From an early age, Stephen was drawn to church music and began his playing at St. James Church in Mason, MI on the piano and then the organ. In 2017 and with great encouragement from one of his mentors, Ben Koval ‘14 who was serving at a parish in Ohio at the time, Stephen transferred to Aquinas College after one year at Lansing Community College.
While at Aquinas, Stephen was in his second year as the interim music director at St. Gerard Catholic Church, Lansing, where Ben is now serving as Director of Music Ministries. (It’s a small world!) The following year, he took on the role as the Student Pastoral Musician on campus for Our Lady Seat of Wisdom, where we enjoyed his leadership on the beautiful Steinway grand and on the Keller [Allen] Organ. As a senior, Stephen worked under Dr. Peter Kurdziel, Basilica of St. Adalbert, playing Masses and other services for St. James Catholic Church. Ever musical and a delight to hear, Stephen quickly became a trusted and skilled member of each of these ministry teams.
Graduating summa cum laude this past May, Stephen Rumler was chosen by the AQ Music Faculty to be the Outstanding Graduating Music major for 2020. He has now embarked upon a new chapter, being hired as the Music Director of St. Peter Parish in Douglas, MI, early this summer. Working with his Pastor, Father Fabio Garzon, has been a wonderful experience as they ventured through live streaming, outdoor and indoor Masses over the last couple of months. St. Peter’s has a lovely Kawai baby grand and a small Rodgers electric organ in need of a little TLC. Stephen is really enjoying his new community at St. Peter’s, meeting the parishioners, and working with the Cantors. He looks forward to the time when he can build a 20-30 voice Church Choir. And the Assembly will be able to enjoy that, too!
Due to the pandemic, Stephen, who was a student of Associate Professor of Music Mary Hurd, could not perform his senior piano recital as planned for Kretschmer Recital Hall this past Spring. This was also the case for another eight student recitalists. However, we are excited to let you know that Stephen will have presented his recital on Friday, July 24th at 7:00 p.m. in St. Peter’s, Douglas by the time this E-Newsletter comes to your Inbox! The recital being live streamed via our Music Department Facebook page, as well as St. Peter’s, may be available on recording soon; watch for that announcement on the AQ Music and Parish media sites.
We are so proud and thrilled for our 2020 Outstanding Graduating Musician, Stephen Rumler, and all of our music graduates. We know that they will proudly serve their communities through music for years to come. Go Saints!!!