St. Michael the Archangel at 502 West Front Street, Monroe, MI 48161 US - Dr. Ray McLellan, Music Director

Ray has always been drawn to music. From the time he was a young child, he always wanted toys that were related to music. At age 7, his parents bought a piano, and they quickly realized that it was going to be difficult to get Ray away from the piano. He soon became the accompanist for Sunday School and then became the church organist at age 13. Ray earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in Sacred Music from Florida Southen College in Lakeland (where the Detroit Tigers hold spring training).

He won a full scholarship for an exchange program to Freiburg, Germany (in the Black Forest) during his junior year. That year was a real eye-opener and Ray had the opportunity to play the organs in the very beautiful gothic Freiburg Munster (cathedral). Also, during that year he had the opportunity to travel all over Europe, visiting many of the beautiful cathedrals, opera houses and museums (including the Vatican). Following graduation from Florida Southern College, Ray came to Michigan to attend the University of Michigan. He earned the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from U of M.  Many of St. Michael's parishioners have supported Ray by attending his degree recitals during the time he was working on his doctoral program.

Ray has been the Organist/Director of Music at St. Michael the Archangel Parish since 1985. He loves the beautiful art work in St. Michael's Church, which reminds him very much of the churches he visited in Germany. He also enjoys the great sound acoustics in the church--the best in Monroe! Musicians love to come to St. Michael--the wonderful acoustics make it a real joy to play music. Ray also plays the carillon (if you want to know more about the carillon, ask him) and teaches and performs at Michigan State University where he is the University Carillonneur and a member of the faculty of the School of Music.