A Day to Honor Croton Resident Rob Morsberger

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – After two performances and conversations with a whirlwind of people, County Legislator Catherine Borgia (D-Ossining) officially proclaimed March 4 as “Robert Morsberger Day,” honoring the Croton musician. A benefit concert, where Morsberger performed, was held Sunday to honor the village resident who has been candid about his struggles with a recently diagnosed brain cancer.

“It was a really fantastic show of support by very nice people,” Morsberger said about the two Sunday performances. “It took me a little while to process it, but as I did process it I was very thankful.”

The father of four joked that he’s been instructing his children to organize parades for next year’s Robert Morsberger Day, but a pang of seriousness could be felt in his latest album, “Ghosts Before Breakfast.”

The album focuses on the work of Hans Richter, the Dada-era experimental filmmaker who incorporated stop-motion animation into his live motion pictures. One of his most famous films is the silent “Ghosts Before Breakfast” (1927), which features a set of four floating hats, mischievously evading their owners.

Morsberger said he took a “cut and paste” approach to lyricism in the new album. Although words like, “There’s no time for tears, it’s a new life every day,” in the album’s title track are actually Richter’s, he said, “That’s the interesting thing when you do cut and paste writing is your subconscious kind of rings in.”

“I love his music and he’s a very special person, dealing with his difficulties with a lot of bravery and courage, and I think he’s a great example,” said Borgia. “I am so honored to know musicians like Rob, it’s the really wonderful thing about arts communities.”

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