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News & Updates

Mike Bergauer: Mike was honoured recently with a lifetime achievement award at the 2007 K-W Art Awards. His career spanned 35 years in the Waterloo Region Separate School Board for which he taught music in both elementary and high school. In 1967, he created what was then considered the best kids' musical production in Canada for Canada's Centennial Year. Many of his former students have gone on to become professional musicians, either in orchestras or dance bands.

Mike has had a lifetime of music starting when he was 12, playing trumpet on the radio. He played along side professional adult musicians by the time he was 13. Because of his talent, he was hired by the Catholic School Board which snapped him up despite not having his academic credentials to teach. He assumed the music co-ordinator's job and at the same time, upgraded his education by enrolling in a music teaching course at the University of Toronto to become a "qualified" teacher. Throughout his musical career, Mike not only conducted and played solo trumpet in a host of dance bands but also wrote arrangements, conducted youth orchestras and supervised the production of popular musicals.

Arrangements have also been made for anybody wanting to donate to the scholarship that was set up in Mike's name by the Waterloo Catholic Schools Foundation in 2005. Anybody interested in making a donation to this scholarship fund could contact Vic Degutis at vic.degutis@wcdsb.ca

Mike Bergauer Surprise Birthday Bash:

As a professional photographer, I was pleased to offer my services to record Mike's special surprise party on August 16, 2008 at Bingeman Park. Michelle Bergauer conducted the orchestra put together for the evening's performance. Why even Mike was given the baton for a few numbers! And everybody loved it. Just click to view my photos of Mike's special evening: Mike Bergauer 75th Birthday Bash Photos.

Other Updates

John Hartig (violin): Well, I'm retired...sort of. My working career included photojournalism and teaching in both high-school and elementary school. I taught English, History and French. In recent years, I've been active as a wedding photographer and web designer. I've also been involved in music, playing first violin in The Peninsula Orchestra which is a community orchestra based in the Niagara Region. My wife, Marjorie still works as a grade 6/ 7 teacher.

Charlene Miller (bassoon): I was the bassoonist ( I think maybe the only one) for Opus 67. I also played the accordian.. then I was Charlene Miller, now Herbert. Besides still working full time, I'm the librarian for our KW Community Orchestra. (Our site needs to be updated...) and I play 2nd bassoon. We have about 50 players in our community orchestra.

In Memorium

• Died: Janice Spiegl (violin) in 1967 at the age of 18. In Toronto, of brain lesions, there for rehearsals with the National Youth Orchestra, before a six week tour starting at Expo. Janice just finished grade 12 at St. Mary's High School.

• Died: Joe Paleczny (oboe)