Alumni Relations
News from the Classes of 1961 and 1962
Pictures and Biographies from Your Classmates
Help this list grow! Please send a brief biography (approximately 50 words), a special memory or reflection of your time at Eastman, and a current photo to: alumni@esm.rochester.edu, or mail to:
Eastman School of Music
Office of Development
26 Gibbs Street
Rochester, NY 14604
Both should be to the attention of: 50th Reunion Web Entry. Thank you!
Eastman Weekend
50th Reunion 2012
Armand Abramson, MM ’62
Major/Instrument: Clarinet
Studio Teacher: Stan Hasty
Life & Career Since Eastman
Left Eastman Spirng 1963 to accept 1st chair 1st clarinet with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Let at end of 2nd year to return to U.S.A. Then Professor of Clarinet, Eastern Michigan University staying there for 30 years. My school was in between U of Mich and Detroit, MI. For my first 2 years playing in nearby Ann Arbor orchestra with Detroit Orchestra members – worked well for many students with and was with performance at EMU. Taught EMU 30 years, retired 1995. Had become interested in owning and managing real estate properties known as “Clarion Properties.” My wife Marilyn did the paper work. I ran the rest of the business which grew bigger and bigger until I resigned a second time at 70 and moved to Princeton NJ to have home near youngest daughter with a grand-daughter and physician as son-in-law. Also have two daughters in Houston, TX with 3 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Personal Reflection
Eastman became almost like a home for me! Stan Hasty letting me use his studio in evenings and John Celantane arranging for me to have a weekly student. Also told me of Monteux summer program for conductors and orchestra players which was a great jump to prepare the the IPO. For a month of study in Main with Pierre Monteux sitting next to me for 4 weeks, I as 1st clarinet bassoon on the other side and me in the middle. What fun! When I had my 1st lesson upon return, Stan said he was impressed with my improved performance. Some of the most interesting people during my stay included Leonard Bernstein, George Soft, Pierre Monteux, Anton Darato, Loren Mazel, Josef Krips, Zuben Mehta, etc. Most programs played 12-15 performances basically all sold.
June Ackroyd, BM ’62, MM ‘64
Major/Instrument: Music Education/Voice (BM) and Church Music – Voice/Organ (MM)
Studio Teacher: Anna Kaskas, Julius Huehn (voice), Norman Peterson (organ)
Life & Career Since Eastman
Since graduating from Eastman, I have been involved in music education at some level almost continuously. I was employed as a music teacher in K-12 education for ten years (including two years overseas). I also worked in higher education a total of thirty-one years, and retired from the music faculty of Northern Michigan University (Marquette, MI) after twenty-six years there. I have performed as a vocal soloist in concerts and recitals and I have held several positions in the field of church music (mainly as a singer or conductor). I received my doctorate from the University of Cincinnati in 1984 and I also have studied in Pittsburgh; Freiburg, Germany; and Keczkemet, Hungary. Currently, I am continuing to teach voice and enjoy travelling in the winter with my husband Les Scheuren.
Personal Reflection
As a student, I appreciated the musical immersion that was possible at Eastman, and the inspiration gained from associating with more advanced students (possible at a school the size of ESM). In later years, I also have come to value the foreign language instruction that was available at Eastman, and particularly the teaching of De. Kneisel and Miss Cummins—I feel that the language courses were helpful to me both professionally and personally, enabling me to study and work in Europe and track down the story of some of my distant relatives in Slovakia.
Barbara Bacik-Case, BM ’62
Major/Instrument: Piano
Studio Teacher: Cecile Genhart
Life & Career Since Eastman
Dr. Barbara Bacik Case, pianist, of Gordonville, Tx. is a concert pianist, coach, accompanist, teacher, adjudicator, church pianist, organist, and chamber music performer. Her background includes a Bachelors of Music in Piano from the Eastman School of Music with Mrs. Cecile Genhart, a Masters of Music in Piano with John Perry at the University of Kansas, and a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Piano Performance from the University of Texas in Austin. Her doctoral dissertation on Dvorak’s Piano Trios has been included in a book entitled, “CHAMBER MUSIC: A RESEARCH AND INFORMATION GUIDE” by John H. Baron.
Dr. Case spent several years studying and performing in Vienna, Austria with concert artist Hans Kann. Her debut recital was in the Konzerthaus (Schubert Saal) in Vienna, Austria. The KURIER newspaper called her a “pianist of note who plays with great lyricism and power.” She also performed for Maestro Carlo Zecchi of Rome, Russian Conductor Boris Goldovsky at the Cleveland Opera’s performance of Carmen, and Kurt Neumuller of Salzburg at the Mozarteum. She has coached several students who competed and were accepted into the Van Cliburn Summer Institute in Ft. Worth, TX.
Currently she is a coach/ accompanist at Austin College, has a private piano class, and serves as a church pianist/organist. She is in constant demand as a performer and in March gave a solo organ recital at St. Stephens Episcopal Church.
