asked to do clinics and workshops. Additionally, I have fond memories of lunches with him involving terrific and invigorating conversation - everything from music we both admired, to politics, etc. I also remember my wife Cathy and I spending a nice evening involving dinner at your house - you and your sister were little girls. I always learned something from your Dad and had great admiration for his music and his and Mark's work for Jomar. I know that as a teacher he touched and inspired hundreds of students."
-Harold L.
March 16, 2021
March 16, 2021
"One of my fondest memories is when Jody came over to our house on or near July 4th to set off modestly-dangerous fireworks (kids, stand back) and to light sparklers (kids, come and get yours). When he saw that I wasn't keen on the fireworks, he came over to chat, and we had yet another interesting conversation on books, politics, or the such. He was a good man."
-Ann W.
March 16, 2021
March 16, 2021
"My husband, David, used to love to banter back and forth with Jody about their University worlds and the rest of the world. I loved hearing them discuss the world as they saw it. They were two men that made you think and notice issues that might not be just and fair in our world. I would sometimes run into Jody around campus and the community and the last time I saw him he looked very well and was delighted to be retired. Jody will be missed."
-Jean G.
March 16, 2021
March 16, 2021
"I was so sad to hear the news about your fathers sudden death. I was an oboe performance major at BSU and I took composition lessons from your dad. I was just thinking about him last week. He was very encouraging to me and pushed me to be more creative and think outside the box both in music composition and life in general. I regret that I didn’t send him an email last week when I was thinking about him. I am so sorry for your loss, but want you to know your dad will live on in all of us that he has taught and inspired."
-Emma T.
March 16, 2021
March 16, 2021
"Along with probably the rest of the universe, I was shocked and saddened to hear the news that your father had died. Losing a parent at any time is difficult, but an out-of-the-blue situation with no warning is especially tough….and just cosmically unfair. My condolences to you and Athena.

Jody was one of the most bright and brilliant people I’ve ever met – passionate, funny, articulate, creative, thoughtful…..and inherently kind in my experience. I always enjoyed talking with him and so did my husband, Bob, who relished a conversation where sparks could fly as long as there was thought fueling the fire. And I think he attended more concerts on campus than probably most of the other faculty combined. Any concert I played in or attended as a spectator, Jody was there….clear proof that he loved and championed good music. Not to mention the wall of CDs at the house (I’m dating myself with that comment, I expect)."
-Suzanne R.
March 16, 2021
March 16, 2021
Dear Ashley,

     Brian T. made a generous donation to The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation in memory of your father, Jody. The Foundation supports music education through the donation of musical instruments and vital services to schools nationwide, enabling students to experience the joys and benefits of playing and learning music. Through Brian's gift, we are helping to keep music alive for our children.

     We are deeply honored that Brian is paying tribute to your father's life by supporting our work. Giving kids the gift of music is a fitting tribute to someone who was so passionate about music, and it will serve to extend his legacy for years to come.

     We send you our deepest condolences. Please let us know if we can be of service in any way.

