BERT KONOWITZ
“Music has been my driving force.”
Photo courtesy of Bert Konowitz
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
I grew up in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, and went
to PS54. My mother and father had a mom
and pop grocery store. I had an older brother,
who, for most of this period, was overseas in
the Japanese Theater of War. My musical life
flourished around that time as my mother was
able to secure an upright piano, which she
put in the back of the store. I was not happy
because it let her know if I was practicing or
not. I didn’t like practicing and that is how my
improvising started. I preferred to create new
pieces and sounds at the piano. I want to thank
the school teacher who came into the store
one day and heard me play. She convinced
my mother I was truly talented and should
attend a special music school in New York
City. My mother listened and I went to Music
and Art High School in Manhattan, graduating
in 1949. It was one of the best things which
happened to me; it enabled me to grow up in
an environment with many good musicians
and talented kids. I began composing my own
music and had quite a few thrilling moments
as a performer in student ensembles.
From there I went to Queens College and
that choice was made by my mother. She had
heard my cousin, Shirley, was happy there. Just
think of how different things are today when
parents spend months researching schools their
children should apply to. Actually, Queens
College was a good choice; it was a haven for
outstanding composers and professors who
taught there.
WHAT DID YOU DO AFTER COLLEGE?
I played the piano in different bands and
spent summers performing in the Borscht Belt
at various hotels, including two summers at
Brown’s Hotel. In July of 1954, I was drafted
and served for two years in the U.S. Army
in Germany. I was placed in an Ordinance
Headquarters Office.
WHAT WAS YOUR ASSOCIATION WITH
TEACHER’S COLLEGE
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY?
I was a student initially enrolled in a
graduate program, which led to my earning
an Ed.D. Doctor in Education in 1968 in
Music and Music Education. I was appointed
as a Professor of Music in Teacher’s College
Columbia University and remained in that
position for 50 years, teaching jazz improvisation,
classical improvisation and other music
subjects. I was selected by the President to
receive a Distinguished Alumni Award with
my name posted on the entrance wall of T.C.
WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THE ORCHESTRA
KIDS AT SYOSSET HIGH SCHOOL?
I was chosen as the Artist in Residence in the
Music department for the Syosset Schools and
trained students at all levels in the techniques
of improvisation. I wrote several original compositions
for various groups. The orchestra
actually performed the original “Salute to Ms.
Liberty” at Lincoln Center. I also performed
in Minneapolis at the MENC Conference,
demonstrating how music improvisation is
used to expand performance ability. I also composed
several original pieces for the orchestra,
including “The Circus.” In addition. I composed
an original opera entitled “Kryszek, the
Power of One” using as the libretto an article
in the New York Times.
WHERE DID YOU LIVE BEFORE COMING TO
NORTH SHORE TOWERS?
In 2008 my wife, Joan, and I moved from
our home in Syosset where we raised our three
children. Joan was an elementary school math
teacher in the Great Neck schools. Sadly, she
was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease before
we moved from Syosset to NST and passed
away after a valiant struggle. We have three
children with Laura, the oldest, a Cornell
graduate and a specialist in eating disorders.
Paul, our second child, is an Ear, Nose and
Throat Doctor in the Boston area. Adam is a
successful business leader and the Managing
Director of the North American Division of
Colgate.
WHAT KIND OF GRANT DID YOU RECEIVE
THAT BENEFITED THE RESIDENTS
OF NORTH SHORE TOWERS?
This past year I applied for a Grant from
ASCAP. It focused on exploring ways that
senior citizens can actively use music experiences
to improve their attitudes and feelings
about the own personal existence. This Grant
enabled a minimum of six different musical
programs to be offered at NST. Some of the
programs included a singer/pianist and storyteller;
a jazz trio; and a concert pianist.
Just this past week I received an email that
I would like to share with you.
Dear Dr. Konowitz,
I received your contact information from a
former classmate. She assured me you are the
same excellent music teacher from Garden
City High School which taught Rudiments
of Music. Admittedly, I wasn’t a very good
student, but I did write jazzy composition
for flutes, entitled “Clouds,” for a musical
presentation in the school auditorium and
you gave me an “A.” That meant so much
to me. I’ve gone on to become a professional
musician, a singer-songwriter and have
recorded over 35 albums, written 300+ songs,
and have played in over 2,500 shows. I have
a solid understanding of music theory and it
all began in your class. You were a dedicated
teacher and I only wish I had been a better
student. My family came apart after the sudden
death of my father when I was 16, but it
was always music that kept me afloat. I just
want you to know how much that “A” you
gave me for “Clouds” meant to me. It was
my first publicly performed song. I want to
thank you these many years later.
I’ve lived in Paris these past 29 years, am
still giving shows, writing songs, and playing
guitar. Music has been the driving force in
my life and has brought me where I am today.
Thank you Dr. Konowitz and music!
Fondly,
A former student
Bert Konowitz is s gifted musician and
teacher of teachers of music. He freely
shares his musical talents, especially jazz
and improv with residents of North Shore
Towers. His musical gifts have reached out to
thousands of students throughout his career
of more than 50 years. Most recently he
applied for and received a grant that would
enable residents of NST to use music as a
way to improve their attitudes and feelings of
self. These workshops were enthusiastically
attended. We hope to receive funding again
for next year.
4 NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER ¢ February 2019