Personal Reflection
My greatest achievement is the raising of my two beautiful daughters!! Lorna Case, of McClean, VA, who is a West Point graduate, a retired Army Captain, and presently an aspiring opera star. She is employed by Grunley Construction in Maryland as an Estimator. My youngest daughter Cassandra Case is a graduate of Dallas Baptist University and is currently employed as Regional Business Manager at NCC Media in Dallas, TX.
Jay Mandel Berliner, BM ’61
Major/Instrument: Music Theory
Studio Teacher: Elvira Wunderlich
Life & Career Since Eastman
Guitarist for Harry Belafonte (1962-1965)
Played on 14,000+ sessions for records, commercials, movies, television, etc. in NYC.
Winner of 7 NARAS MVP Awards and a NARAS MVP Virtuoso Award.
Guitarist for Garrison Keillor’s American Radio Company and ‘A Prairie Home Companion’ on NPR 1989-1994.
International Secretary of the Recording Musicians Association 1986-1996.
Solo banjo tour of Japan September-October 1996.
Member of the NY City Center’s ENCORES! Orchestra 1994 to present.
Member of onstage orchestra in Broadway hit show ‘CHICAGO’ 1996 to present.
Guitarist for Van Morrison 2008 to present.
Married to Penelope Buttler (1971), two sons: Adam, 38 and Nicholas, 35.
Photo taken at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, California, October 2010 before a Van Morrison concert.
Marcia Bettigole, BM ’61
Major/Instrument: Viola
Studio Teacher: Francis Tursi
Life & Career Since Eastman
Violist in Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
Retired Jan 1, 2011 officially
Rex Britton, BM ’62
Major/Instrument: Music Education and Violin
Studio Teacher: Millard Taylor
Life & Career Since Eastman
Master of Music – Violin – 1964
AFofM String Congress – 1964 – Michigan State University – Orchestra Violinist
Tanglewood Orchestra Institute – Summer 1965 – Violinist
Oberlin Conservatory Summer Teacher’s Orchestra Institute – 1968 – Violinist
Richmond VA Public Schools – 1964-1976 Orchestra and Band Director
Henrico County Public Schools – 1976-1995 Orchestra and Choral Director
University of Richmond – (various) Adjunct Faculty – Orchestra and String Methods classes
Longwood University – 2000-2012 Adjunct Faculty – String Methods and Ensembles
Richmond Symphony Orchestra – 1964-2001 – Principal Second Violin
Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program – 1972-1992 Conductor and Director
Williamsburg (VA) Symphonia – 2000-2012 – Violinist in Chamber Orchestra
Conductor and Adjudicator of numerous Orchestras and Ensembles
Married to Judith Eastman Britton – Flutist
Three children and 12 Grandchildren
ESM prepared me very well for my chosen career.
María Margarita Dzevaltauslcas Camell, MM ’61
Major/Instrument: Piano
Studio Teacher: José Eschániz
Life & Career Since Eastman
Taught band and orchestra at Paraiso High School, Canal Zone Schools Division (later DOD) 1961-1970.
Private teaching, playing, and participating as member of Panama’s National Concert Association, 1970 to present.
Married 1964 – Widowed 2010.
Larry Bruce Campbell, BM ’62
Major/Instrument: Trombone
Studio Teacher: Emory Remington
Life & Career Since Eastman
Larry B. Campbell is Professor Emeritus at the LSU School of Music, having taught Low Brass for thirty-six years before retiring in 2005. He has also been Principal Trombonist with the Baton Rouge Symphony for the past forty-three years.
Upon completion of a double degree of Bachelor of Music and Music Education at Eastman, Mr. Campbell enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard Band, where he was solo euphoniumist as well as a member of the Coast Guard Jazz Band on trombone for four years. He also performed as principal trombonist with the Eastern Connecticut and Willamantic Symphonies during this time. Following his Coast Guard enlistment, Mr. Campbell became second trombonist for two years and then principal trombonist for one year in the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra. While in San Antonio he attended Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, receiving a Master of Education degree in 1968 and a marriage certificate in 1969 to his wife of now forty-three years, Cynthia Campbell.In 1969 he was offered a position as assistant professor of low brass at LSU, a position he held until his retirement as full professor in 2005. During his years at LSU, Mr. Campbell presented concerts and clinics throughout the United States, as well as in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. He also performed as extra with the New Orleans and St. Louis Symphonies on several occasions. IN 1976 he worked with Peter Hirsbrunner in Sumiswald, Switzerland in the testing and development of the Hirsbrunner euphonium. He currently remains principal trombonist of the Baton Rouge Symphony.
Robert W. Christensen, BM ’62, MM ’64
Major/Instrument: Composition/Trumpet
Studio Teacher: Sidney Mear – Trumpet; Thomas Canning, Wayne Barlow, Louis Mennini, John LaMontaine – Composition
Life and Career Since Eastman
Robert Christensen has directed music schools and conducted choruses in New York City, Rochester (NY), Chicago, St. Louis, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. He founded and directed the Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts and the Mohawk Valley Choral Society in Upstate New York.
