University of Michigan’s Longest-Serving Faculty Member Announces Her Retirement

Dr. Mason in 1948

Marilyn Mason is retiring as a professor of music from the University of Michigan. Dr. Mason has taught organ music at the university since 1947. Her 67 years on the faculty makes her the longest-serving faculty member in the history of the University of Michigan. Dr. Mason is now 88 years old.

Dr. Mason was the first woman to play the organ at Westminster Abbey in London. She is also the organist for the First Congregational Church in Ann Arbor.

For most of her career at the university, she taught the organ in one-on-one sessions with university students. Professor Mason estimates that she has had more than 1,000 students during her tenure at the University of Michigan. She also taught seminars on German music and French music.

Dr. Mason earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from the University of Michigan. She holds a doctorate in sacred music from the Union Theological Seminary in New York City.