Michelle Graveline and her Musical Impact

Natalie Mollica

Guest Writer

Michelle Graveline began playing piano at a young age, but she soon became interested in a new instrument. “I would hear the organ and it would be loud and fast, and I just thought that was great,” she said. “…by the end of fifth grade, I could reach the pedals and begin to learn to play,” Graveline added. 

She became a talented organist, taught by a nun from her school. “By the time I was in seventh grade, she had me accompany the whole Midnight Mass so she could conduct,” she explained. 

The pipe organ looks intimidating to most adults with several keyboards and various pipes all being controlled at once, but this did not stop a young Graveline from pursuing her desire to learn how to play the challenging instrument. 

A member of the Assumption community for 40 years, Michelle Graveline has certainly had an impact on the university, especially regarding the music program. After receiving her bachelor’s and master’s from Boston University and later, her doctorate from the University of Michigan, Graveline began working at Assumption in 1984 as a professor. She taught many classes including Chorale, Women in Music, and Music Theory. In 2019, she decided it was time to retire, however, she came out of retirement to fill an interim role as the Dean of the D’Amour College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She retired for the second time last May. 

Graveline’s path led her to Assumption when she heard about a job opening after her time in school. She was attracted to the job, “I grew up not far from Worcester, so I knew Assumption… my father had gone here.” Additionally, she said, “When I was a senior in college I did a “pre” senior recital here [at Assumption].” 

Some of Graveline’s most fond moments during her time at Assumption have been traveling with the Chorale. “One of the most exciting times was in 1986. I took the chorale on our first European tour… our president at the time arranged for us to sing for the Pope, Pope John Paul II,” she shared. 

“I arranged the chorale and had them start singing and I turn around and low and behold, there is the Pope,” she added. Graveline goes on to show a picture of her and the Chorale with Pope John Paul II. 

She shared another story of her travel experiences with Assumption’s Chorale: “One year in 1990, we went to Russia… that was when it was still the Soviet Union… There, we sang at the French embassy and the American Ambassador’s residence.” 

These travel experiences are ones she explained will always hold importance to her. “What I love about traveling to these countries is that, for many of these students, they haven’t been abroad, so it’s a great experience for everybody,” Graveline said. 

 Graveline “turned the music program here at Assumption into a true major,” Professor Peter Clemente explains. Clemente is a music professor at Assumption University and has had the opportunity to work closely with Graveline. 

Additionally, she impacted the organization by creating the organ scholarship program and later, the voice scholarships, which was followed by some available for other instruments. These scholarships are offered to Assumption students who are musically talented and allow them to grow as musicians while earning their degrees. This will contribute to the future of the music program. “She helped bring the music department to its rightful place here at a liberal arts institution,” Clemente adds. 

Assumption alumnus and past organ scholar, Jake Dowgewicz, expressed, “Professor Graveline is the reason I am where I am today.” As Dowgewicz puts it, “The organ lessons I took from her were constructive and influential in all aspects of my college education (except math classes) and work ethic.” 

As previously mentioned, travel experiences were some highlights of Dean Graveline’s time at Assumption. They also were formative for the students attending them. As Dowgewicz says, “The Chorale trip she led to Ireland was a wonderful experience to perform in new spaces, as well as the reward of many months of practice.” 

When asked about a piece of advice for current college students or anyone, Graveline shared, “Take time to appreciate some of the things around you.” Her positive impact on the Assumption community is an obvious one. Without a doubt, Graveline left behind a legacy she built at this school.