POTSDAM - The SUNY Potsdam Julia E. Crane Alumni Association recently honored Scott P. LaVine, a member of the Class of 1971, with the 2012 Helen M. Hosmer Excellence in Music Teaching Award, at the College’s annual Reunion Weekend.

The Helen M. Hosmer Excellence in Music Teaching Award is presented each year to an alumnus or alumna in public school music education who has demonstrated exemplary service in any of the areas of choral, instrumental or general music education. LaVine was honored for his outstanding career as a music educator, conductor, performer and music technologist.

Mr. LaVine ‘71 of Norwood has been a major figure in music education in the north country for more than 40 years. He began his teaching career at Norwood-Norfolk Central School, where he was appointed director of bands in 1972 and was music department chair from 1978 to 1991.

In 1991, Mr. LaVine was invited to join the faculty at The Crane School of Music, where he served with distinction until his retirement in 2006. In 1999, he was honored with the SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award. He also served from 1991 to 2001 as the president of the New York State Band Directors Association, and was awarded that organization’s Distinguished Service Award in 2003. He continued to teach classes at Crane as professor emeritus until 2010.

At Crane, Mr. LaVine conducted the Crane Concert Band and Crane Symphonic Band, as well as the Crane Wind Ensemble. He also taught undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting, music theory, music education, instrumental methods and music technology. He was president of the Julia E. Crane Alumni Association from 1987 to 1997, and president of the Crane Faculty Association from 2001 to 2003.

Mr. LaVine served for 25 years on the staff of Crane Youth Music, including six years as the camp director. During his tenure, a scholarship was established in his name for CYM students who went on to attend Crane. He also made a major financial contribution to the music technology library he established at the Crane School.

In keeping with the long-established tradition of Crane graduates, LaVine is an accomplished conductor, performer and music educator. He is a founder and conductor of the Northern Symphonic Winds, principal timpanist for the Orchestra of Northern New York and jazz pianist for Wally Siebel’s All-Star Big Band.

Mr. LaVine received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education with a concentration in percussion from SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music, where he studied with Dr. Sandy Feldstein and James Petercsak.

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