The Dillon Moran Musician in Residence Program Unveiled: Vertical Horizon's Matt Scannell to Visit in January
12/3/2012
Severn School is proud to announce the launch of the Dillon Moran Musician in Residence Program. The inaugural musician is Matt Scannell, the lead vocalist, lead guitarist, primary songwriter, and founding member of the alternative rock band, Vertical Horizon.
Scannell will be in residence on Thursday and Friday, January 10 and 11. The visit will culminate in a performance by Scannell on Friday evening at 7:00p in Price Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public. Online registration is required and will open December 21 for the Severn community. Registration for the public begins December 28.
The recently established Dillon Moran Musician in Residence program was created to commemorate the passion, exuberance and solid musicianship exemplified by Dillon Moran, Severn School Class of 2013. The purpose of the program is to invite outside musicians to spend a defined period of time at Severn working with students, faculty, and the entire community to inspire, create and perform great music. The visiting musician will share his/her talent with Severn students and hopefully provide a fresh approach and new ways of bringing music to life in the Severn community.
A native of Worcester, Massachusetts, Matt Scannell attended high school at Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, MA. It was there he met then music instructor Greg Bullen, Severn School’s music director. "Already developing as a guitarist and songwriter when I met him, Matt clearly had the talent and drive to succeed," Bullen recalled. "Like many teenagers though, he was a bit hesitant to share his talents at first. Singing in the chorus and a cappella group helped him find the confidence he needed, and by the time senior year rolled around he was at home on the stage, fronting a truly remarkable student rock band.
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When this opportunity to remember Dillon by doing something special for Severn School music arose, I immediately thought of Matt; he may be a rock star, but he is also intelligent, enlightened, and super friendly. That he cares a great deal about ideas and the human condition is apparent in the songs he writes. He has become what we at Severn see our own students becoming, no matter where their interests and abilities lead them in their lives."
"Dillon Moran was the embodiment of a Severn student – a serious student, athlete and musician who truly exhibited a passion for life and the Severn community," reflected Headmaster Lagarde. "A friend to all, Dillon will be remembered for many things including his passion for music. He loved music of all kinds and this resident musician program is designed to inspire all Severn students to appreciate great music the way that Dillon did."