Join us as we celebrate the careers of two of our beloved Conservatory faculty members.
Tom Albert
Thomas Albert joined the faculty in the fall of 1974 as a professor of music theory and composition. His works have been performed throughout the U.S. and abroad, and recorded by Philadelphia’s Relâche Ensemble, Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, and the Grammy-winning eighth blackbird. He has also composed incidental music and provided sound design for many Shenandoah plays, including The Elephant Man, The Crucible, The Diviners, To Kill a Mockingbird, Summer and Smoke, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Metamorphoses, Peer Gynt, Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches, and The Caucasian Chalk Circle.
There is a direct correlation between the movement of my stick and the tempo.”
Dr. Albert has served as music director and conductor for more than 75 musicals and revues for the Conservatory, including She Loves Me, Marat/Sade, the collegiate premiere of Green Day’s American Idiot, All Shook Up, Into the Woods, Sweet Charity, The Who’s Tommy, Assassins, and the upcoming production of City of Angels.
Having been with the company since its inception in 1984, his Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre Musical Director credits include: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Mary Poppins, The King and I, The Secret Garden, Chicago, Les Misérables, Grease, 9 to 5, and he will be conducting the 2016 production of Sweeney Todd. As of 2015, he is now serving as Artistic Director for SSMT.
Mac Bozman
Mac Bozman first came to the faculty of then Shenandoah College and Conservatory in 1975 and was was here until 1978, when he left to pursue his further education. He returned in 1980 and has been on the faculty ever since; when he retires, he will have been at Shenandoah for 39 years. In addition to teaching and designing for Shenandoah’s academic year theatre productions, he has been a designer for Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre since its inception in 1984.
Safety FIRST!”
Some of his favorite scenic designs include: Shenandoah, Cabaret, Kiss Me Kate, Anything Goes, Oliver!, 1776, Brigadoon, Carousel, West Side Story, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, White Christmas, Legally Blonde, and the 2013 productions of Les Miserables and Shrek, The Musical. Mac is a 1980 recipient of an American College Theatre Festival Award of Excellence, he received the James R. and Mary B. Wilkins award from Shenandoah University in 1989 and holds the Harold Herman Endowed Chair in Theatre.”
Memories and Well-wishes
For Tom
Thank you for so many years of dedicated service. It was a pleasure to work with you to build the summer theatre program and the University. Janet and I send our regards to your family.
– Dr. James A. Davis, Shenandoah University President, 1982-2008
I was in my third year at Shenandoah when you arrived. I remember your amazing compositions that were performed at Shenandoah. Your music was refreshing. Over the years, my family and I have continued to attend performances and many musicals at Shenandoah. I have so enjoyed the products of your contributions to the music and theater department at Shenandoah. I hope you will enjoy retirement. Congratulations on serving as Artistic Director of SSMT. I look forward to seeing many more productions.
-Melinda Farrar Russell, ’76
Wishing you the very best as you step into the next portion of your journey! May you be surrounded by the all of the light that you have generated and shared to all of us over the years. Your impact has been significant and your lessons well shared with so many. Thank You – Peace – Blessings and with Love
– Anthony Hinkle, ’85
Dr. Albert- You will always be the man, the myth and the legend to me. You lifted my spirits when I was down, you made me laugh with your fiery wit and charming sarcastic comments (which obviously I connected with haha) and you inspired me to always do better. You believed in me, you inspired me and you lifted me up. I will carry your lessons with me forever, and I will always remind myself to “not suck” before getting on stage. To the man, the myth, the legend. Sending all my love to you xoxo
– Lara Treacy, ’15
Dr. Albert,
Congratulations on your retirement. I enjoyed playing your unmetered, multiphonic tuba piece in the chapel recital hall (although I scared two little girls in the front row).
– John Burger, ’80
Dr. Albert, I could never thank you enough for all your support, wisdom and leadership as I transitioned from Actor to Talent Agent during my time at SU. It was also so wonderful collaborating on Assassins and Into The Woods. Your expertise on the art of Musical Theatre will stay with me forever. I wish you nothing but the best! Thank you for everything!
