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Gail Hilliard-Nelson posted a condolence
Thursday, January 4, 2024
without concert choir and Mr. Miller. And how did he know when you hadn't practiced and out you in the spot in front of everyone? You sure paid attention after that! He was demanding and loving! One of One of the first things I did when I moved back to New Jersey was to go visit Mr. Miller.. I will treasure every moment I spent with him! He loved us like a father and I will always love and remember him. Rest in peace with beautiful music surrounding you and your friend Arthur Fielder conducting!
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Jacquelyn Powell Maclaughlin posted a condolence
Thursday, July 13, 2023
As a student of Clarence Miller in Glassboro’s class of 1966 I had the honor of performing with the Concert Choir and Ensemble. He was a wonderful teacher who cared about his students and taught us so much. He will be missed.
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George Kmeck posted a condolence
Friday, September 7, 2018
What a great man. I've never had more genuine support from anyone as a young man in college. Mr. Miller was my voice teacher and concert choir director when I attended Glassboro State College back in 1967-68. A true gem of a person.
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The family of Clarence W. Miller uploaded a photo
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
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Amy E. Page posted a condolence
Thursday, August 16, 2007
I knew Mr. Miller through the Gloucester County Community Chorus and thoroughly enjoyed his leadership. I admired his high standards of excellence in music. He knew my parents way back when from Glassboro State College (faculty), Helen and Charles Page. I have very fond memories of Mr. Miller and hope his wife and family are doing well!
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Mary-Jo Saponare-Test '78 posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
How blessed I was to have had this wonderful man as my choir director and voice teacher in my years at Glassboro. He taught me so much about life, music, and conducting - I can only hope that I can pass some of his teachings on to my young choir students. I will never forget all the wonderful times in Concert Choir, on tours, singing in all of the beautiful churches and concerts. He brought out the best of each and every one of us, and I will always remember him with a smile. My deepest sympathy goes out to all of the Miller family - I know he's singing and smiling down from Heaven.
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Ruth and Marten Vissia posted a condolence
Monday, August 6, 2007
We extend our deepest sympathy to you, Lois, and to Nancy and John, as well as other family members. I think the last time we saw Clare was when you were visiting Yo. and we met at Aunt Betty's house. We trust that God will give you the strength to bear this loss.
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Ann Marie Melnyk Turner posted a condolence
Friday, August 3, 2007
Quite an inspiration to all of us throughout our lifetime.
I was very lucky to know both Lois and Clancy as the 1st voice major at Glassboro.
Sincere condolences and love,
Ann Marie Melnyk Turner
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joe and helen robinette posted a condolence
Friday, August 3, 2007
Dear Lois and Family,
We were out of town--and still are--when we learned of Clancy's passing. We were very saddened by the news. Clancy was a valued friend and valuable colleague for many years. His contributions
to family, friends and profession were innumerable and immeasurable. We will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
We will be making a contribution to the First Presbyterian Church music/organ fund in Clancy's name when we return.
Sincerely, Joe and Helen
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Linda Sabba Leonard posted a condolence
Friday, August 3, 2007
There are people that come into your life and give it meaning. Mr. Miller was my mentor and the greatest musical inspiration in my teacher career. A day doesn't go by without a memory of him in front of the group sharing his thoughts and musical skills, but more than that, he shared his life with all of us. He helped us to create beauty in a world that is not always beautiful. He gave meaning to music that will follow me always. He validated my love for my profession and provided our concert choirs a venue that made us all proud. I loved him like a father and his legacy will be passed on through my students...hundreds of them. A bit of him will always be alive. I am sure God just needed a conductor for those "choirs of angels". He just wanted the best!
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Kathy Murphy (nee Boeckle) posted a condolence
Friday, August 3, 2007
I am eternally grateful to Mr. Miller for the incredible teaching techniques he gave every day of our music education lives. He is the voice in my head when I am teaching a private lesson or a general music class. He is the voice in my head when I am conducting choirs of various ages and abilities and he is the voice in my head when I sing. No human has ever or probably will ever have such an effect on my life as did Clancy Miller. I will miss him, his choral wisdom and his stories. He taught us all how to be music educators who loved their students.
Hold a place in the choir for me.
Kathy Boeckle Murphy – ‘75
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Almira Yates Campagna posted a condolence
Thursday, August 2, 2007
To all who knew and loved Mr. Clarence Miller;
It was my great privilege to be a part of his Concert Choir during my college years at Glassboro State. I have many wonderful memories and would like to share a few.
