I was part of Dr. McElfresh choir at Monticello Junior High in 1958-59. Everyone who was anyone at Monticello at that time was in the choir. He was a leader in every sense—charismatic , dynamic and an irresistible force. We would have run through a wall for him.

I have been a leader throughout my career as a professor at University of Michigan. What strikes me in reading Mac’s memory is how leaders beget leaders. He will always be remembered and I am grateful to have been moved by him. When he took the stage and command of a choir, there was no question about who was in charge and what would happen.

Dick Alfred
Emeritus Professor if Higher Education
University of Michigan

I was a student in the TN All state choir in 1987 when he directed our choir.  He introduced me to his song “Jenny Rebecca “ and I was blessed to have performed it in my college years as well.  I have taught high school choir for almost 30 years and have performed his composition many times with my choirs.  I am doing it this school semester and wanted you to know that he is still bringing joy to people. 

Denise McReynolds 
West Ridge High school 
Kingsport TN

Mr McElfresh was the guest conductor at the Western District Choral Festival in Western Penna at The McKeesport Area Senior Sigh School, January 20 & 21,1967.
It was a memorable experience that I have cherished all these years.
I still have a LP of the performance that I am still able to enjoy.
He was a wonderful person.


I was in Mr. McElfresh's choir at Monticello Jr High and Glee Club at Cleveland Heights High School. He was an amazing conductor who had us do both classical and difficult show songs like West Side Story and The Sound of Music. We were a rag tag bunch but Mr. McElfresh got beautiful music out of us. I have thought of him often over the years, and am sorry to read of his passing. He was the best teacher I ever had - and I have now been a teacher myself for nearly 50 years.

One of the choirs in which I currently sing, Mastersingers of Wilmington (DE), is performing Poulenc's "Gloria" this weekend, and so Mac has been on my mind often this fall, as I sang this piece under him at Heights High in 1971-72 and the Forest Hills Church Choir. My Mastersingers colleagues were astounded to learn that I had sung it in high school. (They also react in disbelief when I tell them we warmed up by picking an A out of the air.) I decided to Google Mac tonight and was surprised to learn of his passing. For some reason, I thought he had passed decades ago. Now I'm sorry I didn't Google him earlier. My condolences to Mac's family and my eternal gratitude for his gift of the best musical education ever. It got me through Heights and remains with me today. I'll be singing the Poulenc for him tomorrow night!

Mac inspired my love of music in Girls Glee Club at Cleveland Heights High School and I never forgot him.  I am now a music therapy researcher and sing in an a capela choir.  His legacy lives on.  Thank you Mac!

Sky blue pink with a yellow gray stripe. I love you Granddad!

I have been thinking about Mr. Mac so much after seeing this news that I finally decided to write down some of my thoughts – appropriately, it is National Teacher Day, which is: "a day for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives".

I have to admit that for many, many years I really did not spend any time reflecting on how important Mr. Mac was to me in the formative years of junior and senior high school, even though music has always been one of my favorite pastimes.  About six years ago the conductor (Piero Bonamico) of the community chorale that I have been singing with for over twenty years (in Vermont) brought his former professor from Eastman School of Music  (Donald Neuen) to a rehearsal and there was some mention made of The Robert Shaw Chorale. (he had been a member at one time).  This, along with the fact that both of these conductors remind me so much of the way Mr. Mac taught us music -  got me thinking about the past. I began to wonder how Mr. Mac was doing – Where was he? How was he? Etc.  So I used my computer to try to track him down...and I did!  When I found that he had been teaching at Florida International Univ. and had  retired, I sent an e-mail to the music department there, asking for his e-mail address. It took a while, but eventually I had a response from Mr. Mac – the department had forwarded my e-mail to him.  I had no idea whether or not he would know who I was; I graduated in 1962 and don't remember returning to Cleveland Heights High School for visits when I was home from college, so it has been a long time. I was amazed when his e-mail arrived.  He responded something like “Of course, I remember you. You were one of the angels in the Forest Hills Church Christmas program.”  Actually, I had all but forgotten that part of “our” history, but he was right – I had participated. This was just one of the many experiences I had in the years I knew this teacher.

