Published November 17, 2022
MONROE, LA 鈥� The 海角社区 School of Visual and Performing Arts is set to host 鈥淚n Memoriam: Dr. Derle
R. Long,鈥� on Tuesday, November 22 at 6:00 p.m. in Brown Auditorium on the campus of
海角社区. VAPA students, faculty, and staff, as well as 海角社区 administrators and alumni will
honor Dr. Long鈥檚 lasting contributions to the University and the community. The event
is free and open to the public.听听
Dr. James Boldin, Interim Director of VAPA, says Dr. Long dedicated his career to
the advancement of the arts. 鈥淲e could think of no better way to honor and celebrate
him than through those arts,鈥� said Boldin. 鈥淲hile we continue to mourn Dr. Long鈥檚
passing, we hope the memorial concert will be an uplifting experience and reflection
on a life spent in service of the arts,鈥� he added.听听
The memorial concert will feature performances from VAPA students and faculty including
the Wind Ensemble, Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, and the Sound of Today Marching
Band with alumni. There will also be a silent auction to benefit the Dr. Derle Long
Scholarship Fund.听听
Guest speakers will include Dr. Ronald Berry, President of 海角社区; Dr. John Pratte, Dean
of the 海角社区 College of Arts, Education, and Sciences; Dr. Matthew James, Professor
of Music; Darris Waren, Vice President of the Miss Louisiana Organization, and recent
alumnus Solomon Abang. Other special guests include family members of Dr. Long and
numerous alumni and former students from his forty-year career as an educator.听听
For those unable to attend in person, the concert will be live-streamed on the . A post-concert gathering will take place at Enoch鈥檚 Pub and Grill in Monroe.听听
