Article originally posted: May 6, 2014<\/p>\n
The Gene Consales \u201950 Endowed Music Scholarship Fund is providing scholarship support to vocal music students at the John J. Cali School of Music, thanks to the endowment of a $1 million gift from Mrs. Kay Consales, widow of the late musician, composer, vocal music teacher and businessman.<\/p>\n
Montclair State alumnus Gene Consales, who died in 2011 at age 87, was a talented musician and composer who gave up a promising Broadway career to do what he loved best: teach. A high school vocal music teacher for his entire career, Consales drew the best from his students by insisting on \u201ckeeping the fun in fundamentals.\u201d His SRO shows at the high school always ended in standing ovations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are most grateful to Kay Consales for choosing her husband\u2019s alma mater to establish an endowed scholarship fund in his memory,\u201d says Montclair State University President Susan A. Cole. \u201cDuring his 42-year career as a music teacher at Union High School, Gene Consales was a positive presence in the lives of thousands of students, whom he taught, mentored and fondly called \u2018his kids.\u2019 Now, through Kay\u2019s generosity, the Cali School of Music at Montclair State will be able to continue and build upon Gene\u2019s teaching legacy as we prepare future generations of talented young musicians for success in music and in life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Consales\u2019 widow, daughter Christine and her husband J. Douglas Peters, as well as a number of his friends, former students and former colleagues were present at the early afternoon scholarship fund dedication.<\/p>\n
The ceremony included remarks and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in the Chapin Hall lobby by Dr. Cole, as well as a performance in Leshowitz Hall by University students of songs holding special meaning for the Consales family. \u201cSleepy Summertime\u201d was Consales\u2019 favorite among his many original compositions. \u201cTea for Two,\u201d from the 1925 musical No, No, Nanette, was Gene and Kay Consales\u2019 favorite song. The couple performed it together \u2013 with soft shoe routine \u2013 throughout more than 60 years of marriage.<\/p>\n
A native of Newark, New Jersey, Consales was trained as a B-17 radio operator-gunner in the Army Air Corps during World War II, before being transferred to the entertainment division, where he played piano accordion for troops in Italy and in the U.S.<\/p>\n
During this time, he wrote hundreds of songs, two rhapsodies and an operetta, Voice of the Heart. It was while producing his operetta that he proposed to his future wife, Kay Horne, who was the show\u2019s choreographer.<\/p>\n
Consales studied at Montclair State on the GI Bill from 1946-1950, earning both a BA in Music and English and an MA in Administration and Supervision. A vocal music teacher whose musical hero was George Gershwin, he inspired a number of students to pursue successful careers in music. He also created and directed adult choral groups and glee clubs that performed for community groups.<\/p>\n
An equally talented businessman, Consales\u2019 real estate investments included the Bamm Hollow Golf Club, restaurants and rental properties. He and his wife owned and managed the noted Baltusrol Swim Club in Springfield, New Jersey.<\/p>\n
These investments have provided funding for the music scholarship that bears his name and that will keep students making music for generations to come.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the John J. Cali School, as well as in the College of the Arts, we are dedicated to two key principles: providing opportunity and pursuing excellence,\u201d says Montclair State University College of the Arts dean Daniel Gurskis. \u201cThis extremely generous gift enables us to do both better.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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