Susan G. Miceli

Susan Galajda Miceli was born in Lakewood, Ohio on September 8, 1941, the daughter of Jan and Zuzunna Galajda. From a very early age, kindergarten, Susan displayed amazing musical talent. She attended St. John Lutheran grade school and graduated from North Ridgeville High School. She was a member of The National Honor Society and won two letters and a trophy for sports. She competed at the state level in track and in the State of Ohio music competitions. She received many awards for her athletic ability and instrumental and vocal musical talent.

Susan attended Valparaiso University and sang in the Chapel Choir, Schola Contorum and in stage productions. Susan transferred to Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music and continued singing with various groups. She attended college full-time and worked at four part-time jobs to pay for expenses.

While in college and after she was the soloist for the Old Stone Church, Plymouth Congregational Church, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, and both Temples. She also participated in the productions sponsored by the Jewish Community Center and The Musical Arts Association and received scholarships to attend Meadowbrook supported by the Detroit Symphony, Tanglewood with the Boston Orchestra, and the Kent- Blossom School with The Cleveland Orchestra.

At this time Robert Shaw departed Cleveland to conduct the Atlanta Symphony and his staff followed. The new chorus director was named Clayton Krehbiel and the position of Secretary of Choruses was offered to Susan. She was responsible for organizing audition schedules, rehearsal schedules including times places and accompanists and, of course the music. She also acquired buses, planes, hotel rooms for the choruses when they traveled. She worked with Mr. Krehbiel, Robert Shaw, Margaret Hills, Robert Page and the Orchestra staff of Maestro George Szell, Louis Lane, Michael Charry, and those conductors of international fame like Leonard Bernstein, Eugene Ormandy and others who successfully produced many of the great choral works at Severance Hall and Blossom Music Center.

Susan managed The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, The Cleveland Orchestra Children’s Chorus, the Orchestra Chamber Chorus, the Summer “Pops” Chorale, the Blossom Festival Chorus, and the Blossom Children’s Chorus.

At this time, Susan met John Miceli and there were married soon afterward. They celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary this year. They have a daughter, Susan Marie Miceli and her husband David Green, who lives in Georgetown. Her daughter Susie at one time worked for the Danville Symphony Orchestra. Susan used to say, “It runs in the Family!”

The family wishes to thank everyone for their prayers and kindness. There will be a Memorial Service where all will have the opportunity to hear one of the great choral works. Ein Deutsches Requiem, produced by The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus. All are welcome.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Illinois 61834. Officiating will be Pastor Don Vanzant. Burial will be in Walnut Corner Cemetery. Visitation will be held just prior to the service from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Vermilion Festival Chorus or the Illiana Veteran Affairs Medical Center Volunteer Services.

Please join Susan's family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.  

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