Sincerely,

Felice Mancini
President and CEO
March 8, 2021
March 8, 2021
A donation was made to a 24/7, mostly classical music radio station in Pittsburgh, WQED-fm. Jody heard music at home nearly every day of his young life from this station. You can tune in on your cell phone or computer for quality music any time you’re in the mood from anywhere you live or travel. Can’t think of Jody and not think of music. Can’t think of music and not think of Jody.
February 27, 2021
February 27, 2021
다시 한국에 돌아왔다. 한동안 외면했던 페이스북을 열고 메세지함을 눌렀다. 1월20일 내 선생님은 나에게 마지막 메세지를 보내셨다. 아주 긴긴 편지.
그렇게 긴 편지와 당부의 말씀을 남기시고 갑자기 하늘나라로 떠나셨다.
며칠뒤에 찾아 뵐께요. 라는 나의 답이 페북 메세지에 마지막이 되어버렸다.
오랜만에 만난 아이들 앞에서 계속 슬픈 모습을 보일수 없어 애써 외면하다 한국에 들어오고 나서야 선생님이 남기신 것들을 하나하나 살펴보니 슬픔이 밀려와 주체할 수 없다..
나의 선생님 조디. Jody Nagel.(선생님은 마지막 메세지에 더이상 닥터라고 부르지 말고 조디라고 불러달라고 당부하셨다)은 나의 음악에 있어 새로운 인생을 살게 해 주신 분이다. Ball State University 에서 2004년 1월3일 첫 레슨을 시작으로 나의 모든 음악관을 뒤바꾸게 해주시고 작곡가에 있어서 작곡가 자신의 음악이론이 얼마나 중요한지를 알게 해주셨다. 몇개의 음으로 단순하지만 아름다운 선율들을 만들 수 있게 해주셨고 음악뿐만 아니라 끊임없는 대화로 모든 자연과 사회현상이 음악에 얼마나 방대한 영향을 미치는지 느끼게 해 주셨다. 그리고 공부하게끔 만들어 주셨다. 아이들을 사랑하셨고 따뜻한 휴머니즘을 심어 주셨다.
현재의 내 음악은 모두 선생님께 배운 이론으로 선생님의 뒤를 쫒아가고 있다.
선생님은 나의 스승이자, 조언자이자, 후원자이자, 동료이자, 무엇보다 가장좋은 친구였다. 언제든지 내 "편" 이었다.
2018년 창악회 초청작곡가로 한국을 방문하셨을때 좀 더 편히 모시지 못한게 후회된다. 미국 도착하자마자 찾아 뵙지 못한것이 후회된다.
선생님께 좀더 자주 연락 드리지 못한것이 후회된다.
막상 미국을 떠나 한국에 도착하니 너무 슬퍼 눈물만 난다.
사모님, Ashely, Athena. 유학시절 내내 그리고 현재까지도 나와 내 가족들을 챙겨 주시는 진짜 가족같은 선생님의 유족들.. 장례기간동안 코로나로 인해 만나지도 못하고 도움도 못되어 미안하다.
선생님. 곧 다시 만나요.
-Eunhye K, posted on Facebook
February 23, 2021
February 23, 2021
"Jody was a very special man with a good heart. His work and spirit defined the composition program at Ball State. Far beyond that he was a fine professor to me and a trustworthy colleague to whom I have much to be thankful for. He wrote so much music that he had a piece for every occasion. He was generous within his means, and generous with his time to his friends. It hit me hard when I heard of his passing."
-Christoph T.
February 23, 2021
February 23, 2021
"Like his music and creativity, may this tree continue to benefit the world and environment around it."
-Thorne & Yunmi Abbott
A Memorial Tree was ordered in memory of Jody J. Nagel at Parson Mortuary
February 23, 2021
February 23, 2021
"Our dear friend Jody Nagel passed away last weekend. It was sudden, unexpected, and way too early. Jody was a genial, generous-spirited genius. He made the world a brighter place and had so much more to give. He was a gifted, prolific composer who wrote several wonderful pieces for us. He was a doting dad who raised two brilliant girls, Ashley and Athena. Our families were closest of friends from our time in Muncie and have kept in close touch over the years, often staying with them as a halfway point on our trips to and from NJ. His wife Eun Hee and Carrie were best of friends and kindred spirits who especially enjoyed preparing amazing food for our family get-togethers, or just taking off at the drop of the hat to do fun things together. Jody was a generous, loyal friend, always joyful in thoughtful, speculative conversation, with a wide-ranging intellect. We had recently hatched projects to prepare new performing editions of works of Grieg, and I was so looking forward to the chance to work with him and be in more frequent contact. We treasure our memories together, but are devastated by his loss and miss him terribly. We send our love and comfort to his dear family."
-Rolf Erdahl, posted on Parson Mortuary
February 23, 2021
February 23, 2021
"So sorry to hear of Jody's passing. I met him in the WW meeting room. I absolutely loved the fact that his daughter came with him to support him as he began his journey. Jody was so incredibly intelligent and mindful, his thoughts on our weekly workshop techniques were always welcomed by coaches and members. He never left a workshop without passing along a kind word to me. Deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this special man."
-Christy, posted on Parson Mortuary
February 23, 2021
February 23, 2021
"Jody was such a welcoming presence for me in my first days at Ball State. I’ll always treasure our lively conversations in the hallway down on the first floor. I’ll also miss his intellect and his passion for music."
-Jon Truitt, posted on Parson Mortuary
February 23, 2021
February 23, 2021
"Jody was an amazing composer and teacher. He opened my mind to the profound beauties in Romantic theory that I still think about all the time. Including the Big Dom! Thanks for impacting my life. Jody was too young to go. Sympathies to his beautiful and talented daughters."
-Linley Baker, posted on Parson Mortuary
February 12, 2021
February 12, 2021
I met Jody for the first time the day before classes began in the fall of 1992. He was beginning his first semester as professor, and I was beginning my freshman year. I was waiting for my locker assignment at the school of music, and he was waiting for a key to his office. We had a long conversation about music we liked and music we wanted to write. When he was told that he didn't need to wait in line behind students, he seemed slightly outraged at the idea of cutting in line. He insisted on waiting.

