2023 Helen M. Hosmer Excellence in Music Teaching Award Presented to Crane School of Music Alumnus Marjorie Hawthorne ’92 of Oneida, N.Y.
Marjorie Hawthorne ’92 (left) of Oneida, N.Y., is the recipient of the 2023 Helen M. Hosmer Excellence in Music Teaching Award from the Julia E. Crane Alumni Association at SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music. She is seen here receiving the distinction from SUNY Potsdam President Dr. Suzanne Smith (right) at Reunion 2023.
The Julia E. Crane Alumni Association recently honored Marjorie Hawthorne ’92 of Oneida, N.Y., with the Helen M. Hosmer Excellence in Music Teaching Award during Reunion 2023.
The Helen M. Hosmer Excellence in Music Teaching Award is presented each year to Crane School of Music alumni in public school music education who have demonstrated exemplary service in any of the areas of choral, instrumental or general music education. Hawthorne was recognized for her profound impact in the music education community of her city, and her years of faithful leadership to her students.
About the recipient:
A respected conductor, established pedagogue and outstanding horn player, Marjorie Hawthorne ’92 has served the music department of Oneida City Schools since 2001. For more than 10 years, she has held the role of director of music (K-12). In her tenure in the district, she has directed the high school marching band and high school jazz combo, as well as various instrumental ensembles in the elementary and middle schools.
Marjorie’s peers greatly respect the way that she instructs and prepares her student musicians. Her students are always at the top of select ensembles and are always prepared to participate at festivals. Recently, one of her long-term students won the coveted second horn position in the Buffalo Philharmonic. Marjorie’s students love and admire her, and her investment in their lives has opened doors of success in music for many of them.
Marjorie is also the executive director of Central Winds, a wind ensemble of music educators. Under her leadership, the group has flourished, performing at the Midwest International Conference in Chicago twice, at the Texas Bandmasters Association and for the New York State Band Directors Association. Central Winds have also had the opportunity to record their music and connect with affiliated secondary schools.
In the city of Oneida, Marjorie helped to create a Music Educator Day, which started as a small, local event but has become a thriving program that serves nearly 200 New York State educators each year. For more than a decade, she has also run a Small Ensemble Performance Day for students around the area to come and perform small ensemble pieces.
About The Crane School of Music:
Founded in 1886, SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music has a long legacy of excellence in music education and performance. Life at Crane includes an incredible array of more than 300 recitals, lectures and concerts presented by faculty, students and guests each year. The Crane School of Music is the State University of New York’s only All-Steinway institution and was one of the first Yamaha Institutions of Excellence. For more information, please visit www.potsdam.edu/crane.
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