– Zachary Durand, ’14
Thank you for your unending dedication to the Music and Theatre Departments at Shenandoah! Wishing you continued success where ever you go! May Joy and Peace continue to fill your life as you enter a new journey!
– Elizabeth (Beth) Shipsey (aka Houser), ’84
Dear Dr. Albert – Thank you for allowing this BA major the opportunity to learn from and perform in her first and only operetta, Lizbeth (world premiere). Although my music skill were limited, you saw I had enough talent to not only call the cues for your show, but perform the first 14 measures singing Lizzie Borden took an ax at the Kennedy Center. To this day one of the high-lights of my career.
May you enjoy your retirement from Shenco but never stop creating wonderful music.
– Nadine (Frazee) Dunn, ’90
For Mac
Thanks for your many wonderful years of service. The Summer Music theatre stands as a monument to your hard work and creative spirit. Janet and I were pleased to work with you.
– Dr. James A. Davis, Shenandoah University President, 1982-2008
Hey Mac! My first year at Shenco was your first year back (1980). You were fresh faced and enthusiastic! I have fond memories of you teaching my Theatre History and Tech classes. Also, of those “strikes” immediately following every last performance. You made me appreciate and enjoy all things “tech” in theatre and for that I am grateful! Wishing you every happiness as you enter the next journey of your life and career! Many Blessings…
– Elizabeth (Beth) Shipsey (aka Houser), ’84
Your first year at Shenandoah was my final year. You were our dorm “dad.” A few of us thought we needed to help you with some of your domestic skills so we tried to fold your laundry one day…sorting your socks was futile. That is when I learned that you didn’t wear a matched pair of socks in those days. I believe it was even 20 years later when I saw you and I lifted up your pant legs to see if you still wore unmatched socks. Well, those were the days weren’t they? We all thought a lot of you and we had a lot of fun. You were always so talented and creative. I have always loved the theater but between you and several others at Shenandoah I have continued to enjoy exceptional performances at Shenandoah. I wish you the very best in your retirement and I hope you do all of the things you really enjoy. Thank you for all you have done for all of us at Shenandoah. You will be sorely missed.
-Melindda Farrar Russell, ’76
Dear Mac – What do you say to a person who had as much input into creating the artist I am today as Linde and Hal? The three of you were my idols and I enjoyed learning all I could from all of you. If it wasn’t for you, I would have never discovered my passion for technical theater.( Or the fondness I have for the smell of horse glue, pigment, and embalming fluid at 8 am. And to this day, I find myself using the spatter technique occasionally while painting). Thank you for the laughs, the lessons, and the friendship we have shared. I wish you much joy and success in retirement as you have had in your career.
Stay in touch
– Nadine (Frazee) Dunn, ’90
Maczobot!
How come a young fellow like you gets to retire? Hope you’re planning to do something fun! I guess this means no more moving-in weekends.
– John Burger, ’80
Wishing you the very best as you step into the next portion of your journey! May you be surrounded by the all of the light that you have generated and shared to all of us over the years. Your impact has been significant and your lessons well shared with so many. Thank You – Peace – Blessings and with Love
– Anthony Hinkle, ’85
Thanks to you, I will always remember SERIC and IDCM. More than that, I will always remember how kind you are and what a true gentleman you have always been. You served as our Grand Director to Alpha Psi Omega wonderfully and I always looked forward to talking about our society with you. While I served as Vice President, you were so helpful and accommodating to us and I will always thank you for that. You have truly touched the community of Shenandoah and I will always remember your lessons. God bless you sir. Xoxo
– Lara Treacy, ’15
Mac, I could never thank you enough for all your support, wisdom and leadership as I transitioned from Actor to Talent Agent during my time at SU. It was wonderful learning the technical sides of our craft. Your passions and expertise on the art of the Theatre will stay with me forever. I wish you nothing but the best! Thank you for everything!
– Zachary Durand, ’14