István Hernek - Professional Biography
István Hernek is a Christian musician and composer with a life
mission to serve in church music and music education, as well as to compose
numerous works for piano, orchestra and various instrument and vocal
combinations.
As founder and director of Paraclete Conservatory, a
not-for-profit organization dedicated the development of worship and outreach
through music, István maintains an earnest commitment to delivering the Gospel
message within the church and community. His interest in sacred music has
led him to other existing organizations as well. István served as chair
of the Monsignor Henry S. Kawalec Memorial Organ Scholarship on the Executive
Board of Directors of the Church Musician’s Guild for three years (2001-2003).
Since 2012, Istvan has been Director of Music and Organist for Corpus Christi Roman
Catholic Church in Buffalo, NY, where he has composed and arranged numerous choral, organ, and instrumental works for the church's music ministry. Earlier, he was Director of Music for the
Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, where he established a 20-piece Chamber Orchestra, as well as
multiple small group ensembles for worship services and performances.
István has instituted, coached, and trained adult traditional
choirs, youth choirs, and contemporary ensembles, and has implemented
motivational strategies that dramatically increase involvement in music
ministries at all levels. He frequently substitutes as organist/choir director at
St. Josephs Cathedral in down town Buffalo. Since January of 1999 István has formed a choir and directed music annually for the Pro-life Mass in
Washington DC for Bishop Mansell and Bishop Kmiec.
Music Composition / Performance
Throughout his career, István has supervised the development of
music programs and arrangements for classes, concerts, and musicals, and
composed and produced numerous educational and musical CDs – including a
“Pentecost Concert” CD of the May 2006 performance of the Orchard Park
Presbyterian Church Choir and Orchestra at Christ the King Seminary in East
Aurora, New York.
István was commissioned to write a series of works for piano and orchestra to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Orchard Park, New York. The four sonatas composed featured themes provided by aspiring young musicians from the community; the project culminated in the composition of the Orchard Park Piano Concerto. He is also composing two Flute Concertos for the brilliant young internationally acclaimed flute prodigy Emma Resmini.
Prior Experience / Music Studies
From 1995 to 2004, István was music director and organist for a
number of churches throughout the eastern United States. From 1983 to 1995, István was music director and tour manager of the secular vocal and instrumental
group “Majesty,” directing more than 6,000 performances in the U.S. and
abroad.
István’s music studies include voice consultations with Marylyn
Barber and Kristen Gregory, and vocal and choral workshops under the direction
of Alan Lukas, Frank Scinta, and James Diat, as well as music and liturgy
courses at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, New York. He has also
attended music and liturgy seminars sponsored by the National Association of
Pastoral Musicians and the Church Musicians Guild.
István studied voice with Helen Rupp, MS, and conducting under Dr. Harry John Brown, orchestral director, SUNY at Fredonia, based on the
Bachelor of Music curriculum offered there. Earlier, he studied organ under the direction of James Bigham, music
director of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Buffalo. He also studied
contemporary guitar with Robert Zabowa and Greg Sowerda. In addition he studied trumpet under Craig Fatty, and is competent on
electric bass, drums, and percussion.
István, his wife Edna, and their six children have lived in western New York since 1995. They own QuakerField Equestrian in Orchard Park New York, and enjoy
skiing, hiking, horseback riding, camping, and boating.