What I recall the most was the eagerness with which the whole choir anticipated getting together for class. Many of us would come early just to socailize a little, or warm up, or often get in line to see Mr. Miller as soon as he came in the room! It felt like seeing family each day, as well as learning so much and creating music together. Of course, Mr. Miller had just the right chemistry of conductor and "dad", and we all listened carefully to his sage advice on life. The music was something special. Mr. Miller selected each piece with care and crafted beautiful programs for us and for his audiences.
One day our group was not singing quietly enough for "pianissimo." Without losing patience with us, Mr.Miller removed his glasses, rubbed his eyes in frustration, and explained how he felt our modern world must be too overly stimulating for us to understand what quiet is. We sat in silence for a few moments, and he tried the passage again. I have never forgotten the difference it made in the sound, and our approach. He taught us that music has a lot to do with listening, as well as making a beautiful sound. I still like to sit and listen to the quiet, remembering what it can mean to refresh me. Thank you for teaching me to be still, Mr. Miller!
We had great experiences in all the concerts. It was fun that Mr.Miller would interact with the audience in a personal way, and we all enjoyed his humor. When I gave recitals for my young voice and piano students to perform in, I followed his example. Such a warm demeanor puts the performers and the audience at ease. Of course, warmth, friendliness and humor were many of his attributes. Mr. Miller set another example --- to be yourself.
As a group we learned to be spontaneous with him. At one Holiday Cheer concert, we were singing a Hebrew piece, the "Song of Galilee". Mr. Miller began to march softly in place, and created a motion of driving forward slowly with his hands (not the usual conducting method!). It was amazingly effective. The perfomance of that song was one of the most powerful I have ever experienced. It was so well received and talked about that Mr. Miller broke with his tradition of rotating songs every 4 years, and we sang it again at the following year's Holiday Cheer concert. I'm so glad I still have the tapes of all of our concerts to enjoy!
One day, I was practicing the piano in the choir room before anyone else came, and playing the accompaniment to "Ich Grolle Nicht," when I felt someone come in the door behind me. They stopped completely, and when I finished, I turned to see it was Mr. Miller! He came rushing over to give me a big hug and spoke so excitedly about my interpretation of the music, and encouraged me to use the same depth of feeling in my singing. It was a great compliment to me. I often think of that moment when I need to encourage myself about my perfomances. When he spoke about all of the graduating seniors and it was my turn, that moment is what he talked about. I was very touched that he would hold me in such high regard. Thank you, Mr. Miller, for the highest words of praise in my college career! It will always mean the world to me.
Of course, I could go on for pages about the wonderful times I had as a member of the GSC Concert Choir. I am so thankful that such a gifted and talented man was part of my life and my education. I am also thankful to have served as his Librarian for the choir. This afforded me some extra time to spend with him and get to know him. I think of him, and of my days as a choir member, more often than anyone knows. I will remember him always with great fondness.
You may rest in peace, dear teacher. Your great legacy of the joy of music and the joy of life will go on forever.
Almira Yates Campagna, GSC Class of 1988
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Beth Tilonsky Vohl '92 posted a condolence
Thursday, August 2, 2007
I was so sorry to hear the news of Mr. Miller's passing. He influenced so many of us as musicians and people. I always enjoyed singing in the choir. Who can forget our trip to Florida or Boston?? He will always be remembered as someone who smiled for everyone and his fierce love of music. We are all better to have known and loved him. We will miss you!!
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Brenda Gardner-Kent posted a condolence
Thursday, August 2, 2007
My first memory of Mr. Miller was when he visited my high school with the Concert Choir on a recruitment tour. At the time, I was not planning on going to any college except for county college and I wasn't sure what my direction was. After I heard his words of wisdom and heard the Concert Choir sing such beautiful music, I knew what I wanted and that was to be in HIS choir. When I auditioned for GSC, I remember Mr. Miller stopping me half way through my audition piece (Allejulah from Mozart's Exultalte Jubilate) and he said. "Let's hear that High C." That made me a but nervous, But I nailed it and was granted a place in the Music Department and eventually in the Concert Choir. I learned so much that year from Mr. Miller about music and life. I felt so priviledged to be taught by one of the greats!
Mr. Miller retired from GSC at the end of my freshman year in 1992, but I continued to work under his direction at GCC Chorus and at varies Choral Alumni Events. I also had the pleasure of singing with him in the Pitman Presbyterian Choir under the direction of his wife, Lois, for a few years. So many memories I will hold dear and will always cherish of Mr. Miller. The one that sticks out in my mind the most is before each and every performance, he would gather us all together for final notes before going on stage and he would always recite the same verse from Psalm 133, "Behold, How good and how pleasant it is for brothers and sisters to dwell together in unity." That memory always makes me smile.
