海角视频

Noah E. Paulin鈥檚 violin has never been silent for long. Nearly 60 years after his passing, Paulin鈥檚 beloved instrument鈥攍ike his legacy鈥攊s a testament to music鈥檚 lasting power to connect generations in praise to Christ.

The violin itself is beautiful and unique鈥揳 light golden brown with four strings. The top of the violin, known as the scroll, is carved into the likeness of German composer Felix Mendelssohn. While lovingly maintained, the violin bears the marks of life well-played.

A Life of Music and Ministry

There鈥檚 no official record of when Paulin acquired the violin, but his own musical journey began long before he became known as the 鈥淧atriarch of Howell Mountain.鈥�

Paulin nurtured his passion for music at Findlay College from 1898-1901 before touring the country for two years with the Henry Minstrels. In 1905, he moved to Santa Barbara, taking graduate classes and establishing a well-known music studio, where he shared his love of music for nine years.

His life took a spiritual turn in 1909 after attending evangelistic meetings by H.M.S. Richards, where he was inspired to join the Seventh-day Adventist Church. From then on, his violin became a tool of ministry, played at camp meetings, church gatherings, and more.

In 1914, then president of 海角视频 C. Walter Irwin, invited Paulin to join the faculty. Paulin walked onto the campus with a few belongings, some sheet music, and, of course, his beloved violin, prepared to build a music department. At the time, PUC hosted only 250 students and had recently relocated from Healdsburg to Angwin.

For the next three decades, Paulin dedicated himself to shaping the college鈥檚 music program, directing the band, orchestra, Sabbath school ensembles, and various other groups. He taught music theory, mentored students, and continued to play his violin.

According to his obituary in the Pacific Union Recorder, Paulin鈥檚 years of service were 鈥渇ruitful ones,鈥� and his influence on students was immeasurable. Those who knew him recalled that he could play at least 150 songs from memory, with a signature piece called 鈥淭ears.鈥� He played this piece for special and solemn occasions, including a long-standing tradition of honoring PUC presidents as a final farewell. 鈥淚 have played in and played out every college president since C. Walter Irwin with my violin,鈥� Paulin once said.

He retired in 1944. Just a year before his death, his violin would start another journey.

A Legacy Passed On

Paulin taught numerous students during his lifetime. Among them was Orval Peterson, a talented violinist. Years later, in 1968, Orval and his wife were visiting PUC and helping the aging Paulins move out of their on-campus home. That day, Paulin entrusted his violin to Orval, passing it on from one devoted musician to another.

鈥淥ne of the things that Noah had said when he gave the violin to my dad was, 鈥業 don鈥檛 want this to just sit in some museum like a relic. I want it to be used,鈥欌�� recalls Orval鈥檚 daughter Anne Dunn, 鈥�76. Orval honored that wish.

Paulin was reunited with his violin鈥攐ne final time鈥攁t his funeral on October 16, 1969. Just as Paulin had done for so many others, Orval performed 鈥淭ears鈥� as a farewell to the incredible man.

Anne recalls that Orval continued to play the violin in convalescent hospitals, churches, weddings, and special events throughout California, ensuring its music didn鈥檛 fade. In the 1990s, he invested nearly $5,000 to have it restored, ensuring its song for future generations.

The Violin鈥檚 Journey to Monterey Bay Academy

As years passed, Orval, Anne, and Anne鈥檚 husband, Richard Dunn,鈥�75, discussed the violin鈥檚 future. Wanting to keep it active, they decided to loan it to Monterey Bay Academy, where Anne and Richard were longtime supporters.

鈥淲e prayed about loaning the violin to MBA,鈥� Richard explained. 鈥淚 said, 鈥榊ou know what? This would just continue the legacy for the violin to be used.鈥欌��

Placed under the care of MBA鈥檚 Academic Vice Principal Tim Hansen鈥攁 gifted musician himself and director of MBA鈥檚 vocal group, the Oceanaires鈥攖he violin found a new home to continue its tradition of inspiring musicians.

Connecting Generations

Despite its time away from PUC, Paulin鈥檚 violin still connects past and present.

Recently, PUC sophomore Luke Garcia, a biology and pre-physical therapy major and an alumnus of MBA, had a providential encounter that connected him with this piece of PUC history.

Tim Kubrock, a retired teacher and administrator and now a volunteer at MBA, was visiting PUC for College Days with a group of seniors. While standing in Paulin Hall, he saw Luke and struck up a conversation. He pointed to a photograph of Paulin and mentioned the violin鈥檚 whereabouts. 鈥淚mmediately, Luke was interested and excited, saying he would love to see the violin in person one day,鈥� Kubrock recalled.

Kubrock went on to connect Luke with Hansen, and upon Luke鈥檚 next visit to MBA, Luke got his chance.

In a quiet music room at MBA, Luke played an excerpt of 鈥淐zardas鈥� on the violin.

鈥淭he violin had the most round, warm, and full tone of any violin I鈥檝e ever played,鈥� Luke said. 鈥淚 felt honored. Knowing that it鈥檚 a piece of history from my school, I didn鈥檛 take the opportunity for granted.鈥�

He added, 鈥淚 can only imagine how Paulin鈥檚 violin would sound in the concert hall. I hope one day, the violin is played again or displayed in Paulin Hall for others to see a piece of PUC鈥檚 history.鈥�

A Legacy Still Echoing

As Anne and Richard reflect on the violin鈥檚 journey, they find themselves drawn back to PUC鈥攚here its melodies first filled the halls more than a century ago.

鈥淟ove of music was a common denominator in so many of these situations,鈥� said Richard. 鈥淚t influenced Paulin to give up a comfortable life in Santa Barbara to come to a then-fledgling school.鈥�

Though its path, for now, has taken it beyond Howell Mountain, the journey of Paulin鈥檚 violin is a reflection of his own: one marked by purpose, ministry, and a lasting impact on generations. And like Paulin鈥檚 legacy, the music lives on.