Townsend Symposia on Music Philosophy and the Arts

2022 Townsend Lecture sitting at a table on stage“Through the invisible hands of music, the soul is touched and healed,” Josephine “Jo” Phelps Fabian said. In her life, Fabian was a dedicated arts patron, donor, board member and advocate who loved classical music and opera. She frequently attended concerts at Townsend School of Music. Through The Fabian Center for Musical Excellence,  the Townsend Symposia on Music, Philosophy and the Arts is meant to open the eyes of other professionals and scholars to new ideas, presented especially for students, artists and arts administrators in the community.

All events are FREE and open to the public

2023-2024 Townsend Symposia on Music, Philosophy, and the Arts

Scott Sheehan
2022-2024 NAfME (National Association for Music Education) National President

September 11, 2023
2:30 p.m.
Fickling Hall

A nationally recognized advocate and leader for the advancement of music education, Scott Sheehan is the Director of Bands and Music Department Chairperson at the Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School in Pennsylvania. He directs the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band and teaches AP Music Theory, Fundamentals of Guitar, and Rock, Rap, and Revolution! Hollidaysburg has been named one of the Best Communities for Music Education in the United States by the NAMM Foundation for the past eight years under Scott’s leadership. Mr. Sheehan was a finalist for the 2019 GRAMMY Music Educator Award and is an Educational Clinician for Conn-Selmer. He is also a consultant for strategic planning and association development. As the President of the NAfME Eastern Division from 2015-2017, Mr. Sheehan served on the National Executive Band and Executive Committee. He is currently the Program Chair for the NAfME All-National Honors Ensembles.

Peter and Hedi Rubardt

February 12, 2024
2:30 p.m.
Fickling Hall

Drs. Peter Rubardt and Hedi Salanki-Rubardt are distinguished musicians who call the Gulf Coast home. Peter is Music Director of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, and Hedi is Distinguished University Professor of piano and chamber music at the University of West Florida. Both earned doctorates at Juilliard and have nurtured a community of musicians dedicated to making music at the highest levels. Their presentation touches on the importance of networking, relationship-building and community outreach in the music profession.