I was one of the lucky ones who had Mr. Mac as my choral teacher for both junior and senior high school.  At Monticello Junior High School (1955-1958) he quickly put me to work as the piano accompanist for the chorus, along with my friend, Diana. We worked together, sometimes one of us playing the right hand while the other played the left...I know his expectation that we could handle any of the music he handed to us got me to practice more than I ever had before (or since).  When I moved on to Cleveland Heights High School, Mr. Mac moved to the high school the very same year(1958), and I became a member of the Girls Glee Club. After a while, I really wanted to try singing, rather than only playing the piano. Not only did he let me do that, but soon I got to sing in a quartet of four girls singing close harmony. He named us The Highettes and arranged some music for us – including a piece where we introduced ourselves to the audience  “Here's Faith, here's Sue. We're happy to be here with you. Here's Barbie, too.  Without Julie we would be blue. - yeah”  We rehearsed a lot on our own in our homes, but also during our lunchtime at school. Rehearsals of the entire Glee Club or by section, in the early hours before school, were frequent and I don't remember anyone complaining.  I have a snapshot of some of us in my backyard painting large cards for our Glee Club cheering section at football games.  No project was too ambitious for Mr. Mac – he really knew how to get his students to rally behind something he was excited to try. I  remember going to Cleveland's Severance Hall to sing with the Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus, with Robert Shaw conducting. I have found, via my computer searching, that there was a recording made of that concert, which took place in April, 1960.  The piece we performed was St. Matthew's Passion by Bach. As I check my photo book from high school years, I am also reminded of attending music camp at Kent State University and at Oberlin College with Glee Club. No wonder we were so good! I also have a photo in my album of Mr. Mac in Laniel, Canada, in a boat along with the Al Kilgore Family.  This was in August, 1963 and I was the babysitter. So, I guess I did maintain a bit of contact, even after I graduated. Thank goodness for photos.

These are very fond memories for me and, hopefully, help you to better understand Mr. Mac's impact on my life and I am sure on the lives of many, many of his students.

What a great man he was, I remember the days at Southwood Middle School when he directed the choir and we had a show planned. He was in the hospital and he got a pass with his doctor and came and directed the show. I was so touched by his dedication to his students and music, I will always remember "Lovely Ladies" a musical group of students which included my daughter Laurie, they sang so beautifully. Dr McElfresh you are one of the greats and will be remembered and missed.

I just found out today of Mac's passing.  How sad I feel.  Just this week I was thinking of him and of the beautiful Good Friday and Easter Sunday services he directed at Good Shepard as well as well as all of the other Sunday masses and concerts when I sang with that choir.  He was such a wonderful master, teacher and man.  I am so glad I was able to see him last summer.  Emily, I am so sorry for the loss of your lifetime love and know how much you will miss him.  I am sure he is in heaven conducting the Angels in choir singing to the Lord.

I was conducted by Dr. McElfresh in the early 1980's at Regional Choir in Richmond, Virginia. I'll never forget his passionate direction of "Robin, O Robin." I still sing those lyrics today. "Robin, O Robin...do you see me in that crowd?"  Godspeed and God Bless Dr. McElfresh.

a second accented eighth note,
a bounce to the beat,
a twinkle of an eye,
a slow easy smile,
a passion for the right way,
a direction given to many,
a composer extraordinaire,

a man not easily forgotten...
.... he will be missed.

Emily please accept my sympathy (from a former GS Choir member)

High School days bring wonderful memories of Mac. He was definitely a CHHS Musical Icon. My condolences to all of his family and friends.

I can't possibly find the words to explain how much Mac meant to me and how much I've missed him since I was in the Heights Choir in 71 and 72.  He literally saved me from spiraling out of control.   I am who I am today because he saw something in me that I couldn't see in myself. He was the ideal teacher, mentor and friend and I was so blessed to have known him.  His spirit will live on in those of us who continue to be inspired by him.

I remember Mr. McElfresh to this day from Cleveland Heights High Choir 45 years ago. He was a brilliant musician, a fabulous teacher, and an incredible listener.  It is so sad to hear of his passing and anyone who knew him will remember him and miss him.  Deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
Judie Waxler Mintz (1964-1968)

I learned more from one year with Mac than from all my degrees in music.
In the summer of 1967 Mac told me to write and arrange. For the CHHS Choir. For small groups.  He promised that anything I did would get performed.  My first choral chart was awful, filled with mistakes.  I heard my mistakes and learned from them. I grew.  At a small-group performance in December, probably a retirement home, Mac introduced one of my songs and spoke about how my writing made all the voices sound better. That was audience BS.  But wow: it's possible?  It's possible to make voices sound better??  I tried.  I grew.
Nobody inspired me more as a creative musician, as a performer, as a teacher.  All these years later, when I'm in the classroom, when I'm on the podium, I'm still doing "Mac."

