Emil Pavlik was an American musician, brass instructor, arranger, and musical director, born in Chicago, Illinois, on August 22, 1919. He passed away in Racine, Wisconsin, on May 15, 2011.
In an era when drum corps often adhered to strict formations and military music, Emil Pavlik, affectionately known as "Big E," carved out a distinctive path. He began his journey in the drum corps scene in the 1950s as a bugle instructor with the Racine Y.M.C.A. Kilties, where he challenged conventional norms by broadening the musical repertoire to include everything from original compositions to jazz influences. This innovative approach made the Kilties an appealing choice for musicians from nearby cities and other corps.
Emil was a proud first-generation son of immigrants from Prague, Czechoslovakia. After his family moved from Chicago to Ottawa, Illinois, Emil created many fond memories during his school days, often reminiscing about his dog, Dickie. The family relocated to Racine in the late 1920s, where his father opened a tavern named Steve's Place at 21st and Mead Streets. It was in this neighborhood that Emil shifted his focus from aspiring to pitch for the Yankees—having once thrown a no-hitter in the Lakeside League—to pursuing his passion for music.
He acquired two cornet lessons from a horn his Uncle John gifted him, trading six of his mother’s kolaches in return. Emil graduated from Park High School and furthered his music education at USAFI, the Chicago College of Music, the Midwestern Conservatory of Music, and the Metropolitan School of Music.
During World War II, Emil served as a Corporal in the United States Army, stationed in Pearl Harbor, where he played in the 297th Coast Artillery Band. His lifelong passion for music was influenced by a teacher who offered free lessons, teaching him the importance of passing knowledge to others—a philosophy he cherished. On September 3, 1948, he married Beverly Nelson.
For over 40 years, Emil worked at Morris Letter Service, retiring to devote more time to his ailing wife. He often remarked that he never truly retired but was merely "between gigs." As an accomplished musician, Emil studied the Schillinger System of Music at various Chicago conservatories, as well as conducting. His love for music was evident in his performances and arrangements for the 297th AGF Band in Hawaii and Tinian, Mariannas.
Emil collaborated with several bands, including those from Los Angeles and Chicago, and shared a close friendship with noted tenor saxophonist, Sam Donahue. He was a member of the Musicians Union #42 for over 50 years and received the Racine Musicians Association Award for "Excellence in Music" in 1987. Emil played trumpet and arranged music for the Freddie Mann Band and later with the John Bunic Band for over three decades. He was also part of the Wes Adrian Avant Garde Group.
Throughout his career, he held various roles, most notably as the Musical Director and Arranger for the Racine Kilties from 1949 to 1970. Under his innovative jazz arrangements, the Kilties won three VFW National Championships in 1964, 1965, and 1969. Emil modestly credited the corps members for their success, stating that their performances were the true driving force behind the championships.
His arrangement of "Auld Lang Syne" gained national recognition in the drum corps community starting in 1960. Emil also directed several choruses and church choirs, as well as the pit band for the Kiltie Kapers in the early 1950s, and he directed various Miss Racine Shows. In 1970, he served as the Musical Director for the inaugural Cardiac Capers. Many of the young performers he mentored continued to perform locally with the Penguin Players.
On July 4, 2004, Emil became the first inductee and charter member of the Kiltie Hall of Fame. A significant honor came in August 2009 when he was nominated by peers and inducted into the Drum Corps International (DCI) Hall of Fame, coinciding with his 90th birthday. He traveled to Indianapolis to accept the award in front of a large audience. Emil was well-loved by many who sought to capture a moment with him or shared how his arrangements had influenced their musical journeys. During his induction, he delivered an impromptu speech that resonated with the crowd.
Emil celebrated his 90th birthday in Racine with over a hundred friends and fellow musicians, during which Mayor John Dickert proclaimed the day "Emil Pavlik Day in Racine." Colleagues often recounted his caring nature, his ability to connect with youth, and his unwavering reliability, traits that also defined his roles as a father and grandfather. Remarkably, just a month before his passing, he attended a Penguin Players show, finding joy in reconnecting with performers he had worked alongside for over 60 years, including his grandson, Nick, who was part of the cast.
In the years leading up to his death, a highlight for Emil was witnessing his beloved New Orleans Saints win the Super Bowl, an experience he cherished. Although he was not typically seen wearing a baseball cap, he adopted a Saints cap after that victory, often sporting the championship version. He formed personal relationships with players over the years, keeping memorabilia, including pictures and autographs, as cherished reminders of those connections.
