Orchestra Night Information

Southfield, Michigan-native Page began studying violin at age 10. Upon high school graduation he was awarded a music scholarship to Michigan State University where he subsequently earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education. Throughout his secondary school and collegiate career, Rodney also studied piano, developing into an accomplished pianist.

As a violinist, Mr. Page has performed in the Midland Symphony Orchestra (7 years), Michigan State University Symphony Orchestra (4 years), Livingston Symphony Orchestra (1 year) and as a 2nd violinist in the South Shore Symphony Orchestra in China.

A passionate teacher who inspires students to appreciate all forms of music, Page has been involved in music education for over 20 years. In addition to the orchestras he directed in the St. Johns and East Lansing (Michigan) public school systems, Rodney engaged teenage musicians at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan as the Symphony Orchestra conductor and violin instructor over 4 summers. During his college career he founded and directed a summer string camp for middle and high school students in Southfield. Rodney cultivates talent in aspiring musicians and believes the future of music is impacted by the musical experiences children have in school. As a national conductor and clinician, Mr. Page has guest conducted student orchestras throughout the United States.

Rodney’s skill and accomplishments in the classroom were acknowledged in 2006 when he was designated District V Orchestra Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA). His reputation as an educator—not just a music educator—was recognized in 2002 when he was named a Fulbright Memorial Fund recipient. He used his award to travel to Japan to study the country’s educational system and culture. In the summer of 2013 Mr. Page was selected as a conducting fellow at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City.

In 2019, Rodney was selected as a guest lecturer at Adnan Menderes University in Turkey and gave master classes to the students there as well as performed. A firm believer in acceptance of all cultures, Mr. Page talked about how to maintain a successful career in music throughout the world. Rodney made his national television debut on Showtime at the Apollo in 2002. His performance, a unique mix of hip-hop, jazz, and classical music, had the crowd on its feet with a selection he wrote specifically for the show.

Page has since turned his attention to providing entertainment services as a freelance musician and DJ presenting unique, innovative shows. Mr. Page was the official performing DJ for the Detroit Pistons and has performed as a violinist during halftime shows for the New Orleans Pelicans. Mr. Page also is a motivational speaker speaking at prisons, public schools, juvenile detention homes, as well as national conferences. Rodney infuses music during his motivational message to encourage and uplift his audiences.

n 2016 Mr. Page released his first EP entitled “Inevitable”. The album features music composed by Mr. Page and features Mr. Page’s brother, saxophonist Reggie Page. The song Danzan from Mr. Page’s EP was arranged for full orchestra and performed by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Dream Orchestra” in January of 2018 as a part of Lansing’s MLK Day Celebration Luncheon. Rodney is married to Kimberly and they have two children named Jayden and Bryson. Mr. Page and his family are devoted members of Restoration Family Life Church in Lansing, Michigan.

William (Bill) Perrine serves as Associate Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental Activities at Concordia University Ann Arbor, where he directs the Wind Ensemble and Orchestra and teaches various courses in music education. Dr. Perrine founded both the Community Orchestra and Marching Band programs at Concordia University. Under his direction, the Wind Ensemble has developed a national reputation for excellence with performances at Carnegie Hall and Chicago Symphony Center, and was recently recognized at the C.B.D.N.A. Small College Showcase. Dr. Perrine regularly presents his peer-reviewed research at many national and international conferences and symposia, and is published with the Philosophy of Music Education Review, Journal of Historical Research in Music Education, Arts Education Policy Review, and the Music Educators Journal. A major volume edited by Dr. Perrine, The Future of the Wind Band: Philosopher and Practitioner in Dialog is scheduled to be published by GIA Publications in December 2020. He holds a doctorate in Music Education from Indiana University. Dr. Perrine completed his Masters of Music degree in Conducting at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May 2004, and he earned his undergraduate degree in Music Education from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. He has ten years additional teaching experience at Title I schools in Kentucky and Florida, and is a National Board Certified Teacher.

Marijean Quigley-Young was the Director of Orchestras at Pioneer High School for 22 years, Music Department Chairperson for four years, and served for one year as the Interim Orchestra Director at Huron High School. Before moving to Ann Arbor, she was the director of orchestras, teaching for 16 years in New York State during which time, both her high school and middle school orchestras consistently earned the highest ratings for their performances. Since assuming the Pioneer Orchestra program in 1984, she built the program from 2 orchestras with 32 string students to 3 orchestras of over 300 string students. In 1989-90, she designed the new Orchestra rehearsal room, new music faculty offices, and 11 new practice rooms for Pioneer Music Wing.

Under her leadership, the Pioneer Music Department was named The 2006 National GRAMMY Signature School, recognizing Pioneer as the top high school music department in the country. This followed 4 previous GRAMMY recognitions, as well as receiving the top awards at every music festival entered at the State, National, and International levels. Her orchestras have been acclaimed multiple times at the Michigan Music Conferences, and International Music Conferences (Chicago, Toronto, Vienna, Tubingen, St. Georgen, Germany).

She received the Educator of the Year from ArtServe; Orchestra Teacher of the Year District 12; SBO“50 Directors Who Make a Difference” representing Michigan; ASTA String Teacher of the Year nominee; as well as multiple entries in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. In 2006, she was honored by Scott and Marcy Westerman with a cello chair in her name in the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra. The parents honored her with the establishment of The Marijean Quigley-Young Fund for Excellence which “…celebrates the inspirational leadership of this award-winning music educator and conductor at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School.”

Prior to moving to Ann Arbor, she performed professionally in the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under Michael Tilson Thomas and in the Niagara Falls Philharmonic, many show orchestras, as well as volunteering in many Erie County community orchestras as principal ‘cellist. She studied 'cello for 12 years from Ronald Leonard at the Eastman School of Music, which included 4 years as a “Collegiate Special” student, and for 2 years from Wolfram Roethe, principal 'cellist of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Ms. Quigley-Young received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from Skidmore College and a Master of Arts Degree in Music Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Having taught for 39 years, she now serves as an adjudicator for MSBOA, guest clinician, guest conductor, freelance cellist, and private cello teacher.

Mrs. Quigley-Young is especially pleased to work with Ms. Alwin, one her former Pioneer orchestra students, and the Clague Middle School Orchestra tonight.