Each day members of our community quietly celebrate milestones, achievements and accomplishments—big and small. This department highlights these triumphs for the community.
If you’re sending a submission, include all details that apply: individuals’ names, details of the milestone and a contact name and phone number. If you have photos, send them. The submission deadline for the August issue is Friday, July 15. For best results, e-mail editor@midcountymemo.com or mail submissions to 3510 N.E. 134th Ave., Portland, OR 97230. Call 503-287-8904.
Director retires from community band
Jay Burchak is stepping down as a co-director of the Portland Metro Concert Band. He will continue to lead the trumpet section.
COURTESY PMCB
After 24 years as director of the Portland Metro Concert Band, Jay Burchak is stepping down. He will continue as first trumpet with the band.
Burchak is a graduate of the University of Montana and the Eastman School of Music. He was principal trumpet in the Augusta, Ga. symphony for two years and taught band in New York and Montana before beginning a 24-year stint as band director at David Douglas High School. During those years, he served on the board of the American School Band Directors Association and was its president in 1979.
As co-director of the PMCB, Jay directed innumerable concerts at David Douglas High School’s Performing Arts Center, churches, retirement homes, the Gladstone Chautauqua Festival and the Gresham Farmer’s Market. He also led the band at the Royal Rosarians’ Knighting Ceremony. Burchak is a Knight of Rosaria.
He has also wielded the baton for the American Legion Post #1 band at Veteran’s Day programs at the Milwaukie post, as well as for his own groups, the Mt. Hood Quintet and the Black Magic Big Band, which perform weekly at the Oregon City and Milwaukie senior centers.
Burchak is a founding member of the Oregon Symphonic Band and played with it for 26 years. He currently plays in the Providence Stage Band, his own ensembles, the American Legion Post #1 band and the Portland Metro Concert Band.
Teacher studies First Amendment
Parkrose High social studies teacher Richard English will attend the Bill of Rights Institute 2016 Founders Fellowship program this month in Washington D.C. under the sponsorship of Georgia-Pacific.
This annual fellowship provides teachers with training and tools to educate students about America’s founders, their ideals and economic and civil liberties. English will spend the week studying the complex ideas of liberty protected in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution under the tutelage of constitutional scholars.
