By Mel Rubenstein
Contributing Writer
A reader of this column recommended that I feature Arthur Lemos as the Volunteer of the Month. After meeting Mr. Lemos for the first time, I could understand why.
Arthur Lemos was born in Mount Vernon, New York, to parents who came from Portugal. As a five-year-old, he listened to his dad and uncle play in a band at the Portuguese Club in Mount Vernon. Arthur said, “About that time, a friend of the family gave us a piano, and I started to play music that I heard. At the beginning I did it all by ear, and was pretty good at it. I particularly liked the marches.”
A few years later, Arthur volunteered to play the piano at the Portuguese American club in Mount Vernon. He became secretary of the club and held that volunteer position for 20 years. Lemos was also the volunteer secretary of the Portuguese Civic Association of New York State for 20 years. This was a federation of the twelve Portuguese associations of the state. As part of his duties, Lemos was involved in setting up receptions and meetings for dignitaries, like the Portuguese Ambassadors to the U.S., the Ambassador to the U.N., Consul-Generals in New York City and prime ministers and presidents of Portugal.
Arthur was interested in teaching music and enrolled in NYU where he majored in Music Education, and earned a BS degree. He also studied at Hunter College, Queens College and Columbia University. His first teaching job was in Patterson, New Jersey, where he taught at nine schools in the district. Lemos went on to earn a Masters of Arts Degree in School Administration and Supervision at the New Jersey State University at Montclair. He later taught at New Hyde Park, Brentwood, Scarsdale and Shrub Oak, all in New York state.
In 2005, Arthur Lemos moved to Syracuse to be near his brother, Lou, and his family. Since then, he has volunteered his time and played music at senior centers, libraries and at organizations. He has a penchant for playing everything from lively music to Polkas. He said, “ It’s great seeing people in the audience get up and dance the Polka to my music.”
Lemos also has fun playing classical music for comedies, much like Victor Borge and Spike Jones did. Tied in with that, he gave a class at OASIS (a senior learning center in Dewitt) titled, “Comedy in Music.” He also gave a talk there called “Classical Music for people who don’t like Classical Music.”
Arthur, a man and his music, has also volunteered his time and expertise and played tuba with the Baldwinsville and Lyncourt Community Bands. He has conducted the Baldwinsville and Fulton bands, playing music that he composed. Lemos has also played the piano and organ at the Camillus Senior Center, and the piano at James Square Health and Rehab Center and at Park Terrace at Radisson. “I am now a piano accompanist for a group called the S.R.O., which gives concerts at various community centers, I also do this for religious, civic and educational groups.”
Athur Lemos has composed 57 pieces of music, including 27 marches for band, religious, Portuguese music, patriotic songs and piano pieces. All of them are posted on the internet where they can be downloaded for free. His pieces have been played by the Lone Star Symphonic Band in Houston, Texas, the Bronxville, New York Summer Pops Band and many more. Arthur is also a Youtube sensation, with 242 musical videos. His “El Torero” Spanish March has gotten 29,865 views.
When asked how being a composer affected his teaching music, Arthur said, “Being a composer helped my teaching. I felt I was, and should be, a composer, a performer and a conductor of music. The more I did in music, the more well-rounded I was, and the more successful. Over the years, I’ve played piano and tuba, sang in choruses, played in symphony orchestras and bands, and have conducted different groups. And, I wrote music. Now, I enjoy donating my time in helping others enjoy music.”
Lemos is very proud of the medal and certificate he received from the government of Portugal when they elected him to the Order of Merit, in recognition of his volunteer work on behalf of the Portuguese communities in New York State.
Arthur is not just all about music. He explained, “Travel has always been one of my favorite hobbies. I have been to every state except Alaska and Hawaii, I have been to 22 countries in Europe, from Portugal to Russia, and I have been to Brazil, Canada and Mexico. I am also interested in photography and movies, and enjoy many sports.”
When Arthur Lemos is not traveling to far-a-way places, he lives in Fayetteville, but remembers his heritage. He visits Portugal regularly, and, of course, Mount Vernon, where he grew up. For more information on Lemos, search him on the internet.
To recommend someone with a stellar record of volunteering to be featured in this column contact Mel Rubenstein at [email protected] or call 682-7162.
