Final Cadence: Fall 2022

Scott Karath ’80 of Centerville, MA, died of a heart attack on February 22, 2019. He was 61. Karath had mentored many young musicians and gave them playing and studio experience as they moved forward in their careers. Starting in the 1980s, he had three bands: 2.3 Kids, the Ricardos, and Shindignation. At the time of his death he was working on a musical based on the movie Tough Guys Don't Dance. He leaves his wife, Rita Karath. 

John Picchioni B.M. ’68 of Uxbridge, MA, died March 5. He was 90. Picchioni taught music at the Woonsocket Junior High School, in Woonsocket, RI, for 30 years. A Korean War veteran, he served the U.S. Army and was a member of the U.S. Army Band in Europe. He leaves his son, John V. Picchioni Jr.; sister, Vicky; and two granddaughters. He was predeceased by his wife, Shirley M. (Russell) Picchioni, and daughter, Clara Picchioni.

Dean Royston of Raymond, NH, died unexpectedly March 26. He was 33. A police officer in Berklee’s Public Safety Department for the past three years, Royston was instrumental in departmental training and was deeply involved in community engagement. He leaves his wife, Shauna H. (Murphy) Royston; daughter, Natalie; brother, Adam Royston; and grandmother. 

Matthew Hayes B.M. ’06 of Amesbury, MA, died April 3. He was 37. A two-time Grammy-nominated engineer, Hayes had worked at several studios in the Boston area. In 2007, he became the house engineer at Wellspring Sound Recording Studio in Acton, MA, where he spent the rest of his career. In 2018, he also started working as the production manager at Scullers Jazz Club. He leaves his wife, Samantha; two sons, Hunter and Leon; parents, Constance and John Hayes; and brother, Jeffrey Hayes.

Jay Binder ’70 of New York City died April 15. He was 71. Binder, a New England Conservatory alumnus, was the casting director for nearly 100 Broadway productions, including Lost in Yonkers, The King and I, Chicago, The Lion King, and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Binder earned 11 Artios Awards from the Casting Society of America, and received Tony nominations as a producer in 1998 and 2010.

Reid Jorgensen Jr. ’69 of Wellesley, MA, died April 24. He was 79. Jorgensen worked for more than 50 years at the Rivers School Conservatory in Weston, MA, instructing students in both jazz and classical styles. He also spent time as the school’s registrar and chairman of its Percussion Department. In addition, he owned and managed Studio 203 in Boston from 1976 to 1991, and taught percussion at Wellesley College from 1993 to 2001. He leaves his wife, Judy; stepdaughter, Heather Wilson (Thaddeus); step-grandchildren; and many cousins. 

Edward Paliotta ’79 of Las Vegas, NV, died April 29. He was 65. A  realtor by profession, Palliota continued to play and write music throughout his life. He leaves his wife, Charmaine Paliotta; daughters, Tiffany and Kaylani; son, Gilbert; twin brother, John Paliotta; and granddaughters. 

Meghan Stabile ’06 of Valrico, FL, died June 12. She was 39. According to her grandmother, the cause of death was suicide. Stabile was a well-known show promoter and producer who founded Revive Music Group, a New York City company that specialized in bringing together jazz and hip-hop audiences and that had an imprint on Blue Note Records. She had hoped to open a wellness center for jazz musicians, her grandmother, Maureen Freeman, told the New York Times. In addition to her grandmother, Stabile leaves her brother, Michael Skidds, and sister, Caitlyn Chaloux.

Timothy E. Price B.M. ’73 of Exeter, PA, died July 21. He was 70. A renowned woodwind artist and jazz musician, Price played with many famous artists, wrote for Saxophone Journal, authored three books about the saxophone, and taught at the New School University in New York City. He leaves his wife, Marcia A. (Maslar) Price; his mother; sisters, Barbara Esparza and Susan Blue; and nieces and nephews. His sister Debra Evens predeceased him. 

Deanna Kidd-Szymczak of Sagamore, MA, died August 4. She was 84. A retired professor of music education who taught at Berklee for 35 years, Kidd-Szymczak was the college’s first female professor. Most recently, she was a Berklee student teacher observer. Kidd-Szymczak had earned her master's degree in music education from the Boston Conservatory. She leaves behind her husband, Michael Thomas Szymczak; siblings, Sharon DeSisto, Stephen Dustin, and Randall Dustin, and many nieces and nephews.

Faith Lueth of Walpole, MA, died August 12. She was 79. Lueth was a professor of music education at Berklee and the conductor of the Women’s Choir at Gordon College. She held a master’s degree in choral conducting from Boston Conservatory. She leaves her husband, Richard A. Lueth II; daughter, Rachel Lueth Carroll; and a granddaughter.

Les Harris Sr. of Newburyport, MA, died September 10. He was 90. Harris studied at Berklee and was a faculty member for 28 years, teaching arranging, harmony, ear training, and listening analysis, and he ran tutorial services. "He became my mentor, colleague, [and] great friend.... He was a gentle giant in all aspects of life," says Danny Harrington, professor emeritus. Harris was also a drummer with several bands. Harris leaves his wife, Janet Harris; son, Les Harris Jr.; daughters, Cynthia Schulz, Debbie Wood, and Melissa Moore; and five grandchildren.

This article appeared in the fall/winter 2022 issue of Berklee Today.