Fulton’s ‘Music Man,’ Swierczek, Returns To Conduct Community Band

FULTON, NY – Richard Swierczek, former director of music for the Fulton City School District, will return to conduct several numbers with the Fulton Community Band at its 7 p.m. Aug. 24 concert, at Bullhead Point.

Swierczek and his family relocated to Chatham, Mass., following his retirement from teaching in 1983.

“Mr. Swierczek, now 91, is widely revered as Fulton’s own ‘Music Man’ and he received FMA’s lifetime achievement award in 2007,” Steve Chirello, FMA president said. “I had the experience of a lifetime accompanying him with the G. Ray Bodley High School Band, to Vienna, Austria, in 1972 for the first International Band Festival. It was absolutely inspiring to see so many of our friends and neighbors in Fulton pull together to raise more than $60,000 to send us.”

The community band will play several selections from the Vienna band repertoire and a number of band alumni are expected to sit-in and play that evening.

Swierczek was an active member of Fulton’s music community for many years.

Highlights of his achievements in Fulton include:
• Graduate of Fulton high School 1943
• Music teacher, Fulton City School District 1954- 1983
• Director of Music, Fulton Schools 1970-83
• New York State Chairperson for Music In Our Schools
• New York State School Music Association Zone 4 Representative
• New York State Chairperson for Music In the Community
• Fulton Community Theater Musical Director
• Organized and Directed Fulton Men’s Chorus, Mixed Chorus and Women’s Chorus
• President of Oswego County Music Teachers’ Association
• Fulton Rotary Community Service Award recipient

In addition to the accomplishments listed, in the summer of 1972, Swierczek was invited to and attended the first International Band Festival in Vienna, Austria, with the GRB Band earning a ‘Superior’ Rating from three international judges.

“That performance in Vienna was so special that a recording of it was used in promotional materials for festivals that followed,” Swierczek said.

During the mid-1950s, Swierczek worked tirelessly to give Fulton’s fourth grade elementary students as many opportunities as possible to hear and try a band instrument.

“One year, “ Swierczek recalled, “I brought one of each of all the band instruments to grades four through eight and demonstrated them. Then, every child had the chance to try at least one instrument. In fact, to kick off the instrumental program, the entire fourth grade enrollment throughout the district played the flutophone at our 1955 elementary band concert.”

Swierczek was involved in all facets of the New York State School Music Association.

Through the years his students competed in everything from solo to large ensemble competitions. These efforts were so successful, he said, “the publicity gained from our high competitive scores and students being selected for Area All-State, All-State and Eastern Divisions of NYSSMA further strengthened both public support and student interest in Fulton music.”

Swierczek also served NYSSMA as guest conductor at several All-County and Area All-State Festivals, both as band director and choral director.

Swierczek’s involvement was not, however, limited to school music pursuits. In 1958, he and his good friend, Jack Walsh, a well-known Fultonian tenor, started the Fulton Men’s Chorus.

“In the following year, we won first place at a competition in Utica,” he said.

In its 15-year existence, the Fulton Men’s Chorus “maxed out” at 70 members, he said.

It also led to the development of the Fulton Women’s Chorus and the Fulton Mixed Chorus.

“The Mixed Chorus had a wonderful sound,” Swierczek said. “As a result, we were invited to be the Guest Chorus at the Syracuse Symphony’s Gala Concert where we joined them in a performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony both in Syracuse and in Fulton. Christopher Keene was the conductor.”

“As one of his former students, I can’t begin to describe the positive impact his teaching and the pure, passionate force of his personality had on me and so many of my classmates,” Chirello said. “His abundant energy, enthusiasm and rapid-fire conversation have not diminished one iota in their intensity since my days in his concert band. We are tremendously excited to have him back among us.”

In addition to helping high school students receive FMA awards this spring, FMA continue to help sponsor Fulton’s summer concert series and bring special performances, like the U.S Army’s 10th Mountain Division Band in Fulton.

For further information, call Carol Fox at 342-2294 or visit them on Facebook under Fulton Music Association.

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