We share in the enduring legacy of John Wicker, a teacher who profoundly impacted all those fortunate enough to have had him as a colleague, teacher, friend, and family man. He has touched hearts and minds in our community through his music, spirit, and unwavering dedication.
We thought it only fitting that his legacy live on forever through the establishment of the John Wicker Music Scholarship at Miami Country Day School. This scholarship ensures that his passion for music and love of students will reach generations to come.
Terry Alfonso, Director of Arts Education & Programs
Longtime friend & colleague
Miami Country Day School is pleased to announce The John Wicker Music Scholarship to honor and recognize the impact Mr. Wicker had on so many students over the years. The John Wicker Music Scholarship is an award that will be available to music students in 10th and 11th grade who qualify for the Arts Diploma Endorsement. The recipient must be an Arts Diploma Endorsement music candidate who demonstrates keen interest and talent in music. The heart of the Miami Country Day School Mission is the education of the whole child, including the development of the aesthetic potential. We believe that developing interests and talent around music of all kinds is essential, to develop one’s skills and talents in music.
For more information about honoring John Wicker with a gift to the Scholarship, go to: www.miamicountryday.org/WickerMusicScholarship, or contact Sheryl Piper, Director of Stewardship and Engagement at pipers@miamicountryday.org.
Who Was John Wicker, and Why Are We Honoring His Memory with This Scholarship?
John Wicker (1954-2023)
In 2021, after thirty-six years of dedicated and generous service to Miami Country Day School, John Wicker retired from teaching. Sadly, in 2023 John died after a brief illness.
John had an amazing career of teaching music starting full-time at St. Rose of Lima in Miami Shores, then on to Archbishop Curley Notre Dame, and finally at Miami Country Day School. He taught continuously at MCDS for 36 years and taught for 46 years in total. John was named teacher of the year at both Archbishop Curley and Miami Country Day School. John inspired countless students and colleagues to live their aspirations and passions in music and beyond. Whether teaching students about Emerson, Lake and Palmer, how to swing a jazz standard, how to rock out on stage or how to move the audience with a piece of transcendent, classical music, John held and nurtured his students to their highest artistic and personal potential to the delight of audiences filled with parents, teachers and more.
In the world of Music Education which is often dominated by large public-school programs, John put Miami Country Day School’s orchestra and music program on the map. John was an orchestra district chair and state certified orchestra judge for the Florida Orchestra Association (an honor reserved only for exceptionally accomplished directors). The school’s rock band, 21 Hearts, 1 Beat, was the first rock band to perform at the Florida Music Educators State Conference – and they were invited to return the following year. John was invited to bring a Country Day chorus and orchestra to Carnegie Hall. There are many superlatives, too many to list. His lifetime of teaching literally changed our world. His legacy lives on in his students and through this scholarship.
