Longtime Music Directors Honored at Pops Concert

In addition to first-rate entertainment for an appreciative audience, last Thursday's annual pops concert at provided two beloved music educators with an emotional send-off.

At the end of this school year, both band director Kevin O'Connell and choral director Dennis Smith will retire, and students and alumni planned a surprise performance that will enable them to leave on an unforgettable high note.

As part of the surprise, about 75 Saucon Valley alumni returned to help perform "For Bringing Music To My Life," an original composition written especially for the evening by O'Connell's son, Ryan O'Connell, and Eric Ambler, both of whom are Saucon Valley alumni.

The younger O'Connell has studied film scoring at the University of Southern California, according to a press release prepared by organizer Sara Heintzelman.

Also in on the surprise were alumni organizers Michael Schmidt and Nancy Harte.

"We were trying to think of a way to honor these two incredible men who have devoted their lives to making a difference in kid's lives through music," Heintzelman said. "What better way than to use the gifts they have given us?"

"Both Mr. O'Connell and Mr. Smith have had a deep impact on my life and the lives of everyone who came up through the music program at Saucon," she added.

O'Connell has been a teacher at SVHS since 1997, when he moved from the East Penn School District.

Smith, who along with O'Connell is a graduate of West Chester University, has been a teacher at the high school since 1976.

Heintzelman said both men were truly surprised and touched by the entire evening, which also included a surprise dinner in the high school cafeteria.

"They were speechless and then shed a few tears," she reported. "Both were grateful for the evening and the opportunity to spend time with alumni and current students as they celebrated their retirement."