Celebrating a Music Mentor Who Shaped Lives

Edward P. Norris III, a teacher from Smithtown who runs the choral program at Glen Cove High School, will be honored as the 2025 Educator of Note by the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame. The award ceremony takes place on March 20 in Stony Brook, where Norris will receive his plaque at 6:30 p. m. His recognition marks the 19th time a Long Island music teacher has earned this title since it began in 2007. Norris’s career spans more than two decades, during which he has guided countless students in choir, theory and advanced courses. He also directs the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra’s Nassau Chamber Chorale for twenty years and teaches at Long Island University. His dedication to music education earned him a reputation as a teacher who keeps the bar high, insisting that excellence is never static. The story behind his passion began in December 1994 when a German rendition of “Silent Night” moved an elderly woman to tears during his high‑school choir practice. That moment sparked his decision to become a choral teacher and he still performs the German version each holiday season as a reminder of its power.Although he is proud of his accomplishments, Norris says the honor feels more like a gift to his students than to himself. He describes his role as a husband, father and conductor, preferring to keep the spotlight on the kids he mentors. He has guided students to performances at the White House, in Rome and even for Pope Francis, yet he recalls a student named Josh who discovered Mozart through his class as the most memorable impact. Outside music, Norris enjoys family time, sports, travel and coaching youth football. He once led his son’s team to a Suffolk County championship, calling it a “Super Bowl” moment for the family. The March 20 event will showcase performances by former and current students from both Glen Cove High School and the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra. Tickets include access to exhibits, inviting the public to celebrate a teacher whose life work has shaped many young musicians.