John Merrill

John R. Merrill of Baltimore, MD, died on Wednesday, March 28, at his home from complications of Parkinson's Disease. He was 83. John attended the Peabody Conservatory of Music where he received both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. He served in the Army as an assistant chaplain and organist and upon his discharge directed church choirs at St John's Methodist Church in Hamilton, Memorial Episcopal in Bolton Hill, and Second Presbyterian in Guilford. John taught at the Gilman School in Roland Park for thirty-four years from 1962 through 1996 and was Chairperson of the Music Department. Under his leadership, the School's offerings in music enlarged from the traditional ninth grade Survey of Music course to elective courses in Instrumental Music, Words and Music, Twentieth Century Music, and Music Theory and Composition. John also directed the Glee Club and the school's a capella singing group The Traveling Men. He served as Dean of the Faculty, Chairperson of the Freshman Class, and chaired various school committees. He was awarded the Russell Chair for his excellence as an educator; he also was the recipient of the Broadus/Hubbard Award provided to a faculty member for travel and professional development. In 1997-1998, he was awarded the May Holmes Service Award (presented to a member of the Gilman community who has served the school in a distinguished and meritorious fashion). A true gentleman with a marvelous sense of humor, he enjoyed attending the Baltimore Symphony and, in fact, had a symphonic composition by a former student, the well-known composer Christopher Rouse, dedicated to him. Upon his retirement, an admirer wrote on the dedication page of the 1996 Gilman yearbook that John Merrill's professionalism, his genius for teaching, and his imagination had inspired countless students to strive for a high standard and had earned him the plaudits of students, faculty, and parents. John is survived by his nieces Linda Dannenmann and Barbara Savage, by his nephews John M Westwood, Robert Westwood, Robert Merrill, and Steven Merrill, and by many great nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at the Gilman School on April 29 at 11:00 AM. Memorial donations may be made in John's name to the Gilman School Music Department or to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.