For Cranbrook’s new Choral Director Jim Gabriel the decision to teach came by accident. 

First, he followed his love of music to college with two full scholarships, one at Youngstown State University in his hometown for a Bachelor’s Degree in Music, then on to Notre Dame University for a Master’s Degree in Music, both in piano. While at Notre Dame, he traveled to Mexico to volunteer as an 8^th grade teacher. He used music to help students gain a beginning understanding of English.

“I would love to say that I was extremely directed in my decision making. But that wouldn’t be true.  At Notre Dame, “I got to work with students in Mexico, and I loved it,” Gabriel said in a recent interview with Bravo. From that point forward, in addition to improving his technical skills and knowledge base, he began to focus on guiding young people. At the Manhattan School of Music, he worked toward his Professional Studies Degree. Later, he pursued doctoral-level studies in Education at Columbia University. 

As a teacher, Gabriel feels his role is “to help students go as far as they can with the abilities they have. I try to do it with kindness and patience,” he said. “I try to choose music that is educational but at the same time, something my students will enjoy. I hope to make the music as diverse as possible.” Gabriel said he decided to make  "an outline of all the different types of music --classical, indigenous, Indian, African, Asian. I try to represent as many styles as possible.”

Gabriel’s education continued in Seattle, where he entered the doctoral program in organ. He also studied choral and orchestral conducting, and refined his teaching skills by accompanying and coaching singers. 

Soon after, Gabriel moved to Paris to study under internationally acclaimed organist, composer and improviser Naji Hakim, an experience Gabriel described as “nothing short of wonderful.” Gabriel also wanted to live in Europe to get a different worldview. “Because I wanted to be a teacher,” he said, “I wanted a perspective beyond the American.”

While overseas, Gabriel participated in a celebration commemorating the 10^th anniversary of the death of acclaimed 20^th Century French composer Olivier Messiaen, He played the the pipe organ in Paris’ exquisite Roman Catholic Church, Église de la Sainte-Trinité.

At another time, Gabriel and a group of university students performed in a private, open-air courtyard for the late Pope John Paul II. “It was a magical experience, he recalled. “We were all able to go up and meet him. I remember thinking he looked very exhausted. Popes meet with world leaders, but he still took time out to meet with this small group of university students, on Easter Sunday no less, at the end of what must have been an arduous week for him.”

For the past eight years, Gabriel served as Director of Music at St. Hugo of the Hills Church in Bloomfield Hills. According to his professional biography, he worked with children of all ages—from elementary through high school -- and expanded the music program from four choirs to seven, including a Middle School Honors Choir, and a High School Choir.

He also served as accompanist at Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Hills, where he will continue to perform. “It gives me a personal performance outlet, which I really enjoy, and the cantor there, Rachel Kalmowitz, is phenomenal.”

Cranbrook graduate Brigid Babbish, CK’08, a bassoonist who attends Julliard and Columbia, convinced Gabriel years ago to jump on the chance to work at Cranbrook should an opening arise.  “Brigid felt that with my background, I would love Cranbrook. It really was her talking about it that piqued my interest. I’m a huge architecture and art fan.”

At Cranbrook, Gabriel will lead the Middle and Upper School choirs and assist with many Performing Arts events including the Upper School musical. Since accepting his new position, Gabriel met with departing Choral Director Anna Speck as well as Performing Arts Department Chair Sarkis Halajian and orchestra teacher Katie Lorts. For the past few weeks, he prepared for the new school year by reviewing Cranbrook’s entire library of music and choosing pieces for his many choirs. He also settled into his Marquis Hall apartment where he will serve as Assistant House Advisor.

“The competition for the vocal director position was significant,” Halajian said. “Our department narrowed the field down to six final candidates, who were asked to teach several classes and meet with the department and administration throughout the day. The final candidates all had impressive credentials - all were viable candidates. What we saw in Jim that set him apart was a person who was talented, energetic, positive and someone who would be a team player in working toward our collective goals for our students in the performing arts.”  

During the interview process, Gabriel “was extremely impressed with the student body. I felt they had decorum.”

Gabriel believes studying music offers multiple benefits beyond the immediate field of music. “Music helps from a physiological point of view in accomplishing whatever it is you want to do. Performing is just one of those skills. Then there’s the concentration it takes to spend hours and hours on difficult pieces. One thing I do is teach students how to deal with nerves. That makes a difference any time you need to present something in a public venue, whether it’s a business meeting or even a court room.”

Nonetheless, Gabriel promises to help students navigate their way to musical careers if they so choose. “The pathway to be successful in music seems so mysterious and daunting,” Gabriel believes. “I am hoping to help students figure it out, because it can be done.”

You are so kind and inspiring and your class put me in a good mood every day. I learned a lot in concert choir last year and feel my music skills really improved. I will miss you tons and I hope you enjoy your travels!

From our very first Concert Choir class in 2020, you brought so much life and energy to the rehearsal room! Thank you for bringing your smile, laughter, and passion for music every day. And thank you for always being a listening ear and support when I readied to go off to college. I wish you all the best in your pursuit of music and traveling!

Best,

Stella S. CK '24

love, Katie