by Melinda Poole
Trevor Murnock is a perfect example of a young Erie professional who embraces his role as a leader and contributor to the success of the Erie community. As the director of music, visual and performing arts at Cathedral Preparatory School and an adjunct lecturer in music at Mercyhurst Collge, Murnock is responsible for the educational and personal growth of his students through the performing arts. Murnock brings music to the Erie community through his talent, teaching and leadership.
As an active faculty member, Murnock has designed curriculum and revised standard practices for his department. In the past two years, he has created a collaborative fine arts program, which surpasses those in other area schools. Aside from teaching music at Cathedral Preparatory School, Murnock teaches self-confidence, respect and appreciation for something greater than the material world. Murnock feels a sense of accomplishment each day because he is able to bring something to his students through his teaching. He feels that Erie is a wonderful city for his students to learn and mature in, due to Erie’s culturally diverse experiences and talent.
Murnock recently played a monumental role in organizing and developing the Erie All-City Marching Band, which combined bands from all Erie area schools into one group. He helped take the band to a new level of performance, and has thoroughly enjoyed his work with this initiative.
Murnock specializes in urban education and arts management, and uses his abilities through freelance work and volunteer efforts that have benefited many Erie organizations. He is very active with Saint Joseph’s Parish, volunteering in numerous service projects, and is also involved in Eucharistic Ministry, Eucharistic Adoration and the Music Ministry. He has done a great deal of solo and ensemble freelance work promoting the Erie Chamber Orchestra, the Erie Opera Theater, Allegheny and Mercyhurst Colleges, Bemus Bay Pops, Erie Playhouse, Messiah Lutheran Church and many others. Murnock is an active supporter of the International Institute of Erie, where he has volunteered for service work and provided music for World Refugee Day. He is also active in Amnesty International and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, distributing literature and encouraging young people to contact elected officials for advancements in human and animal rights.
Murnock shows an absolute devotion to youth of all ages. He thrives on consistent interaction with and creating meaningful experiences for others. Murnock, for as talented and involved as he is with music, could not read sheet music until he reached college. His straight forward determination to teach kids to appreciate and love music as he does helped him work hard in college, to both learn sheet music and excel in musical performance.
Murnock's level of dedication to Erie and its citizens has probably affected you and you don’t even realize it. Some of Erie’s greatest assets – the Erie Festival of the Arts, Erie Chamber Orchestra, Erie Youth Symphony – are all directly affected by his work, both paid and volunteer. He is teaching today’s youth to be tomorrow’s performers, audience members and donors. And he is doing so because he loves Erie, loves music and loves to contribute.
