Carl E. Burkel died on December 15, 1995 at his home in Jefferson City, MO, at the age of 69. He had served as minister of music and organist of Central United Church of Christ in Jefferson City for 36 ears.
Born on April 2, 1926, he was a lifelong resident of
Jefferson City. In 1951 he began a teaching career at Jefferson City High
School that spanned nearly 40 years. His roles there included teacher of
humanities and music literature, director of the choral department, and
chairman of the music department. He directed the annual Capitol Caroling for
39 years and was instrumental in the production of the annual operetta each
spring for 38 years. Mr. Burkel was also conductor of the Jefferson City
Oratorio Singers for 28 years, and helped found the Jefferson City Council of
the Arts as well as the Jefferson City Music Society. The Missouri Federation
of Music Clubs named him Outstanding Church Musician in Missouri in 1974, and
in 1975 recognized him for his "distinguished service in the musical, artistic
and cultural life of the community and state." In 1978 he received the
Community Service Award from the Rotary Clubs of Jefferson City, and in 1985 he
received the Citation of Merit for Outstanding Achievement in Service in
Education from the University of Missouri Alumni Association. He was awarded a
Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary International in 1986, and in 1987 received
the Distinguished Service Award from the Missouri Conference of the United
Church of Christ. Burkel was a member of the American Guild of Organists, Organ
Historical Society, American Choral Directors Association, Music Educators
Conference, and served two terms on the Missouri Council on the Arts, appointed
by Gov. Warren Hearnes.
