Archbald native tapped to head college program
Misericordia University recently announced the selection of Marko Marcinko as the director of music performance and artist in residence to revitalize the once well-known music program.
The music performance program at Misericordia offers instrumental and choral ensemble opportunities in varying styles and ensembles. The program is an opportunity to create meaningful musical moments and connect with other students and build friendships while attending Misericordia University. Music performance at Misericordia will take a new direction with Marcinko.
“I am so glad to see Music Performance at MU become a reality,” he said. “The great music tradition and history returns with a new and exciting direction.”
Marcinko, an Archbald native, has worked as a freelance musician playing drum set, percussion, piano/keyboards, bass guitar, vocals and trombone. He has also served as a studio session player, arranger, musical director and producer for numerous commercial jingles, indie films and off-Broadway, club and theater engagements.
He studied technique with drumming master Joe Morello and continued his training at the University of Miami, Florida, where he studied classical, jazz, contemporary, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban styles under professors Fred Wickstrom, Steve Bagby, Steve Rucker, Harry Hawthorne and Ney Resaro.
Marcinko toured and recorded with jazz legend Maynard Ferguson in the mid-’90s and NEA Jazz Master Dave Liebman as a member of the Dave Liebman Group 2000-2014. He currently works with the Grammy-nominated Dave Liebman Big Band and the Organik Vibe Trio featuring Joel Frahm and Ron Oswanski, The Hal Galper Trio, The Marko Marcinko Latin Jazz Quintet, The Ruth’s Chris Jazz Trio and the award-winning Scranton Jazz Festival Big Band.
He is an Emmy- and Grammy-nominated artist and the founder and artistic director of the PA Jazz Alliance, the Scranton Jazz Festival and the Montgomery County Jazz Festival. Marko has served as a music consultant, clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States, Canada, South America, eastern/western Europe and Japan.
The Misericordia University Concert and Lecture Series presents performances by outstanding world-renowned musicians representing a variety of musical genres and closely coordinates programming with the instrumental and choral ensembles to offer special masterclasses, workshops, and lectures by visiting artists, creating unique opportunities for student musicians to hear, observe, interact and perform with a variety of professional musicians and artist-teachers. All performances are open to the public and take place in the Lemmond Theater or Maslow ensemble room. The program will begin in the fall.
High school juniors and senior interested in the music performance program can contact Marcinko at mmarcinko@misericordia.edu for a visit to rehearsals, meet the faculty, attend a concert or masterclass/clinic and tour the campus.
Wright Center launches first-ever golf tourney
The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education will hold their inaugural charity golf tournament on May 15 at the Glenmaura National Golf Club in Moosic in support of the patients The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement serves in Northeast Pennsylvania.
The captain-and-crew tournament will feature a shotgun start at 10 a.m.
John Kearney, a Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education board member, is serving as honorary chair of the fundraiser. Mary Marrara, a member of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Patient & Community Engagement boards, and Mark Seitzinger are serving as co-chairs.
The tournament is in honor of the late William M. Waters, Ph.D., who played a significant role in The Wright Center’s enterprise governance, most recently serving as vice chair of The Wright Center for Community Health’s Board of Directors and co chair of The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement.
“Dr. Waters selflessly volunteered countless hours to The Wright Center and its patients. He was a relentless champion for developing responsive primary care services and primary care physician champions,” said Kara Seitzinger, executive director of public affairs and advisor liaison to the president and CEO. “In his memory, we are raising funding to ensure everyone has access to high-quality primary care, no matter their insurance status, ZIP code or ability to pay.”
The Wright Center for Patient &Community Engagement focuses on improving access to health care while addressing the negative social and economic determinants of health that can affect underserved patients, including food insecurity, homelessness and poverty.
The entry fee for golfers is $250, which includes lunch and beverage service on the course, followed by a cocktail hour and dinner. A wide selection of sponsorship levels is available for the tournament. For details and inquiries regarding sponsorships, please contact Seitzinger at seitzingerk@thewrightcenter.org or by calling 570-591-5170.
Steamtown train rides resume in May
Steamtown National Historic Site train rides resume next month.
The Steamtown NHS rail experience varies from short 30-minute trips exploring the park’s historic railroad yard to full-day trips through the Poconos.
Short train rides, which include the Scranton Limited or Caboose Experience, will begin on May 11. The first excursion trip of the season will take place on May 20 to Carbondale allowing visitors to experience the community’s Spring Marketplace event.
Visitors can purchase advance tickets online through recreation.gov. Tickets for short train rides, the Scranton Limited or Caboose Experience, will not be available for advance purchase online and must be purchased on site at the Information Kiosk, the day of your visit. All ticket sales will be credit card only.
Beginning May 11, short train rides, the Scranton Limited or Caboose Experience will operate Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, as staffing permits. Departure times are: 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $6 for adults and kids over the age of 5 and $1 for kids 5 and under. Tickets are valid all day on the date of purchase and may be used for multiple short train ride experiences.
Seating availability is first come, first served. The historical site recommends getting in line 15-20 minutes ahead of scheduled departure time.
The Caboose Experience will be offered in lieu of the Scranton Limited on dates they offer longer excursion rides, as staffing permits.
Additionally, 2023 Summer Excursions tickets available for purchase online now at www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/10088803. Trips include:
- May 20 – Carbondale: Spring Marketplace.
- May 27 – Gouldsboro: craft show.
- June 10 – Carbondale: Outdoor train with Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority (bike). June 10 – Archbald: Outdoor train with LHVA (hike).
- June 18 – Cresco: Father’s Day excursion.
- June 24 – Delaware Water Gap: Founder’s Day.
- July 15 – Tobyhanna: Ice House Tour or self-guided town tour.
- July 23 – Gouldsboro: Depot open, children’s activities and food.
- August 12 – East Stroudsburg: (F)East Stroudsburg.
- August 27 – Cresco: Museum open, entertainment and and food.