Mr. Jonathan May Day or Jonathan May Day is celebrated May 1st in Orange County, Florida. Jonathan May Day was first proclaimed by Mayor of Orange County, Florida, Richard Crotty in 2010 to honor the life of Central Florida music educator Jonathan May.
The first Mr. Jonathan May Day celebration was held at Trinity Preparatory School on May 1, 2010, with the proclamation read live to the crowd by District Five Orange County Commissioner Bill Segal. The reading was followed by musical performances and tribute speeches by students of Mr. May and his wife, Maureen May.
The 2011 Mr. Jonathan May Day celebration takes place on May 1, 2011 at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Oviedo, Florida. The Metropolitan Area Youth Symphony, of which Mr. May is honorary founder, will perform and feature the world premiere of Robert Kerr's "Elegy," which was inspired by Mr. May.
Office of the Orange County Mayor Proclamation
WHEREAS, Jonathan May dedicated his life to the mission of music education, performance, and dissemination with many of his students becoming professional musicians who continue to spread his passion for music all across the country; and WHEREAS, Jonathan May proudly served as conductor and artistic director of numerous youth orchestras, teaching over three generations of music students across the region. Directing students in over 11 counties, Mr. May founded the Daytona Beach Youth Orchestra, the Central Florida Youth Orchestra, the Flagler Youth Symphony, the Florida Young Artists Orchestra, the Metropolitan Area Youth Symphony and taught music at Park Maitland School, Trinity Preparatory School and to countless other students throughout his lifetime; and WHEREAS, Jonathan May was a talented musician who earned the respect and admiration of his peers, who could use his cello to call deep into the hearts of students, parents, and community leaders; and WHEREAS, Jonathan May was a beloved teacher who helped nurture the creative spirit in thousands of Central Florida citizens, teaching students aged 4 to 94, and leading them to perform at diverse events, including the Orlando Martin Luther King Day Celebration, in order to emphasize that music should be accessible to all people in the community; and WHEREAS, Jonathan May made his home in Central Florida more than 17 years ago, to spread his considerable love and knowledge of music to more than twenty-thousand young musicians; and WHEREAS, Jonathan May was a devoted husband and father, a compassionate neighbor, and a valuable friend to Central Florida community; NOW, THEREFORE, I, Richard T. Crotty, by virtue of the authority vested in as Orange County Mayor and in cooperation with the May family, from this day forward, do hereby proclaim May 1 as JONATHAN MAY DAY in Orange County, Florida, and I call upon the people of Orange County to honor Mr. May’s memory by sponsoring activities and programs that will further his mission of musical education, dissemination, and community involvement. DONE AND ORDERED this 1st day of May, 2010.RICHARD T. CROTTY, ORANGE COUNTY MAYOR
ATTEST: BILL SEGAL, ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 5