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CHARLOTTE — A $25,000 scholarship at Clarion University in Pennsylvania has been established in honor of Dr. Stanley F. Michalski Jr. of Charlotte, distinguished emeritus professor of music and conductor of bands at the university from 1961 to 1992.

The Dr. Stanley F. Michalski Scholarship for Marching Band recognizes Michalski's dedication to and development of the Golden Eagle marching and symphonic bands at Clarion University. Awards will begin in the 2013-2014 academic year.

A celebration to mark the honor was held recently during the university's homecoming, where Michalski also served as guest conductor of the Jazz Band Concert and Reunion, performed by band alumni, for the occasion.

After retiring from Clarion University, Michalski moved to Charlotte, but he came out of retirement when he learned there was no band program in the local Catholic schools, according to an announcement from the university about the scholarship. Michalski now serves as coordinator of instrumental music. He also serves as adjunct professor of music at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., where he is also associate conductor of the Carolina Wind Orchestra. He attends St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte.

The first band Michalski directed at Clarion had 17 members. By 1991, he had increased it to 120.

"Anyone who takes a job like this has a goal of what kind of music they want to play and how far you want to take the group," Michalski said in the university's announcement. "It wasn't just me – you need instruments, you need support. There's a certain instrumentation you want to achieve, and we were fortunate enough to achieve that."

He added that he was honored to have the Clarion scholarship named for him.

"It was one of the greatest jobs anyone could ever have," he said.

Michalski attended Penn State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in music education in 1956, master's degree in education in 1958, and doctorate in education in 1966. In 1973 he was elected into the American Bandmasters Association, considered by composers and conductors worldwide to be the highest honor achievable.

He has served as tuba soloist, clinician-adjudicator and guest conductor for All-State-Honor Band festivals in 45 states. He was conductor for the International Youth and Music Festival in Vienna, Austria, for six years. He is currently adjudicator for the St. Patrick's Day Parades in Limerick and Dublin, Ireland, and was recently named artistic director of the Lord Mayor's New Year's Day Parade in Dublin.