Clair Thomas McElfresh

Clair Thomas McElfresh October 20, 1931-December 14, 2013. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the only child of Clair Delmar McElfresh and Edna Trevis Smith McElfresh. Beloved husband, father, friend, mentor and man of God. Passionate musician: conductor, composer, performer, and teacher.

Clair McElfresh, a dynamic force in the choral music of Dade County for over 40 years.

He opened Florida International University in 1972, was the first Choral director there, the first Director of Lower Division when the freshman and sophomore classes were added, and the Founding Dean of Undergraduate Studies. He wrote the FIU alma mater. He was the first faculty member to receive the Meritorious Medal of Honor from FIU. He created many new and innovative programs for the students.

Prior to moving to Miami to open FIU, Clair taught in Cleveland, Ohio for 18 years. In addition to his teaching: he conducted the Ohio Bell Chorus; opened Cain Park, a cultural arts center; and conducted the music for Forest Hills Church.

Clair performed with some of the musical greats such as Leonard Bernstein, Robert Shaw, Anita Kerr, Pablo Casals, George Szell, Henry Mancini, and Mitch Miller. He conducted All-States and Regional Choruses all over the United States. He also conducted orchestras and bands in addition to his choral work.

Clair’s accomplishments and influences are far too many to list, the above touching on some of those things. Those who worked with him or performed with him will never forget the power and wonder of the man and his inspiration. We are all better people because he was in our lives. The world has lost a great man and a great musician.

Clair had a quadruple by-pass in 1987, a heart transplant in 1989, hip replacement in 1992, a kidney transplant in 2009, and years of acute skin cancer. In July he was diagnosed with lymphoma. He was working and active throughout until the cancer weakened him beyond his ability to fight any longer.

There will be a celebration of the life of Clair McElfresh in the Spring of 2014 on a date and time to be determined by family.