Edgar Muenzer was a serious musician and conductor — “intense,” is how many may have viewed him, his son Victor said.
But that didn’t mean the longtime Chicago Symphony Orchestra violinist and founder of the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra couldn’t have some fun now and then.
“Years ago, we had a summer that was ridiculously cold, like in the 40s, and the Chicago Symphony musicians were trying to play at Ravinia in this weather,” Victor said. “My dad got this brilliant idea to wear a wig — which was really funny because he was bald almost his whole life.”
When the symphony’s conductor, James Levine, looked over and noticed Edgar Muenzer suddenly sporting blond, shoulder-length hair in the middle of the concert, “he nearly lost it because he saw my father wearing this crazy wig,” Victor Muenzer said, laughing. “It broke up the conductor.”
Edgar Muenzer passed away July 22 following a long illness, his son said. He was 88.
Born in Iowa to a professional violinist father and concert pianist mother, Edgar Muenzer followed in his father’s footsteps to became a classically trained violinist, playing in the Army Air Corps Band and performing for U.S. Presidents Harry Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower, Victor Muenzer said.
After leaving his military service, Edgar Muenzer was hired by conductor Fritz Reiner to join the Chicago Symphony, Victor Muenzer said.
“I think he would have said it was the greatest experience of his life,” Victor said of his father’s time with the symphony, which lasted 47 years until his retirement in 2003. “I think he felt extraordinarily grateful to be there.”
In 1994, Edgar Muenzer and his wife, Nancy, worked with community supporters to form the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra, a 70-plus-piece orchestra that today performs monthly concerts at the Pickwick Theatre between October and May.
During a 2013 interview with the Park Ridge Herald-Advocate, Edgar Muenzer spoke of the inspiration behind the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra.
“One day Nancy and I were sitting in the Pickwick Theatre …. and I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to hear classical music in this theater?” he recalled.
Meetings were held with local residents and philanthropists, and the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra was born. A quote from Victor Muenzer that appears on the orchestra’s website reads, “My father played in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and wanted to bring an affordable, professional concert experience home to our community. That’s how the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra was born.”
Edgar Muenzer conducted the orchestra and served as its music director until the 2013-14 season, when he handed over his duties to Victor Muenzer.
Under Edgar Muenzer’s leadership, the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra won the Governor’s Hometown Award in 1998 and received 10 awards from the Illinois Council of Orchestras, the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra organization said.
In 2004, Edgar and Nancy Muenzer were presented with a Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award from the Illinois Humanities Council.
“Park Ridge Civic Orchestra was how Edgar wanted to give back to the community after a rewarding lifetime in professional music,” Pam Benitez, president of the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra, said in a statement released by the group. “He was a great-hearted visionary who never stopped sharing his talent and passion for great music.”
Deborah Oberschelp, former executive director of the Civic Orchestra, said Edgar Muenzer loved Park Ridge and enjoyed being able to bring a symphony orchestra to the community.
“He always said, ‘I want this orchestra in Park Ridge to be a legacy,’ ” Oberschelp said. “I think he got what he wanted. I think he accomplished what he set out to do, and when he passed away, I don’t think he had any regrets.”
Victor Muenzer called his father a “gentle soul” and leader who “worked hard to be as good as he was” and saw his talents strengthen by working around many great musicians and conductors.
“With the exception of John Alden Carpenter, the composer who lived here, it would be hard to say Park Ridge has had a more prominent musician, a more experienced musician in their midst,” Victor Muenzer said of his father. “He certainly gave Park Ridge quite a bit.”
A tribute to Edgar Muenzer’s legacy will undoubtedly be featured in the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra’s next season, which begins Oct. 26 with the annual Halloween-themed concert.
“There will be something that we do — and it will be good,” Victor Muenzer said.
Visitation for Edgar Muenzer is scheduled for Tuesday, July 26, from 3 to 9 p.m. at Ryan-Parke Funeral Home, 120 S. Northwest Highway in Park Ridge. A funeral service will take place Wednesday, July 27 at Park Ridge Community Church, 100 S. Courtland Ave., followed by interment at St. Adalbert Cemetery in Niles.
Edgar Muenzer is survived by his wife, Nancy; children Victor, Peter and James; and grandchildren Gregory and Gabriel Muenzer.
Twitter: @Jen_Pioneer