As a composer, such groups as the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Boston Civic Orchestra, St. Louis Little Symphony, Gordon College Community Chorus and Orchestra have performed his works. He is published by Shaffner Publications, Choral Arts Society, and the Arts Publication Society. He is a member of BMI. He has devoted much of his career to writing and performing sacred choral music and is currently choir director and organist at the Church of the Reconciliation in Webster, MA.
Christensen also has had a full career in non-profit management, first as director of music schools and for the last 15 years as a grantswriter and fundraiser; he currently serves as Director of Development and Communications for the Saint Antoine Community in N. Smithfield, RI.
He is married to Shelley (Christensen) and lives with their son, Mackenzie (a drummer) in Webster, MA. Between them, they have three sons and one daughter, as well as five grandchildren.
Personal Reflection
I received an excellent foundation and experiences at the Eastman School of Music for a life in music. I met and became friends with some terrific and talented people who remain friends to this day.
Gale Furman Coffee, BM ’61
Major/Instrument: Flute
Studio Teacher: Mariano
Life and Career Since Eastman
MM from School of Fine Arts, Boston University, 1963
Solo performances at Isabelle Gardner Museum, WGBH FM, DeKalb, IL; Cheney & Spokane, WA; Missoula, MT; Seattle, WA
Member, American Wind Symphony (2 yrs)
Sun Valley Music Festival Orchestra, New Hampshire Music Festival
Spokane Symphony – 2nd Flute/1st Piccolo – 1970-2008
Personnel Manager, Spokane Symphony – 1989-2008
Board Member, Spokane String Quartet (SCMA)
Mena Marucci Colella, BM ’62,
Major/Instrument: Applied Music/Piano
Studio Teacher: Orazio Frugoni
Life and Career Since Eastman
Following my marriage to a University of Rochester medical student, I continued my studies with Orazio Frugoni, at the Pius XII Graduate School of Fine Arts at Villa Schifanoia in Florence, Italy. Having previously won the Silver Medal, I again competed in the Geneva International Piano Competition that year, and continued studying privately with Frugoni for another two years in Rochester.
In 1973, I began participating in piano teacher master classes and lectures at the University of Maryland, which evolved into their International Piano Festival and Competition and eventually into the present-day William Kapell Competition. Meeting adjudicators and artists, I was exposed to a variety of styles and techniques from Lily Kraus to George Bolet. In addition to attending these concerts and seminars, I taught privately for many years, as my children grew.
During her Maryland sessions, I became enthralled with Juilliard’s Adele Marcus and her approach to the keyboard, auditioning to study with her, in 1980. I initiated that work over the next four years. Subsequently, I continued to teach piano to my daughter, while she and my three sons also studied various wind instruments at Peabody. Later, I taught five of my 10 grandchildren, as well.
The Eastman School and the University of Rochester have represented key parts of my life. My husband graduated from the Medical School and my daughter and son-in-law from the River Campus. She incidentally continued her flute studies at Eastman, as an elective. Soon my granddaughter will begin her Freshman year at the U of R, an Early Decision enrollee.
Personal Reflection
From the practice rooms to the studios, my time at Eastman presented me with many wonderful opportunities, from twice yearly recitals to accompanying various students and groups, to orchestral performances culminating with the Chopin 2nd Concerto with Howard Hanson and the Eastman Philharmonia. A special remembrance is having been led by Paul White with the Student Orchestra, in the Brahms 2nd Concerto, fulfilling a dream not only for me but for my father.
My years at Eastman generated a life-long love of music, encouraging my enjoyment of recitals, orchestral performances and opera with renowned artists, throughout the United States and Europe, as well as in my own home.
Joyce Hansen Colotti, MM ’61
Major/Instrument: Music Education – Voice
Studio Teacher: Anna Kaskas and Dr. Herman Genhart
Life & Career Since Eastman
I taught vocal K-12 as a member of MMTA (Minnesota Music Teachers Association) and NCTA (National Certified Teacher of Music). I have maintained a private voice and piano studio in my home. For the first time in the state, I had a high school young artist in voice + piano both performed at the state MMTA convention at the U of M the same year. Both continued on with college music studies. One of my students whom I’ve had from age 9 – HS senior was accepted at ESM and received a MM Ed and has been teaching in the Twin City area. I have been a vocal performing artist of the St. Paul Schubert Club. One of my performances the first again in the area of early Arnold Schoenberg artist songs.
Personal Reflection
When I applied to ESM as a PhD Theory and Music Ed – after one week of ESM, I knew that what I wanted was to work and study with the caliber of teachers at ESM. I didn’t want to “read” about it, I wanted to “be” one of those lucky students of ESM. So I did! I was privileged to be accepted by Anna Kaskas and Dr. Herman Genhart. They accepted me in voice so I got the M. Mus. Ed degree in spite of having a MM in piano which I received from my previous college – McPhail. I’m so glad – and the fact of ESM would accept me instead of my PhD – Theory, Mus. Ed. Thanks!
