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Sarkis Halajian
Since being named Cranbrook's director of music in 1975, Sarkis Halajian has helped the program grow from a group of 11 student musicians to a distinguished array of bands and orchestras.
During his tenure, Halajian has taken the Upper School jazz band on numerous touring trips through Europe and has conducted hundreds of performances, from winter concerts to Le Gala de Cuisine. With his hiring of Janet Kapala and Katie Lorts to the music department, Halajian created a seamless flow in the development of student musicians from the elementary to middle school to high school level. He is known for his patience with students and ability to help them reach their fullest potential. Halajian, who started playing clarinet at age 9, has performed as principal clarinetist with the Warren Symphony Orchestra since 1977. He is also member of the Detroit Federation of Musicians, Local 5, and has participated in several conferences pertaining to his field, including the Music Educators National Conference and Michigan Schools Band & Orchestra Assoc. Midwest Conference at the University of Michigan. |
 10/25/2008 - Dave Henning
Teaching band at Cranbrook is not an easy task. It is much different than teaching at a big public school where marching band is the centerpiece and kids and parents are willing to devote endless hours to the program. Mr. Halajian did a great job of building the program within those limitations. Bringing private instructors on campus made it easy for students to take lessons if they played sports or lived in the dorms. Kids whose primary interests were elsewhere still received great exposure to different repertoire. Kids like me, for whom music was a primary interest, were given challenging opportunities through symphony orchestra, jazz band, chamber groups and pit orchestra.
10/10/2006 - Jon Fliss
Sarkis Halajian inspired us (his students) every day - not only to perform music well and to learn, but also to be better people and to ingrain a deep, lifelong appreciation of music in our lives. I hadn't been back to Cranbrook in many years, but last August I was in the area for business, and walked the Cranbrook campus for a few minutes in a haze of blissful memories. On a lark, I checked the door to the music building, and it was open! "I used to have the key to this door", I thought. It was a simple symbol of his trust in me, but was very important. Sarkis was there that day in August, in his office. I poked my head in, and although he hadn't seen me since 1983, he instantly recognized me (which says more for him than me!) What a terrific gentleman & friend. Sarkis, thank you for instilling in me & all of your students a true love for music - which I have gladly passed along to my kids. I am very grateful to you.
3/27/2006 - Charlene Li
Mr. Halajian introduced me to jazz and taught this classical pianist how to "swing"! The result: I've continued to seek out opportunities to play in small bands, and actually ended up meeting my husband in one! And my best memories of the band can be summed up in one word: Switzerland! Only a man made of steel would consider taking 25 high schoolers on a whirlwind tour of that country to be "a blast"!
3/9/2006 - Elliot Darvick
A man with a glowing personality, a warm heart, and a thoughtful ear. He was a trusted advisor for me at Cranbrook and a good friend.
2/18/2006 - Kate Bruder
Some of my favorite high school memories occured during his band classes. I never really enjoyed playing an instrument, but I stuck it out for the four years because of his encouragement, attitude, and influence on me. I have had some pretty great teachers in my life, but none can compare to Mr. H or the impact he made on my life.
2/2/2006 - Mike Acheson
One of the best memories of my Cranbrook life was my senior year jazz band trip to England. What an unbelievable experience that was, playing in front of hundreds of total strangers in a foreign land. In our own little way, it was like being on tour in a big rock and roll band. Sarkis was not just a teacher to us, he was our friend. He has an incredible way of bonding with his students, even those of us who couldn't really carry a decent tune! Never once did he make us feel inferior, which is probably what kept me in the band all of those years.
9/14/2005 - Eli Melaas
Sarkis Halajian has an inimitable passion for music and teaching. His encouragement and comedic relief in class were unforgettable. To this day, I have never met a friendlier teacher.
9/10/2005 - Adam Perrin
Sarkis Halajian was a wonderful music teacher, made instrumental music fun. I always looked forward to his classes.
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