2005 Music Hall of Fame

Michael L. Ehrlich

Michael is a graduate of East Stroudsburg Area High School , Class of 1974. At ESHS, he was a member of the band and choral programs. After graduation, Mr. Ehrlich was a saxophonist in the Air Force Band of the East from 1974 through 1976 at Maguire Air Force Base. He earned a degree in Music and Theatre from Indiana University , Bloomington , Indiana , and a Masters Degree, Music Education from Florida State University . Mr. Ehrlich has served as the Choral Director at W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax , Virginia from 1988 to date, having received the “Wolf Trap Performing Arts Center Scholarship for Teachers.” He has served as President of the Fairfax County Choral Directors Association and the Virginia Choral Directors Association in 1993 and 2003. Mr. Ehrlich also received the “Fiesta-val” Outstanding Directors Award, was named a Finalist for the Fairfax County “Teacher of the Year” Award and received acclaim as a 2004 USA Today “All-American Teacher.” Michael's choirs have performed at the Virginia Music Educators Association Convention, the American Choral Directors Association Convention and at both the Kennedy Center and the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Tasitha “Tassy” Newcomb Gilbert

Mrs. Gilbert graduated from East Stroudsburg Area High School in 1978. She played the French horn in both the ESHS marching and concert bands and the wind ensemble. Tassy also sang soprano and alto in the choir and with the Choraliers . Mrs. Gilbert earned County, District and Regional Chorus honors and served as student director and appeared in numerous school musical productions. As a student, she was awarded scholarships to 4 Fred Waring Music Workshops. Tassy graduated from Penn State University , having sung soprano in the PSU Choir. Since graduation, Mrs. Gilbert has served Pocono-area churches as a soloist, choir director, handbell director and has taught vacation bible school music. An active performer in local community theater, she also works with area musicians to produce and perform “WinterSongs,” a local benefit concert. Additionally, Mrs. Gilbert works for the Pocono Arts Council, helping to promote experiences in the arts in our community.

Steven R. Mathiesen

Mr. Mathiesen is a 1974 graduate of East Stroudsburg Area High School . His teachers included ESASD Music Hall of Fame inductees Clement Wiedinmyer, Robert Zellner and John Casagrande. As a member of the ESHS bands from1969 through 1974, Steve was selected for District, Regional and All-Eastern Division Festivals, as well as an American Youth Symphony and Chorus European tour. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree (cum laude) from Ithaca College in1978, and a Master of Music degree from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati in 1981. Steve has been featured as a percussionist for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, as principal timpanist and featured soloist (in January, 2002) for the Binghamton Philharmonic and principal timpanist for the Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra. Mr. Mathiesen is a freelance performer with numerous ensembles and professional entertainers, and is a member of the faculty at both Marywood University and Moravian College . He is also a published composer and arranger.

Larry Zaccaro, Jr.

Mr. Zaccaro is an ESHS graduate, Class of 1973. Inducted into the ESASD Music Hall of Fame as a long-time contributor, Larry's voice became instantly recognizable as “The Voice of the East Stroudsburg Cavalier Marching Show Band” from 1973 through 1998. Larry missed announcing only one halftime performance in 25 years—the Saturday night of his wedding. (He and his bride Linnette watched the performance from the sideline, still dressed in tuxedo and wedding gown.) Mr. Zaccaro also did narration for numerous spring concert performances and volunteered to chaperone (at his own expense) every band trip from 1973 through 1999. In addition, he volunteered hundreds of hours toward organization and implementation of the East Stroudsburg High School Summer Band Festival. Larry was a member of ESHS bands for 9 years, under the direction of ESASD Music Hall of Fame Director John Casagrande.