Music

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The Ozcars ceremony held Friday, April 17 in the Vistatech Center honored recipients in categories such as Math, English, Art, Music and more.

It was a night full of stars as the first-ever Ozcars Academic Banquet honored student achievement at Schoolcraft College.

An homage to the annual event celebrating cinema – combined with the College’s mascot Ozzy – the Ozcars ceremony held Friday, April 17 in the Vistatech Center honored recipients in categories such as Math, English, Art, Music and more. Longstanding awards such as the Pythagorean Prize, the Write Word Awards, the Honor Program awards and more were given out to the student award winners.

“The measurement of our success is our students, and judging by this room, we have done pretty well,” Cerny said. “These students take what they learn and apply it, showcasing their incredible skills in areas such as English, math, art and more.”

The Ozcars marks the first time all the Liberal Arts and Science awards were given out at one event. The desire to make the night a star-studded affair helped shine a light on the premiere academic success of the students across campus.

students talking at exhibit table
Honors students showcased their Capstone Projects during a gala before the ceremony.

In addition to the awards, a gala featuring Schoolcraft Scholars Honors Program Capstone Projects was held before the event, along with photo opportunities at the Ozcars-themed backdrop.

For students in attendance, it marked an unforgettable evening.

“The Ozcars was surely a night to remember. I was honored to have the opportunity to showcase my Honors Capestone project during the gallery walkthrough’, which kicked off the festivities,” said Samantha Bleim, a STEAM@Schoolcraft fellow who was also recognized for her work in the Honors Program. “Being surrounded by some of my favorite friends, faculty, staff and family members, while being recognized for my academic accomplishments was the cherry on top of a one-of-a-kind, successful semester.”

A sold-out event, the Ozcars ceremony was put on by a team made up of members of several departments, including the Center for Experiential Learning, the Center for Academic Innovation, the President’s Office, the Marketing Department, the Schoolcraft College Foundation and more.

“This event has been more than a year in the making, and we’re so proud to recognize our students for their talents and hard work,” said Errin Stegich-Moloney, director of the Center for Experiential Learning and chair of the Ozcars Planning Committee. “Our students accomplish so much during their time here, and this event was the perfect evening to celebrate all their achievements.”

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Schoolcraft College’s Wednesday Noon Concert Series returns this fall with classical and jazz programs highlighting outstanding woodwind, piano, brass, string and percussion musicians. All performances are from noon to 1:00 p.m. in Kehrl Auditorium in the Vistatech Center.

Please note that the Vistatech Center is undergoing construction and that the main entrance is closed. Go to schoolcraft.edu/progress to download a map with parking and entrance information.

Here’s a brief look at this fall’s performances:

Wednesday, October 5 – Classical

  • Musicians: Nancy Ambrose King, oboe; Matthew Thompson, piano; Trevor Ambrose King, bassoon
  • About the program: Nancy Ambrose King, Professor of Oboe at the University of Michigan, has appeared with orchestras throughout the United States and abroad and has given solo performances at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. Matthew Thompson is an Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Michigan and serves as a vocal coach for graduate voice students. Trevor Ambrose King has performed with numerous ensembles across the United States and Canada.

Wednesday, October 19 – Jazz

  • Musicians: The Steve Wood Quartet (Steve Wood, saxophone; Phil Kelly, piano; Ray Parker, bass; Jon Blanchette, drums)
  • About the program: Steve Wood, a teacher at Cranbrook Academy and at Michigan State University Community Music School, has performed with many of the world’s finest jazz musicians. He has toured Europe twice and also performs at clubs, concerts and festivals throughout Michigan and Ohio.

Wednesday, November 2 – Jazz

  • Musicians: Jonathon Muir-Cotton and Expressions
  • About the program: Jonathon Muir-Cotton, a student at Michigan State University pursing a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies, is a multi-award-winning double bassist and bassist. He continues to hone his craft, hopes to tour the world and eventually become a music educator.

Wednesday, November 16 – Classical

  • Musicians: Sophia Gilmson and Soonghee Ha, piano duo
  • About the program: Sophia Gilmson, a Russian/American pianist and pedagogue, graduated cum laude from the St. Petersburg (Leningrad) Conservatory, studying with Vitaly Margulis. She has performed extensively in the U.S., Europe and Russia and has presented workshops and master classes nationally and internationally. Dr. Soonghee Ha teaches Class Piano and Music History at Schoolcraft College. She received her doctoral degree in Piano Performance and Master of Music Education from the University of Texas.

Wednesday, December 7 – Classical

  • Musicians: Today’s Brass Quintet (Jean Moorehead Libs, trumpet; Mitchell Wechsler, trumpet; Brian Robson, trombone; Alan Taplin, horn; Joseph DeMarsh, tuba)
  • About the program: Today’s Brass Quintet (TBQ) has enjoyed a reputation as one of the Midwest’s finest artistic ensembles since its inception in 1983. TBQ programs its original arrangements from a full spectrum of styles, ranging from the sparkling baroque masterpieces of Bach and Pachelbel to the toe-tapping pleasures of Sousa, Gershwin and Ellington.

Coming to the Wednesday Noon Concert Series in winter 2023:

  • Three classical concerts — cellist Suren Bagratuni, the Brazilian duo João Luiz and Danilo Brito, and the Schoolcraft Music Faculty Recital
  • Two jazz performances — the Ellen Roe Trio and the Ingrid Racine Quartet

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The hope is that in-person performances return this fall

Today for “Faculty Spotlight” we’re sitting down with Dr. Frederick Moss, the new Department Representative for Music and Theatre.

