Kappa Kappa Psi to Honor Music Professors

The University Singers performing in the Cecilia S. Cohen Recital Hall last spring, directed by Dr. Jim Maroney. Photo Credit / Crystal Smith
The University Singers performing in the Cecilia S. Cohen Recital Hall last spring, directed by Dr. Jim Maroney. Photo Credit / Crystal Smith
The University Singers performing in the Cecilia S. Cohen Recital Hall last spring, directed by Dr. Jim Maroney.
Photo Credit / Crystal Smith

By Melissa Valentovic
SC Staff Writer

East Stroudsburg University’s chapter of the national honorary band fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi, will present “Thank You — An Appreciation for Music” on Saturday, May 2 at 5:00 PM at the Cecilia Cohen Recital Hall in the Fine Arts Building. The concert is in honor of ESU music professors Dr. Betsy Buzzelli-Clarke, Dr. Jim Maroney, and Dr. Jenny Collins.

Head drum major for the Warrior Marching Band, Marcus Howard, originally conceived the event. He wanted an event that would demonstrate the appreciation for music that other students and faculty at ESU share.

“It was at the time when the future of the music faculties’ jobs was still uncertain. I realized that spring 2015 could perhaps be the last chance I’d ever have to be a member of a choral and orchestral ensemble,” said Howard.

Howard, who referred to the event as a celebration, created the idea last semester. He saw the opportunity and said he felt “this was a perfect chance to organize a concert in recognition of the many dedicated years of service exhibited by the entire music faculty.”

The fraternity is also collaborating with the vocal and theatre departments for the event, showcasing the performers’ talents in various forms of vocal and instrumental music.

Music professor Dr. Buzzelli-Clarke said that when she found out about the concert, she was extremely flattered and honored.

Despite the recent news of the music and theatre departments merging, Howard said the event will still take place.

He said, “With the help of my Kappa Kappa Psi brothers and the theatre and vocal departments, we have extended beyond ESU and also reached out to over 40 other chapters of Kappa Kappa Psi within the Northeast District — even performers in the local high schools — to give them a chance to share in our appreciation for music.”

Email Melissa at:
mvalentovi@live.esu.edu