Paul M. Alberta, age 82, of Medfield, Massachusetts passed away on March 30 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in a small suburban community near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While attending High School Paul was guest soloist with The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for five years.
Paul attended the Boston Conservatory of Music and was a member of the Conservatory Orchestra, Concert Band Chamber Ensembles, as well as guest conductor for the Concert Band and played for Broadway Show productions for three years. He was presented an award upon graduation for outstanding qualities of character and leadership.
Paul started his career at Norwood Public Schools in 1963 as a Director of the Junior High School Band and assistant at the High School. In 1966 he was appointed the Director of Music and Fine Arts for the Norwood Public Schools until his retirement in 2002. Under Paul’s direction the Norwood Mustang Marching, Symphony and Jazz Ensembles all appeared at many national and international festivals and competitions, which included a nine-country tour of Europe as well as and The Orange Bowl Parade. Paul also taught Music Education Courses at the New England Conservatory.
Paul was a member of the Massachusetts and Norwood Teachers Associations, Music Educators National Conference, Massachusetts Instrumental & Choral Conductors Association, and the International Association of Jazz Educators. He also served as a host chairperson for the Southeastern Massachusetts District Festival and Festival Auditions, All-State and All-Eastern Music Festivals, Massachusetts Music Educators Association Public Relations Director, President of Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductor Association, President of Massachusetts Association of Jazz Education. He is a recipient of the Lowell Mason Award, Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductor of the Year Award, Massachusetts Association for Jazz Education Lifetime Achievement Award, Mass Educators Association Distinguished Service Award, recipient of Official Town of Norwood Seal, MAC Band Conductors National Award, Massachusetts Alliance for the Arts in Education Outstanding Teacher Award, three time recipient of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Official Seal of Proclamation for Outstanding Musical Achievement, cover story feature for School Band & Orchestra National Education magazine, Boston Conservatory Distinguished Alumnus Award, recipient of the Mass. Lions Club prestigious Melvin Jones Award, and the Progressive Melvin Jones Award, Mass. Instrumental & Choral Conductors Association and Norwood Parents Music Association present annual scholarship in his honor. Appointed to the board of overseers at The Boston Conservatory. Invited to guest conduct the All-Eastern United States Honors Jazz Ensemble. Appointed to the Board of Directors of Lowell Mason Foundation Committee. Named to Mass. Drum Corp Music Educators Hall of Fame, Appointed Chief Adjudicator for the Mass. Association of Jazz Education.
The Norwood School Committee dedicated the new Performing Arts Center and Fine Arts wing at the Norwood High School after him in 2022. He was the guest conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, performing Stars and Stripes Forever at the Town of Norwood 150th birthday celebration Concert on the Common.
Paul was avid golf, softball, basketball player and huge Celtics fan. He loved to cook his famous sauce for his family for Sunday dinners. His relaxation was to ride on his tractor with his pipe and fish on the pond and taking rides in his MG.
Paul is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years Doris (Mulvee) and loving father of Donna Bruno (late husband Thomas), Kathleen (Sean) Devlin, Deborah (Joseph) Burgess, Paul (Kellie) and Kerry (John) McCarthy. Also, survived by his Grandchildren Jason, Lauren, Paul James, Taylor, Joseph, Ashley, Daniel, Bruce, Jayden, Makena, Colin and Liam. Great-Grand Children Savannah and Carmelo Sister-in-law Paula Alberta and several nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by his parents Fred and Pearl Alberta, sister, Yvonne Marie and brother Robert, and his son Scott.
Thank you to Brigham and Women’s Cardiac and Heart Pal Team for your amazing care.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Paul's Life Celebration on Thursday, April 4th, 2024 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole, on Friday, April 5th, 2024 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Vine Lake Cemetery, Medfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Paul’s name may be made to the Norwood Parent Music Association Scholarship at 245 Nichols Street, Norwood, MA 02062 or to the MICCA King Philip Regional High School: Attention Michael Keough, Paul M Alberta Scholarship Fund, 201 Franklin Street, Wrentham, MA 02093.