Reinstate Dr. Jerzy Cichocki as Principal Conductor of St. Michael's Choir School

Please reinstate Dr. Cichocki

It seems to me that a man who gave two years to developing a new hymn book (of some repute I hear) and out of his own pocket would be given more kindness and Christian charity no matter what the perceived circumstance was. I find the Cardinals letter rather shocking. My association with the choir school goes back to Msgr Ronan, as my late husband Victor Togni taught at smcs and was titular organist of St Michaels Cathedral. M Togni Fox.

Everything is now clear. Read the comment by Mike Evans on Jan 9. Follow the link. The uncertainty has been resolved.

I am a parent of two students at SMCS. I am signing anonymously because I am concerned that signing this petition might negatively impact my children. Despite his fearsome reputation, my sons found Doc to be kind and encouraging, and learned a great deal from him. His abrupt dismissal over the Christmas holidays - and the curt note sent out to the school community - have been upsetting for my family. It suggests either that Doc did something serious enough to warrant it, or that he was unjustly let go - both unsettling possibilities. SMCS relies heavily on the commitment and support of the school community, but this move greatly undermines that sense of community as well as our trust in the staff and administration. I would encourage those responsible for the decision to share more information, or to consider mediation to find mutually agreeable terms for Doc's return.

BRING BACK SNACK SHOP

To Anonymous Anonymous Netherlands: The sudden firing of Dr Cichocki caused the the cancellation of the 3 choirs on Epiphany weekend. This petition gives the SMCS alumnus, parents and students to express their disappointment at the decision at a point in time when many were out of contact with the school. This was a shrewd piece of timing that attempted to minimize the reaction to the decision. If you scroll through the comments you may find a few comments that like yours, do not support Dr Cichocki but they are greatly out numbered. This site did not cause anything, it is valid representation of the sentiments of the SMCS community, who all love the school as much as you do, and many of whom do not hide behind their anonymity. Your credibility is further marred by your contradictions: "I will be brief" and "I do not want to air out dirty laundry and drag a fellow brother(!) alumnus through the mud" Your comments clearly do the opposite.

I have a long association with St. Michael's Choir School, I attended the choir school when I was eight and my late father, Victor Togni taught organ at the school and was the titular organist of the Cathedral.I have been deeply touched when the choir has sung my music in the liturgy and at concerts. Working with Jerzy has always been such a joy! It deeply saddens me that Dr.Cichocki, a man of deep faith, vision and true dedication has been treated so badly! This is a terrible thing for the students, the School, for music and for Canada!

I believe that Holy Spirit will guide all involved parties to make best decision for sacred music school, kids and archdiocese.

Jerczy was my classmate. I recall him leaning over the piano keys "This is Mozart!" (or Beethoven) and flying up and down the keys as if all the composers were his personal friends. When he was honoured at his 25th I asked him, "You went off to Yale, at what point did the Choir School take shape?" He said, "I suppose I never left." and laughing, "Barrett put me up to it!" As I live near the Ronan homestead in the country, I asked my Aunt Agnes' advice on the current state of affairs at the Choir School. She said, "Oh, I hope they don't lose it. Monsignor worked so hard on it" Or to quote Fr. Eddy Ronan (of St. Michaels College School) on the Choir School: "It's a miracle it even exists". Amen Bernard O'Grady

Perhaps, you may wish to send an email to His Emincence, Thomas Cardinal Collins, and the SMCS Board of Directors.

I Ieft the school but while I was there I always looked up to doc because he was always such a strong leader and a great conductor

Let it shrivel up and die

I am the parent of two graduates from St. Michael’s Choir School - Francis Knowles (2008) and Ryan Knowles (2010). I wish to not focus on the negative as some others have chosen to do here in the comments as this was not the intent of the petition, nor is it my intent; it is indeed the very reason I had not commented or signed the petition sooner. However, I realize I may not have another opportunity to make my voice heard and to not speak to the great and unfathomable miscarriage of justice that has transpired over the last 12 days and befallen Dr. Cichocki, would in itself be a betrayal of what this man has meant to our boys and what values he has instilled in them not to mention the greater St. Michael’s Choir School community. Therefore, I feel compelled to add my name and voice to the many undersigned here – my sons signed early on; mine should have been right beside them. Our family was proud to have our sons attend the school; we always felt it was a privilege for our boys to be offered admission to such a prestigious school dedicated to providing liturgical music to the Cathedral and the greater Archdiocese. When they began in September 2000, little did I know what a profound affect the school would have on the next 8 and 10 years of their lives, respectively, and our whole family. Most of this very positive affect, which continues through to the present and no doubt will for the rest of their lives, was and continues to be from Dr. Jerzy Cichocki. It is this man that taught my boys to understand, appreciate, love, and sing great music with great passion, commitment and above all, with great respect and reverence. But it is so much more than just the appreciation of the music. It is through the daily routine of rehearsals, the continuous mentoring, the striving for excellence, the attention paid to detail and every nuance, that he not only taught them to sing, he taught them respect for the music, the composer, the words and their faith, each o

Please reinstate him back

All individuals are encouraged to share/forward their insightful comments regarding Dr. Jerzy Cichocki to Cardinal Collins. To dismiss Doc was grave, unjust and highly disrespectful. Cardinal Collins clearly did not take the time to reflect and to connect with the community to assess what the negative implications of his words and actions would be. Such actions are very disappointing, embarrassing, and unsettling for our boys and the SMCS community at large. He drew his conclusions based on what was brought to his attention by a select few or less, no matter how biased and narrow minded that information was. By not disclosing any information and masking behind the notion of not discussing details out of respect for the privacy of the individual involved is further insult. The suspicion is that the decision for dismissal was made hastily, without true reflection or consultation and that dismissal would not be warranted. To recant the decision and to admit fault and blame would be too embarrassing. Truth is the right thing needs to be done and Doc is a humble servant who has served the community well and beyond for countless years even as a young choir boy himself. This is heartless and not the Catholic way and a huge embarrassment for the SMCS Community. We can only pray that his eminence sees the light soon and takes the God like steps required to undo the wrong, allow healing and restore to Dr. Chichocki the honour and merit he justly deserves. "LORD to YOU we pray."

A real shame that a talented alumnus of the Choir school is treated with disrespect for his dedication, experience.

We pray for Mr. Chichocki and for the whole school so his eminence will make the best decision for the future of all the boys.

That's not fair and heartless.

WHY?

Beautifully said.