Schoolcraft College: Hello, Dr. Moss, and congratulations on your new role! To start out, could you please tell us about your position at Schoolcraft College, how long you have been with us and what classes you teach?

Dr. Frederick Moss is a talented performer of the piano and the clarinet.

Frederick Moss: I began teaching at Schoolcraft in the fall of 2001. My charge was to teach one section of Music 107, which is music for elementary school teachers. It was a wonderful diversion from writing my dissertation. When the dissertation and doctorate were completed, my work at Schoolcraft expanded to include teaching music appreciation, popular music in America, and applied instrumental music studio class.

For now, I will continue to teach the same classes I have been teaching. The primary new responsibilities for me will include overseeing the music and theater departments, representing those departments at meetings and functions across campus, working with other faculty to recruit students for music and theater, and assist with sharing the good word regarding music and theater with the larger community. 

SC: What prompted your interest in music?

Frederick Moss: I do not remember not being interested in music. My earliest musical memory is listening to my sister practice the violin when I was probably no more than 3 years old. On some level, I remember thinking, “I’m going to do that someday.” Legendary singer Tony Bennett said, “I can’t not sing.” His words very much describe my relationship with music.      

SC: We understand you play both the clarinet and the piano. How often do you perform and what do you like about each of those instruments?

Frederick Moss: Clarinet is my main public performance avenue. As a youngster, I rather stumbled upon it as my best friend in fifth grade band was playing it also. I grew to absolutely love the sound of the instrument. As I began learning the clarinet literature, I fell in love with it also. 

Piano has become my own personal “music therapy.” Sitting down and playing the piano has become like sitting in a wonderfully comfortable easy chair for me, though I have played in restaurants and for numerous weddings and private parties. I also do play the piano in class to accompany my students or provide examples of various ideas in music.  

Regarding clarinet performance, in the last few years, I have appeared regularly on the faculty recital at Schoolcraft. Thanks to the pandemic, the clarinet has taken a bit of a back seat as I have had a LOT to learn about teaching online. A couple of my music faculty colleagues and I are very interested in developing a chamber music ensemble, however, and I am really looking forward to that type of collaboration.

SC: It’s no secret that funding for the arts in elementary schools, middles schools and high schools have been drastically reduced in recent years. You have taught several courses related to instructors who want to teach music. In your opinion, why is it important for children to be exposed to the arts?

“My main goal is to broaden the understanding of the community well beyond our campus perimeter regarding the good things that are going on in music and theater at Schoolcraft.”


Dr. Frederick Moss, Department Representative for Music and Theatre

Frederick Moss: Humans are musical beings. We are also mathematical beings and linguistic beings and all manner of other kinds of beings. In education, we have to make a decision regarding the extent to which we want to shape the whole person or only those aspects. 

In schooling, we have taken for granted subjects like math, science, and language arts. I vote for teaching the whole person in school with a highly qualified music teacher in the same way, generally, we intend to have high-qualified teachers for math, science, and language arts.

I am a big fan of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs, but I am an even bigger fan of STEAM initiatives (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) where, at least in theory, the arts stand right alongside those other important academic areas.      

SC: The Music and Theatre departments at Schoolcraft College have been well-respected for many years, with the performances, recitals and productions enjoyed by community members. What are your goals for the departments?

Frederick Moss: My main goal is to broaden the understanding of the community well beyond our campus perimeter regarding the good things that are going on in music and theater at Schoolcraft. I often am surprised by some version of the following comment: “I didn’t know Schoolcraft had a music department.” 

My sense is that a significant number of people are similarly unaware of what we have to offer regarding theater. My colleagues work tirelessly to develop courses and performances, so I really want to get the word out that Schoolcraft is the place to come to either study or enjoy a performance in those areas.   

SC: What do you like best about teaching at Schoolcraft College?

Frederick Moss: I love the “community” in “community college.” When I started teaching at Schoolcraft, I was struck by the degree to which a really kind and caring community existed on campus. As I have taken on more classes and participated in committees, I have enjoyed becoming more and more a part of the campus community. I look forward to deepening that relationship as a full-time faculty member.

Man sits at piano

Dr. Frederick Moss is a talented performer of the piano and the clarinet.

SC: Will we have live performances on campus this year? Can you provide any updates?

Frederick Moss: Of course, everything is subject to what happens regarding the pandemic, but we are working toward live music performances on campus as early as December and live theater performances in winter. In the meantime, look for some more online events during the fall.

SC: You also serve as a member of our DEI Task Force. Please tell us why you wanted to be part of that.

Frederick Moss: I have long felt that diversity is one of the great spices of life. My greatest personal growth has occurred when I have opened myself to learning as much as I can about individuals who have life experiences different from my own. Sometimes that learning has been difficult or even painful as I have had to examine assumptions I was holding unknowingly about people, but it has always been worth it. 

In these complicated times, I felt that a diversity, equity, and inclusion task force could do a lot to foster more opportunity for us all to learn more about each other as our own campus community becomes more and more diverse. In addition, as a visually impaired person, I welcomed the opportunity to represent disability at the DEI table. 

SC: Thank you, Dr. Moss. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Frederick Moss: Go Ocelots!