Resume

István  R. Hernek
P. O. Box 702
Orchard Park, New York 14127-0702

Email: IstvanHernek@Yahoo.com
Mobile: (716) 391-7792

Mission and Goals
As a Christian musician and composer with a life mission to serve Jesus Christ in church music ministry and Christian music education, my goals are to:
  • Provide music in support of the liturgical cycle of the church during worship and prayer
  • Foster the development of church choirs to excel in the presentation of liturgical music in their church and community
  • Individually produce and collaborate with others to create original compositions, audio recordings, recitals, concerts, theater, and media that convey Christ's Gospel
  • Work with Christians to build the Church on earth so that those we reach may better live the Gospel message
Music and Ministry Accomplishments

Throughout my career in music ministry, I have supervised the development of music programs, classes, concerts, and musicals. I have produced educational, musical, and rehearsal CDs, DVDs and composed, scored, and arranged music for concerts and musicals.

In my work with churches, I have organized enjoyable, multilevel programs to attract children, youth and adults to the music ministry and inspire them to excel in music.  I am committed to the belief that music is integral to the worship experience. My accomplishments include the following:
  • Composed and conducted the performance of St. Paul the First Hermit, with flute soloist Emma Resmini and the Corpus Christi Chamber Orchestra, for the Pauline Order in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the saving of Corpus Christi Church.
  • Organized, scheduled and implemented In the Light Concert Series for the historic Corpus Christi Church in Buffalo, New York, featuring some of the most talented local musicians as well as famous artists from around the world. One of the performances was the Mozart Concerto for Flute and Orchestra performed by flute virtuoso Emma Resmini with the Corpus Christi Chamber Orchestra with radio host John Landis as guest conductor.
  • 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.
  • Created the Mozart Munchkins Program to make it possible for children to progress at a remarkable rate toward high levels of vocal and instrumental proficiency.
  • Established a new 20-piece Chamber Orchestra for Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, as well as small group ensembles. Composed and arranged numerous choral, organ, and instrumental works for the music ministry. Introduced private voice training lessons for choir members.
  • Supervised the development of music programs and arrangements for classes, concerts, and musicals, and composed and produced numerous educational and musical CDs and DVDs – including a “Pentacost 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.
  • Introduced new music concepts at many churches integral to their existing programs assisting them in solving problems in their music ministry.  Consulted with pastors, cantors and instrumentalists, proposing functionally sound options to help them streamline their music programs.
  • Instituted, trained and coached traditional adult and youth choirs, contemporary ensembles and bell choirs, implementing motivational strategies that dramatically increased involvement in music ministries at all levels.
  • Organized singers into groups according to age and ability to more effectively focus on their needs.  Increased singers' readiness to perform polyphonic music through training in sight singing at an earlier level of study, strengthening them as vocalists, building a competent team of choristers and cantors. 
  • Provided leadership and direction to liturgy planning teams, working with the pastor, to plan music for regular worship services and seasonal church celebrations.
  • Rehearsed and prepared singers from several parishes for the Jubilee 2000 Solemn Celebration of the Eucharist at the park and Cathedral of Marquette, MI.  His Eminence Edmund Cardinal Szoka (president, Pontifical Commission, Vatican City) presided.
  • Arranged, Produced and Recorded Original Jubilee 2000 tune aired on Catholic radio in Buffalo.
  • Organized and planned Summer Camp 2000, "Spirituality in Pastoral Musicianship," directed by Mr. Alan Lukas with Fr. Steven Frenier as presiding celebrant. In attendance were people from parishes in Michigan, New York, Detroit, and Florida.
    Professional Experience

    Paraclete Conservatory, Orchard Park, NY
    Founder and Executive Director (1998 – Present)

    Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, Buffalo, NY
    Organist and Director of Music (2012 – Present)

    St Joseph’s Cathedral, Buffalo, NY
    Ordination & Auxiliary (Summer Substitute) Organist (2007 – 2010)

    Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, Orchard Park, NY 
    Director of Music / Organist (2004 – 2009)

    St. John’s Church, Olean, NY 
    Music Director / Organist (2003 – 2004)

    Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Batavia, NY 
    Organist / Vocalist & Accompanist / Liturgy (2002 – 2003)