Carol Diane Critelli, MM ’62
Major/Instrument: Cello
Life & Career Since Eastman
Instructor at University of Montana, 1962-64
Associate Professor, Eastern Montana College, 1964-1987; now called Montana State University; retired in 1987
Currently private teacher of cello in Billings
Performs in Yellowstone Chamber Players (in Billings)
Retired from Billings Symphony Orchestra & Rimrock Opera Orchestra
Personal Reflection
Although many years have passed since I was a student at Eastman, I still remember my fellow classmates with great pleasure. I hope they have received as much satisfaction as I have in music as a career. I often think how fortunate I have been to work in a field that enriches one’s life so much.
I am thankful to the Eastman School of Music and its faculty members who worked so hard with us. I hope that my students appreciate my efforts as much as I appreciate my former teachers.
Tony H. Dechario, BM ’62, MM ’63
Major/Instrument: Trombone
Studio Teacher: Emory Remington
Life & Career Since Eastman
63/64: 2nd trombone Kansas City Philharmonic
64/65: principal trombone Dallas Symphony
65-75: 2nd trombone Rochester Philharmonic
75-88: Manager, Rochester Philharmonic
88-91: Owner Morris Office Products, Canandaigua, NY
91-95: Manager, Honolulu Symphony
95-97: Owner, Midtown Pretzelmaker, Rochester, NY
97-2009: Administrator, Mt. Hope Family Center (University of Rochester)
2010-present: retired
Lucyette T. Eckert, BM ’62
Major/Instrument: Euphonium
Teacher: Donald Knaub
Life & Career Since Eastman
After graduating from Eastman in 1962, I started teaching grades 4-8 Instrumental Music in Buffalo, New York. I continued teaching until June 1996 when I retired. Also, in the fall of 1962, I started teaching a Primary choir of grades 1–4 at Trinity United Methodist Church. I continued doing that for 30 years. Also in the fall of 1962, I started League bowling and I am still bowling. In June 1965 I married my husband, Joseph F. Eckert. Also, I have sung in the choir at Trinity Methodist for many years.
William Fleck, BM ’62
Major/Instrument: Voice
Studio Teacher: Huehn
Life & Career Since Eastman
Assistant Prof. of Voice + Opera -4 years Cal State at Sacramento;
Metropolitan Opera -8 years;
Debuted as Baron Ochs at New York City Opera (NYCO);
Australia, Mexico, Canada, Colombia (SA), San Francisco, Washington D.C., Boston, Miami, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Columbus (OH), Minneapolis, Norfolk (Virginia Opera), Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Nashville, Dallas, Hawaii, Tucson, Phoenix, Denver, Portland (OR), Toledo, and a few more.
Personal Reflection
After I had been teaching at Sac State for 3 years, I interviewed at ESM to find out what it would take to complete my MM – it had been a little over 10 yrs since I had done a year’s work on it (full fellowship) at ESM – I was told I would have to start over again!! All my credits were dead even though I had begun a career as a college prof + that I would have to start all over again. I rejected the idea + lost my job at Sac State, moved back east & my career took off!!! Thanks ESM for your “hardline” on the degree! I never would have had my years at the Met if you had let me complete my MM!!
George E. Giroux, MA ’61
Major/Instrument: Theory/Piano & Clarinet
Studio Teacher: Stan Hasty
Life & Career Since Eastman
Retired as Director of Music after 34 years
Played almost full time in Rochester’s best night clubs
Still playing in Saratoga
Logged 7500 nights in night clubs
Personal Reflection
I was fortunate to obtain a Masters at Eastman with only 3 summers of 6 hours each, driving in to Eastman for a 1 hour lesson with Stan Hasty, and meeting with my thesis advisor about 4 times—I doubt that many graduate candidates were that fortunate—I worry about the debts that Eastman students are piling up! 🙁
David Graham, BM ’62
Major/Instrument: Voice
Studio Teacher: Leonard Treash
Life & Career Since Eastman
During my break between my junior and senior years at Eastman I taught in the elementary and secondary schools of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and discovered I loved teaching. So after graduating and spending one year as a church music director in West Virginia I spent the rest of my years enjoying teaching in the schools of Regina and later Toronto. Along the way I also pursued graduate studies, completing the course work for doctorates in musicology and in education, but never did do the dissertations.
In the early 80’s I became a paraplegic (spinal tumour), but fortunately I was in a field in which I could continue to work. My last six years before retirement I was privileged to serve as Coordinator of Music for the Scarborough Board of Education, a large Metropolitan Toronto board that over the years had developed a marvelous music program, so it was a very enjoyable time.
While in Regina, I met and married Grace and we have one son, two (twin) daughters, and three energetic and lovable grandchildren.
Personal Reflection
I will always remember my years at Eastman for the exceptional classmates and activities that enriched my life so much and gave me so many wonderful memories to look back on.
