Long-Time John Bapst Chorale And Band Instructor Set To Retire In June

Chances are if you've ever had the opportunity to attend a fine arts performance of either the band, the chorus, or one of the many Spring Musicals put on by the John Bapst Memorial High School in the last 3 or 4 decades, Alfred "Al" McIntyre probably had some sort of hand in the event.

This year will be the last for Mr. McIntyre (or Mr. Mac as many of us called him) as he is set to retire from John Bapst this June.

Mr. Mac has been a fixture in the halls of John Bapst since he started, part-time, teaching Jazz at the High School in the early 1980s.

In the fall of 1996, McIntyre took on the full-time job as Director of the John Bapst Chorale, as well as still working with the Jazz Band.

He spent decades leading John Bapst music students to States, and many of his Jazz musicians placed in the Top 3 statewide, time and time again.

He took over as Director of the John Bapst Pep Band for a while around 2015-2016.

And then, in 2017, when Julie Ewing retired, he took over as Director of the Band and Chamber ensemble director, too.

While he's been known, through the decades, as a pretty mild-mannered guy with a gentle smile, Mr. Mac is definitely passionate about music. Whether in chorus, band, music theory class, or working with the pit band of the Spring Musical, he always found a way to inspire students to keep learning about not just the instruments they played, but all music in general.

His students have performed in parades, at sporting events, in music competitions, and even in front of United States Presidents.

One thing he might be best known for working for endless hours with countless students would be his annual appearance as that Jolly Old Elf during the John Bapts Holiday Concerts, a role he stepped into with enthusiasm and humility every year as he handed out candy canes to the audience.

As for what's to come...it seems like Mr. Mac will still have plenty on his plate to keep him busy. Aside from working with his wife on making hand-painted signs and decorations through the small home business they own, Fine and Dandelion, LLC, the McIntyres also have grandkids with whom they will be spending more time.

Al McIntyre's last day with the students will be the last day of school, June 10th. Best of luck, Mr. Mac, and thanks for all the memories.