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page 60
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page 62
A passion for music has kept Milton Aptekar,
veteran performer and teacher, front and
center for six decades.
LISA FEIN
Special to the Jewish News
fter six decades with the Fenby-Carr Orchestra, Milton
Aptekar has retired from commercial performances.
"It looked like it was time for things to wind down," said
ptekar, a professional trumpet and keyboard player from
Farmington Hills. Playing his last gig at a Detroit Eastern High School
reunion on Sept. 26, he said, "I am about ready to make a break."
The group — five male instrumentalists and a female vocalist —
played a range of music at parties throughout the years. Occasions
included reunions, anniversaries and weddings. About 20 years ago, it
performed at industrial events for the major automobile companies.
Said Gene Fenby of Novi, Aptekar's partner and long-time friend:
"I would rather that Milt keep playing with me, but he has to do
what is best for him."
Times have changed, said Aptekar, 85, who plans to continue
writing music.
"The music business is a bit expensive, and there aren't as many
parties that can afford to have large orchestras," he said. Many groups
have gotten smaller in size. "In fact," Aptekar said, "in the last five
years, we have been performing more as a trio — [Farmington Hills']
Dave Flanigan, Gene Fenby and myself"
AA
Looking Back
Fenby-Carr's Art Wilson, Maurice Lax, Milton
Aptekar and Gene Fenby, circa 1970.
Fenby-Carr Orchestra's
Milton Ap tekar
looks ahead to a less
hectic schedule.
During his musical career, Aptekar especially enjoyed "doing the
commercial parties at the country clubs, weddings and bar mitz-
vahs.
"We worked at the Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, and did
many shows with prominent people such as Bob Hope and Dinah
Shore," he said. "In addition, I enjoyed the opportunity to travel to
five states to promote the new models for Chevrolet."
He also recalled entertaining on a cruise ship going from New
York to Bermuda.
Aptekar and his wife Anne have been married for 60 years. Their
family includes three sons, one daughter and five grandsons. Two of
the sons, Richard and Stuart Aptekar, have followed in his footsteps
as entertainers in the music industry. Son Kenneth Aptekar is an
artist while daughter Lucy Aptekar is an independent art curator.
All of the Fenby-Carr instrumentalists doubled as high school
teachers. Aptekar taught music to students at three Detroit schools:
seven years at Eastern High, 13 at Cooley High and 15 at Henry
Ford High. Over the years, his job included directing the school ja77
band, orchestras and choirs. At Henry Ford, he also headed the music
department.
"My husband is an amazing person," said Anne. "I am very lucky
to be married to him. He would work a full day at school, come
Milton Aptekar
10/13
2000