Music professor Brian Norcross capped 40 years of service to Franklin & Marshall College as he led more than 215 musicians, including over 100 F&M alumni, in concerts and programming that brought hundreds of graduates, parents and community members to Lancaster.

Music’s rich tradition at F&M was on full display this past weekend. In celebration of 90 years of the Franklin & Marshall Band and 40 years of the College Orchestra, Senior Director of Instrumental Music & Conducting Studies and Senior Teaching Professor of Music Norcross brought together students, alumni and Lancaster musicians for two evenings of wind ensemble and orchestral concerts.

The event served as a career milestone for Norcross, who will retire in June after 40 years of service at F&M. In conversations throughout the weekend, many with former students who performed with Norcross over the past four decades, that length of service stands out as one to be remarked upon — especially considering he only thought he’d be at the College for a year or two. But when his second year saw music at the center of the College’s bicentennial, and when Norcross’ ensembles received widespread acclaim under the direction of their new conductor, it quickly became clear that he’d found a home.

“From the moment he arrived on campus, step by step, score by score, concert by concert, one broken violin string at a time, Brian Norcross has built up a program in instrumental music that is surely the envy of any liberal arts college in our class,” said Matthew Butterfield, professor and chair of the department of music at Franklin & Marshall, to a full house before Friday evening’s concert. “His ensembles enroll every year, and most of his students stay with him through their four years at F&M. The experiences they share run deep, and of course, it makes them — as it has made all of you — want to come back to F&M to celebrate Brian as he steps off his podium here in Barshinger Center for the Performing Arts.”

More than 300 alumni and parents of F&M students and graduates returned to campus for the weekend events. Friday evening featured the Franklin & Marshall Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Orchestra, which included guest appearances from Lancaster musicians and students from Millersville University and the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design. Before the final piece of the night, the audience was treated to a video recording from conductors around the world sharing their congratulations and admiration for Norcross.

Anniversary Music Celebration

View the Annivesary Music Celebration program to see the list of performers and weekend schedule.

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Before Saturday evening’s Alumni Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Orchestra concert, Norcross and F&M’s first music major, Jeffrey C. Nytch, D.M.A. ’87, held an afternoon lecture. Nytch, now a professor of composition and entrepreneurship at the University of Colorado Boulder, expanded on Norcross’ abridged history of music at the College. Nytch also reflected on the importance of music throughout history and in our current moment, and encouraged attendees to celebrate, prioritize and preserve music. 

“Music is, in my view, a keystone component to a liberal arts education,” said Nytch during his talk. “Music is an indispensable ingredient in our civic life. We need to have it in our world, and we need it every bit as much here at this College.”

At the beginning of Saturday’s alumni concert, Provost Sunita Kramer ’92 presented Norcross with a framed citation for exceptional service to the College, signed by President Andrew Rich and Alumni Association Board President Al Ingraham ’72. During that presentation, Kramer offered a tribute message to Norcross on behalf of President Rich.

The weekend also saw the premiere of “Celebration Fantasy,” an original work written by Norcross and performed by both current students and generations of alumni. When creating the piece, Norcoross said he tried to imagine how the musicians performing it for the first time could reflect on their own musical F&M experiences. He found himself incorporating fanfares inspired by the College’s alma mater. 

“I was trying to make something that was unique and special for F&M. And for folks who knew the alma mater, this would have meaning to them,” said Norcross on the Monday following the weekend’s events.

Across the two evenings of music, alumni and students spanning class years from 1969 to 2029 joined in the celebration of Norcross, F&M ensembles and the importance of music to the character of the College – in society and in their own lives. 

“Music is important. When we look at the animal kingdom, who else has organized sound to create something? The birds tweet, and they're beautiful, but they're not purposely organizing. They might be trying to get a mate. They might be looking for food. They might be trying not to be eaten, but they're not trying to create art,” said Norcross. “We’re the only ones who paint the walls. Nobody else does that. These are things that make us human.”

Norcross will conclude 40 years of service at F&M with several concerts this April; all are free and open to the public. Visit F&M’s public events calendar for event times and descriptions. “Celebration Fantasy” will be performed a final time at the Inauguration of President Andrew Rich on Saturday, April 11.

To learn how you can become a patron of music and support F&M’s student experience, contact Director of Major Gifts Kristen Krista at kkrista@fandm.edu or 717-358-7152.