Dorian Parreott, Sr. is the retired Band Director at Asbury Park High School, Past President of NJ Music Educators, President of Local 399 American Federation of Musicians, and a leading member of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. He is a multi instrumentalist and vocalist who has performed in this area all his life. To honor his contributions to the shore music scene, Mr. Parreott will be performing with the Sentimental Journey Big Band featuring the music of Black composers, arrangers, and vocalists. Free concert! Refreshments available for purchase. Free raffle! Registration required.
Dorian L. Parreot
Class of 1954
Dorian L. Parreot, raised, and educated in Asbury Park, is an outstanding example of a man who pursued his dreams. As a 1954 graduate of Asbury Park High School, he attended North Carolina Central University on a four years basketball scholarship, but basketball wasn’t his passion…music was! He pursued this passion with determination and tenacity receiving a BA in Music Education from North Carolina Central University and a MA degree from Trenton State, now The College of New Jersey. He also took courses at several colleges, universities and professional institutions to learn all he could and to hone his skills as a musician, a reacher and a Band Director.
After teaching music in North Carolina, he returned to New Jersey and help several positions in Elementary Schools as a teacher and band director. Then in 1968, he returned to his Alma Mater, APHA and assumed the position of Band Director and Supervisor of Fine Arts, Home Economics and Industrial Arts, remaining there until 1991. Of course, he wasn’t satisfied. He continued to learn and received certifications as Supervisor, New Jersey Administration, piano tuning and instrument repair. This lead up to his opening Parreott’s Music in 1962, an instrument repair and rental business which he, as the sole proprietor runs to this day.
Not only has he dedicated himself to his craft, he has been an influential contributor to his community. He has volunteered his time and knowledge to schools throughout the state, his church, St. Stephen A.M.E. Zion, and serves on the Board of Directors of the St. Manor Urban Development Corporation of Asbury Park. He has also contributed fo his profession through the publication of articles and musical composition.
His passion for music, his contributions to his community, school, and his profession have led many organizations to bestow their awards upon him, including the Governor’s Award for contributions to the Arts for educational excellence in the public schools of New Jersey. The Monmouth County Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority awarded Dorian their “I Have A Dream” Award for community service. In 2005, he received a Lifetime Merit Award from the red bank jazz and blues festival as well as an award for this work as Chairman of the New Jersey State Conference of the American Federation of Musicians Diversity Committee at the International Musicians Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Clearly, Dorian is a man who has had dreams. He selected this anonymous quotation:
“The key to happiness is having dreams. The key to success is making your dreams come true.”
Dorian is proud of the fact there have been many “firsts” in his life. He never dreamed, as a young person, that he would do many of the things he has done, and he hopes that he has encouraged others to pursue their dreams.