Melvin Strauss

I saw and heard Mel when he was conducting in Buffalo. He was excellent. And being a musician I appreciated his attention to detail. I hope he enjoys his conducting assignment wherever he is.

Mel....a most wonderful human being conquered my heart at a time of life when we both needed company, love and music sharing. His music knowledge, his wit and sense of humor were unique. We performed and traveled together to Colombia and Argentina. He was equally loved everywhere as a human being and as a conductor. Even at the worst times of his illness he kept playing the piano and remembering anecdotes from his earlier years at Tanglewood. Mel was one of a kind and he will live in my...

Charlie Dickinson and I played with Mel Baroque trios in his apartment in Amherst. Admittedly we were little more than aspiring musicians (recorder and cello) but enthusiastic! and Mel was experienced and most tolerant!
He charmed his way into our hearts. We shall always remember him.
Jerry Goldman

I met Mel my first year at Wesleyan University. I came in as as serious violinist who couldn't make up my mind about music. The turning point for me was my first conducting class with him. I still remember picking out my first baton with him and the rest of our seminar. I felt awkward at first until Mel said something (I don't remember exactly what) that instantly connected me with the music I was conducting. Suddenly, I felt able to express myself as a conductor. I will never forget that...

During move-in day of my freshman year at Wesleyan, there was the opportunity to meet then President Colin Campbell. After waiting in line, President Campbell told me and my parents that the university was very proud of their newly hired orchestra conductor, Mel Strauss. As it turned out, Wesleyan had hired one of the kindest, most extraordinary people I would ever meet. Mel's teaching inspired me to choose a career in music and to initially pursue conducting. Mel organized sight reading...

Mel was a beloved friend and respected colleague. He was a great conversationalist: funny, ironic, and brilliant. An esteemed classical conductor, he was a particularly insightful musician. But our favorite memory of him is at our piano after dinner parties, playing "pops" in an easy, masterful "nightclub" style.
We will always hold him in our hearts.

I became acquainted with Mel during his time at Wesleyan, about two decade ago while working for him as a carpenter. His whit and humor quickly transcended the whatever differences we may have had in age,education or political philosophies. Within a year he became one of my dearest friends. we shared hundreds of hours competing at scrabble or assorted card games, and even chanced the occasional game of basketball. Oh yes, he loved gaming. He was in his sixties then, but his youthful attitude,...

Remembering Mel Strauss. Privilege of knowing him from 1973 to 1978. What a wonderfully kindly, intelligent, and proficient pianist, conductor and college president. I was in opera workshops with him before accreditation, worked in his president's office as a work study student, and transferred from UW to graduate from Cornish after accreditation thanks to President Strauss. Bravo and thanks!

Mel was a beloved friend, the best next-door neighbor anyone could ever have. I learned so much about music from him. I will always remember him with love.