We had a long friendship after that. We've stayed in touch over the years. But everything you need to know about Jody was apparent in that first 20 minutes.
February 12, 2021
February 12, 2021
There are so many wonderful and enriching conversations I had during the time I was blessed to be Jody's colleague. Jody's gift of concomitantly possessing one of the most brilliant minds I've ever personally known while also always interacting with those around him with a warm-spirited co-equality was his uncanny essence. Here's one of many stories I could share. One (among several) early AM (as in between 1 and 3 a.m.) meetings he and I had as fellow insomniacs in the School of Music's computer lab was as I walked in on him perusing the score to Mozart 40's opening Allegro, measures 150 and 152 in particular, fascinated at the voice-leading of the winds' dialogue with the strings. The harmony in particular is a unique, four-voice motion in half steps to the work's dominant, DMm7 that dwells in place before the return of the main theme, that is out of this world! An E-flat, B natural, G#, G natural that slides to D, C, A, and F# respectively. We talked about this mesmerizing verticality for well over twenty minutes, re-confirming its beyond-category status. Nope, not some alternate augmented sixth, not derivable as some mere chromatic alteration of some other more potentially common chord, but rather just beautifully inexplicable voice-leading that miraculously allowed Mozart to sound an enharmonically spelled G# minor-major 7th chord and artfully approach a dominant seventh whose root was a tritone away. We played the progression again and again, each time laughing in amazement! The joy that arose between both of us in that moment of contemplation is how I will always remember Jody and the way he enriched the lives of all around him.

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Recent Tributes
March 22, 2023
March 22, 2023
"Dear Ashley,

Your father was one of the best professors I had while at Ball State. I was a harp major and when I ended up in his band arranging class he was classically blunt with me "why the hell are you here instead of orchestral arranging?" I remember being very nervous about having him as a teacher since I had heard rumors that he was a very tough teacher. What I hadn't heard, but what was equally true, was that he was a good teacher and very fair. He taught me things about arranging that I still use almost every week as I arrange pieces for church or my own students. He cared about good music and creativity. He taught me to write out my arragements so well that I still get comments on how clearly I write out parts!

Mostly, I remember him talking me into taking composition lessons with him despite my plea that I had nothing to say musically. We got about three weeks into the lessons and he looked at me and said "wow, you have nothing to say do you?" It was hilarious and we spent the rest of the semester debating religion which was a blast! Here, again, he was honest and fair. It was excellent training for me on how to debate well. He didn't argue with what he thought I had said, he listened and argued with what I had really said! When he came to my senior recital I felt very honored.

I wish this wasn't coming to you so long after the fact but please know that I am one of (I am sure) many students who was very lucky to have been taught by your father! And whether he would have liked it or not I will be praying for his soul - I am sure that would have made him grin!

Most sincerely,
Kelly W"
March 25, 2021
March 25, 2021
Jody was a special person and good friend. He made the world a more interesting place and talking with him was stimulating. I wish I had tried harder to get together this last year during COVID isolation. My last contact was the voice mail he left suggesting that we go for a walk when the weather improved. I wish I hadn't erased it.

Thank you for making the recording of the Zoom memorial available. I didn't know it was happening when live, and had been looking for some way to try to process his passing.

