Leonard V. Meretta

MERETTA, Leonard V. Of Kalamazoo Passed away Monday, July 23, 2007, at Rose Arbor Hospice. Born September 5, 1915 in Marion Heights, PA, he was the son of Henrietta Brennan and Louis Meretta and the beloved husband of the late Phyllis Grant Meretta, whom he married in 1939 and lost to cancer in 1979. Leonard is survived by his children and their spouses: James and Kristy Meretta and Carolyn and Michael Facktor; and his adoring grandchildren and their spouses: Debra Facktor and Dominic Lepore, Matthew Facktor and Marti Harris, David Meretta and Amy Checkoway, Michael and Bridget Meretta, and Bryce and Erica Facktor. Leonard was ?Super Gramp? to four great-grandchildren: Casey and Tessa Meretta, Grant Facktor, and Eli Meretta; and was the dear friend of Joan Holcomb. He will also be deeply missed by his extended family and enormous world-wide circle of friends, colleagues, and former students. Meretta was a legend in the Kalamazoo community. In 1945, he came to Western Michigan University then called Western Michigan College of Education to help develop the music program as the first Director of Bands, a position he held for 27 years. He was head of the Brass, Wind and Percussion faculty for many years and professor of trumpet, conducting, band methods, band arranging, and other courses until his semi-retirement in 1981. He continued as Professor Emeritus and a private tutor until his ?final? retirement in 1988, after 43 years. Meretta?s influence was instrumental in building an outstanding music department faculty, developing the ensembles to a high level of excellence, bringing in guest artists of national caliber, and putting Western?s name on the music map both in the state of Michigan and across the country. He was often asked to serve as a guest conductor for bands nationwide ? including nationally recognized university bands, All-State bands, the famous Goldman Band of New York City, the Detroit Concert Band, and the United States Army Band. Meretta?s published compositions included several works for brass soloists and ensembles as well as for band. Favorite marches were Tioga, Men of Might, Campus on Parade and Go, Western! Meretta received a diploma at the famed Ernest Williams School of Music in 1937. He briefly interrupted those studies in 1935-1936 to tour as a trumpet player in The Major Bowes? Original Amateur Hour, the No. 1 NBC radio show in the country ? similar to today?s American Idol. He earned a bachelor?s degree in 1938 and a master?s degree in 1941, both in music education from the University of Michigan. He was assistant band director at Lenoir High School in Lenoir, NC, from 1938-1942. After receiving his master?s, Meretta was invited by the renowned Dr. William D. Revelli to return to the University of Michigan as his assistant, a newly created position that Meretta held from 1942-1945, before leaving for Western. Meretta is remembered for organizing the first Michigan Band Day in 1946. He was a founder of the Delta Iota Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity in 1948 and a founder of the High School Summer Music Camp now known as ?Seminar? in 1952. He was conductor of the Kalamazoo Male Chorus from 1951-1963. Among other honors and distinctions, he was named a member of the select American Bandmasters Association ABA, a member of the International Trumpet Guild ITG, and a life member of the Michigan State Band and Orchestra Association MSBOA. Leonard was recently honored by the Delta Iota Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha with the Orpheus Award, the fraternity?s highest honor. He was a dedicated and contributing member of the First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo for 61 years. Leonard will be fondly remembered as a kind, smiling, unassuming man who was a superior teacher, able administrator of complex musical activities, a published composer and arranger, experienced conductor, and gifted cornetist/trumpeter and pianist/organist. His knowledge and love of music was shared with literally thousands of music students who will carry on his musical legacy. He was grounded in his faith, work ethic, personal values, and love of family. Friends may meet family members from 3-8 pm Sunday at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th Street, Kalamazoo, MI. 269-343-1508. A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 30, at 12 noon at the First United Methodist Church, 212 S. Park Street, Kalamazoo, MI. Donations may be made to the Leonard Meretta Band Scholarship c/o WMU Foundation, Rose Arbor Hospice Residence, or First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo.