Martin Zwick Obituary

Martin Zwick 1920 ~ 2005 Martin Zwick, 84, a lifelong musician and a true man of the world, was born to Jacob and Annie Zwick in Brooklyn, New York November 22, 1920. His musical career began with Leopold Stokowski's All-American Youth Orchestra. Later, he joined the army and was solo clarinetist with the Army Signal Corps Band for five years during World War II. After leaving the army, Martin moved to Los Angeles and freelanced, playing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestras as well as doing recordings for the movies. He was a founding member of the Ojai Music Festival and also taught at the Henry George School of Economics in Los Angeles. Martin used funds from the G. I. Bill to further his musical studies in Paris where he graduated from the �cole Normale De Musique De Paris. On returning to New York, he was engaged by Maestro Maurice Abravanel as Principal Clarinetist of the Utah Symphony, a position he held for 28 years. His college studies, which he began in New York and Los Angeles, were completed at the University of Utah. In Salt Lake City, Martin was both a musician extraordinaire and an educator. He taught elementary instrumental music in the Granite and Murray school districts and was an adjunct associate professor at the University of Utah and Westminister College. Martin met and married Muriel Hood Zwick, who is now deceased, in the early 1950's. Both Martin and Muriel were members of the First Unitarian Church. Martin Zwick had a lifelong interest in world travel and photography. After retiring from the Utah Symphony, he had a second career playing, teaching and recording with the mandolin. Martin was truly a renaissance man. His joy of life and his spirit, his love of music and teaching, his enjoyment of good food, of great books and of his wonderful friends and his close family, all touched and affected many lives. Martin Zwick is survived by his son, Patrick Donovan Zwick; two grandsons, Patrick Dylan Zwick and Marek Martin Zwick; his daughter-in-law, Ursula Konarska Zwick; and three nephews, and their families. Memorial Service to be held Monday, October 3rd, 4 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 569 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Utah Symphony.

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Published by Deseret News on Sep. 25, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Martin Zwick

5 Entries

Russell Cambell

March 8, 2025

My grade school violin teacher. He was very kind and a great teacher

Patti Burnett

October 3, 2005

I first met Martin through a mutual friend at a Macrobiotic dinner and liked him immediately. We have remained friends over the years since. He was a dear man we will all sincerely miss.

John Greaves

October 3, 2005

Dear Patrick and family,

Mr. Zwick was my elementary school band and orchestra teacher for four years at Libby Edwards. His love for good music is a legacy that I have passed along to my children. In August of this year, I had the pleasure of introducing my son, Tyler, to your father. I told Tyler that "this is your musical grandfather". It was a special moment since Mr. Zwick is the step-grandfather of Baxter, one of Tyler’s closest friends from childhood. It is indeed a small world! My five children play, respectively, trumpet, harp, tuba, oboe, and cello.

I have the fondest memories back in the '60s of your father, a devoted and a little frightening Mr. Zwick, who expected us to come to class prepared, who gave us personal attention, and who praised our good performances. If my note to you is unique from his students from Libbie Edwards, I offer a most heartfelt thank you on behalf of all the youth who passed through his classroom. One personal memory is his selection of a piece, "Très Joli", which featured a French horn solo for most of the melody. I can remember that concert to this day!

Among those idyllic memories of Mr. Zwick's band and orchestra class, his weaving of tapestries of profanities, whenever any child dropped their instrument on the floor, remain legend in my family. His skill was in substituting a non-profane word into the thread, where it was clear that a four-letter word belonged. My siblings; Ted (French horn), Loretta (viola), Marie (bass), Richard (baritone), and me (French horn) can retell stories of Mr. Zwick, and we can laugh until our sides ache!

Good bye, Mr. Zwick! Next to God's beautiful earth and the joy of family, your gift of music to me is to me the closest I have come to feeling God's love.

With my kindest thoughts and deepest gratitude,

John Greaves

Clinton, Shelley & Robert FROHM

September 27, 2005

Our family was saddened to read of Martin's passing. We've known Marty for many years. I played as an extra with the Utah Symphony with him when only a college student and was welcomed by him as a colleague. Later I worked in Granite District as a music teacher when he taught there. He was a fine teacher and developed many excellent players through the years. Robert our oldest son took clarinet lessons from him and appreciated his musicianship and personal interest in his life. Shelley (my wife) treated Martin as a chemo-nurse and became friends with him during his struggles with cancer. He was always upbeat and cheery even in times of extreme pain and discomfort. We will always remember Marty with love and affection. He was truly one of the 'good guys' in life and in music. We will miss him. God bless his family. May you have peace and pleasant memories of Martin always.

Katharine Biele Howze

September 25, 2005

George and I were saddened to hear of Martin's death. He and Muriel were wonderful friends and neighbors, and we missed them terribly after they moved from Laird Avenue. We have thought of Martin often since Muriel's death, and pray that they both are at peace now, together.

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