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STERLING HEIGHTS — A longtime, award-winning leader of Stevenson High School’s instrumental music programming is getting ready to tackle other pursuits.
During the June 4 Sterling Heights City Council meeting, the council unanimously voted to honor retiring Stevenson High School Director of Instrumental Music Michael Sekich.
According to the city, Sekich helped Stevenson’s marching, jazz and other bands succeed at state competitions. He has also led bands that played at Carnegie Hall and the Orange Bowl Parade, and audiences that included former President Bill Clinton, officials said.
Sekich was recognized by School Band and Orchestra magazine in its “18th Annual 50 Directors Who Make A Difference Report” in the magazine’s December 2015 issue.
In a brief presentation during the June 4 meeting, Stevenson High School Principal Kenneth Cucchi III said Sekich is admired by staff and students.
“He ensures that every student under his guidance feels valued in the success of Stevenson’s band program,” Cucchi said.
“Mike’s legacy is not confined to concerts or the classroom. His legacy is etched into the hearts of those who now have a love for music. His professionalism, positive energy and passion will be missed by students and our colleagues.”
Cucchi added that, this school year, Sekich, 57, earned a Utica Community Schools High School Teacher of the Year award, as well as a Macomb County High School Teacher of the Year award. The city added in its resolution that Sekich also earned UCS Teacher of the Year in the same year.
“Quite a way to go out for his last year, his 34th year of service,” Cucchi said. “He deserves every bit of this recognition.”
After Cucchi spoke, Sekich thanked the council for the recognition, adding that it was “very humbling.”
“It is something that I hope to remember and share this with students in the future ’cause I don’t want to be done teaching yet – just off to (doing) something different,” Sekich said.
Afterward, council members congratulated Sekich for his career and wished him well in his retirement and future plans.
Mayor Pro Tem Liz Sierawski noted Sekich’s comment about not being done with teaching, and she said she feels that way as a nurse, that the profession is something one doesn’t really retire from.
“You will always be teaching, because you’re a teacher, and it’s your vocation, and I applaud you for that,” she said. “I’m interested to see what else you’ll do, and … I know it’ll be something fun.”
Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor talked about the cultural importance of music and how it unifies and helps people.
“To me, there’s nothing more important to our culture and to us as people than something like music,” he said. “And you had the honor to teach it for 34 years to young people, impressionable people.
“You got to have an impact on them in a way that a math teacher, a science teacher, history teacher rarely, probably, can do. And for that, I think you’re well deserving of this honor for 34 years of service.”
According to Stevenson’s band website, Sekich is now referred to as director emeritus. Mike Yaros is set to take over as the Stevenson Instrumental Music Program’s director of instrumental music for the upcoming school year.
Learn more about Stevenson High School, 39701 Dodge Park Road in Sterling Heights, by visiting uticak12.org/stevenson, or its band programming by visiting stevensonbands.org.
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