Robert Campbell memorial endowment
news release
News Releases » 2008 » December
12/11/2008
Endowment Honoring Schenectady Music Icon Robert Campbell Established At Ithaca College
ITHACA, NY — In a tribute to renowned choral conductor and longtime Schenectady music educator Robert Campbell, three graduates of the Ithaca College School of Music, along with the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), have established a choral composition prize at Ithaca College in the late Campbell’s honor. Supported by the New York State School Music Association and Anthony Maiello, Jeanne Gray, and Steven Schopp—all distinguished musicians and teachers in their own right—the first Robert H. Campbell Award ’40, M.S. ’50 Endowed Choral Composition Prize was awarded as cash prizes to the first- and second-place winners of the Ithaca College Thirtieth Annual Choral Composition Contest, held at the college in November.
“Bob Campbell changed my life by caring for me and my future,” said Maiello, currently a professor of music and director of instrumental studies at Virginia’s George Mason University. “He made a phone call to [former music school dean] Dr. Craig McHenry that opened the door to my musical education and career as a music teacher. All he asked in return of me was that I help others. I have always tried to live up to his expectations.”
Sponsored by the Ithaca College School of Music and the Theodore Presser Company, the annual Choral Competition Contest is designed to encourage the creation and performance of new choral music. Each year, from an initial field of some 700 entries, two winners are chosen from six finalists, whose works are performed at the college by six high school choirs, many of which hail from central New York. A memorial award in Robert Campbell’s name was considered an appropriate way to honor his impact on music in New York State and the thousands of students he taught.
The initial recipients of the Robert Campbell Composition Award were Steve Danyew, a master’s student at the Eastman School of Music, and Paul Goldstaub, a professor of music theory and composition at Binghamton University.
“We deeply appreciate the endowment award created to honor our father's contribution to choral music and education,” said Polly Campbell, daughter of Robert Campbell, speaking on behalf of her siblings, Elizabeth Nejman, Margaret Castagna, and Robert J. Campbell, M.D. “The endowment reflects the love and mutual respect between our father and his former colleagues and students. He would be humbled by this wonderful tribute.”
Born in Glasgow in 1917, Robert Campbell came to the Schenectady area at age 7. After graduating from Ithaca College magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in music education, he joined the Schenectady school system in 1940, beginning a career that established him as a pillar of music education in the Schenectady area.
As a teacher, he served on the faculty of the former Nott Terrace High School, where he was named chairman of the music department. He was also music director at the former Linton High School. Thanks to two Ford Foundation Fellowships, he studied at Harvard University and also at Bennington College, where he later served on the summer faculty. He was also a summer faculty member at Boston University, where he earned a doctorate in music. In 1964, he was named supervisor of music for the Schenectady public schools, a post he held until his retirement in 1975.
A member of numerous Schenectady civic organizations, including the advisory board of the Schenectady symphony and the Civic Music Association, Campbell directed the Union College Glee Club, the former Schenectady Women’s Chorus, and numerous other area choral groups.
His many professional memberships included the Music Educators National Conference, New York State Federation of Teachers, and the New York State Music Association, where he served as executive director.
“We thoroughly enjoyed the concert competition,” Polly Campbell said. “The choruses were fabulous, and the compositions lovely and intriguing. Dad would have been so proud of the young women and men, and their conductors. Many thanks for including us and for continuing a legacy of amazing choral composition and performance.”
Anthony Maiello received a bachelor’s and a master’s in music from Ithaca College in l965 and l967, respectively. His many professional credits include clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor of numerous ensembles, which have made appearances throughout North America, Europe, and the Bahamas.
A retired music teacher and a past-president of NYSSMA, Jeanne Gray received a bachelor’s degree in music/music education from the Ithaca College School of Music in 1948. She earned a master’s degree from Cornell University in 1956.
Steven Schopp received a bachelor’s in music education from the college in 1966. In that year, he began teaching instrumental music and directing bands at the Syosset (New York) Central School District, where he also served as chairman of the music and art departments. Schopp holds a master’s in music education from the University of Illinois.
With approximately 6,000 members, NYSSMA advocates improving music education across New York State by promoting and producing appropriate activities and programs for its membership and students in member school music programs.
For more information on the Robert H. Campbell composition prize, contact the Ithaca College School of Music at (607) 274-3171.
