Red Clay Consolidated School District

Red Clay News

Parets To Be Honored By Delaware Symphony Orchestra

 

Paul L. Parets, legendary Director of Bands at Alexis I. DuPont High School, will be awarded the Jessie Ball DuPont Educator Award on March 20, 2010 at the 10th consecutive Educators Night at the Delaware Symphony Orchestra.

The award is presented annually to a music educator that has had a "significant impact in the field of music education.’’

"This year, we received a record number of applications from highly qualified candidates but Paul’s outstanding contributions during his 34 years of teaching were distinctly impressive,’’ said Lucinda Williams, executive director of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra. "His legendary dedication to his students and the greater community is recognized throughout Delaware, as is his enduring goal of making great music. The education committee was extremely impressed with Paul’s enduring work ethic and his absolute admiration by his current and former students.’’

Mr. Parets has been director of the internationally recognized AIHS Tiger Marching Band since August 1976 and teaches Advanced Placement U.S. Government classes.

The Tiger Marching Band averages more than 200 members each year and has appeared on a regular basis in the world’s largest parades, national sporting events, at the Vatican for Pope Benedict, successor to Pope John-Paul, in inaugural parades for three U.S. Presidents and holds the distinction of being the only high school band in the country to march in the Rose Bowl five times.

Mr. Parets was named the Delaware Teacher of the Year for 1986-1987, named a Distinguished Educator of the Year in 1988 by the National Association for Music Education and listed in Who’s Who in America 2007.

He attended Central Michigan University and the University of Michigan and the University of Maryland for graduate studies. Mr. Parets has two children; Tim, a building contractor in Steamboat Springs, CO and Meredith, who teaches 3rd grade in Phoenix, AZ. 

"Not only is Paul an iconic figure within the AI community, he is an exceptional teacher of Advanced Placement students,’’ wrote AIHS Principal Kevin Palladinetti in his nominating letter. "I continue to be impressed with his work ethic and dedication to his students.’’

One former student, now associate director of bands at AIHS, wrote that Mr. Parets helped shape him into the person he is today. "His support extends beyond the classroom,’’ wrote Richard F. Weaver III. "It is not uncommon to see him cheering on his students at a soccer, wrestling, hockey or swimming event, just to name a few. Paul Parets always goes above and beyond the call of duty.’’

Weaver and other students wrote about how the travels and experiences while members of the Marching Tigers were some of the most memorable of their lives, mentioning a Facebook group entitled "Mr. Parets Changed My Life’’ with more than 600 members.

"The band is a student-led organization whose seniors make all of the major decisions,’’ wrote Weaver. "It wasn’t until later in my life that I realized just how important the leadership skills that Mr. Parets taught us really were.’’

Each year, the Delaware Symphony Orchestra hosts Educators Night to honor area educators. The award is named for Jesse Ball DuPont, who was a schoolteacher before she married the Symphony’s founder, Alfred I. DuPont.

The winner is selected by the Symphony’s Education Committee, a group composed of past and present educators and community members. The award includes a $1,000 honorarium, engraved plaque and formal recognition at the annual Educators Night concert.

The event will be held at the Grand Opera House in Wilmington and includes a $12 discounted ticket price for area educators and a post-concert dessert reception to celebrate area educators.

The concert will feature Maestro Amado and the Delaware Symphony Orchestra with the mandolinist and composer Chris Thile, Copland’s "El Salon Mexico;’’ and Dvorak’s "New World Symphony.’’ There will be a pre-performance lecture at 7 p.m. preceding the concert.

 

 

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