It’s National Arts Advocacy Day, and one of Wesleyan’s own is being celebrated this evening in Middletown. Neely Bruce, Professor Music and American Studies, is being recognized for his lifetime commitment to the arts. Neely is a composer, conductor, pianist and scholar of American music, past chorus director for Connecticut Opera, and director of music at South Congregational Church. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! He is a beloved teacher here at Wesleyan, and last year his re-imagining of the opera Flora was the hit of the Spoleto Festival in South Carolina. The combination of historical research, compositional originality and production savvy in that project have characterized his work over many years here in Middletown.
Please join me in congratulating Neely Bruce. You can shake his hand down on Main Street at the Shadow Room today at 5:30! — That was Monday, but if you see Neely on campus, please salute him!