More than 50 years ago, in the early 1970s, a dedicated group of students in Adelphi’s Communication Department came together to produce a documentary highlighting Philadelphia’s Settlement Music School, an organization committed to helping disadvantaged young people thrive through the power of music.
The film, What the Notes Say, was created under the guidance of three faculty mentors and ultimately submitted to the prestigious Student Academy Awards competition. For the students involved, the project became far more than an academic assignment—it was an unforgettable lesson in the power of storytelling, creativity and collaboration.
Working as a team, the students learned firsthand what it takes to bring a meaningful vision to life: balancing roles, supporting one another through challenges, and combining individual talents into a shared success. The experience underscored how teamwork and dedication can transform a student project into something with lasting impact.
Two students were flown to Hollywood to attend the awards ceremony, where the project received national recognition. When the moment arrived, the announcement was unforgettable:
“And the winner is… What the Notes Say!”
As then-Department Chair and Adelphi alumnus Paul Pitcoff ’65 reflected, the honor was “a testament to how significant student hard work, dedication, and passion can guide and affect educational advancement.”
Their achievement remains a lasting example of the creativity, teamwork, and excellence that define our alumni community—and a reminder of what students can accomplish when they come together with purpose.
We proudly recognize the talented student filmmakers from the Classes of 1974, 1975 and 1976: Rich Baron, Patrice Benneward, John Bencivenga, John Costello, Kurt Derner, Rosemary Ravinal, Sharon Thompson, Walter Trepashko, Tom Bisset, Sean Britt, Ken Cohn, Dorie Hightower, Karen Grossman and Rich O’Neill, along with their faculty mentors Marge Hudson, Len Price and Paul Pitcoff.
What the Notes Say: A Student Film That Made History
Fifty years ago, Adelphi students created an award-winning documentary, What the Notes Say, proving the power of storytelling and student creativity. Launch Gallery
What the Notes Say: A Student Film That Made History
Fifty years ago, Adelphi students created an award-winning documentary, What the Notes Say, proving the power of storytelling and student creativity. 6 Photos-
The Alumni who created the What The Notes Say film gathered in October 2025 to commemorate 50 years since the film was made. Classmates and Professors from the Adelphi Communications Department joined together to watch this special film. Afterward, Rich O’Neill and classmates from the film addressed the attendees.
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Alumni from What The Notes Say film all take a picture with the Student Academy Award. (Pictured from left to right) Ken Cohn, Sean Britt, Dorie (Caplan) Hightower, Tom Bisset, and Rich O’Neill
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1975 Classmates Walter Trepashko and Rich O’Neill work on a film at the beach titled Wood and Waves in 1974
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Dorie (née Caplan) Hightower operates a camera in 1975
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Rich O’Neill ’75 and Karen Grossman ’76 receive the Student Academy Award in Los Angeles, California for the film titled What The Notes Say
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Classmates Rich O’Neill and Karen Grossman at the Academy party with actor Ray Bolger who played the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz