Over the last six decades, Old Rochester Regional High School has graduated a number of students who’ve showcased great talent in the arts and continue to contribute to the community with their music to this day.

In an effort to recognize these individuals, the Friends of Old Rochester Music is launching a Music Hall of Fame, which recognizes graduates for the first time this April — similar to the school’s existing Athletic Hall of Fame.

“The Athletic Hall of Fame at the high school has been quite popular and well-received by the community,” said Chrystal Walsh, Friends of Old Rochester Music president.

Walsh noted that some schools have broad halls of fame that are able to recognize all sorts of student accomplishments, adding that forming one for the school’s musicians was “overdue.”

“We recognize there are a lot of students who had great accomplishments in music and we want to make sure that the diverse graduates who come out of ORR are recognized for their skills,” she said.

Friends of Old Rochester Music are seeking nominations now for choral and instrumental students, who graduated from Old Rochester Regional 10 or more years ago, and continue to “enrich their community with music or have gone on to successful music careers.”

Nomination submissions are due by Friday, Feb. 28 and will be reviewed by the committee, which includes Jim Farmer, Steve Rogers, Bob Williamson, Bob Marcolini, Kate Rose, Jane Finnerty and Monique Payne.

“We have six decades to catch up on,” Walsh said, so the committee will select at least one inductee from each of the last six decades for this year’s Hall of Fame. 

Though the induction is likely to take place every other year, she noted the committee may opt to hold an additional induction ceremony to help make up for the last 60 years.

Those interested can complete the form on the FriendsofOldRochesterMusic.org or email form@oldrochester.org with the name of the person nominated, their graduating year, why they would make a great inductee and the nominator’s contact info. 

The inductees will be announced at the Tuesday, April 15 “A Night of Jazz” at the high school and celebrated with a ticketed event at the Marion Music Hall later in the spring. 

Walsh said she graduated from Old Rochester as did her mother in the 1960s, and her children will likely graduate from there, too, so expanding recognition of students to the arts is important to her.

“I’m just personally proud to raise the profile of the excellent education that the school district is providing and make people aware of the diverse ways that graduates are contributing to their community,” she said.