“Every year deserving people get honored for work they have done to help New Richmond’s performing arts program,” said New Richmond High School music director Doug Heflin. ”But his year you look at the list and we are really excited.”
Going into the Arts Hall of Fame this year will be John Hale, class of 1952 who still performs at community events; Kenneth Mauger, instrumental music director from 1959-67; Judy Schaechter, Class of 1972 who now teaches at New Richmond Elementary and serves as an accompanist for school, church and social events; and the 2004-2005 Troubadours who raised $250,000 to make a trip to New York City and perform at Carnegie Hall.
Listen to Doug Heflin announce the 2012 inductees
They will be honored at a reception at 5 p.m. in the high school cafeteria followed by acceptance speeches at 5:30 p.m. in the high school music room and inducted during a 7 p.m. concert in the high school auditorium.
“The high school band, the mixed and women’s chorus and Troubadours will perform selected works,” said Heflin. “The honorees will be inducted in between the performances.”
The 2012 inductees:
John Hale
A 1952 graduate of New Richmond High School, John Hale has been a loyal and enthusiastic supporter of the New Richmond community. Mr. Hale, who was inducted into the NRHS Sports Hall of Fame in 1998, has been a fixture at community events with renditions of God Bless America, White Christmas, Silent Night or the National Anthem.“It hardly seems like a New Richmond event that doesn’t have John Hale there showing his gift and love of music and showing his love of the community,” said Heflin.
Kenneth Mauger
Ken Mauger was instructor of bands for the New Richmond Exempted Village School District from 1959-67. His recruitment and community outreach was outstanding, leading to a large high school band that received a superior rating in state competition in 1965. He also performed with the Dayton Symphony for eight years and served as an inspiration and mentor to dozens of children in the community and instilled in his students a lifelong love and appreciation for music. He also was instrumental in encouraging and expanding music educators in the district and community. Mr. Mauger died on Nov. 24, 2006.Judy Schaechter
Judy Schaechter is a 1972 graduate of New Richmond High School. She served as the accompanist for Les Chanteurs and played trumpet in the high school band, as well as serving as accompanist for several school musical productions. She attended the College-Conservatory of Music and continues to serve the children of New Richmond as a teacher at New Richmond Elementary School. “Judy has doing music since the early 1960s and has been a loyal and wonderful member of the New Richmond music community,” said Heflin.2004-2005 Troubadours
After a successful performance in Ohio Music Education Association competition, the 2004-2005 Troubadours were chosen to perform on the state at Carnegie Hall in New York City where they performed the entire Schubert Mass in g minor (a 67-page work) and performed along with college choirs and the New England Symphony Orchestra. “This once in a lifetime trip required an enormous fund raising effort to meet a budget of more than $250,000 for a traveling group of 150 people,” said Heflin. “This rates as one of the finest Troubadour groups from a long line of great ensembles.”