When I think back on my high school days, Mr McElfresh is the teacher who  comes to mind first. His pursuit of excellence is what separated him from many of the other teachers and for that matter many people in general. 
He was not accepting of mediocrity and that desire to excel influenced many of his students. The concerts he orchestrated were amazing events. The countless hours he put in to make us be better at what we did set an example for all of us to follow.
We will all miss him. Condolences to his family.

I was in Mac's first Choir at Heights.  His passionate approach to the music and his daring choice of repertoire made a permanent impression on me. Now, singing in a community choral group 45 years later, I still measure our music directors by how well they reflect that same passion and willingness to push us to handle ever more challenging music.  He helped make high school bearable--a real accomplishment.

I knew Mac only a few short years in High School and working with him when he raised Cain Park (Cleveland Heights) back from the dead.  I too still carry a flame he nurtured and that has been echoed in many of the thoughts others here have written.
I once asked my Rabbi to explain the Jewish position on afterlife.  After telling me there is no firm consensus (if you ask two Jewish people a question your get three answers) he explained the version he accepts as the truth and when I heard it I knew it had to be right.  Your children are your afterlife.  Look at them carefully.  Not only the way they wink, smile, or speak but their values and goodness.  If you have done your job well, your values, goodness, love, joy, kindness, passion and lessons learned all continue on for generations.  This certainly is an afterlife.  And here is the best part.  They don't have to be your biological children to continue your mission on earth.  All those he touched are his children.  As I read through all these comments I see the best of Clair T. McElfresh continues to live through the thousands he touched and that makes me feel good.
And if the afterlife also includes a heaven, there is a choir of angels right now “thinking A”.
Marc Levin, Cleveland Heights Class of ‘68

It was with great sadness that I learned of Mac's passing. I spent two years (1969 – 1971) in the CHHS Choir under Mac and I can say that outside of my father, he was truly the most influential teacher/person in my life during those years.  40+ years later, I still think of him often.  I regret that I never had the opportunity in later life to meet with him and tell him what he meant to me and how he changed me.
He was tough and demanding, and he brought out the best in all who worked with him.  At the same time he was fun and loving and a wonderful teacher.  He was simply a “larger than life” individual to me.  Anytime that I spent with him one-on-one was cherished.
40 years later, I can still hear his voice, I can still hear his laugh.  And one phrase that I will never forget in Choir rehearsals……..”That's the sound!!!!!  And I won't accept anything less!!!”
Thank you Mac for everything.

My condolences to family and friends. Mac truly was the Sound of Music to many.

I remember working with Mac when I was a student at Cleveland Heights High School. A very talented man and a pleasure to work with. Mac will be missed.

I have nothing but fond memories of Mac.  I remember one time walking through Heights and he pointed to me and said give me an "A" and right there I had to sing and "A".  He had such passion for life and music
Diane Edwards Hunt

"Mac" bought a house on Englewood Road (second block, even numbered side) during the summer of 1955 to be the chorus teacher at Monticello Jr. High School replacing Miss Beck.  He started a summer chorus at Cain Park in 1956.  I still have some of the music we sang there.  Eventually he moved to Heights High replacing the retiring George F. Strickland, but after I graduated.  :)  
He inspired everyone who had contact with him.  You can say hello at thejohnwalton@gmail.com

Mac had more influence on my than any other teacher.  Some of my most meaningful high school experiences took place after climbing all those stairs to the fourth floor!

Pam Curtiss Evans
1967-1970

I remember hearing my father giving a speech when I was a little girl.  He asked, “What is your sound?  What tune do you give to your life?  What notes are you playing and what key are you in?”  It really made me wonder.  
The music filled my days.  I woke to Dad's melodies daily as he would write at the piano.  Sometimes the notes would be in my head all day.  They would build daily as he wrote more of the song.  At times I would sit at the piano and he would play a beautiful music box tune for me.  Soon I wanted to play.  That led to Orchestra, Concert Band, Marching Band and Church Choir. Eventually I was on a stage with him playing French Horn as he accompanied me on piano for a special event at FIU. Singing in his Church choir was an amazing gift. I watched the passion in his face and every movement as he conducted.  The energy and meaning he gave to even a simple hymn will be with me forever.
As life gave me challenges, Dad would always give me tremendous advice.  His outlook was always uplifting.  There was always a way to meet any challenge.  And above all, “Do not let it master you, you master it!” he would say.  He was a living testament to that as he battled health issues from a very early age.  If he hadn't had that determination and drive, he would not have been here.  
We spent countless hours as a family on the boat.  We fished, skied, snorkeled and laughed.  Nothing was better than a great day on the water catching several dolphin for dinner!
He taught me that hard work was the only way to accomplish anything.  He not only was the founding Dean of Undergraduate Studies at FIU, he conducted amazing choirs and orchestras, wrote music, owned a successful marina, and raised six children and many, many grandchildren. His door was always open and friends were always family to him.  
He melted my heart as he held and kissed my children.  He mended my heart as he held me and cried with me when I was sad or hurting.  He made my heart soar when he laughed and joked.  He gave my heart reverence when he prayed.  He set my heart free when I heard his music. He gave my heart peace with his love.
And my heart broke as I held his hand for the very last time.  
My sound, the tune for my life, the notes, the key I am in….he set them all. The tone came from him in all of life's lessons starting with his gifts of love and music.  
Heaven has a new sound. It is a wonderful tune in the most beautiful key.  It is Dad looking down on everyone he so dearly loved and touched singing of the immense beauty and freedom he has found in Heaven.
I will always be the little girl dancing on your shoes and singing “Baby Face” with you, Dad.  I am so very proud to be your daughter.  Thank you so very much for YOUR sound and thank you for giving me mine.
 
