Upper St. Clair Music Man Paul Fox Retires

Paul K. Fox, a music teacher (and so much more) for the Upper St. Clair School District over the past 30-plus years, has retired.

Fox came to Upper St. Clair in 1980 after two years in the Edgewood School District, and since then, he has had duties that included education in the fields of string instruments, choir, music theory and more.

For all 33 years of his time in USC, Fox led the orchestra at Upper St. Clair High School, and he retires as the district's Performing Arts curriculum leader.

Outside of his teaching responsibilities, Fox has also worked on a number of school publications, including but not limited to the UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY magazine and the district's annual report. He has also been USC High's fall play producer, assistant band director and assistant sponsor of the high school's yearbook—Clairvoyant. And for 30 notable seasons, he has been a director and producer for the high school musical.

Despite his retirement, Fox hopes to stay busy.

"My wife, Donna, and I would like to continue conducting our South Hills Junior Orchestra (SHJO)," Mr. Fox said, "finishing up a trip to Washington, DC, next weekend—performing at the Jefferson Memorial on Saturday, June 22—and kicking off the 30th season of SHJO Saturday rehearsals at Upper St. Clair High School on Aug. 10.

"Also, with Superintendent Dr. (Patrick) O'Toole's blessing, I hope to return to help on school publications and (continue to) announce for 'The Pride of Upper St. Clair' marching band."

You can leave a retirement message for Mr. Fox—congratulations, farewell, et. al.—in the comments section below.

"Retirement is a transition," Mr. Fox said, "and both of us (he and his wife) want to keep our new schedule flexible, not immediately fill up our 'dance card!'

"However, I know my wife will continue her genealogy research of our families. (And) both of us would like to 'give back' and volunteer at St. Clair Hospital.

"After we clean up and 'dog-proof' our house, we are planning to rescue an animal—good exercise to have him or her walk us!

"Otherwise, it is time for the Foxes to 'make some of their own music,' perhaps rekindling our string playing in chamber groups—wife on violin, me on viola—and my joining the Community South Band (on tuba)."