Mr. Miller~ I know you are singing with the choirs of angels right now and your beautiful tenor voice is soaring above the rest. You are meeting with the great composers that you've studied all these years and taught us about. It was such a pleasure to work with you and to know you for 16 years. I will miss you dearly.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of those that you have touched in life and that love you especially Lois, your children, and grandchildren.
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Nancy (Dickinson) & Eric Cecilio posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Mr. Miller, you changed both of our lives. You were a true inspiration, a beloved teacher and cherished friend. Our hearts are so sad at this time, missing you, but you live on in so many of us.
We love you,
Nancy, Eric, Emma and Jack
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Tony Pinizzotto posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Hello friends of the past and current,
I got a call early this evening
from my dad who informed me that Prof. Clarence Miller
has passed on.
For those of you who knew Professor Miller well, you
may most know him as a long time conductor of the
Glassboro State College Concert Choir. I had the honor
to meet Mr. Miller in the mid 90's when he conducted
me in the New Jersey All State Chorus, after hearing
many great stories about him through Kathy & Steve
Murphy, my High School voice teacher and Drama
director at Paulsboro High School. You see, Mr. Miller
was their teacher as well. I came to soon find out
that he is responsible for educating a huge percentage
of High School and other music teachers in the United
States. When I started my freshman year at Glassboro I
was honored to have Mr. Miller as my own private vocal
instructor. His techniques I still use today, his
stories always made me laugh, and his demeanor, smile.
Some of my fondest memories of Clancy stem from hours
we would spend talking about my future in the
performing arts. I remember one day he told me TONY,
make sure you always have something to fall back on
because the performing arts world (If you're not going
into education) can be a real "shaky business." I went
home that day contemplating life as an actor and
singer wondering if I was making the right decisions
in life or chasing a never reachable star, as any
young artist might. The next day I laughed when he
told me "remember what I said yesterday about having
something to fall back on?... I was thinking... It's a
load of bull-cocky. Do whatever the hell your passion
is!"
I even remember working with him after becoming
president of the 1990 an 1991 Concert Choir. Planning
a trip to Florida on a train from New Jersey. It would
be the craziest tour ever. Also, I can remember the
day I had a supposed "Mafia Boss' daughter" threaten
me and the concert choir about something stupid. He
called up the brat's father and chewed him out. We
were later apologized to by the Daughter AND the
father. damn he was a tough cookie. Clancy always
wrote a letter to the college paper when any of his
students performed outside of the concert choir stage,
in a play or concert. I also was honored that whenever
we did tour with the concert choir Clancy made sure we
sang at churches of different denominations. It was my
first rounded exposure to religion from all different
communities and it opened my eye to the world in a new
way, as well as this man's heart.
Mr. Miller retired the year I graduated. The kicker
is that he later started to conduct again. This time
with the Gloucester County Community College Choir.
This was a group my father has been a member with for
decades. The coolest thing was that with Mr. Miller at
the conductor's podium my father Nick Sr. was elected
president and got to experience all the wonderful
things I did while I was in college. It makes me smile
to think my father followed in MY footsteps and
experienced his wonderful direction.
The day I graduated Mr. Miller went around our concert
choir seniors and said nice things about each of the
graduating seniors. He waited until last and only
said, "Now Tony.... He's a young man who going to
forge his own path in this world. He's not going to be
a follower but lead others and do it his own way."
Thanks Clancy, your strength and kindness, support and
courage always touched and inspired me. God Bless and
Rest in Peace creating music up above.
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Kelly Galloway Stellwag posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Mr. Miller will always have a special place in my heart. I think of him often & fondly. Every time I direct my own choir, a little bit of him and all he taught me shows through. I feel blessed to have known him as a teacher, mentor & friend. He will be deeply missed, but his love of music will go on through those he taught, and those we now teach.
Love, Kelly Galloway Stellwag
G.S.C. Class of 1992
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Kris (Quillin) Hill posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Mr. Miller made one of the most profound impacts on my life ever. I cherish his guidance and kind counsel to this day. What a smile! Even when those of us who got unruly in choral formation were on his nerves, his care and concern over us never faltered. May eternal perfect harmony be yours, dear sir.
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Jeffrey R. Bush '89 posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Prof. Miller,
It has been many years since I have seen you, but your influence is with me everyday. Each time that I sing to my daughter your knowledge, education and caring are in every phrase, dynamic, intonation and pitch.
My time at Glassboro was indeed many of the best of times. They were made better by concerts, tours and the friendships gained through daily rehersals. The phrase "choirs of angels" has a more perfect sound today.
I have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient student and friend.
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Beverly Stagg posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
I will never forget this man. He was the best choral conductor I've ever sung under - he taught me about choral conducting, blend, rehearsal techniques, professionalism, you name it. I am very saddened by his death.
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