????Kirsten “Kiri” McElfresh

Mac was a fabulous musician and teacher, passionate, driven, inspirational, and always demanding excellence. My 3 years in Choir from 1965-1968 did much to shape me, first as a professional musician, and now as a high school choir director. The quality of the literature we sang and the breadth of  musical experiences we had are still unbelievable to me. 120 teenagers voluntarily coming 1 hour before school 3-5 days a week....on time....REALLY? Mac, you shaped this shy, awkward singer/pianist in ways you never could have imagined. Rest in peace.

Being in Glee Club at Heights and learning from Mac was the best part of my high school experience. He saw the hidden potential in his students and guided us as we grew.
Barbara Fleming Ryba

Some of the Best musical experiences of my life as a member of the Men's Chorus at Heights Mac was the best.

Singing in the Girls Gleet Club at CHHS was a wonderful experience under Mac's direction. I had the opportunity to sing with the Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus directed by Robert Shaw thanks to Mac. I will treasure my memories of the year I had in Girls Gleet Club and of Mr. Mac always........

Probably the most amazing man I ever met. He made us believe we could do anything - and so we did! God bless you 
Mac.

Mac was then and till this day the most powerfully inspirational man I have ever met. I was in very prestigios Cleveland T
Hts Choir in 1970, 1971. We toured, we trained, we get abovethe school standards for appearance.  We loved him. I always knew he went on to inspire others. Sobsorry he suffered later in life,bno doubt he fought the great fight.  He was a champion. I loved him.

Singing in Girls' Glee Club at CHHS under Mac's direction was a truly inspirational, life-enriching, unforgettable experience in so many ways.  His passion for the music he shared, and for the God he felt had inspired it, bolstered my faith at a critical time in my life.  So much of that music has been etched in my memory...gifts I will treasure always.  What an amazing man, under whose influence we had the priviledge of learning and growing during those formative years.  Thank you, Mr. Mac!  You will be greatly missed by so many.  Godspeed on your final journey.

Girls glee Club with Mac at CHHS was an amazing experience which instilled me with the love of singing and music that I still have today. I still remember all the words to The Sound Of Music that we learned at Kent band Camp in the summer of 1960.  Singing for him was a privilege and an inspiration
Linda Margolis Barnett, Beachwood, Ohio

MR. McELFRESH WAS one of the good ones at CHHS a real stand out! Everyone who knew him has only good memories and can celebrate his life!

Mac had such an amazing influence on my life when I was a member of Men's Chorus at Cleveland Heights High School from 1961 to 1964. I carried the  principles I learned from him through my life. I knew him as a Chorus director, and as a private person. I'll never forget when he took a couple of us out on his boat along with Alvin Kilgore (football coach). In school and life, an individual of the highest principles and respected by all.

I remember trying out for Choir in 1968 and how Mr. Mcelfresh worked with me.  His musical ability always blew me away.  I know my older sisters remember him well.  Praise God for this man and the wonderful gift of music He gave him.  My deepest sympathy to his family and close friends.

I sang in the Cleveland Hts. High School Choir under Mac during the 1972/3 school year--his last with this choir. Among his wonderful and memorable lines: "If your spine doesn't tingle, don't expect anyone else's spine to tingle." He inspired us in an emotional way--raising our blood pressure and adrenaline levels in a really happy way--that seemed to make our voices a lot better, physiologically.

