Honoree-
Alexandre Dashnaw

“I need a skateboard to keep up with him,” sighs Alexander Dashnaw’s secretary. “He has more energy than most of the students,” exclaims a faculty member. It is clear that the distinguished Alexander Dashnaw, C.W. Post’s director of choral activities and chairman of the Department of Music lives his life allegro molto con spirito.

Hired in 1965 as director of choral activities, Alexander Dashnaw has conducted and taught for 37 years at C.W. Post. The choral groups he leads not only perform on the Campus and across the country, but around the world. Through his dynamic efforts, he has given students the opportunity to tour Europe and Asia as ambassadors of good will for the University and for the United States. Since he became chairman of the department the enrollment of music majors has nearly doubled. “With new energy, faculty and curriculum,” says Ruth Golden, director of vocal studies and associate professor of music, “he has provided wonderful leadership and promoted a wonderful tradition of music at C.W. Post.”

Beyond C.W. Post, Dr. Dashnaw’s activities would fill a complete libretto. He has guest conducted festival, regional and all-state choruses in addition to leading choral workshops at music schools, universities and renowned music associations. Dr. Dashnaw has served as the artistic director of distinguished choral festivals including the Manhattan, Chicago, the Strathclyde in Scotland and the Tilles Invitational, and has conducted the Brooklyn Philharmonia Chorus and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra together with the Manhattan Chorale in concerts at the Kennedy Center and in Carnegie Hall. Despite his hectic schedule, he still finds time to be on the board of directors of the Lake Placid Center for the Arts. Alexander Dashnaw’s full life and accomplishments continue to crescendo with no sign of diminuendo.

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