Musicians who have participated in Philharmonic Association orchestras, and their parents,
know first hand that our Artistic Staff bring special gifts to their work. Over the years, there has been well-deserved public recognition of members of our Artistic
Staff. TYS Conductor, Tony Robinson, has won Teacher of the Year commendation from Cary High School (1999-2000), Wakefield Middle School (2000-2001), and the Wake
County PTA Council (2002-2003). TYS Associate Conductor, Marta Findlay-Partridge, was among the first group of music educators to earn certification in 2002 from the
National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. In 2003, Artistic Director and TYP Conductor, Hugh Partridge, was awarded the Raleigh medal of Arts in recognition
of his "extraordinary achievement in the Arts". Ms. Findlay-Partridge is also the 2004 recipient of the Maxine Swalin Outstanding Music Educator Award presented by
the North Carolina Symphony. This spring our wonderful Artistic Staff was again recognized for their achievements.
Tony Robinson, NC Central District Bandmasters Association,"Award of Excellence"
Tony Robinson, TYS Conductor
Each year the North Carolina Central District Bandmasters Association recognizes one of
its own as the winner of the Award of Excellence. Candidates are nominated and the membership votes to award the recipient at its spring meeting. This year's
winner is TYS Conductor, Tony Robinson. The award speaks not only of the quality of work that the individual has done in a given year, but of a career full of
dedication to kids and music education. Tony will be recognized by the state organization at the Music Educator's Convention in November and will be given the
opportunity to conduct one of the All-District Honor Bands in January.
Hugh Partridge, 2005 Maxine Swalin Outstanding Music Educator Award
Hugh Partridge, Artistic Director and TYP Conductor
This award is presented annually to a North Carolina music teacher who serves the community as a role model in music education, instills a love for music in children and inspires students to reach appropriately high musical standards. Hugh Partridge, long-time North Carolina Symphony Principal Viola, has had a major influence on the musical life of North Carolina for nearly thirty years. Through his role as Artistic Director of the Philharmonic Association, his leadership as a founding member of the Martin Luther King Celebration Youth Concerts and as a founding Board member of the Community Music School, his work in founding, directing and leading area youth orchestras since 1984, and his two decades of involvement with the Wake County Public Schools, Partridge has inspired thousands of students in the Triangle area. One letter recommending Partridge for the Swalin award said: "When I studied with Hugh Partridge in college, I remember how much he cared about his students. He was always available to encourage, to listen, to advise, to inspire. We all loved Hugh. He was my most influential college professor, preparing me for a career in music and a lifelong enjoyment in making music. I know how much his students love him now. At many concerts, you can see young people come up to the foot of the stage to visit with Mr. Partridge."
The award was given at a North Carolina Symphony Concert on May 22, 2005. At the presentation Mr. Partridge gave the following remarks:
"This award is a celebration; a celebration of the vision, dedication and leadership of Maxine Swalin. In 1939, Maxine’s husband, Dr. Benjamin Swalin, became
Artistic Director of the North Carolina Symphony. Together they nurtured the North Carolina Symphony to become a major symphony orchestra. But more importantly,
they created an educational symphonic program that has become a model throughout the United States. We are all grateful that through the Symphony’s educational mission,
thousands of young people across our State get to hear this orchestra play great classical music every year. I am grateful for the privilege of being a member of this
magnificent orchestra for the past 30 years. I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given to work with young musicians of our community.... They are the future
of great classical music. I would like to thank my colleagues in the orchestra for their support and encouragement, the dedicated school music teachers for their tireless work,
[and] the parents of our young musicians. And I am most grateful for all the truly gifted and talented young musicians who love to play great classical music. This award also
celebrates them."