I welcome E-mail messages from my classmates at dggraham@sympatico.ca
Lois Beth Jennings-Eggar, BM ’62
Major/Instrument: Piano
Studio Teacher: Cecile Genhart
Life & Career Since Eastman
Master of Music Degree, Manhattan School of Music, 1964
Married; 3 children: Son—David, Twins—Michael & Cynthia
Music Administrator K-12, Conservatory Founder-Director & Concert Series Director, The Hackley School, Tarrytown, NY (16 years)
Executive Director: Great Performers in Westchester Concert Series
Music Director (Choruses & Orchestras), Mount Vernon Public Schools, Mount Vernon, NY (16 years to present)
NYSMTA Vice-President and Editor-in-Chief of NYSMTA Quarterly Publications
Adjudicator & Coordinator: NYSSMA & WCSMA Festivals
Arts-In-Education Award: State University of New York at Purchase
Performer, Teacher, Master Classes: Northern Westchester Center for the Arts (20 years)
Singer: Berkshire Choral & Orchestra Festivals, Lenox, Mass. (Summers)
Representative: American Eskimo Dog Rescue
Dan Johnston, BM ’62
Major/Instrument: Clarinet
Studio Teacher: Stanley Hasty
Life & Career Since Eastman
-Principal Clarinet New Hampshire Festival Orchestra
-Bridgeport Symphony
-Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra – Second/Assistant First/ Eb
-International Clarinet Custom Mouthpiece Maker
Dennis Kain, BM ’61
Major/Instrument: Timpani
Studio Teacher: William Street
Life & Career Since Eastman
Attended New England Conservatory, studied with Vic Firth.
Played in the San Antonio Symphony for 2 years.
Played with the St Louis Symphony 1 year.
Timpanist with the Baltimore Symphony from 1966 to present.
H. Bruce Lederhouse, BM ’61 and MM ‘63
Major/Instrument: Organ
Studio Teacher: Norman Peterson and David Craighead
Life & Career Since Eastman
4 children and 10 grandchildren
20 years as Episcopal priest
25 years as organist/choirmaster
Last 15 years before retirement – Director of Music at Church of the Holy Spirit, Orleans (Cape Cod), Massachusetts
Personal Reflection
I am forever grateful for the solid grounding I received at ESM – always proud to say I am an Eastman graduate.
Grace Lewis-McLaren, BM ’61
Major Instrument: Organ
Studio Teacher: David Craighead
Life & Career Since Eastman
Graduate work at Union Seminary School of Sacred Music, NYC. Studied organ with Vernon De Tar.
Director of Music/Organist for churches in NY, Maine and California. Composer of choral anthems and hymns for Unitarian Universalists.
Masters and PhD from Pacifica Graduate Institute, Santa Barbara, CA.
Semi-retired. Enjoying practice privileges at nearby Bowdoin College, on a restored 1927 Austin in an acoustically delightful setting. Married to John Lewis-McLaren, a classical guitarist. Mother of two adult daughters and one adult son. Grandma Grace to five.
Eugene Narmour, B.M. 1961 (Performers Certificate, trombone) and M.A., 1962
Major Instrument: Theory/Trombone
Studio Teacher: Donald Knaub, Emory Remington
Life & Career Since Eastman
CAREER
Assistant Professor School of Music, East Carolina University, 1963-68
Music Director and Conductor, Summer Theater, 1967-68
University of Chicago, graduate study, 1968-71, awarded Ph.D., 1974
Conductor, University of Chicago Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra (3 years)
University of Pennsylvania Department of Music, 1971-2007
Conductor, University of Pennsylvania Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra (15 years)
Conductor, Delaware County Youth Orchestra (5 years)
Chairman, Department of Music, 1980-83 & 1990-93
Edmund J. Kahn Distinguished Professor of Music (emeritus), 1993-2007
Contributing or Associated Editor, Music Perception, 1983-94, 1994-97, 1997-99
Associate Dean of the Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, 1995-98
Consulting Editor, Musicae Scientae (European Society for the Cognitive Sciences of Music), 2001-04
Interim Director, Penn Humanities Forum, 2000-02
HONORS
Visiting Fellow, Wolfson College, Oxford University, 1984 & 1989-90
Visiting Lecturer, Sibelius Academy, Helsinki, Finland, 1990
Visiting Professor, Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing, China, 1991
Fellow, Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, Stanford, 1993-94
Keynote Speaker, European Society for the Cognitive Sciences of Music, Liège, Belgium, 1994
President, Society for Music Perception and Cognition, 1995-98
Paul and Martha Niland Lectures, School of Music, Michigan State University, 2001
Alumni Achievement Award, Eastman School of Music, 2006
Special Guest Speaker. Mannes Institute for Advanced Studies in Music Theory, 2009
Keynote Speaker (inaugural event). Northeast Music Cognition Group (NEMCOG), NYU, 2010.
Society for Music Perception and Cognition Achievement Award, 2011
Festschrift (17 essays): Musical Implications: Essays in Honor of Eugene Narmour.
eds. L. F. Bernstein & A. Rozin. Pendragon Press, 2013 (in press).
