Thomas Strode

Dr. Strode was a kind and gracious person. His contributions to the community and beyond were boundless and beautiful.

Many beautiful services listening to his music, he will be missed.

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Tom Strode. In 1983, during Tom´s tenure at St. Andrew´s and my tenure as music director at Westminster Presbyterian, we joined our choirs and collaborated to produce a wonderful concert of the music of Mozart, performed with orchestra at St. Andrew´s. That concert was a highlight of the choral conducting part of my career. I will remember Tom fondly for his professionalism, collegiality, and wit. My deepest condolences to Tom´s family and all who...

I was deeply saddened to hear this news about Dr. Strode. During my time in the St. Andrew's junior and senior choirs, he was responsible for my love of the toccata movement from Widor's Symphony V, as well as the Lessons and Carols service. His keyboard and musicianship skills will always be inspirational.

I was blessed to have studied under Tom for several years in the 1980s and again 2004-2010. He was a man of deep faith and cared for his family deeply. He was an extraordinary musician, I remember years ago at the Bach organworks portion of the Summer Festival that he was assigned by Dr. Mason to play the most challenging piece on the day's program. He once assigned me a piece that had special meaning to him - because he played it in elementary school (I was multiples of that age). I carry...

I was fortunate enough to be the paid Tenor for St. Andrews choir from 1987 thru 2000, with Tom as our choir director/organist. A great musician and fun person, his rehearsals were productive and upbeat. 1 motet each Sunday with a second piece every other Sunday. At practice, if the sopranos said 'this piece is set too high' or the bases complained it was too low, Tom would, without batting an eye, transpose the piece on the piano, say, down a minor third or up a major second, without a...

The Boychoir that Dr. Strode built really opened up my world in a lot of ways. As an adult, I do not do music professionally, but the knowledge of music (and, by osmosis, culture) that I gained has stayed with me and grown. Some things about Dr. Strode personally: He was kind and funny, and also patient and accessible. I'm really grateful to have known him.

Aside from the brilliance of Dr Strode leading the Boychoir in amazing musical numbers for so many seasons, he had some really fun quirky jokes that the boys enjoyed!! Especially bar jokes! We are ever grateful to Tom for sharing his talents and love of singing with our son Alex and all of us. He touched so many. Our hearts go out to Karen and Matthew and wish all the family peace and comfort.

Dear Friends, For several years I enjoyed the Advent Season "Festival Of Lessons And Carols" at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, with the Boychoir of Ann Arbor. Dr. Strode was in charge. I will always remember the first time, when the service began with "Once In Royal David's City", with the boy soloist. Gave me chills, it did. (I am a former boy choir member at St. Jude Church and School in Detroit.) I always felt impressed with Dr. Strode's talents, and am pleased he was welcomed to our...