Michel Perrault

Michel Perrault was the most dynamic, intelligent and interesting human being with whom I have ever had the pleasure to work. I was fortunate enough to get to know him when Pantonal rented two rooms next to my classroom at Guy Drummond School on avenue Lajoie in Outremont in the early 1980s. He initiated our collaboration by welcoming my class into Pantonal every Friday afternoon for music and singing sessions. He began to work with other teachers, and this culminated in his developing and leading our 1982 Christmas Concert and the school's unforgettable 60th Anniversary Concert in May 1983. Michel jumped on those projects with his trademark unbridled enthusiasm. I will never forget how he arrived every morning to show the lyrics that he had composed the night before. Who will ever forget "There's No Drummond Like Guy Drummond." He led with a firm hand and high expectations, and his love of music and performance was certainly transmitted to all our students.
Michel was equally enthusiastic in his search for the elusive formula of prime numbers. He proved to me that I would be able to sing (if I was taught properly and practiced my breathing exercises). When he found out that I couldn't read the bass clef, he wrote out all my bass guitar parts on the treble clef, in about 3 minutes flat. Years later, when I was obliged to teach music to elementary classes, I began every class with a silent prayer, "Please let me channel the spirit of Michel Perrault."
He was the consummate Montrealer, and I loved his stories about growing up in our city in the 1930s. Years later, after our professional lives took us in different directions, I read with great affection Mike Boone's column of how Michel was arrested for riding his bike on the sidewalk of Park Avenue. As I read those words, I thought, how like Michel, in his eighties, still cycling and still calling silly bureaucrats, whose rules work against and not for the safety of others. He was always true to his beliefs and to himself.
My condolences and sympathies are extended to his family and to his close associates. His achievements in the worlds of music and education were many and remarkable. While I will remember him for that body of work, I will remember him fondly as a good friend and as a dynamic and exciting human being.

Rest In Peace Humble Master.

Ed Staniewicz