Shaun Cloonan, a 2000 Westminster graduate and music teacher at West View Elementary and North Hills Junior High School, recently was named the 2006 Outstanding Young Conductor by the American Choral Directors Association of Pennsylvania at its annual conference.

Cloonan was nominated for this award by Dr. Robin Lind, director of choral activities at Westminster College. It was supposed to be a surprise, but Cloonan knew something was up before he even got to the conference.

"I got an e-mail the day before I left for the conference requesting to know everything I've done since I left Westminster College," Cloonan said. "That's when I knew something was up."

"Since Shaun graduated a year before I arrived at Westminster College, I have gotten to know him as a colleague and friend, not as a former student," Lind said. "Westminster can be very proud of him. He's not only an excellent teacher and music director, but he finds time to help organize and host a one-day music festival for young men called Mucho Macho Music' to encourage young men from grades six through nine to continue singing through this awkward stage of the changing voice. He also volunteers to speak and give presentations to beginning teachers at Westminster and American Choral Directors Association of Pennsylvania Conference."

"I don't feel like I do anything different than any other music teacher," Cloonan said. "We are there for the success of the students, and if that means creating extra ensembles, hosting festivals, or taking students on trips to gain more experience, then that's what we do. I learned about a caring environment from my experiences at Westminster. I felt the professors there went out of their way to make sure that I was being the most successful person I could be."

"Shaun was a perfect student for Westminster College in music," said Dr. R. Tad Greig, Westminster director of bands. "He was involved as a leader in the bands and choir, and I knew that when I assigned a task to Shaun, whether music or administrative, it would be completed on time and in full detail. I'm not surprised to see this honor bestowed on Shaun. I see this as only the beginning of what I am certain will be many more acknowledgments and awards."

"I've learned a great deal from the experienced professionals with whom I've come into contact since the beginning at Westminster," Shaun said. "While student teaching in the Wilmington Area School system with Karen Latta, who is also a Westminster graduate, she told me something that shaped my whole philosophy of teaching. She constantly reminded me that if I wasn't making a conscious effort to make what I do meaningful to the students, then I may as well not be standing in front of them."

Cloonan splits his days between the North Hills elementary and junior high schools.

"I have the chance to work with students at many levels." said Cloonan. "It's amazing to me to see the progression from those very first music experiences in a first grade to when I see them in a performance setting in eighth-grade chorus."

In addition to his teaching duties, Cloonan also chaperones trips for the elementary students to listen to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and helps to direct a school-wide "evening of the arts" where the students showcase their artistic and musical abilities. He also co-directs the North Hills Children's Choir made up of fourth through sixth-grade children.

"In junior high, collaboration is the name of the game," Cloonan said. "I'm surrounded by incredibly talented and caring educators. There are three choral teachers at the junior high, and we all join together to team-teach a select concert choir that meets during homerooms, plus a boys ensemble open to any boy in the school who wants to sing. The three of us collaborate at our concerts by doing combined songs, playing piano, and even directing for each other. It's amazing how much more effective a person can be when they have a team working with them."

Cloonan is part of the directorial staff of the junior high musical, another team effort.

"My experiences working with the Chapel Drama at Westminster constantly come back to aid me in making a high-quality production," Cloonan said. "I'm thankful for the opportunity to have been a director for two Westminster productions, which has proven to be invaluable in knowing what to expect in the audition and rehearsal process."

Cloonan remembers that some of his earliest musical memories were at the First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood, where he is a lifelong member. For the past four years, he has served as music director of the church choir. But before becoming church choir director, he was a member of the children's choir and later sang in the tenor section of the choir and often performed solos.

"My experiences in the spiritual life of Westminster prepared me to become a leader in the music ministry," Cloonan said. "Singing at Vespers, leading a Bible study, attending Chapel services, singing with the choir at the New Wilmington Presbyterian Church, attending the Jubilee conference, as well as the spiritual component of Chapel drama enabled me to feel comfortable leading church choir. It guides my selection of music to complement the sermon."

The connection between his church and Westminster College continues.

"I've had the privilege of working with Westminster presenting a performance of Faure's Requiem as part of the church's community concert series," Cloonan continued.

"I have to say that I am very fortunate to have found myself in these positions. I truly love the work that I do and the opportunities I have to work with people of all ages," Cloonan said. "The hardest thing right now is finding time to do my own music making, but I'm working on that. Fortunately, I was given many, many opportunities to refine my skills with the musical ensembles at Westminster. At least I know that even though I'm not actively performing right now, I have a strong background from the gifted and talented staff nestled in the Westminster community."

"The Westminster College Music Department, as well as the entire Westminster community, is extremely proud of Shaun's accomplishments," Greig said.

"His positive attitude, organizational skills, and creative talents make him a true asset to the field of music education in the state of Pennsylvania," Lind said. "I am so proud of him and his accomplishments and am especially thrilled that he is a graduate of Westminster College."

Cloonan has a unique outlook regarding his profession and receiving the Outstanding Young Conductor Award.

"I've been given a wonderful opportunity to reach people's lives in ways that most others can't," Cloonan concluded. "We're called as music educators to give experiences that add more richness to life. In the words of Dr. Joseph Goodnack [assistant superintendent of the North Hills School District], the core subjects (math, reading, science, etc.) are the black and white of our lives; music provides the color.' I'm so grateful to be providing color in so many people's lives, and am humbled by the recognition for just doing what I am lucky enough to do every day.

Contact Cloonan at cloonans@nhsd.k12.pa.us for more information.

Shaun Cloonan and Dr. Robin Lind