As Molloy University prepares to celebrate its 70th year with a landmark concert at Carnegie Hall this November 25, I can’t help but reflect on my own journey—a path that began when I was a young musician growing up in Detroit, guitar in hand, daring to dream of hearing my music performed in the most prestigious hall in the world.
My musical aspirations were born the moment I saw the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. Something about the sound, the energy, and the sheer electricity of that moment told me: this is it. The guitar became my companion, my voice, and my passport into a life in music. From garage bands and Detroit clubs to studying composition at the University of Southern California, my roots ran deep, and they carried me into the world of teaching, composing, and eventually leading universities. As my work evolved into writing for chamber ensembles and orchestras, I saw my works being performed and recorded worldwide, but not yet at Carnegie Hall.
In the year 2012, however, a Carnegie Hall opportunity was coming into view, when I served as Dean of the School of Fine Arts at Miami University. I pitched the audacious idea of filling the Carnegie stage with our students, and on October 7 of that year, 420 performers joined forces in an “All-Miami” concert before 2,000 cheering audience members. To close the evening, I had the honor of hearing my original orchestral and choral arrangement of the university’s Alma Mater—an overwhelming moment when the audience rose to their feet, singing along with the performers as one united voice. It was Carnegie Hall magic.
Now, as president of Molloy University, I am thrilled to return to that iconic stage, this time to celebrate Molloy’s 70th Anniversary. On November 25 at 7 p.m., our extraordinary CAP21 Musical Theatre students will share the spotlight with Broadway stars in a concert that promises to be nothing short of spectacular. This is not just a performance—it’s a milestone, a signature event that will mark our history and launch us boldly into the future.
I invite you to join us for this unforgettable evening. Together, we’ll make Carnegie Hall memories that will last a lifetime.