Dr. Merton T. Shatzkin

Dr. Merton T. Shatzkin, a professor of music theory, violinist, composer, conductor and beloved father and grandfather, passed away at the age of 94 at his Cross Keys home in Baltimore on January 22, 2024. Born in Kane, Pennsylvania, Dr. Shatzkin began playing the violin at the age of 9 and became known for his talent through local performances. He went on to earn a diploma in violin at the Julliard School in New York City and a doctorate and master’s degree in music theory at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. After leaving Julliard, he played in symphonies in Indianapolis, Tulsa and Rochester. He was drafted into the Army and served in the Korean War as an infantryman, after which he happily returned to a musical career and a post as concertmaster of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera. For 30 years, Dr. Shatzkin was a professor of music theory at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, achieving the ranks of full professor and later professor emeritus. He published the textbook Writing for the Orchestra: An Introduction to Orchestration in 1993. Shatzkin also served as assistant concertmaster for the Kansas City Symphony and as a member of the Volker String Quartet, UMKC’s Conservatory Contemporary Chamber Players, and Kansas City’s newEar ensemble. He was conductor of the Kansas City Medical Arts Symphony for 24 years, leading the group in performing several of his original works. Dr. Shatzkin moved to Baltimore in 2016 and joined the board of directors of the Goodlow House condominium association. He also volunteered for Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland and for the Institute for Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies. He continued to compose music, with original work performed in local concerts and at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Roland Park. He is predeceased by his parents, Jack and Harriet Shatzkin; his wife of 39 years, Patricia Patterson Shatzkin; and his sister, Vita Shatzkin Tickman. He is survived by his daughter, Kate Shatzkin [John Rivera]; his son, Matt Shatzkin [Jennifer Shatzkin]; and grandchildren Leah Rivera, Sam Rivera, Jay Shatzkin and Logan Shatzkin. A celebration of Dr. Shatzkin’s life will be held this spring. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to UMKC Conservatory (https://conservatory.umkc.edu/alumni-and-giving/ways-to-give.html), Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland (https://www.mealsonwheelsmd.org/donate/), Harvesters Community Food Network (https://www.harvesters.org/how-to-help/donate) or Gilchrist Hospice (https://gilchristcares.org/giving/).

Dr. Merton T. Shatzkin

September 20, 1929 - January 22, 2024