RESEARCH
Twenty-four published articles, nine translated (into French, Spanish, Chinese)
One hundred and four public lectures in U.S. and Canada (74), Europe (20), Mideast (4), and Asia (6)
Three solo books (1974, 1990, 1992),
One co-edited book (1989)
Four books in progress: the score and the modes of performance; psychological principles for performing; affect and meaning in orchestration; analogical universal structures
FAMILY
Married fifty-five years, four children, five grandchildren
James Ode, MM ’61, DMA ’65
Major/Instrument: Trumpet
Studio Teacher: Ed Betts, Dan Patrylak, Sidney Mear
Life & Career Since Eastman
Asst Director of Bands, Asst Professor of Brass: Augustana College (SD) – 1961-63
Professor of Trumpet, Director of Grad Studies, Head of Music Ed: Ithaca College School of Music – 1965-81
Chair, Dept. of Music: Trinity College, San Antonio, TX – 1981-86
Chair, Division of Music: Meadows School of the Arts (Southern Methodist University), Dallas TX – 1986-94
Director of Career Services; Head, Dept of Music Education: Meadows School of the Arts (SMU) – 1994-2005
Author: Brass Instruments in Church Music
Arranger: Handel Arias for Voice and Trumpet and Keyboard
Marie-Therese Robillard, BM ’62
Major/Instrument: Music History / Piano
Studio Teacher: Margaret Gilbert
Life & Career Since Eastman
Columbia University–Masters in Library Science; Librarian in the Buffalo & Erie County Library System: Music Department at Central Library, Branch Manager in Amherst Library, Director of Clarence Library and spearheaded the construction and opening of the first state-of-the-art public library in Erie County in 2001. I retired in 2003.
President of Librarians Association, Singer in Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, Church soloist and accompanist, Program annotator for Buffalo Philharmonic Youth Concerts, Program annotator for Amherst Symphony Orchestra, Member and Vice President of Clarence Kiwanis Club , Member and past Secretary and President of Clarence Women’s Club, Member of the Ring Masters Handbell Ensemble, Board member of the Friends of the Clarence Library, Member of the Town of Clarence Arboretum Fundraising Committee. Member of Sigma Alpha Iota and awarded the Sword of Honor while at Eastman, Hospice volunteer, “Citizen of the Year” Award by the Clarence Chamber of Commerce in 2005.
Willis Ann (Rosenthal) Ross, MM ’61
Major/Instrument: Flute
Studio Teacher: Mariano
Life and Career Since Eastman
A Woodrow Wilson Fellow during graduate school. Willis Ann has been a core member of the Omaha Symphony and the Omaha Symphony Chamber Orchestra since 1964, and teaches at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Her dedicated sponsorship and promotion of the chamber music series “Mostly Flutes” has made it a popular Omaha tradition for the past sixteen years. Willis Ann is also part of the Ross-Bircher Duo, which has been a prominent part of the Midwestern musical landscape for nearly two decades.
Personal Reflection
Wonderful friendships, incredible concerts – Glenn Gould, famous orchestras & artists.
Norman C. Schweikert, BM ’61
Major/Instrument: Horn
Studio Teacher: Morris Secon, Verne Reynolds
Life and Career Since Eastman
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra – 4th horn (1955-59); 2nd horn (1959-61, Dec 1964-65); 3rd horn (1961-Jan 1962, 1965-66)
US Military Academy Band at West Point (1962-64)
Instructor of Horn at Interlochen Arts Academy and member of Interlochen Arts Quintet (1966-71)
Curator of Leland B. Greenleaf Collection of Musical Instruments at Interlochen (1970-71)
Assistant principal horn with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (1971-74); second horn (1975-1997)
Recorded Schumann Konzertstuck with Dale Clevenger, Richard Oldberg, and Tom Howell in 1977
Chaired International Horn Society’s organizing committee in 1970 and was first Secretary Treasurer; on Advisory Council (1970-76)
Author: Articles in The Horn Call
Author: Repertory and Performers, 1992-2006 (Washington Island Festival booklet)
Author: The Horns of Valhalla – Saga of the Reiter Brothers (2012)
Performed with Washington Island Music Festival (1996, 1999-2004, 2006)
Norman and his wife Sally, who sang soprano with the Chicago Symphony Chorus for thirty years, live on Washington Island. Their son, Eric, principal timpanist of the Fort Wayne (Indiana) Philharmonic for over twenty years, was acting principal timpanist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for the 2011-2012 season.
Norman continues research into the lives of U.S. orchestra members, a project that he started while studying at Eastman. His collection of material on this subject is probably the largest private collection anywhere.
Personal Reflection
I loved Eastman! The years I was there (1955-Jan 1962, 1965-1966) were among the best of my life!
Earl Roy Simard, MM ’61
Major/Instrument: Piano
Studio Teacher: Watts
Life & Career Since Eastman
34 years Head of Music Departments in various High Schools, mainly in Toronto, Ontario.
