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60 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, September 20, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend June 18, 2004 Investigators continued to search Thursday for clues as to how a fire started Wednesday night at the Brookhurst Street home of Irv Mirick, a retired Medford music instructor. Mirick was found dead in his home following the fire. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Music icon dies ‘Irv’ Mirick, 94, was director of instrumental music in Medford schools for 29 years; body found in house fire; cause of death investigated By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune Irving Augustus "Irv" Mirick, a longtime music instructor in Medford schools, is being remembered by friends as a top-notch conductor, teacher and role model after his death Wednesday following a fire at his home. Mirick’s body was found by firefighters who responded to a blaze at his home at 1837 Brookhurst St., Medford, at about 7:50 p.m. Wednesday. Investigators are not sure whether Mirick died in the fire or of natural causes before the fire broke out. An autopsy has been scheduled for next week to determine the manner and cause of death, police said. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Mirick, 94, worked 29 years as director of instrumental music for Medford schools, recalled John Drysdale, a longtime friend of Mirick who now serves as director of the Southern Oregon Concert Band. "He had a reputation in the Northwest as one of the leading pioneer music educators," said Drysdale, hired by Mirick in 1953 to direct the orchestra program in Medford schools. Advertisement "He had a great career," Drysdale said. "He was a very good leader, and was well-loved by his students." Mirick lived alone but stayed in contact with former colleagues and students. He was preceded in death by his wife, Naomi, and son, Keith. During Mirick’s career, the Medford High School band played three times during halftime at San Francisco 49ers games and took top honors four times in the Victoria Day Parade in Victoria, B.C., among other accomplishments. Steve Thickett, who worked as band director at North Medford High School for 15 years, said when he was hired, his goal was to return the band to the level of success it enjoyed during the Mirick era, which spanned from 1945 to 1974. "He was my role model and mentor," said Thickett. When Thickett started at North, he asked Mirick to return during the annual homecoming football game to conduct the band at halftime. The activity continued through last season. "He would always kid me that (as long as) he was able to get himself to the field, he would conduct them," Thickett said. "Irv was a very special guy. He cared a lot for the kids, and I think that’s why he came back every year." Former student Mike Knox, who has played tuba in the Ashland City Band and the Rogue Valley Symphony for more than 30 years, said he owes a good deal of his success to Mirick. In 1958, Knox was a fourth-grader at Jefferson School when Mirick and another music teacher had him switch from the trumpet, Mirick’s instrument of choice, to the tuba. "Irv immediately took me under his wing and from that moment on, made sure I was well trained," Knox said. "He was really a second father to me. He changed my life, and I can’t say enough good things about the man." Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities