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

On Sept 20 1972, I was called from the choir school rehearsal auditorium into the hallway where my older brother Bernard, who was also a Choir boy, was standing next to principal Father Stephen Somerville. He had received the sad news that our mother had passed away. Before Father Sommerville chauffeured us to our Etobicoke home, he led us to St. John’s Chapel where our classmates had gathered. Fr. Armstrong, and Fr. Peter Somerville, accompanied by Harry Hodgson on the organ, led the group through song and prayer. When the entire school sang at my mother’s funeral our family benefited again from a type of support that transcends the ability of any words to describe. If music can invite you into the chamber of angels I could not have been more welcome than on that day. If I ever understood the power of sacred music to illuminate the geography of my soul and the spirit of God I owe it to the exposure I had as a student of St. Michaels Choir School. I owe it to the efforts of all those who do their best to fulfill the Choir School Mission as articulated by it’s founder, Monsignor Ronan. Today, 44 years later, I am in mourning once again. Mourning the lost opportunity for my son and other boys currently enrolled at the Choir School. A loss resulting from the dismissal, from the Choir School, of a person, who, as a Choir boy, demonstrated outstanding music ability, passion for sacred and classic music. A person mentored by Father Armstrong, a man of high academic achievement who has dedicated his life to Catholic liturgical music and who has inspired many graduates to promote sacred music beyond graduation. In his 25-year tenure at St. Michaels Choir School Dr. Cichocki has truly earned his place among the most inspiration musical educators this school has known. The surprise decision to dismiss Dr. Jerzy Cichocki, has taken from the students the opportunity to learn sacred music from the Choir School’s most devoted servant. Signing the petition to reinstat

I urge the alumni, the parents of current and former students of SMCS, supporters, and parishioners of St. Michael's Cathedral, to write to His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, to inform him of your opinion and your view of the consequences, as well as the loss of alumni and others' donations and financial contributions to SMCS and St. Michael's Cathedral. If you have the time, perhaps, you may wish to phone the Cardinal's office after you sent your correspondence.

Dr. Jerzy Cichocki is an eminently talented musician and pedagogue, and was certainly instrumental in shaping my decision to pursue a career as a musician, which has led me to perform on stages worldwide as an opera singer. It is truly a grave mistake to dismiss Dr. Cichocki, a move that will deprive future students of an irreplaceable and inspiring mentor. I hope the decision will be made to reinstate Dr. Cichocki as Principal Conductor of the Choir School.

I strongly support reinstating Dr. Cichocki. I made some comments before, and I still think the new management does not know the actual mission of SMCS. Commercializing the school is just wrong. "He who sings prays twice." SMCS's primary purpose is not to sell sacred music as a commodity, but to provide the music for the liturgy.

As an alumni parent, I am truly disappointed with your decision regarding Dr. Cichocki. With all due respect, your Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, most Reverend Father Michael Bush and anyone else involved in this decision – you got this wrong! I strongly support this petition and the reinstatement of Dr. Cichocki.

I like Doc hate to see him leave

As at 1055 hours, Jan 9, 2017, there are 846 signatures. Is it possible to gather 1,000 signatures by the end of today? Please ask your fellow parents of students at SMCS, alumni, friends and relatives, as well as supporters of SMCS and St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica. Thank you.

Very sad to hear about this. I agree that Dr. Cichocki should be reinstated, if he so wishes.

Doc is a legend. Bring him back or share some more info.

I support this Petition that Dr. Jerzy Cichocki be reinstated as the Principal Conductor at SMCS. I hope that Dr. Cichocki will retained as a teacher by the TCDSB.

I am shocked that the Rector and the Cardinal would be party to such a disgusting display of arrogance and unprofessionalism. Dr. Jerzy Cichocki is a man of the utmost dignity, professionalism, ethics and Catholic morality. Something clearly lacking in those who have engineered this. His dedication and work is renowned. His reputation impeccable. Perhaps someone does need to be removed from SMCS but I assure you, it is not Dr. Cichocki. What a disgrace and an affront to the Church in Toronto and the history and legacy of the School.

"Disrespect invites disrespect. Violence incites violence. When the powerful use their position to bully others, we all lose." Meryl Streep 2016 referring to Donald Trump How appropriate, but also poignant for this powerful statement to be made the night before the disrespected boys of St. Michael's Choir School have to return to school to face their own Donald Trump, their disrespectful director.

Praying that all goes according to the will of God

You mean reinstatement of Mr Cichocki ( and not Handrigan.... really wished he's the one let go!!)

I support Dr. Jerzy Cichocki. He was wrongfully dismissed because the TCDSB teachers union does not cover his category of employment in the music side of the school.

I have had the pleasure to work with Dr. jerzy Cichocki for more than 10 years. The Choir school cannot find a better person for this position. All the students at the school admired him. Jerzy is simply a gentleman loved by everyone at the school, teachers, parents and most important students.

I could not make the concert this year, but if I had, knowing now that this musical illiterate demanded Rudolph in place of The Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah, I would be demanding my money back! I have the utmost respect for Dr.Cichocki's work and reputation. The Cardinal and Rector should be ashamed, The wrong "man" was removed.

I trust my neighbour's evaluation of this situation and hope too for a reinstatement of Mr Handrigan.

Hi everyone - Here is a link to a Google Doc containing a letter about the events leading to Jerzy's dismissal and action items for those who want to help. Please circulate widely: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lS3olmiULUzlRTXu9MKpxN8yYi2_ndeqwdH24kcindU/edit?usp=sharing Mike Evans Class of 2003

Incredible individual,very talented, great model, wonderful teacher and a friend.