An Octet Concert for Suerk

The Octet surprised Suerk with a concert three Saturdays ago. I have been tempted to write about it, but I wasn’t there and I wanted someone who was there to put the words together. Suerk’s thought was that one of the Octet members should write about it and now one has. Gilbert Rataezyk put this piece together for the Mercersburg News. Quite the dramatic tale, this one. The experience was dramatic for Suerk, too. Maybe “a shock” would be a better way to put it. Being in the condition he is, he finds refusal to be an element of control he relishes. He would have refused such a concert were he asked. So, instinctively, Richard Rotz decided not to ask. It was perfect. Suerk was on top of the world for days afterward, and he thanked us for not providing him the opportunity to refuse. The boys had a great audience in addition to the residents – Suerk’s friends, neighbors and cousins were invited to gather for the surprise. The praise for the concert the boys gave has been flowing steadily since. What a gift for all involved – especially for Suerk!

Here’s young Mr. Rataezyk’s piece for the Mercersburg News – in full.


The Octet gives back what Paul Suerken gave to Mercersburg

Paul Suerken was the musical director at Mercersburg from 1964 until his retirement and he made a footprint on the soul of Mercersburg throughout his 30 years at the Academy. Suerken was originally appointed as the musical director of the band as well as teacher of music theory and composition courses, but his influence beyond the music room was tremendous. As time passed, Suerken went on to teach English and coach the cross-country team: running with the students and keeping them motivated every day. “Suerk,” as he came to be known, also began something that Mercersburg could not have predicted would have such tremendous longevity. During his time as musical director, Suerk had seen male a cappella groups, singing in four and five part harmony without musical accompaniment, the type celebrated on college campuses across the country. This was the beginning of something new: Paul Suerken had a project. At the time, Mercersburg had a male vocal group, but nothing compared to what students were doing in college. “They would perform Broadway tunes with some song and dance,” Paul Suerken remarked. Suerk wished to bring something more to the community that would surpass Mercersburg’s male vocal group. That dream eventually turned into reality and a musical legacy, made up of eight different male singers each year: the Octet. After 30 years, Suerk retired from teaching but spent time each year coming back to see the school musicals. Unfortunately, three years ago, Suerk was in an accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down and confined to bed and he hasn’t been able to return to Mercersburg since he was moved to a nursing home in Erie. Richard Rotz, current Chorale, Band and Octet director, heard the news of Suerk. Rotz wished to bring him a bit of happiness since he had brought so much joy to Mercersburg. Rotz later explained to the Octet about Paul’s situation and the impact that he had made on Mercersburg and; together, they agreed to travel up to Erie during the Long Fall Weekend: to show Mercersburg’s appreciation and love by giving back to Suerk a taste of what he had started.

The trip began on a dark October afternoon. The rain was pouring and the group all seemed to be a bit under the weather. The boys packed into a Mercersburg van with their little bagged lunches and faithful companion, Mr. Rotz, and headed for Pittsburgh.

As the Octet drove toward Pittsburgh, each member tried to conserve energy as well as get back the energy lost due to the cold. The van eventually made it to Pittsburgh after stopping at truck stops to get snacks and chow down on lunch bags. Before the group turned in for the night to rest, the Octet stopped in the center of Pittsburgh to attend a concert of American composers: Aaron Copeland, Samuel Barber, and John Williams. The Octet sat eagerly to hear the six pieces lined up for the evening. The Pittsburgh Ochestra was fantastic, playing El Salón México, Overture to The School for Scandal, Adagio for Strings, and Medea’s Meditation and Dance of Vengence. After the intermission, the concert concluded with an abstract piece by John Williams, Concerto for Horn And Ochestra, with guest Horn player, William Caballero, and one of Aaron Copeland’s most famous pieces, Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo. All together, the Octet came out of the Concert Hall gleaming with joy.

After the performance, the Octet squeezed back into the Mercersburg van and tried to navigate the streets of Pittsburgh. After several minutes of loud boyish banter and teasing remarks, “We’ve already been here,” Rotz finally found his bearings and headed off to Dan Politoske’s apartment, an old friend of Rotz. Politoske and Rotz both attended Michigan at the same time: Rotz attending to receive his graduate degree while Politoske was getting his Ph. D. in Music Education and Theory. Rotz had told Politoske about their plans to travel up to Erie in order to sing for Paul Suerken. Politoske graciously opened up his apartment for the Octet on our journey to Erie.

Everyone awoke early next morning and headed towards Erie. After another few hours of recuperation and extended silence, the van pulled into the parking lot of the nursing home where Suerk lives. As soon as the Octet entered the building, they began looking for a room in which to warm up their voices after the long sleep. After a few minutes of vocal gymnastics and run-throughs, the boys tip-toed through the building to find Suerk. The Octet surprised Suerk as he was eating lunch by entering while singing a Mercersburg classic, De Animals.

“You should’ve seen his eyes. They just opened right up when he heard you boys sing,” said a close friend of Suerk’s who had been there to see the Octet sing for him.

The Octet was immediately surprised in return by Suerk’s liveliness. His spirit had surely not slacked since his last visit to the Academy over two years ago. He was always making jokes and laughing.

The Octet proceeded to sing several songs and, in between songs, Mr. Rotz spoke to Suerk about our trip up to Erie as well as to us about The role Suerken played at Mercersburg. Once the performance was over, the numerous friends and relatives who had come to see the Octet sing for Suerk gathered around for some group pictures.

At last, the journey was over and the group turned back toward Mercersburg. As the Octet left the nursing home, the boys came out with a new appreciation for singing. The clouds had parted and the boys had stepped out from under the weather. All seemed right. That day, Paul Suerken had become someone to remember for each member of the Octet. Surely, Suerk won’t be forgotten by the many people he has touched and the legacy that lives through year spent by these Octet members singing and the other hundrends of boys that have sung in the Octet. The Octet will forever be giving back what Paul Suerken has given to Mercersburg.