    St. John the Baptist Church, Lockport, NY 
    Organist / Choirmaster / Vocalist (2001 – 2002)

    St. Francis of Assisi Church, Athol Springs, NY
    Organist / Choirmaster / Vocalist (1999 – 2001)

    St. Barbara, Lackawanna, NY 
    Organist / Choirmaster / Vocalist (2000 – 2001)

    Holy Spirit Church, North Collins, NY
    Organist / Choirmaster / Vocalist (1995 – 2000)

    Interstate Corporation/Marriott Hotels 

    Music Director/Tour Manager of “Majesty” (1983 – 1995)
    (Performed 6,000+ concerts with Majesty in the US and abroad)

    Squire Recording Studio, Buffalo, NY
    Sound Design / Audio Engineering / Production (1981 – 1983)
    Education
    Studied music under Mrs. Helen Rupp, MS (1980 – 1981). Created an independent curriculum based on courses offered at the State University of New York at Fredonia. Curriculum: music theory, orchestral and choral directing, voice, piano, composition, and music orchestration and arranging.
    Additional studies include voice studies and consultations with Marylyn Barber and Kristen Gregory (1992 – 1993), vocal and choral workshops with Frank Scinta and James Diat (1992 – 1993).
    Attended numerous conventions and seminars including the National Pastoral Musicians Convention in Rochester NY (2003), and annual Church Musicians Guild Convocations (1998 – Present).
    Completed courses on Music in Catholic Worship, Liturgical Music Today, and Directory for Masses with Children at Christ the King Seminary (1999).
    Earlier, studied organ under the direction of James Bigham, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Buffalo. Met with and consulted with Mr. Robert Quade, president of the Royal School of Church Musicians. Also studied contemporary guitar with Robert Zabowa, Greg Sowerda, and many others (with emphasis on jazz, rock, country, blues, and fusion).  Studied trumpet under Craig Fattey.

    Professional Involvement
    Paraclete Conservatory, Orchard Park, NY (1998 – Present)
    Founder and Executive Director of this not-for-profit organization offering training in music and liturgy to assist Christians in delivering the Gospel message within the church and community.  
    • Developed new methods of music instruction that bring students to a more rapid mastery of their instrument.  Composed technical exercises for piano and organ to supplement the program and designed a unique method of monitoring student progress in order to customize each program to fit each student's needs. 
    • Instituted a keyboard instruction program at Nativity of Our Lord Church in Orchard Park, NY, creating an opportunity for young musicians of all skill levels to practice and perform together while remaining within their playing capabilities.  Class size ranges between 14 and 21 pupils.
    • In September, 2010, formed and directed the Paraclete Children’s Concert Choir, composed of 30 children who had little or no experience in voice. The choir recorded and released a Christmas CD in November, 2010. Also formed the Paraclete Adult Concert Choir (12-16 voice), and Children of Mary Home School (COMHS) Choir.
    Church Musician’s Guild of Buffalo (2000 – 2004)
    Served on the Executive Board of Directors as Music Director of the Convocation Liturgy.  
    • Chairman of Monsignor Kawalec Organ Scholarship and chairman of the Monsignor Gernatt Vocal Scholarship. 
    • Served on Program Planning Committee under Gail Shepherd in 2000.
    Seminars and Presentations
    • Presented workshops at Christ the King Seminary for the Church Musicians Guild of Buffalo’s 10th Annual Convocation on "Technology in Music."
    • Presented "Voice in Church," and "Latina Cantorum," and "The Pastoral Role of the Choir” at Spirituality and Pastoral Music, a music retreat seminar in Michigan.
    • Conducted courses for high-school students on the "Liturgy Documents" and "Foundations in Singing" at Holy Spirit Church in North Collins, NY (1999). Educated students on directing music programs, with a focus on voice and liturgy. Also trained students in "Preliminary Audio Engineering" and "Basics in the Art of Audio Recording.”  Students received full course credit from their school district for completing these programs.
    • Presented numerous other workshops and seminars throughout music career.
    • Frequently serve as substitute organist/choir director at St. Josephs Cathedral in downtown Buffalo.  
    • Formed a choir and have directed music annually for the Pro-life Mass in Washington DC for Bishop Mansell and Bishop Kmiec, since 1999.

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