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Each year the Cornell Runestad Award for Lifetime Dedication to Choral Music in Nebraska is given to honor those professionals that have made the commitment to singers in Nebraska through choirs under their direction. These conductors chose to stay in the State of Nebraska for their careers working with choirs at any level or variety. The inspiration of their artistry has touched many lives, and has set the bar for the many directors who follow in their paths. In short, they have left a legacy. Named for Cornell Runestad, this award uses as a model the dedication of a man whose choirs at Wayne State consistently represented the best in our choral art, and whose kind nature inspired the rest of us at whatever level to be the best we can be, in this way offering the singers of Nebraska nothing less than excellence.
This year we have selected such a person who qualifies in these areas in every way, himself a model choral director, and a model person. That person is Raymond A. Miller.
Ray Miller was an Elm Street alley-kid from the West end of Norristown, Pennsylvania. After graduation in 1951 he enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War, and was stationed in Iceland slinging a clarinet and a saxophone, and performed with the Air Force band for many functions, including Officer’s Club entertainment. On September 9th , 1955 he was married to Carol Canfield and after graduating from West Chester State College of Pennsylvania he began teaching in Fruita High School in Grand Junction Colorado. He, his wife, and 4 children then moved to Boulder where he obtained his Master’s degree from the University of Colorado. In 1963 he studied at Julliard’s Opera Theatre Department for 3 months, after which he took a teaching position at Valley City State College in North Dakota and taught woodwinds and voice and directed the College Singers. In August of 1966 he accepted a position with the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Ray taught voice, choral conducting, music education, and directed the varsity Men’s Glee Club. He also founded the Woman’s Chorale and directed the Nebraska All State Fine Arts program from 1980-1990 directing it’s All-State Choir for 25 years. From 1990 – 2003 he was a singer and soloist with the Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum directed by Almeda and Jackson Berkey. In 1999 he was the recipient of the Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum Foundation “Excellence in Choral Music Leadership” award.
Ray will be remembered most as the founder and director of the Scarlet and Cream Singers from 1972 – 1995. These “goodwill singing ambassadors” have become an institution and each year their performances delight audiences of every age throughout Nebraska and the United States.
In receiving several letters of recommendation some of the quotes were as follows:
“Ray didn’t just create the Scarlet and Cream Singers ensemble; he perfected it. In his typical fashion, he demanded the highest quality out of the performers and programmed each year’s repertoire, careful to select or commission musical arrangements that were just right and a repertoire that would please varied audiences. His vast knowledge of musical history, styles and performers was critical in developing a fresh program each year.” – Michael Zeleny Asst. Vice Chancellor for Research. UNL
“Those of us who were touched by Ray have certainly been blessed. He is very proud of his Scarlet & Cream “kids”, and they know how much he cared for them and continues to follow their careers.” – Barbara J. Wright-Chollet Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs UNL and Scarlet and Cream coordinator for 18+ years.
“It was not just the formation of the Scarlet and Cream that made Ray’s contribution significant, it was in the manner he handled the group. In a time when the youth popular music was firmly entrenched in Rock and Roll, Ray chose music of quality for his young students. Music that stood the test of time, from the best traditions of Broadway and popular music. He used choreography and costuming with a high sense of taste. But finally and foremost, he molded his group with the highest standards of good vocal and choral performance.” – Vernon Forbes Former Director of Bands UNL
I’m sure that many of you in attendance, like myself, have many memories of Ray over the years that would also demonstrate his dedication to the choral art and as a mentor to those of us who have followed. In fulfilling the requirements of this award he has set the bar for the many directors who have followed in his path. In short, he has left a legacy.
Ladies and gentlemen I present to you the 2006 winner of the Cornell Runestad Award for Lifetime Dedication to Choral Music in Nebraska, Ray Miller.
c-d-miller@neb.rr.com
