Mr. Mike
Seraphime Mike, a native of Detroit, graduated from Eastern High School in 1942 and served over two years in the US Army. He was a radio operator during World War II in the European theatre. After his service he attended Wayne State University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education in 1949. He later returned to be awarded a Master of Arts Degree in Administration in Secondary Education in 1955. At the University of Michigan, he completed twenty additional twenty hours beyond his Master of Arts and another two hours in Marching Band techniques. In 1949 he began his 37-year tenure as a music teacher in the Roseville School District. The district's High School at the time was named Burton and serviced grades seven through twelve. In addition to the High School, he taught at three elementary schools. Band Members performed in annual band concerts. The Marching Band performed at all home football games. Select students took part in solo and ensemble festivals. In the early years, there was a six-week summer band program for new students entering the High School band. In addition, the band marched in nearby community festivals in Romeo, Utica, and East Detroit amongst others. With time, the school system grew. New elementary and junior high schools were built. Along with the city and its school district, the high school band program also flourished under his leadership. New band events included marching at the city's annual Rose Festival and Memorial Day Parade. In the late 1960's, Seraphime was invited to organize a band from the greater Detroit area that toured Europe in 1970. Several of his Roseville students took part. For many of the young Detroiters involved, it was their first trip across the Atlantic. Additionally, in the 1960's, he worked diligently advocating the need for a functional, appropriate place for students and the community to perform and experience beautiful music. He worked to persuade the Roseville School Administration and citizens to make this happen. The result was the building of the Roseville High School auditorium where high school concerts, musicals, guest performers and cultural programs were presented. Prior to the construction of the Roseville High School Auditorium concerts were performed in the school's gymnasium. In November of 2017, The Auditorium was dedicated to and renamed Seraphime Mike Auditorium. In 1972, the Roseville High School band under Seraphime's direction was invited to the first international band festival hosted in Vienna Austria. Under his leadership the band garnered high ratings in both the concert and marching competitions. During his tenure he spent 20 years teaching Music Appreciation at Macomb County Community College and assumed the position of interim Conductor of the Community College's band all while fulfilling his responsibilities at Roseville High School. Before retiring, his accolades and awards too numerous to list here include: Induction into American School Band Directors Association, and in 1967 selection as one of ten outstanding band directors in the US. In 1984 the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association selected him as teacher of the year. He adjudicate for over 30 years at the District and State levels in Solo and Ensemble as well as Band and Orchestra Festivals. In addition, he was a founding charter member of the Roseville Arts Festival. Upon his retirement in 1986, he and his wife Adela (since deceased) moved to Lakes of the North in Michigan. Continuing his love of music, he became chairperson of Friends of Music Committee. For over 25 years he was responsible for bringing many music events to the community. Additionally, he played clarinet with the Charlevoix Marine Band and the Gaylord Community Band as well as guest conducted in each. After leaving Michigan to be with their son, Dr Robert McJennett ACOEP, in St. Petersburg FL, Seraphime continued his love of music playing and guest conducting in two community bands there. He is a well-remembered and loved teacher of multiple generations of students with whom hundreds he stayed in correspondence, especially during Christmas with his handwritten cards. He exposed his students to fine music of various genres. He regularly eased up the rigor of his teaching with his inimitable puns and one liner groaners. He showed his students that anything important is worth the effort. As one former student, Jim Barry stated, "Little did we know that we were assimilating culture, and that we would become more human because of it". Not to be forgotten were the decades of summers of Band Camp prior to school opening. Seraphime is survived by his two step children Robert and Henry McJennett, his nephew Salvatore Trupiano and his family, and cousin Stanley Thimakis. There will be a memorial celebration for Mr. Mike in Troy between 1-4. If you are able to attend, please send an email to dondortyms@gmail.com as soon as you know. Posted online on September 16, 2023 Published in The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press