Edward Zielinski, conductor of the Milwaukee Catholic Symphony Orchestra, was educated at Marquette University, from which he received a Master's degree in mathematics, and at Wisconsin State Teachers College, where he earned a degree in music (flute and conducting). For forty-one years he taught math and music at Pulaski High School until his retirement in 1974. Zielinski also taught flute and conducting at the Wisconsin College of Music, and conducted the school orchestra. