A wonderful teacher, I too played under his direction from 7th thru 12th grade. I consider him my favorite teacher. I was unaware he had passed away until today. An inspiring director, I believe he got the very best out of his student musicians. I know he challenged and encouraged me to be the best trumpeter I could be. It was also nice reading former classmates and fellow musicians comments.I know many felt they way we did. Rest in peace Mr. Bronson. Michael Reynolds

First of all my condolences to the family of Mr. Bronson.  I not only received the best instrumental music foundation I could have ever hoped for but also a teacher who was a mentor and role model.  From the hallway outside the principal’s office at Greenfield School to graduation from Groves HS I learned much more than technique and how to march up and down a football field.  I was more influenced and tutored by a man who made a significant impact on my trombone experience going forward.  From the concert halls during college to the Army Reserve band to even participating with classical musicians in Bolivia where we served and lived for most of our career as Christian missionaries, I always give credit to solid beginnings with Mr. Bronson.  I honor the memory of a man who was faithful to his family, his community and all the students he ever taught.  I was one of those students whose life was positively impacted.  Thank you, Mr. Bronson.   Paul Erickson Groves class of 1967.

I had the privilege and the joy of being taken under the wing of Burton Bronson when I arrived, so young, in the Birmingham school system and in particular at Groves High School. As I had already achieved a certain level in music (flute) in my elementary school in Detroit, I was able to integrate the Groves band upon my arrival. It was the best thing that happened to me at Groves, and Burt Bronson was part of that. I have so many fond memories of him, but one very significant moment when President Kennedy announced the Cuban missile crisis and Mr. Bronson said, "I took out my uniform (from the Korean War)".  Luckily , he didn't have to wear it again. What wonderful memories I have of those years with the Groves band, largely due to Mr. Bronson's benevolent leadership. May he rest in peace (and play the piccolo for the Stars and Stripes Forever).


Mr. Bronson was one of the best teachers I've ever had. I was fortunate to have him as my band director at Birmingham Groves High School from 9th-12th grade (1964-1969); I even had him as one of my first band teachers at Greenfield Elementary School.  When I was in the Groves Band, it always received excellent ratings at State and District Band Festivals thanks to his leadership.  I’m not sure, but I think the band always received top scores when he was its band director. 

It wasn't until I was an adult that I truly appreciated how wonderful a teacher he was.  I've carried so much of what I learned from him into adulthood.  Many times I'll think about things he taught us when I rehearse and perform in various community bands I've played in and still play in (e.g., technique, intonation, musicality, musicianship, performance deportment, creating a culture of excellence, and importance of working as a single, cohesive group).

Mr. Bronson was truly one of those exceptional teachers that so many of us were fortunate to have had.

Nancy Corgiat Ford, Groves Class of 1969
(Photo is from the 1967 Groves Yearbook)

I was fortunate to have been a student of Mr. Bronson at Birmingham Groves from 7th Grade  through 12th  Grade Band. Mr. Bronson was a role model for me and a large reason I majored in music at college. He brought a positive attitude to class and constantly encouraged his students during rehearsals each and every day.  I'll remember Mr. Bronson many ways with a big smile.

I know that his family is so proud of him and will miss him greatly. My heart goes out to all of you. My brother, Chip Pittard, had the privilege of playing in the Wylie. E. Groves Band under Burt's direction in the 1960s. He went on to make music his life's passion and career. I was not in the band, but I have such fond memories of never missing a concert during the years that I was a student at Groves. To this day I still enjoy listening to the record they made of one of those concerts. I am always blown away by the talent of the students, but I know that they were that good because they had such a marvelous conductor.  

Mr Bronson gave me private lessons on the Tuba quite a few years back. My dad was the Principle at Cooley Elementary in the Waterford School District at the time. My favorite memory was when the three of us all playing Tuba's performed a rendition of John Phillp Sousa's Stars and Stripes. Mr Bronson played the piccolo solo, I played the trumpet solo, and my dad played the Tuba part. 

One of the most influential teachers I ever had. He inspired young musicians and taught us how to appreciate what can happen when 50 teenagers work together to produce the magic and pride of a performance on a football field, marching in the Hudson’s Thanksgiving parade in Detroit, playing in competitions, and watching the pride and smiles in our parents when he raised his baton to lead a Christmas concert, making a record, competing with each other to advance a chair, and fostering friendships that have endured for decades. (You know who you are) He gave us a purpose, an understanding of how music is made, and the feeling of belonging to a group. I never heard him raise his voice or lose his temper. 
We admired him and loved him. RIP Mr. Bronson. — Susan Corgiat, Groves Class of 1967.

Burt hired me, fresh out of MSU, as a beginning band teacher (beginner teaching beginners!) in 1982. Little did I know I’d be traveling to 13 different elementary schools that first year! Burt and Kay were just wonderful! They’d have me over or take me out for dinner, help me figure out finding a place to live, and just generally made me feel welcome and supported. Burt had a squashed saxophone on his office wall, with a placard explaining, “this horn plays FLAT!”
Love to my good friend Jim, his family, and to Mary Kay and her family. Jim’s son, Jake, is my nephew’s band director in Charlevoix!

Having worked with Burt Bronson for 22 years as a school band director in the Waterford School District memories of him are many. My earliest memory is from 1970 when my wife, Gayle, and I purchased our first home. Burt was "on site" helping us get ready for the big move in.  Early on he showed what a kind and helpful man he was. I also remember his retirement celebration at which I recited an appropriate poem composed just for him, "Then Came Bronson".  It was a synopsis of Burt's arrival and tenure as Supervisor of Music in the Waterford Schools. Sincere condolences to the entire Bronson family.

Burton's daughter Mary Kay and I roomed together for a spell at MSU. I loved when MK's parents visited campus or came to watch the band on game days. I was always uplifted by the utter cuteness of both of their smiles. Mary Kay inherited a beautiful blend. Their smiles alone just plain make me happy, not to mention their caring, generous, giving personalities. My other memory involves the time my illegal (smuggled) dorm-guinea-pig chewed through Mary Kay's stereo cords. I believe she took the speakers home to see if Dad (Burton) could fix them. He did--what a guy--talented with music AND electrical tape!

My heart goes out to the entire family. Love to you all through this difficult time.

OBITUARY

Burton Bronson

October 4, 1928 – September 8, 2021

Pixley Funeral Home

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