A retirement reception to celebrate the career of Andrew Froelich, professor of piano and theory, is scheduled for Thursday, May 8, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the NDSU Challey Atrium.

Froelich joined the NDSU faculty in 1971, and has been an active participant in the musical life of Fargo-Moorhead ever since. He has been the keyboard player for the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony since 1972 and was featured as soloist with the orchestra six times. He also has served as conductor or music director for more than 90 productions in the F-M area.

In 2002, Froelich was selected to attend a Carnegie Hall workshop under the direction of Pierre Boulez. In addition, he received a grant for composing a quartet for piano and strings that premiered in 2003.

Froelich earned a bachelor’s degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and a master’s degree and doctorate from Michigan State University.

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.