A few of you are familiar with the Church Music Association of America, which was founded in the early 1960's as the successor to the St Cecilia and St Gregory societies. That event occurred as part of the Boys' Town music conference.
Founding Board members and Association luminaries included Mgr. Schmitt of Boys' Town, Mgr. Schuler of the Twin Cities Chorale, Roger Wagner, Ted Marier, Fr. Ralph March, Fr. Robert Skeris, and Paul Salamunovich.
As of this date, only two remain: Frs. Skeris and March, as Paul Salamunovich, K.C. S.G, passed away on April 4th. Paul was Roger Wagner's indispensable assistant--managing the Chorale and working (hard) behind the scenes as the rehearsal conductor. He also maintained a position as the choirmaster and organist at St Charles Borromeo in North Hollywood and became Roger's successor at the Los Angeles Master Chorale (the LA Philharmonic's chorus.) In addition, Paul was the director of the Loyola-Marymount college choir and maintained an active travel schedule as a revered and beloved choral clinician, including many appearances at the CMAA's annual convocations at Christendom College as well as its linear predecessor, the biennual church-music conferences of the Pius X Guild in Milwaukee.
He was an early champion of Morton Lauridsen and an inspiration and friend to hundreds of music-makers, especially choral directors at all levels; his recordings of Gregorian Chant are models for all who wish to know the genre.
May he, in peace, join the Choir of Angels.
May he rest in peace.
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