RPO musicians to honor area music educators, including Nazareth College Music Department chair, Dr. Beverly Smoker
The musicians of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) will honor local music teachers at the 29th annual Music Educators’ Awards Night this Thursday, April 20 during the 7:30 p.m. Stare Conducts Mahler 5 concert in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. Founded in 1988, the awards work to strengthen the relationship between area music educators and the musicians of the RPO.
"Music educators deserve to be commended as often as possible for deeply enriching others’ lives," explains Maura McCune Corvington, a member of the RPO horn section and chair of the 2017 Awards committee. “I would not have pursued and succeeded in music without stellar classroom and private music instruction."
Administrators, educators, parents and students submit nominations that are then reviewed by a committee comprised of community educators and RPO musicians. Five outstanding local music educators were chosen:
- Instrumental Music Award, Band (K-12): Jeanne Coonan of Spry Middle School in Webster
- Instrumental Music Award, Band (K-12): M. David Shemancik of Sutherland High School in Pittsford
- Choral Director Award (K-12): Douglas Steves of Oliver Middle School in Brockport
- Classroom Music Specialist Award (General Music K-12): Al Heary of DeWitt Elementary School in Webster
- Special Award: Beverly Smoker, Professor and Department Chair at Nazareth College
Beverly Smoker is professor of music at Nazareth College, chair of the Music Department, and director of the Master of Music in performance and pedagogy. She previously taught at Cornell, Grinnell, and Coe Colleges; at the University of Iowa; and operated an independent piano studio. Her students have earned undergraduate and graduate music degrees at universities throughout the country and maintain careers as pedagogues and performing artists. A long-term Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) member, and current New York State Music Teachers Association (NYSMTA) president-elect, Dr. Smoker has presented at national, state, and conferences. Numerous appearances as pianist include performances on the Knitting Factory Composer Series in New York City; recordings for ABC Radio in Brisbane, Australia; and recordings on Centaur Records. She was a recipient of a Gramma Fisher Fellowship at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, and 10 solo touring grants from the Iowa Arts Council. She has presented many recitals devoted to 20th-century music, and premiered several works. Says Dr. Smoker: “I love seeing our students transition to successful alums making impactful contributions to their communities as music educators, performers, therapists, scholars, composers, arrangers, and in many other capacities that support the arts and music industry.”
Tickets for Stare Conducts Mahler 5 start at $23, with $10 student tickets, and are available online at rpo.org, by phone at (585) 454-2100, or in person at the RPO’s Patron Services Center (108 East Avenue) and at all Wegmans That’s T.H.E. Ticket! locations.
For More Information
Mare Millow | Marketing & Publicity Manager | Nazareth College Arts Center | mmillow7@naz.edu | 585-389-2093
Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.
