Our Lady of Mercy School - Lore Yearbook (Detroit, MI)

Page 73 text:

Pianist Matt Michaels is a popular and fa- miliar figure to music students. Mr. Mi- chaels is instructor to most of Mercy’s as- piring piano virtuosos. He arranges numer- ous works for the various glee clubs and the Mercyaires as well as performing in the Christmas, Spring and Jazz Concerts. A well known musician in professional circles, he is also a most important factor in the growth of the music department. Mr. Eugene Stewart, percussion teacher, comes to Mercy with an impressive record of performance and teaching experience. A graduate of the Henry Adler School of Percussion, Mr. Stewart has worked exten- sively in New York City, including a per- formance at Carnegie Hall. He has been working in the Detroit area for the past nine years — currently playing with the symphony on occasion, with the Bobby Laurel Trio and doing studio sessions with Jack Brokenshaw and our own Matt Mi- cheals. Although he is new to Mercy this year, Mr. Stewart has been an instructor in the various school systems for the past thirteen years. Almost any Mercy student is aware of Mr. Ron English’s work on the guitar. A true master of the instrument, Mr. English is proficient on all of its many varieties. He is the instructor of the Social Guitar class and keeps a full schedule of private les- sons as well. A talented composer and ar- ranger, Mr. English has appeared in sever- al of Mercy’s music programs. The March Jazz Concert featured an original compo- sition performed by his own group, the Head Arrangement. As is the case with several other members of the music department, Mr. English has played in an impressive number of local groups and clubs throughout the area for years. A multi-talented man, he formerly taught creative writing at Eastern Michigan University. Far upper left: Sophomore violinist Mar- ianne Pavach in concert before an open- school assembly. Left center: Mary Lay practices Gershwin. Lower left: Mary Beth Purcott, first year percussion student. Far lower left: Flute student Karen Cromwell.

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Music Department Professional in Depth and Dimension A highly respected virtuoso of music both here among students and faculty at Mercy and throughout the state — Mr. Micheal Bistritzsky. Mr. Bistritzsky is the director of Mercy’s string ensemble, instructs all string students and conducts a daily music theory class. He can claim many present symphony members as former students as well as a distinguished career as a performer, conducter and arranger on his own. Mr. Bistritzsky comes to Mercy after intensive work at Cass Technical High School. A favorite with music department students, the faculty of the Music Academy considers him a most valuable asset. Mr. Louis Aloia conducts a full schedule of private lessons in the major woodwind instruments — clarinet, saxophone and flute. His students have performed as accompanists for the glee clubs during their annual school performances. Mr. Aloia is described as a ‘‘pro”’ by his fellow music department faculty members and indeed he is — with over 25 years of teaching and performing experience. SN

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Standards Rise in Choral and Orchestral Ensembles Mr. Lawrence Teevens, department head, correlates all activities of the newly-formed Music Academy. His most intensive work is the development of the three choral ensembles and the Mercyaires. This year, more than ever before, Mr. Teevens has concentrated his efforts at getting the many facets of our music department into the public eye. The Mercyaires and choral groups have performed an impressive group of diversified music at local parishes, supper clubs, radio stations, and various other locations as well as their annual Christmas and Spring concerts. Mrs. Nadia Marks is a graduate of Curtis Institute of Music. She is a former student of Carlos Salzedo, a renowned harpist. Mrs. Marks gives instruction both in harp and piano here at Mercy. She has 20 years of experience in private instruction. Mrs. Marks is a familiar figure at the Christmas and Spring concerts, as she often contributes her talents as an accompanist to the various choral and orchestral ensembles. Above right: Senior Glee Club rehearses “Wolcum Yole!”’ from Benjamin Britten's “Ceremony of Carols.’’ Lower right: Lianne Kaller, a second year student of Mrs. Nadia Marks. Se eee aaa lla eel oer Sd ee cd