NEW VMA SCHOLARSHIP: Marshall Maley Percussionist Award

Virginia Music Adventures is pleased to announce a new scholarship, the Marshall Maley Percussionist Award, presented to a percussionist each year chosen by VMA’s Board of Directors. The recipient of this award will have demonstrated the following: a dedication to developing good technical skills; an ability to support the group; a healthy work ethic with regard to practice and development; a well-rounded performance aspect on all percussion “stations”; and a good sense of humor, a willingness to accept others as they are, and above all a joy for life, music, and percussion.

Marshall E. Maley owned Maley’s Music, located in the Lee Harrison Shopping Center in North Arlington, Virginia. He was the Chapter President of the Year at the Percussive Arts Society, awarded at the 1997 PAS International Convention. Marshall was an active percussion instructor and working musician in the Washington, D.C. area. In addition to his extensive work with local Virginia schools, Marshall was also a generous contributor to and supporter of Virginia Music Adventures. He was instrumental in helping to outfit the organization with percussion gear, as well as acting as a clinician for the organization’s groups.

In 2000 and 2002, Marshall received the Governors’ School Outstanding Teacher Award, presented by the Virginia Department of Education. He taught at the University of Mary Washington, Prince Georges’ Community College, Northern Virginia Community College, and George Mason University. He has worked with the Baltimore Symphony, Eugene Fodor, Hour of Power Orchestra, Patti Lupone, the Sesame Street Show, and Yakov Smirnoff. For eleven years, he worked in and led the big band at Andrews Air Force Base Officer’s Club. Additional studio/media performances include the sound track for television’s “America’s Most Wanted” and WMAL radio appearances. Besides university teaching, Marshall has written for and instructed a number of Northern Virginia high school marching drum lines and concert percussion sections.

Now in its 37th year, Virginia Music Adventures is a non-profit group that promotes the preservation of American jazz through performances by exceptional young musicians. VMA teaches young area musicians the rhythms and articulation of jazz in preparation for performances locally and around the world on international good will tours, frequently coordinated with the US Department of State. Each year, around 50 young musicians ranging in age from 11-18 develop skills as performers of jazz and swing-era classics in educational programs during the school year and summer months.

VMA’s 13th Annual Gala on Feb. 27, 2016, at the Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C., will be held in honor of Marshall’s memory. Mr. Maley’s family and many of his former students will be present. His daughter, Sophie, will accept recognition for his contributions at the Gala. This award will be presented for the first time in May at VMA’s Welcome Home concert.

For further information on Virginia Music Adventures’ Programs visit www.VaMusicAdventures.org or contact our Music Director Jon Laine at (202) 412-7271.