MICHAEL BUERK
Mike has been a Woodwind Doubler during his career. He has just completed his 47th year in The Muny Opera Orchestra as Principal Woodwind. He has played in the orchestra at the Fox Theater since the theater re-opened in 1982 and has played in the orchestra at the Repertory Theater of St. Louis since 1977. He has played with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in the past being featured as a soloist playing the original compositions of Artie Shaw and Jimmy Dorsey. He has played with Doc Severinsen at Powell Symphony Hall, along with many performances with Richard Hayman. He has played with Tex Beneke of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, The Guy Lombardo Orchestra, Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey big bands, also played tours with Steve Lawrence and Edie Gourmet, Lou Rawls and played in the orchestras backing such performers including Nancy Wilson, Cyd Charisse, Tony Martin, Mel Torme, John Davidson, Vicky Carr, Red Skelton, Bob Hope, Sammy Davis Jr. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Johnny Carson, Marilyn May, The Rat Pack, Frankie Laine, Yul Brynner, Hellen O'Connell, Margaret Whiting Rosemary Clooney, Rose Marie, Dennis Day, Gregory Hines, Ann Margaret. Charo, Trini Lopez, and Debbie Reynolds. Mike was the owner of the Michael Buerk Music Conservatory of Kirkwood employing 35 instructors from the St. Louis region for 16 years and taught at the University of Missouri at St. Louis, Washington University, and Cor Jesu Academy as Orchestra Conductor. He still fronts his Orchestra playing the original orchestrations from all the bands from the big band era of the 1920s through the 1960s.