Music to Our Ears: Annual Dinner Celebrates the Cali School of Music

Life was a cabaret for the more than 300 guests at Montclair State’s annual
dinner on April 26. Montclair State University Musical Theatre students, under the direction of Professor Clay James, performed two high-energy numbers from
Kander and Ebb’s Cabaret, which was presented in sold-out performances seen
by over 3,500 people in February.

This year’s annual dinner, held in University Hall’s Conference Center,
celebrated the new John J. Cali School of Music. Guests were also treated to the University Singers and Chorale performing three classical works, under the direction of Professor Heather Buchanan, to thundering applause from the appreciative audience.

The John J. Cali Board of Advisors, led by Rose Cali ’80, made a tremendous
effort to ensure the evening’s success and deserves sincere thanks for their hard work and dedication. Special thanks also go to cocktail reception sponsors Mack-Cali Realty Corporation, Prudential Financial and PSE&G, and dessert sponsor BIT Solutions.

Carpe Diem Awards, among the University’s highest honors, were presented
to Cali School students Durell Danner and Robbin Gordon-Cartier. Awards
were also presented to George Hiltzik, who served as chair of the University Board of Trustees for four years; Ingrid Williams ’92 ’96 M.A., a distinguished alumna in organ performance and a member of the John J. Cali School of Music Advisory Board; and jazz legend John “Bucky” Pizzarelli.

A posthumous Carpe Diem award was presented to George Rochberg ’39,
one of the most influential composers of the second half of the 20th century. His wife Gene ’41, who wrote the libretto for her husband’s opera, The Confidence Man, accepted the Carpe Diem award on his behalf.

The John J. Cali School of Music offers an outstanding education to bright,
ambitious students and many of New Jersey’s most talented young artists.
Proceeds from the annual dinner will provide vital scholarship support for
the outstanding and hard-working students of the Cali School.

Planning has already begun for next year’s centennial annual dinner, which
will be transformed into the Centennial Gala. The Gala is scheduled for
Saturday, May 3, 2008 and will be held on campus. Information will
be forthcoming.