A celebration of life and music at Ardrey
debbie geiger - March 12th, 2008The NAU School of Music suffered a loss last year when professor Dr. Michael Sullivan died of a rare and extremely aggressive form of cancer. The death came as a shock to his friends, family and students, and has left those that knew him with the need to find ways to tribute him as a person and as a musician.
For this, there will be a tribute concert at Ardrey Auditorium on March 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Stephen Dunn, professor in the School of Music, said he only got to work with Sullivan for one year but is happy to be helping with the planning of this concert.
“Mr. Sullivan was an extraordinary person,” Dunn said. “He has many students and colleagues on campus that want to remember him through this concert.
“Nobody expected that it would end like it did. Not even himself. He had been picking up his clarinet and thinking he would be back within a couple months before he died.”
Because of his will to live, and his love for music, the School of Music has decided to hold this free concert in his name. Sullivan specialized in the clarinet, but there will be many different artistic performances on March 13.
According to Rita Borden, a piano professor in the School of Music, “Dr. Sullivan was a favorite professor of all music students, not just his own clarinet students. He was also a favorite of the faculty; a talented, inspired performer; an excellent teacher; possessed a wonderful sense of humor; entertained his friends with many tales; baked great Mrs. Fields chocolate chip cookies — an all around colorful character.”
The concert will flow from one instrument to the next, weaving dance, poetry and mixed media throughout. The instruments themselves will range from piano to woodwinds, brass to banjo, and will be performed by students, alumni and friends of Sullivan.
Melinda Towne, a senior music education major, is grateful to have this event before she graduates.
“He’s the reason I came to NAU,” Towne said. “His spirit, his energy, everything. He was always passionate about his music and passionate about his students.”
Towne got to know Sullivan during high school music camps, and during her first two years of studying music education at NAU.
“He’s one of the greatest people anyone could ever meet,” she said. “This year, we will be playing a piece at the end of the concert in dedication to him.”
The piece will include current NAU students and alumni who studied with Sullivan in the past.
“It would be amazing if there were 100 clarinets (playing in the memorial concert), but it will probably be something like 20,” Towne said.
The concert will be followed by a reception in the lobby.