Marrs in Costa Rica for Clinics and Master Classes

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

ORONO, Maine – At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Thursday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

Dr. Stuart Marrs
Clinics and Master Classes at the Instituto Nacional de Música de, Costa Rica

Group of students at the National Institute of Music clinic in Costa Rica

Stuart Marrs and Bismarck FernandezDuring the week of October 9-13, 2000, I gave a series of clinics, workshops and master classes at the Instituto Nacional de Música (former Programa Juvenil de la Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional) where I taught from 1971-82. (For an article describing that decade of Costa Rican Stuart Marrs percussion history, see my article, “Percussion in Costa Rica, 1972-82.” Percussive Notes 37:3 (June 1999) 30-32.) Time and the hard work of my former students have been good to the institution. The Percussion Program is now directed by my former student, Bismarck Fernández (pictured with me) who is also Timpanist in the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica. He is doing a fine job. His students are performing at a very high level, are motivated, and have a good sense of professionalism.

In addition to Bismarck’s students, percussion students from other music education institutions in Costa Rica were invited to attend the workshops. Working with daily sessions of 4-5 hours, we never seemed to have enough time to thoroughly cover all of the good questions and points of discussion that interested the group. It was a delight to work at a high level and cover advanced topics such as would be discussed between any two professionals at a get-together. Congratulations are in order for Bismarck and for the administration of the institution that has the foresight to invest in programs that bring international artists to their school.

I would like to thank the fine people at the following percussion manufacturing companies for their support in these important international educational endeavors.