Jeremy Shapiro

A postscript A great music conductor and a wonderful train conductor.His home was unique,train cars moving everywhere.Hallways the kitchen,even the basement.What a rare individual,always seeking perfection.I believe he attained it.Thank you for sharing your talent with so many.
Peace to you and those who had the opportunity to be in your company.Always,and much aloha.

Mac, taught me all about music jazz and the classics. He even put me in the Monticello Jr. High chorus. (albeit I could not sing a note ) He did allow me to lip sync... but a few years later when he came to Heights High he summoned me again to join the newly formed Mens Chorus... I  asked him if he remembered  my singing disability.  "Oh yeah "do you want to lip sync your way through the class?" I opted out  But I took his lessons on music  and went into broadcasting and DJ worked.  Years later when we met  again. He said "Maybe you were right ... your voice is strong, loud  you are better suited for announcing  and not singing.Thanks MAC for all you taught me ... including  singing "Donkey Serenade" Rip... My friend.

I learned to sing the Heights High alma mater from Mac in the fall of 10th grade.  Every syllable of music and lyric was so important to him.  RIP.

I never had the privilege of singing in Girls' Gee Club or the Hts. High Choir but I always enjoyed their concerts when directed by Mac - his energy and expertise were contagious as his singers' voices rose to their fullest to make every moment an enjoyable one.  He's no doubt conducting, with Mr. Strickland at his side, scores of angels right now!!

Fond memories of Mac and condolences to his family. Clair T. McElfresh inspired thousands of students at Cleveland Heights High School, teaching us music, life lessons and respect for others. I was fortunate to sing under his direction. Farewell to one of the musical greats... We will miss you, Mac!

RIP, Mac. You taught me a lot and provided outstanding musical opportunities. Thank you.

Was absolutely responsible for my lifelong dedication to vocal performance.  Probably the most influential person in my life!

I had the privilege of studying under Mac for my first 2 years at Heights High. I remember feeling crushed when he announced he was leaving for Florida, and a new choir director would be coming in for my senior year. Suffice it to say, nothing was the same after he left. 

Everything significant that I ever learned about teamwork and music, I learned from Mac. He had impossibly high standards and we all worked very hard to meet those lofty expectations. The end result was an award-winning choir that cut records, went on tour and brought joy to many. The best memories I have of Heights took place on the 4th floor. The world has lost a force to be reckoned with. Rest in peace, Mac.

So sorry to hear of Mr. McElfresh's passing.  He was a wonderful choir teacher for Cleveland Heights High School.  I had 3 children have the honor to be in his choir. He also conducted many plays with choir students performing.  A great musician.
                                                                           The Griffith Family (former Cleveland Heights, Ohio residents)

" Mac wasn't just a brilliant teacher, he was  the consummate educator.  Since graduating from Heights and his choir in 1970, he's  been my model for excellence, and the model I followed throughout my career as a professor." Hank Roubicek

He was also a Teacher at Cleveland Hts High... While I could not carry a note, I was on stage crew when they did Guys and Dolls and other musicals... May he rest in peace
Steve Fox

Mac was my second father, having lost mine at the age of 10 years.  As a member of the Heights Choir, I learned more about music and being a musician  under Mac's baton than I learned anywhere else.  When I later successfully auditioned for the Cornell Glee Club, that audition was a breeze as compared to the gruelling audition as a 10th grader for the Choir.  Our two Choir albums still exceed any others I have heard, high school, college or professional, now over 40 years later.  Mac left us for the warmer climes of Florida in 1972 and applied his talents at FIU with high distinction, as a musician and administrator.  He was one of the greatest men I have ever known and has left a legacy in the hearts of the thousands of singers and others he influenced.  Godspeed, Mac!

Our world has lost a great man.  He was the older brother that I didn't have.  He taught me a lot about patience, giving and being a good person when he hung me on a nail on the wall in his home in Cleveland.  He taught me how to laugh.  We will never forget the good times, his warmth and love and honesty.  May he no longer be in pain but in peace.  He will always live in our hearts.

The world lost a great man and a great musician.  He changed so many lives, and it was an honor to work with him.  We will always be your Lovely Ladies, Dr. Mac!

Father, Dean of Music at FIU, Composer and so much more.  His lasting legacy is his family and all of those that came in contact with him.  It is simply too difficult to convey the impact he had on so many in such a short space.  Every time I enter a church, hear an organ play, hear a choir sing, talk with my children regarding a concern or simply enjoy time with my family, it's because he taught me how to be the man I am.  Your loving son, Keith

OBITUARY

Clair Thomas McElfresh

October 20, 1931 – December 14, 2013

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