In Room 202

The James A. Rothwell
Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City

A Glance Back and a Leap Forward

Looking back to 1969, the UMKC Conservatory of Music, like many music schools, felt the creative swirl of the times. New compositional techniques like electronic music synthesis and multi-track recordings stimulated creative palates. Composers increasingly wanted to shape and control their musical soundscapes. Similarly, with advances in technology, musical performances needed to be captured and preserved through high-quality professional recordings.

About this time, the Conservatory witnessed something special. The seeds of the Electronic Music and Recording Studio Programs were planted. While many individuals over the years nurtured these programs and supported their growth, one person uniquely stands out as the progenitor – Dr. Jim Rothwell.  [READ MORE...]

December 2017: Update on The JAR Fund

Dec 2017 JAR $

The JAR Fund is the nickname of  The James A. Rothwell Memorial Scholarship.

As of December 2017, The JAR Fund has reached $18,975 (including donations and interest). That means we are almost three quarters to the goal of $25,000!

Gratitude to all who have pitched in, and encouragement to those of you who intend to give when the time is right. As you can see, The JAR hasn’t over-topped yet. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated and will secure your name in the list of Benefactors once the scholarship is fully funded.

A link to donate can always be found at the Facebook page: The.JAR.Fund. www.facebook.com/The.JAR.Fund
The UMKC online donation page is:  https://ecommerce.umkc.edu/giving/

In Gift Designation, select “Conservatory of Music and Dance”
then in the Other Designations box, BE SURE to type: “The James A. Rothwell Memorial Scholarship“

InRoom202.org features a collection of photos, videos, stories, and timeline. Be sure to check out the entertaining video stories from the Aug 2015 Memorial Celebration. The companion InRoom202-Wiki is interactive, so you can add stories and upload docs and photos whenever you get the urge.

JIM ROTHWELL (1942-2015)

With his characteristic mischievous grin, Jim showed off
his creative antennae designed to pull in the local
classical radio station… music to help endure
another round of chemo (fall 2014).

Jim Rothwell passed away on Easter Sunday after a sudden recurrence of the cancer we thought was behind him.

As late as March 2, the surgeon said, “Come back in 3 years…” But on St. Pat’s, the oncologist rushed him in for diagnostic tests. We hoped it was treatable, but turned out not to be.

After a couple of stressful admissions to the hospital, and initial attempts to treat, he was allowed to come home on a Saturday afternoon, with guidance from hospice. He died at home the next day, Sunday, April 5th, surrounded by loving family.

Click on TRIBUTE to JIM for more about this wonderful man.

2015: Memorial Celebration

Family and friends gathered in Kansas City on August 15, 2015, to celebrate the life of Jim Rothwell, with a special emphasis on his inspirational influence on students and colleagues at the UMKC Conservatory of Music.

Read about the events of the day and enjoy PHOTOS displayed in a grid.

For an extra special treat, watch VIDEO clips from the ‘JimJam Story Hour’, featuring hilarious to poignant anecdotes from the formative years (1968 – 1983) of the Electronic Music and Recording Studios.

2014: Jim’s 72nd Birthday

In an impromptu video, Jim reveals his true, respectable age as represented by these seven candles.

2008: Jim’s 66th Birthday

Igor gets a big birthday cookie and a shelf full of Big Phat Band CDs.

2002: Jim’s 60th Birthday Party

Chuckles were shared around the table back in 2002, as former UMKC Conservatory of Music students and colleagues of Jim Rothwell gathered to savor the delights and mischief of the past.

In 2012, a decade has passed and we were so much wiser for Jim’s 70th Birthday.

2002: Jim’s 60th Birthday Party

The late Dr. Gerald Kemner teamed up with Dave Deleersnyder and Mark Weston to ponder a pop quiz on UMKC Conservatory history (the parts not usually written down in history books). The quiz, in the form of a crossword puzzle, challenged the collective memory.