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MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State University music professor and cellist Roger Malitz died Monday, Sept. 3, in Ball Memorial Hospital following a short illness. He was 53.
Born in Chicago, he held degrees from Roosevelt University and the Chicago Conservatory. He made his solo cello debut with the Chicago Symphony at the age of 16. Before his 21st birthday, he was featured several times on the television program "Artists' Showcase," accompanied by the NBC Symphony Orchestra.
Principal cellist of the Muncie Symphony Orchestra, Malitz also had been principal cellist with the University of Chicago's Contemporary Chamber Players, Florida Orchestra, Caracas Philharmonic and National Symphony of South Africa. Since his appointment to the Ball State School of Music faculty in 1985, he had presented concerts and master classes in Argentina, Canada, the Czech Republic, Israel, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Taiwan and Thailand.
At Ball State, Malitz was the School of Music's chairman of strings and cellist of the American Piano Trio, the first ensemble to be designated Sterling Patrons of the international professional music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon.
Malitz studied with Karl Fruh and Raya Garbousova and had served on the faculties of the Chicago Conservatory, University of Tampa, Caracas Conservatory and Bowling Green State University. He was featured numerous times on public television and National Public Radio, and his recordings are available on the Musical Heritage Society, Owl, Desto and CRI labels.
During a recent residency at the Banff Centre, Malitz recorded repertoire for a new CD, "The Ethnic Cello," which has been released by Crystal Records. He performed on a cello made by the Italian master Antonio Casini in 1678.
He is survived by his mother, Ruth Lazar, Skokie, Ill.; and his sons, Nathan Malitz and Zachary Malitz, and his former wife, Deborah Malitz, all of Muncie.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at Temple Judea Mizpah, 8610 Niles Center Road, Skokie, Ill., with burial in Shalom Memorial Park in Arlington Heights, Ill. The family will receive visitors directly from the cemetery through Saturday evening at the home of his mother, Ruth Lazar, 7623 Kildare, Skokie, Ill. 60076. Weinstein Family Services of Wilmette, Ill., is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial services in Muncie will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, at Temple Beth El, 525 W. Jackson St. In lieu of flowers in Chicago or Muncie, donations will be accepted for a Roger Malitz Cello Scholarship in the Ball State School of Music. Checks should be made payable to the Ball State University Foundation c/o the Roger Malitz Cello Scholarship Fund and mailed to Ball State University Foundation, P.O. Box 672, Muncie, IN 47308.
Born in Chicago, he held degrees from Roosevelt University and the Chicago Conservatory. He made his solo cello debut with the Chicago Symphony at the age of 16. Before his 21st birthday, he was featured several times on the television program "Artists' Showcase," accompanied by the NBC Symphony Orchestra.
Principal cellist of the Muncie Symphony Orchestra, Malitz also had been principal cellist with the University of Chicago's Contemporary Chamber Players, Florida Orchestra, Caracas Philharmonic and National Symphony of South Africa. Since his appointment to the Ball State School of Music faculty in 1985, he had presented concerts and master classes in Argentina, Canada, the Czech Republic, Israel, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Taiwan and Thailand.
At Ball State, Malitz was the School of Music's chairman of strings and cellist of the American Piano Trio, the first ensemble to be designated Sterling Patrons of the international professional music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon.
Malitz studied with Karl Fruh and Raya Garbousova and had served on the faculties of the Chicago Conservatory, University of Tampa, Caracas Conservatory and Bowling Green State University. He was featured numerous times on public television and National Public Radio, and his recordings are available on the Musical Heritage Society, Owl, Desto and CRI labels.
During a recent residency at the Banff Centre, Malitz recorded repertoire for a new CD, "The Ethnic Cello," which has been released by Crystal Records. He performed on a cello made by the Italian master Antonio Casini in 1678.
He is survived by his mother, Ruth Lazar, Skokie, Ill.; and his sons, Nathan Malitz and Zachary Malitz, and his former wife, Deborah Malitz, all of Muncie.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at Temple Judea Mizpah, 8610 Niles Center Road, Skokie, Ill., with burial in Shalom Memorial Park in Arlington Heights, Ill. The family will receive visitors directly from the cemetery through Saturday evening at the home of his mother, Ruth Lazar, 7623 Kildare, Skokie, Ill. 60076. Weinstein Family Services of Wilmette, Ill., is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial services in Muncie will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, at Temple Beth El, 525 W. Jackson St. In lieu of flowers in Chicago or Muncie, donations will be accepted for a Roger Malitz Cello Scholarship in the Ball State School of Music. Checks should be made payable to the Ball State University Foundation c/o the Roger Malitz Cello Scholarship Fund and mailed to Ball State University Foundation, P.O. Box 672, Muncie, IN 47308.
