Paul M. Alberta Appointed Music Director and Richard Talanian Named Cleveland Vice-Principal-September 16, 1966

The Norwood School Committee announced two key administrative and instructional appointments today, naming a new director of music for public schools and a new vice-principal for the Cleveland School.

Paul M. Alberta Named Public Schools Music Director

Taking over the position of director of music—vacated by Ralph Forsman, who accepted a similar post in Connecticut—is Paul M. Alberta.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Alberta brings an accomplished musical background to Norwood, having served for five years as first clarinetist for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. As a guest soloist with the orchestra, he earned a full scholarship for undergraduate study. He went on to complete his studies at the Boston Conservatory of Music, earning a Bachelor of Music Education degree.

Alberta’s prior local experience includes serving as an instrumental instructor at the Callahan School, following which he taught sixth grade at the Shattuck School for seven years. His extensive resume also includes teaching with the Brockton High School Saturday Morning Conservatory Program, the Boston Community Music Center, and serving this past summer as an instructor and coordinator for a federally funded elementary vocal and instrumental music program in Somerville. Alberta resides at 115 Poole Circle in Holbrook with his wife and three children.

Richard Talanian, Jr. Appointed Cleveland School Vice-Principal

In the second personnel appointment announced by the committee, Richard Talanian, Jr. was named vice-principal of the Cleveland School.

Talanian began his career with two years of elementary teaching experience in Boston before coming to Norwood in 1956, where he spent three years instructing fifth-grade students at Norwood Junior High School starting in 1963. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from State Teachers College, Boston, in 1954, followed by a Master’s Degree from the same institution in 1959, and continued his graduate studies with approximately 30 additional credit hours beyond his Master’s.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger