| June 15-24 | Regents/Rct Exams |
| June 23 | **Cap, Gown & Ticket Distribution in Café N from 9AM-2PM |
| June 24 | Graduation Rehearsal/Senior Picnic at NFA Academy Field 10:00AM |
| June 24 | NFA Graduation 7:00PM (NFA Academy Field) |
| more... | |
After 40 Years the Curtain Closes for NFA’s Cal Parent
On Thurs., June 11, 2009, Newburgh Free Academy’s beloved music teacher Cal Parent gave one final performance on stage at Newburgh Free Academy in front of a packed house filled with friends, family members, colleagues, and students both past and present.
In third grade, Parent began playing the trombone and in fifth grade became a member of the Murdock High School band in Winchendon, Massachusetts. After attending Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota and receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education in 1969, he completed his Masters Degree in Music Education at Western Connecticut State University. Later, he took additional graduate coursework at SUNY New Paltz and the University of Vermont in Burlington.
In 1969, Parent began teaching in Newburgh as a music coordinator of the Urban Education Music Program. The program was a federal grant program designed to increase the number of minority students enrolled in the band and orchestra programs in the junior high and senior levels in Newburgh. From 1973 until 1976, Parent taught elementary instrumental music at the Montgomery Street School which is now Horizons on the Hudson School, Broadway School, and West Street School. Then from 1976 until 1990, Parent taught instrumental and general music at North Junior High School.
In 1990, Parent transferred to NFA where he has worked for the last 19 years as the Director of Bands. Over the years, he began and directed the Wind Ensemble, the Concert Band, the Marching Band, the Jazz Ensemble, the Pit Orchestra for the All-School Musicals, the Marching Band, and even the Orchestra.
In addition to many extracurricular organizations that he was a part of, Parent served as a member of the Cornwall School Board for nine years and was also a member and eventually President, from 1986 until 1987, of the Orange County Musical Educators. He also participated in the Newburgh Mentoring Program as a mentor to first year teachers and achieved Master Teacher status in 1983.
Newburgh Free Academy teacher Chris Eachus who has been a colleague and friend of Cal Parent’s over the years has kind words for his departing colleague following the event, “All the hard work my daughter, as a blossoming musician, put in over the years, was cultivated to completion by Cal Parent. The retirement of Cal from the Newburgh Enlarged City School District is a loss that will be felt by many generations. Students from his past, present students and stories told to future students will permanently emblaze Cal Parent's name in the annals of NFA music.”
Now that the curtain has closed for Parent, his retirement plans include spending more time with his wife Marcia, son Seth and daughter Ashley. In addition, he looks forward to vacations in northern Vermont and becoming a grandfather to twins later this year.
Parent said that he will miss this job, “very much” and that while he probably could continue on for another ten years he feels that now is a good time for him to retire. Lastly, Parent said he hopes that along the way he has instilled in his students the desire to follow their dreams. Parent said that he always has his students live and work by the saying, “Excellence is the pursuit of perfection”.
In third grade, Parent began playing the trombone and in fifth grade became a member of the Murdock High School band in Winchendon, Massachusetts. After attending Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota and receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education in 1969, he completed his Masters Degree in Music Education at Western Connecticut State University. Later, he took additional graduate coursework at SUNY New Paltz and the University of Vermont in Burlington.
In 1969, Parent began teaching in Newburgh as a music coordinator of the Urban Education Music Program. The program was a federal grant program designed to increase the number of minority students enrolled in the band and orchestra programs in the junior high and senior levels in Newburgh. From 1973 until 1976, Parent taught elementary instrumental music at the Montgomery Street School which is now Horizons on the Hudson School, Broadway School, and West Street School. Then from 1976 until 1990, Parent taught instrumental and general music at North Junior High School.
In 1990, Parent transferred to NFA where he has worked for the last 19 years as the Director of Bands. Over the years, he began and directed the Wind Ensemble, the Concert Band, the Marching Band, the Jazz Ensemble, the Pit Orchestra for the All-School Musicals, the Marching Band, and even the Orchestra.
In addition to many extracurricular organizations that he was a part of, Parent served as a member of the Cornwall School Board for nine years and was also a member and eventually President, from 1986 until 1987, of the Orange County Musical Educators. He also participated in the Newburgh Mentoring Program as a mentor to first year teachers and achieved Master Teacher status in 1983.
Newburgh Free Academy teacher Chris Eachus who has been a colleague and friend of Cal Parent’s over the years has kind words for his departing colleague following the event, “All the hard work my daughter, as a blossoming musician, put in over the years, was cultivated to completion by Cal Parent. The retirement of Cal from the Newburgh Enlarged City School District is a loss that will be felt by many generations. Students from his past, present students and stories told to future students will permanently emblaze Cal Parent's name in the annals of NFA music.”
Now that the curtain has closed for Parent, his retirement plans include spending more time with his wife Marcia, son Seth and daughter Ashley. In addition, he looks forward to vacations in northern Vermont and becoming a grandfather to twins later this year.
Parent said that he will miss this job, “very much” and that while he probably could continue on for another ten years he feels that now is a good time for him to retire. Lastly, Parent said he hopes that along the way he has instilled in his students the desire to follow their dreams. Parent said that he always has his students live and work by the saying, “Excellence is the pursuit of perfection”.
Theresa Brown , NECSD’s Director of Fine & Performing Arts, describes her experiences working with Cal Parent over the last several years.
Former and past students saluted NFA’s Cal Parent during his special concert recently. Students put together a special dance as well as medley of former songs from NFA performances over the years.
Parent receives a standing ovation from students, colleagues, friends, and family members following his last performance on the NFA stage.
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