© 2024 WXXI Public Broadcasting, 280 State St. Rochester, NY 14614, (585) 325-7500
Celebrating 50 years on FM 91.5
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Musicians of Rochester serves as a portrait of musical life in and around the greater Rochester, New York region.

Musicians of Rochester: Jeanne Gray

Jeanne Gray attended the 2017 New York State School Association Conference in Albany to talk about new standards for music education.
Brenda Tremblay
Jeanne Gray attended the 2017 New York State School Association Conference in Albany to talk about new standards for music education.

Jeanne Gray is a force of nature.

She glows with enthusiasm for lifelong music-making.

“When you’ve got senior citizens who are back doing level one solos and enjoying it, why not?”

Born on October 9, 1926 in Endicott, New York, this great-grandmother has witnessed and shaped music programs across New York State through decades of teaching in Corning, New York and in Webster Central Schools until her so-called "retirement" in 1962. 

Since then, Gray has been serving an important role as a consultant, performer, and advocate for the arts. Her post-retirement résumé is astonishing; it includes leadership roles in the Penfield Symphony Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Youth Orchestras, the Monroe County Music Association, and New York State School Music Association. 

While other retired teachers might be throwing golf clubs in the trunk, Gray has been driving back and forth to the state capitol to serve on committees shaping the future of music education across New York State.

Brenda Tremblay has served as weekday morning host on WXXI Classical since 2009.