Alumna Receives Two Music Education Awards

Shelly Long, a 2005 Westminster College graduate from Imperial and music teacher at Serra Catholic High School in McKeesport, was recently selected as a "Top Director: 2006 All USA High School Musicians" and named in Who's Who Among American Teachers.

To be considered for the Top Director award, a teacher must first nominate a student for the musicians' award.

"I learned of the contest sponsored by the Music Education National Conference through publications and e-mails I received as a member," Long said. "One of my senior band students, a euphonium player who was planning to major in music education in college, immediately came to mind as a strong candidate. She was in several All-State PA band festivals and had a long history of previous, exceptional musical involvement in local ensembles and study with reputable euphonium teachers, so I entered her in the contest.

"I wasn't surprised when she reached the semifinals. She was then required to submit a professional quality CD of selected euphonium excerpts which was judged by members of the 257th Army Band and U.S. Army Pershing's Own. I was surprised, but overjoyed when I learned that she had been chosen," Long said.

Once a student has been chosen, his/her director is eligible to be a Top Director. Ninety-six students representing 66 schools in 30 states were chosen, as were 64 directors including six from Pennsylvania. Top Directors are featured in School Band and Orchestra magazine

"She received a $200 scholarship to apply to her future musical studies and was featured on the MENC Website online and in an issue of PMEA News, the official magazine of the Pennsylvania Music Education Association," Long said. "I was featured in the October 2006 issue of School Band and Orchestra magazine. I feel extremely fortunate to have encountered someone of her quality so early in my career as a music educator, and to have helped pass along my love of music and influence her decision to also become a music educator."

Long credits her professors at Westminster College for her early success as a music teacher.

"The wonderful experience I had at Westminster and the willingness of my professors to help and challenge me to reach my maximum potential have been invaluable in my career as a music educator," Long said. "David Tessmer, my flute professor at Westminster, was and remains, someone who challenges me to be the best I can be. He takes a personal interest in my successes and failures. I also credit Dr. R. Tad Greig, my instrumental methods professor and wind/symphonic band director, and Dr. Elizabeth Harrison, my music theory professor and academic advisor. Dr. Greig's instrumental methods class has been a constant reference for me, and he taught me ensemble rehearsal methods, as well as how to be a musical role model. Dr. Harrison was always more than willing to help me with music theory assignments, answer questions, or just talk. Her office door was always open, and I do the same thing with my students now."

Long not only teaches music at Serra Catholic High School, she also is a private flute instructor at the Sweetwater Center for the Arts in Sewickley and Johnstonbaugh's Music Centers in Gibsonia and Bridgeville. She is a flutist in several Pittsburgh area ensembles including the North Suburban Symphonic Band and the North Suburban Woodwind Quintet. Long is on the substitute lists for the Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra and Edgewood Symphony Orchestra, where she was recently asked to join the board of directors.

"I decided to go to Westminster because of the high quality of the Music Department and College academically, but also because I knew I would get a personalized education. My professors at Westminster worked hard to challenge their students and genuinely care about them, and I do my best to reflect that in my own teaching," said Long. "It's important to me to that I give back to the community through my private flute teaching and performing, as well as my main teaching job, so that I continue to learn and pass that musical knowledge and be a role model to my students."

Contact Long at flutist1106@hotmail.com for more information.

Shelly Long