Jim and Beverly Mohatt were lifelong music educators; Beverly was a string instructor in schools in and around York, Jim taught at York College for years. Their love of music and of teaching impacted students of all ages, and their generous estate gift of nearly $6 million to support several musical organizations in the York area will continue to impact future generations of musicians.
Beverly Spielman Mohatt passed away in 1996, and her husband, Jim, in February 2014, both in their beloved York. Upon Jim’s death, the couple left in their wills sizeable gifts to the James L. Mohatt Excellence in Music Education Scholarship, an endowed scholarship fund at York College; the York Symphony Orchestra; York Youth Symphony Orchestra; and the Spring Garden Band. The Mohatts stipulated that the gifts be directed toward endowment so their love and support of music in York would live forever.
Three new endowed funds were created at York County Community Foundation thanks to the Mohatts’ foresight and the three organizations’ respect for the Community Foundation’s stewardship: the Dr. James L. Mohatt Fund for York Symphony; the Beverly J. Mohatt Fund of the York Youth Symphony Orchestra; and the Dr. James L. Mohatt Fund for Spring Garden Band.
Cal Weary, president of the York Youth Symphony, said, “The YYSO will forever be grateful for this endowment not only for what it gives us in longevity but also because it helps us to remember them forevermore.” Weary said that the YYSO chose the Community Foundation to steward the Mohatt’s gift because the Foundation’s objective is to “build a better York, and that coupled with a proven track record makes them the obvious choice for any nonprofit organization to partner with.”
“Jim Mohatt’s gift to the York Symphony comes at very opportune time,” said Dick Brown, Development Director for the York Symphony Orchestra. “Running a symphony takes significant community support, so to quintuple our endowment fund is really a wonderful, wonderful thing. It will allow us to transition the Symphony with professional management, continue to raise the musical quality of the Symphony, enhance the performances, and further expand our music educational outreach programs to children and youth throughout York County and City”
Chuck Long, treasurer of the Spring Garden Band, recalled Jim as an aficionado of the arts who knew everything there was to know about classical music. He said Jim was also a huge movie fan with a large collection of DVDs. “Jim was the kind of guy who went about his business and just played. His gift to the Spring Garden Band is really a blessing. This means the band will be in existence and be able to meet its obligations forever.”
Beverly and Jim Mohatt came to York from Burlington, Iowa, following their marriage and shortly after Jim earned his doctorate from the University of Iowa in 1971. Jim took a position as an associate professor in the music department at York College, where he was one of only a few faculty teaching in a struggling program.
“When I came to York College in 1989 as director of music programs,” said Fred Schreiner, who is now retired, “Jim was the stalwart of the program who was keeping it all together. The administration had decided to do away with the music program for economic reasons. The facilities were in total decline; there was one classroom and no office space, and there were very few faculty members.”
Charged with turning the program around in one year or watch it be terminated, Schreiner joined forces with Mohatt, “a hard worker who was greatly respected by students and his colleagues.” The two developed a plan and sent a letter to the administration outlining their objectives, which included achieving accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), for which Mohatt had already laid the groundwork; revising the bachelor’s degree in music to meet NASM standards; creating a music education degree that also met NASM standards; building new facilities; and finding a way to get more scholarships.
That letter set in motion five years of work for Schreiner and Mohatt, which led to the realization of all five objectives. “I can’t give Jim enough credit for what he did to assist the department,” said Schreiner. “His dream of a strong, competitive music program in southcentral Pennsylvania was achieved.”
Jim’s influence went well beyond his position at York College. He played trombone in the York Symphony Orchestra as well as the Spring Garden Band, and he sometimes played the harpsichord. He was also a member of the Youth Symphony Orchestra’s board and wrote the program notes for the season’s program. He was passionate about music education for students and was instrumental in creating ongoing educational programs.
“This man had such knowledge,” said Jim’s friend Hannelore Schreiber, who has provided voluntary leadership, encouragement and support to the organization for many decades, “but he never bragged. His generosity went beyond money. He gave his time and knowledge to everyone.” She also remarked that many people did not know how quirky and funny Jim could be, something Dick Brown also recognized. “Jim could give the impression of being extremely quiet and reserved, but he had a delightful sense of humor and a very big heart,” Brown said.
Jim’s wife Beverly was also a member of the York Symphony Orchestra, where she was principal second violin. In addition, Beverly served as the Symphony’s music librarian for many years and was also a member of the Colonial String Quartet, which she helped found. Mrs. Schreiber called Jim and Beverly soulmates.
Mrs. Schrieber said she thinks of Jim often. “When I watch the trombones in the symphony, I just miss him,” she said.
Fred Schreiner is not at all surprised that Jim and Beverly Mohatt chose to support a variety of musical programs in the York area. “They were planted in York,” he said. “They gave it their all to make York the best they could.”
Cal Weary echoed Schreiner’s sentiment. “Jim was instrumental in the creation of the YYSO,” he emphasized. “Through his efforts thousands of York county students have been given the opportunity to play great music and work with amazing conductors. Bev was also a major advocate for the YYSO and helped in the creation of the York Junior Symphony Orchestra. They were simple strong people who loved symphonic music and the people who play it.”
About York College:
A private college located in southcentral Pennsylvania, York College offers more than 50 baccalaureate majors in professional programs, the sciences and humanities to its 4,600 undergraduate students. The College also offers master’s programs in business, education and nursing, and a doctorate in nursing practice. York College students enjoy a high-quality education that emphasizes practical application and a community invested in their success. The College provides a personal plan to help students focus their passions and attain their goals so they are prepared for a lifetime of meaningful careers – ready to meet the challenges of their profession and feeling confident and proud of their achievements.
About York County Community Foundation:
York County Community Foundation creates a vibrant York County by engaging donors, providing community leadership, and investing in high-impact initiatives while building endowment for future generations. York County Community Foundation holds 450 endowed funds and assists donors and nonprofits in reaching their charitable goals. The Community Foundation granted $3.6 million in 2014 throughout York County and stewards $125 million in assets.