The cited information was sourced from Electronic Document (email, file) <http://www.ithaca.edu/news/releases/endowment-honoring-schenectady-music-icon-robert-campbell-established-at-ithaca-college-15683/#.V8soUjVJ700> (Ref: http://www.ithaca.edu/news/release.php?id=2590) The author/originator was Ithaca College, New York. This citation is considered to be direct and primary evidence used, or by dominance of the evidence.12/11/2008
Endowment Honoring Schenectady Music Icon Robert Campbell Established At Ithaca College
ITHACA, NY — In a tribute to renowned choral conductor and longtime Schenectady music educator Robert Campbell, three graduates of the Ithaca College School of Music, along with the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), have established a choral composition prize at Ithaca College in the late Campbell’s honor. Supported by the New York State School Music Association and Anthony Maiello, Jeanne Gray, and Steven Schopp—all distinguished musicians and teachers in their own right—the first Robert H. Campbell Award ’40, M.S. ’50 Endowed Choral Composition Prize was awarded as cash prizes to the first- and second-place winners of the Ithaca College Thirtieth Annual Choral Composition Contest, held at the college in November.
“Bob Campbell changed my life by caring for me and my future,” said Maiello, currently a professor of music and director of instrumental studies at Virginia’s George Mason University. “He made a phone call to [former music school dean] Dr. Craig McHenry that opened the door to my musical education and career as a music teacher. All he asked in return of me was that I help others. I have always tried to live up to his expectations.”
Sponsored by the Ithaca College School of Music and the Theodore Presser Company, the annual Choral Competition Contest is designed to encourage the creation and performance of new choral music. Each year, from an initial field of some 700 entries, two winners are chosen from six finalists, whose works are performed at the college by six high school choirs, many of which hail from central New York. A memorial award in Robert Campbell’s name was considered an appropriate way to honor his impact on music in New York State and the thousands of students he taught.
The initial recipients of the Robert Campbell Composition Award were Steve Danyew, a master’s student at the Eastman School of Music, and Paul Goldstaub, a professor of music theory and composition at Binghamton University.
“We deeply appreciate the endowment award created to honor our father's contribution to choral music and education,” said Polly Campbell, daughter of Robert Campbell, speaking on behalf of her siblings, Elizabeth Nejman, Margaret Castagna, and Robert J. Campbell, M.D. “The endowment reflects the love and mutual respect between our father and his former colleagues and students. He would be humbled by this wonderful tribute.”
Born in Glasgow in 1917, Robert Campbell came to the Schenectady area at age 7. After graduating from Ithaca College magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in music education, he joined the Schenectady school system in 1940, beginning a career that established him as a pillar of music education in the Schenectady area.
As a teacher, he served on the faculty of the former Nott Terrace High School, where he was named chairman of the music department. He was also music director at the former Linton High School. Thanks to two Ford Foundation Fellowships, he studied at Harvard University and also at Bennington College, where he later served on the summer faculty. He was also a summer faculty member at Boston University, where he earned a doctorate in music. In 1964, he was named supervisor of music for the Schenectady public schools, a post he held until his retirement in 1975.
A member of numerous Schenectady civic organizations, including the advisory board of the Schenectady symphony and the Civic Music Association, Campbell directed the Union College Glee Club, the former Schenectady Women’s Chorus, and numerous other area choral groups.
His many professional memberships included the Music Educators National Conference, New York State Federation of Teachers, and the New York State Music Association, where he served as executive director.
“We thoroughly enjoyed the concert competition,” Polly Campbell said. “The choruses were fabulous, and the compositions lovely and intriguing. Dad would have been so proud of the young women and men, and their conductors. Many thanks for including us and for continuing a legacy of amazing choral composition and performance.”
Anthony Maiello received a bachelor’s and a master’s in music from Ithaca College in l965 and l967, respectively. His many professional credits include clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor of numerous ensembles, which have made appearances throughout North America, Europe, and the Bahamas.
A retired music teacher and a past-president of NYSSMA, Jeanne Gray received a bachelor’s degree in music/music education from the Ithaca College School of Music in 1948. She earned a master’s degree from Cornell University in 1956.
Steven Schopp received a bachelor’s in music education from the college in 1966. In that year, he began teaching instrumental music and directing bands at the Syosset (New York) Central School District, where he also served as chairman of the music and art departments. Schopp holds a master’s in music education from the University of Illinois.
With approximately 6,000 members, NYSSMA advocates improving music education across New York State by promoting and producing appropriate activities and programs for its membership and students in member school music programs.
For more information on the Robert H. Campbell composition prize, contact the Ithaca College School of Music at (607) 274-3171.
- Source/Citation References (8)
- Family:
- Individual:
- Individual: Robert H. Campbell Jr
- Family: Edward J. Nejman & wife
- Family:
- Marriage / Union: Edward J. Nejman & Wife
- Marriage / Union:
- Occupation: Music Director (School) Robert H. Campbell Jr