Placed on special assignment by the Board of Education
Designed programs for disadvantaged students & adults, in Mime, Music, and Movement
Played piano professionally since age 16
Director & Conductor, Officer, Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (Reserves)
MA 1973, University of Toronto
Personal Reflection
Gratitude is my attitude for: 58 years of marriage to my wife, 4 children, 6 grandchildren, Canadian & American relatives, good health, sports, music, faith, Florida and Ontario, purpose in life, the Eastman years.
Betty-Carol(Gordon) Singer, BM ’62
Major/Instrument: Music Ed/Violin
Studio Teacher: Francis Tursi
Life & Career Since Eastman
Taught strings in the Tarrytowns, Westchester Co., NY
Studied with Raphael Bronstein in New York City
Married Lawson Singer, moved to Long Island
Earned an MA degree at Columbia University and later another Masters degree in Educational Administration at Post College, Long Island University
Two sons, Steve and Jeff
Taught at North Shore Public Schools and then 21 years in Roslyn Public Schools
Active in L.I. String Festival Association, President of Nassau Music Educators
Retired ‘96
Relocated to Scottsdale, AZ ‘99
Weekly quartet sessions
Performing with West Valley Symphony and Musica Nova Orchestra
Please contact me at BCNOTE@AOL.com if you expect to be in the Scottsdale area.
Personal Reflection
The tour with the Eastman Philharmonia remains one of the highlights of my Eastman experience. I was fortunate to be part of a student body of high caliber. When I’m asked where I went to school, I’m proud of the outstanding reputation of the Eastman School.
Bruce Smith, BM ’62, MA ’65
Major/Instrument: Music Ed/Violin; Musicology
Studio Teacher: Joseph Knitzer
Life & Career Since Eastman
High school music teacher, Mamaroneck New York, 65-67
Toledo Symphony, 67-75
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, 1975-still playing
Ph.D. Musicology Univ. of Michigan, 1978
Studies in French literature, on-going
Private pilot license with instrument and commercial ratings
FAA certified flight instructor
String instrument repair
Have done work for Perlman, Salerno-Sonnenberg, G. Kramer, Sarah Chang, Issac Stern.
William Ernest Smith, BM ’62
Major/Instrument: Music Ed/Trumpet
Studio Teacher: Edwin Betts
Life & Career Since Eastman
Taught music and gifted youngsters in NJ.
In New Providence:
All City Band, Grades 4-8
In Harding Township:
Band/Orchestra – Grades 4-8
Masters in Education Specializing in Gifted
Developed G/T program such as:
Olympics of the Mind
Invention Convention
Produced Numerous local and national championships
President & Negotiating Chairman of HTEA
Named one of the Outstanding Teachers of America
Music Director of a Community Band
In Madison:
Gifted and Talented Specialist – Grades 1-8
Continued w/ Olympics of the Mind and Invention Convention
Married Mary Lou, a Harding teacher
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s, age 47
Parkinson’s dictated my 2000 retirement
William James Nicks Stokes, BM ’62
Major/Instrument: Organ
Studio Teacher: Dr. Craighead
Life & Career Since Eastman
Organist and Choir Director, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Forest Hills, NY – 2006-PresentOrganist and Choir Director previously, Cathedral of All Souls, Asheville, NCMusic Consultant Diocese (EPIS) Western NC
Church Organist/Choir Director/Adjunct Faculty, Richmond, VA – following graduation
Diane Wehner Gold Toulson, BM ’62
Major/Instrument: Flute
Studio Teacher: Joseph Mariano
Life & Career Since Eastman
Masters degree in music at Columbia University, studied flute with Julius Baker, NY Philharmonic.
Moved to Pennsylvania with Peter Gold, chemist and flutist. Lived the past 45 years in State College, PA and retired from music faculty at Bucknell University and Juniata College. Still teaching at The Music Academy and performing with chamber ensembles frequently. Started the Easterly Chamber Players with husband/clarinetist Smith Toulson, retire professor from Penn State. Involved in commissions for flute, clarinet, piano.
Principal flutist of the York, Altoona, and Nittany Valley Symphonies and occasionally concerto soloist.
World travels with the Huntington Trio of Philadelphia, 40 commissions. Actively concertizing with concert in Costa Rica, Mexico, and Peru with a performance in Las Vegas 8/12 at the National Flute Convention.
Personal Reflection
I’ve had a wonderful life, with three children and three grandchildren. Won two battles with cancer and appreciate all that life has to offer. My life in music has been very diversified and rewarding. Thanks to my mother who encouraged all the music training and who gave me her talent. I look forward to seeing old friends from the 60’s!
Sally Counts Turner, BM ’61
Major/Instrument: Flute
Studio Teacher: Joseph Mariano
Life & Career Since Eastman
M.M. 1963 Indiana U.;
3 yrs. Public school music teacher, Lebanon, N.H.;
Faculty Summer Music Institute 1964, Dartmouth College;
Music teacher at girls’ comprehensive school, 1966-67, London, England;
First flute Kensington Sym., 1966-67;
First flute Delaware Sym., 1967-1971;
Private flute classes, Delaware + Webster, NY 1967-2002;
First flute U of R All University Orch. 1972-99;
Piccolo + first flute 2000-11, Penfield Sym. Orch.
