To the Editor:

Albert J. Neumeyer was such a presence in the lives of the students who took music and theater classes at Emmaus High School in the late 1960s through the mid-1980s. Nearly 50 years later, a group of about 350 of his former students want to ensure that his name and his contributions to their lives and the community are not forgotten by naming the Emmaus High School Auditorium in his honor.

Al Neumeyer was recruited in 1968 to come to East Penn School District to teach and to develop both instrumental and musical theater programs, the first of their kinds in the area.

Throughout his tenure, Al directed and staged over 20 musicals and mini musicals. He introduced and directed a summer community musical theater program that ran for five years. He formed and directed the multi-award-winning jazz ensemble, The Esquires.

Under his leadership, the EHS Marching Band grew to over 100 members and added majorettes, color guard, rifles and flags.

Al’s passion for music and theater led him to create the foundations of the strong arts programs that continue in East Penn School District today.

His greatest achievement, however, was the personal influence he had on our lives. As an outstanding teacher, he provided endless support and encouragement for performing arts students. But Al was more than just a teacher. He was a mentor who guided us in ways that would not be fully understood until years later. Al’s influence and mentorship endured long after we left high school.

Al created a community of former students who are still connected because of our participation in Al’s theater productions and music programs. The group hopes The Albert J. Neumeyer Center for the Performing Arts will not only honor the man who created a lasting legacy of music, theater, community and excellence, but also inspire current and future teachers to never underestimate the impact of their influence.

For information about this effort, please contact the albertjneumeyerproject@gmail.com or 919-645-7307.

Kathryn Whitney

Pamela Marino Weiss

Kathleen Nowack Worm