J. Clinton Miller ’54

Dear Tom, Thanks for your service to Theta Chapter as editor of Theta Data and for being Theta’s unofficial resident historian! Question: Will Theta ever return to OWU’s campus? (Editor’s Answer: To date there have been no significant efforts to re-colonize Theta Chapter. It would require significant alumni leadership supported with many man hours as well as financial support to provide appropriate housing.)

You asked for information concerning “yours truly” so I have included a short summary of the last fifty plus years of my life and career.

I am in good health, having survived prostate cancer and a heart attack a couple of years ago and, for many years, work out regularly in a local gym. Fortunately we have good health care in the Lehigh Valley.

I have fond memories of life at OWU and the years of living at 54 West Lincoln Avenue. I think of the brothers often and mourn those who have died. I remember particularly the great fun we had as I directed Theta’s male chorus and also conducting and singing in our barbershop quartet that toured around Ohio performing at various fraternity gatherings.

Yours in -Kai-, Clint Miller

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

J. Clinton Miller, S.M.M., is Organist/ Choirmaster of Episcopal Church of the Mediator in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He holds degrees from Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio and The School of Sacred Music of the Union Theological Seminary in New York City (now The Institute of Sacred Music at Yale University). During the 1950s, served as Assistant Organist/Choirmaster of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and subsequently, Director of Music for Grace Lutheran Church both in Cleveland, Ohio. For twenty-seven years he was Organist/Choirmaster of Saint John Lutheran Church in the Civic Center Allentown where in addition to his regular responsibilities, he established a church related concert series which flourished for twenty years performing many of the masterpieces of the sacred choral repertoire and presenting concert organists and other artists of international stature.

For twelve years he served as organist of Temple Beth El in Allentown and in the early 1990s served a one year appointment as Organist/Choirmaster of the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. University Organist and taught organ at Lehigh University from 1994 until 1998.

He is a past State and Regional Chairman and member of the National Council of the American Guild of organists (AGO) and served two separate terms as Dean of The Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Guild. He has presented organ recitals and conducted workshops and seminars in many of the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states.

His community activities have included serving on the board of Lehigh Valley Arts Council (1980-83), Musical Advisor to the Director of the Allentown Art Museum (1976-83), and member of the Lehigh County Historical Society where he occasionally served as advisor with regard to the restoration of period instruments and volunteer harpsichordist. From 1995 until 2003 he was an on-air programmer and the Classical Music Genre Coordinator, for radio station WDIY, the National Public Radio affiliate in the Lehigh Valley. He is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania.

To Clint from your 1950’s Brothers:

“How lucky we were to have you and your talents during our stay at OWU.” Thank God you’re a Beta.