Personal Reflection
I am most proud to have been a wife + mother + now a grandmother. Life has been full of family, music, my church, cherished friends. I am so happy to have lived so near to Eastman to see the magnificent changes in 50 years as well as to fill my soul with inspiring, wonderful music!
James Willey, BM ’61, MM ’63, PhD ’72
Major/Instrument: Composition/Piano
Studio Teacher: Louis Mennini, Bernard Rogers, Howard Hanson
Life & Career Since Eastman
Since leaving Eastman I have been the recipient of three National Endowment for the Arts Composer Fellowships and have been a semi-finalist for the Kennedy Center Friedheim Awards (for String Quartet No. 6). Over the years I have received performances by such ensembles as the Baltimore Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, Audubon Quartet, Esterhazy Quartet, Dorian Quintet, Collage, Society for New Music and Twentieth (now Twenty-First) Century Consort.
For many years (1966-2001) I served on the faculty of Music at the State University of New York at Geneseo from which I retired at the rank of Distinguished Teaching Professor in December of 2000. From 1981-86, I served as Chair of the Department of Music. I have also taught part-time at the Eastman School of Music and during 1979-80 served as Visiting Professor of Music at Williams College.
Stephanie (Slobodzian) Woolf, BM ’62, MA ’64
Major/Instrument: Violin Performance and Pedagogy (BM) and Music Theory (MA)
Studio Teacher: Millard Taylor
Life & Career Since Eastman
1963 – 1968 Boston MA
-graduate studies at Boston University: Roman Totenberg, violin
-faculty the Putney School: violin and chamber music
-faculty Tufts University: violin and chamber music
-marriage (1965) to Gregory Woolf: ESM Ph.D Composition 1967
(deceased 1971)
1968 – 1999 Nashville TN
-faculty Bair School of Music, Vanderbilt University: music theory
-studio musician: violin and fiddle, arranger (Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Neil Young, Elvis, etc. etc.)
-owner Stephanie Woolf Violins and Music City Strings mail order company
-children: Jennifer – acupuncturist Concord NH and Christopher – Director of Operations Tisch Center, 92nd Street Y NYC
1999 – present Rockport MA (northshore of Boston)
-marketing consultant: Allstate Management Assoc.
-currently Director of Education and Outreach Rockport Music www.rockportmusic. org
-grandchildren Fiona (8), Sophie (3), and Stella (4 months)
-active volunteer in Rockport Public Schools music programs and town committees
Signe Sebo Zale, BM ’62, MM ‘65
Major/Instrument: Piano Performance
Studio Teacher: Cecile Genhart
Life & Career Since Eastman
Fifty years is a celebration of a dream that for me began in 1950. My second year of piano lessons started late that September because my teacher was travelling with her daughter, Kathryn Silber (BM ’54), from Mankato, Minnesota to the Eastman School of Music where she was to study piano with a most wonderful teacher, Cécile Genhart. With all the naiveté of a 10 year old, I would dream of how grand it would be if someday I could go to such a faraway place, Rochester, New York, play the piano all day, and be like Kathryn! Though as the college decision approached in my senior year of high school, ESM was too far away and too expensive for the dream to be realized. In the spring of 1958, a chance remark by a fellow student that he was going to Oberlin caused me to reconsider my decision. When I announced my intention of applying to Oberlin too, my teacher, Mrs. Silber said, “No! Go to Eastman!” I followed her advice and after my acceptance, counted my earnings from four years of church jobs and teaching and realized I could pay for the first two years.
In the fall of 1958, as I walked into the main hall at 26 Gibbs Street, I experienced that wonderful thrill of actually being in a place and circumstance that had been a long standing desire. Fortunately for me, the main hall still today looks pretty much like it did back then and despite the countless times I have walked in over the years, that thrill still remains.
It has been a good life living these many years in Rochester. Both my husband Bob (BM ’56, MM “60) and I have had successful teaching careers, although I made a 20 year detour into the field of school counseling. Nowadays as retirees, we both continue to be involved with local, state and national music organizations. Living here has given us the opportunity to retain close ties to ESM; attending concerts, recitals, involvement with Alumni Council and many other experiences. Those ties were further strengthened when our daughter, oboist Theresa Zale Bridges (MM’88) was here for graduate study.
In honor of our 50th wedding anniversary this year, our two wonderful daughters, Theresa and Liz Zale, along with other family members and friends, established an endowed scholarship, the Robert J and Signe Sebo Zale Scholarship at the school. We are looking forward later this school year to the opportunity of meeting “our” scholarship recipient!
I am greatly indebted and grateful to my parents, Eastman and the many wonderful teachers, especially Cécile Genhart, Jessie Kneisel and Elivira Wonderlich for their extraordinary teaching and for the opportunities to become a musician and live this gratifying life in music.