I noticed that the thing that he was always most excited about was thinking about his daughters. He was so proud of you and your accomplishments, and his eyes lit up and his tone of voice lifted whenever we talked about family.
March 16, 2021
March 16, 2021
"I taught viola at Ball State from 1999-2002 and Jomar handles a few of my compositions. Your father was a good friend. In addition to him creating a beautiful trio for me and 2 BSU colleagues called "Patterns", I have also conducted some of his string orchestra music over the years when I have been asked to do clinics and workshops. Additionally, I have fond memories of lunches with him involving terrific and invigorating conversation - everything from music we both admired, to politics, etc. I also remember my wife Cathy and I spending a nice evening involving dinner at your house - you and your sister were little girls. I always learned something from your Dad and had great admiration for his music and his and Mark's work for Jomar. I know that as a teacher he touched and inspired hundreds of students."
-Harold L.
His Life

Bio

February 27, 2021
Jody Nagel joined the Ball State University School of Music faculty in the Autumn of 1992. He won an ASCAP Young Composers Award in 1988 for a chamber orchestral work, and placed fourth in the 1991 International New Composition Competition for original works in the tape-and-instrument medium. Performances of his compositions have been given in various American cities and in England, and at conferences of the Society of Composers, Inc. (SCI) and the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS). 

Nagel has presented several papers at the University of Texas at Austin music theory forum, and also delivered a paper to the Texas Society of Music Theory in 1987 where it won first prize for most creative paper. He has contributed to an article on Milton Babbitt's Reflections for piano and tape; the article and acknowledgement appear in the 1988 Perspectives of New Music journal. 

In 1992, he received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in composition from the University of Texas at Austin, where he had been the recipient of a doctoral fellowship. He also holds a Master of Arts in music theory and composition from the University of Pittsburgh (1985) and a Bachelor of Arts (magna cum laude) from Marietta College (1982). 

His principal composition teachers have included Eugene Kurtz, Morton Subotnick, Stephen Montague, Dan Welcher, Donald Grantham and Russell Pinkston. His teachers of music theory have included John Peel, Pat McCreless, Elliott Antokoletz and Roger Graybill. 

Co-editor of the small Austin-based music publishing company, Jomar Press, Nagel is dedicated to helping circulate new works by younger composers. He plans to have his operatic portrayal of contemporary New York City, Fifth-Third Street, ready for performance at Ball State University within the next year. 

He was granted a 12-month Fulbright Fellowship to visit Australia and held a post-graduate position at the University of Sydney. His professional affiliations include membership in the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS); Society of Composers, Inc.; Society of Music Theory, and Texas Society for Music Theory. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Obituary

February 11, 2021
Jody Nagel, 60, Full Professor Emeritus of music theory and composition at Ball State University, passed away unexpectedly on Feb 6th at home. Dr. Nagel was born in Franklin, PA, and attended North Allegheny High School in Wexford, PA. He received his B.A. from Marietta College in Ohio in 1982, his M.A. in music theory and composition from the University of Pittsburgh in 1985, and his Doctorate of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) from the University of Texas at Austin in 1992. 

Dr. Nagel is survived by his wife, Eunhee Nagel; his children Ashley Nagel and Athena Nagel; his siblings, Joel Nagel, David Nagel, and Lorie LaSala; his mother, Lavina Hartman; and his cat Bubbles. He is predeceased by his father, Joseph Nagel. 

Dr. Nagel joined BSU in 1992 and retired in 2019. He and his business partner Mark Schultz were co-editors of their music score publishing company, Jomar Press. He served as the area coordinator of the Theory and Composition Division at BSU from 2010-2015 and was an active member of the Society of Composers and the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS).  His compositions have been performed in various American cities and also internationally in countries including Australia, Korea, Cyprus, Israel, Germany, Russia, and more.

Jody (“Jodo”) loved science fiction, especially Star Trek and anything written by Isaac Asimov. He exclusively used Apple computers, loved a big old steak and potato dinner, and passionately debated about politics and religion. Jody was ecstatic to see the Biden/Harris victory in 2020 and regretted not living to solve all of the world’s problems or seeing the terraforming of Mars. 

Please honor his memory by donating to a charity of your choice in his name. 

Recent stories

Waves Goodbye

September 6, 2021
Waves Goodbye, composed and arranged by Becky Archibald. Performed September 1, 2021 by Zach DePue/violin and Becky Archibald/piano as part of their "Test Drives in the Carport" concert series in Indianapolis. The piece is dedicated to Becky Archibald's dear friend and former composition teacher, Dr. Jody Nagel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0qJyeSVoX0

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