Broadcast Pioneers Member Michael Stairs Tribute!

Broadcast Pioneers member Michael Stairs passed away at 5:12 pm on Saturday afternoon, August 12th during 2018. He had not been feeling well and was in hospice care. Broadcast Pioneers member Michael Stairs was native of Maine and studied piano in Presque Isle, and at age 10, gave concerts in Houlton and New Sweden (locally televised). In 1955, his father, a Baptist minister, was called to Wayne Park Baptist Temple in Erie, PA. Michael played on a weekly radio broadcast called Skypilots on Saturday mornings and a live broadcast on Sunday evenings from the City Mission. He held concurrent positions at the large Reformed Temple Anshe Hesed and South Hills Baptist Church. Michael continued on to Westminster Choir College and played piano rehearsals for von Karajan, Steinberg, and Bernstein. This was followed by four years at The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, studying organ with the famed Alexander McCurdy, piano with Vladimir Sokoloff, and composition with Matthew Colucci. In 1985, Maestro Muti appointed Michael organist for The Philadelphia Orchestra. In the same year, he was appointed Organist and Choirmaster at Bryn Mawr’s Church of the Redeemer. In 1969, Keith Chapman hired Michael to assist him at the huge Wanamaker Grand Court organ. Stairs gave many free concerts with that grand organ. Stairs taught Upper School music for 25 years at The Haverford School, but in post-retirement, was Artist-in-Residence at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood. He also accompanied many local choral groups and was Organist Emeritus at The Redeemer. A few years ago, he married Margaret Connell, and they resided at their home in Rosemont, Pennsylvania. Stairs was inducted into our Hall of Fame on November 18, 2016. You can watch the video about Michael's life we ran that evening along with seeing Stair's acceptance speech. From our Annual 2016 Banquet You can watch a 33 minute interview with did with Michael Stairs on Tuesday evening, September 13, 2016. He was recorded at his home. Watch the Interview! (videos courtesy of Broadcast Pioneers VP Brad Seecof and Metramedia Broadcasting & Studios)

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