Celebrating an Award-Winning Legacy in Film

More than 50 years ago, in the early 1970s, a dedicated group of students in Adelphi's Communication Department came together to produce a documentary highlighting Philadelphia's Settlement Music School, an organization committed to helping disadvantaged young people thrive through the power of music.

The film, What the Notes Say, was created under the guidance of three faculty mentors and ultimately submitted to the prestigious Student Academy Awards competition. For the students involved, the project became far more than an academic assignment-it was an unforgettable lesson in the power of storytelling, creativity and collaboration.

Working as a team, the students learned firsthand what it takes to bring a meaningful vision to life: balancing roles, supporting one another through challenges, and combining individual talents into a shared success. The experience underscored how teamwork and dedication can transform a student project into something with lasting impact.

Two students were flown to Hollywood to attend the awards ceremony, where the project received national recognition. When the moment arrived, the announcement was unforgettable:

"And the winner is… What the Notes Say!"

As then-Department Chair and Adelphi alumnus Paul Pitcoff '65 reflected, the honor was "a testament to how significant student hard work, dedication, and passion can guide and affect educational advancement."

Their achievement remains a lasting example of the creativity, teamwork, and excellence that define our alumni community-and a reminder of what students can accomplish when they come together with purpose.

We proudly recognize the talented student filmmakers from the Classes of 1974, 1975 and 1976: Rich Baron, Patrice Benneward, John Bencivenga, John Costello, Kurt Derner, Rosemary Ravinal, Sharon Thompson, Walter Trepashko, Tom Bisset, Sean Britt, Ken Cohn, Dorie Hightower, Karen Grossman and Rich O'Neill, along with their faculty mentors Marge Hudson, Len Price and Paul Pitcoff.