The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-12-28
Friends Pay Tribute To-night
 To Professor Alexander ALeksis
Rev. John Kripas Tenders Friendly Tribute to Pop.
 uIar Choir Director

M.ICA6AAAl(A IVY ny Rev. John J. Kripas, assistant nastor at St. Joseph'S church, where Professor Aleksis has been organist for the past 12 years. The man who ls l1onored will be feted tonight at q reception to be held at St. Jo- eeph,s hall at which time musical selections composed by himself, will be played by the Lithuanian Little Symphony orchestra and the church junior and senior choirS which consist of more than 100 voices. The music and singers will be directed by his son Norbert, a student at Notre Dame University.
 The account of the life and ac- Complishments of Professor Aleksis as seen by Father Kripas follows:
 Father Kripas' Tribute
 We are considering in this short article the life and works of 8 prominent resident of Waterbury, Professor Alexander J. Aleksis. He was born in Lithuania and studied at Lumza and later at the Conservatory of Music in War saw, Poland. (Paderewski, Rubin of, of present day radio fame, the Lithuanian Michaelangelo poet, composer and artistic genius Michael Ciurlonis and 8 host of other famous artists and musicians also studied at the same conservatory). Professor AleksiS came to America Septem- Der 1, 1913. He assumed his duties as professor of music and choir master in the following Lithu- anian Roman Catholic churches from the year 1914 to 1916 in the church of St. George, Chicago, Illinois, where former $ resident of Waterbury the Very Reverend Monsignor Michael < KrIisas was and still is pastor; 1916-1917 the church of the An- 7 nrnciation, Brooklyn, New York; 19l7-1921 in Detroit, Michigan; ' 1921-1924 in Springfield, Illinois, !. and from 1924 to the present day the famous Lithuanian parish of St. Joseph, Waterbury, has had { and still has the honor and favor of his presence.
 His Music
 Professor Aleksis has written many musical compositions. Some of his more prominent compost tions are the following: Knights of Lithuania, anthem or hymn; ; Love! Oh, Love Thee; Beautiful This Forest; My Heart is Aflre wish Love; My Heart is Always Locked; Let Us Defend Our F'atherland: Back to our Native Land; Youth, Beware of Mar riage; O Gaze on Me, Fond One; Our Fitting Fancies; A Book of 90 songs; Hymn to St. Casimir; Afore to the Fray; A Book of IA Songs; Anthem of the Lithu- < anian Roman Catholic Ladies; {. Five Gay Melodies; An Operetta; Back to Our Native Land; 20 Folk Songs in 6 Folies; Hymn to sSt. Joseph.
 These have all been printed and . published. He has many, many more in manuscript. And to my mind, many of these outwit in beauty, gayety and musical frolic , his former published compost 7 tions. He has adapted for the Lithuanian stage the operetta Sylvia by Herbert. He is now working upon an operetta en- titled Peter the Poet. His mu- sical pen is very prolific. The wonder is how one with so many distracting duties can produce such a score of melodies. He maintains 8 musical studio at 76 Center street, where he teaches vocal and instrumental music. He has many pupils.
 His music for the most part is gay and spirited, rollicking with fun and laughter but not at the expense of true musical beauty. He has the genius of adapting beautiful music and melody to gay and frolicsome themes. He is also a master of sad, slow. melancholy music. My favorite is his Ak, myliu tave or Oh, l Love Thee! Many of his songs have been recorded by Columbia and Victor. His published com- positions can be obtained at the Library of the Lithuanian Roman Catholic Choirmasters' Headquar- ters, ITS High Street, Brooklyn, New York. We also hear many of his unpublished works over the radio station W1XBS. He is modest in stating how many songs he- has in manuscript. Every Lithuanian stage not only in America but all over the world borrow from his genius for enter tainment and musical refresh. ment. His melodies have been incorporated in the Suite of Lithuanian Melodies recorded by Columbia. So much for his music.
 Social Activities
 Professor Aleksis has also found ample time to devote unusual energy to Lithuanian and Cath olic social activities. He has been president and chairman (nation+ aD of the Knights of Lithuania for several years; he has been and still is the president of the Lithuanian Roman Catholic Chcirmasters' Society in Amer ica; he is an honorary member of the Knights of Lithuania; he is president of the local Vilnius Redemption Council; an honorary member of the Lithuanian Cath olic Students Association and has participated in and received many honors from the numerous Lithuanian Catholic Societies of America. He is an able speak CT, surpassing many with his nat llral oratory. He is always in the spotlight to act as chairman of the various annual conventions. He Is a master at conversation and his daily, offhand casual ex- change of conversation fairly a-k. Nyn.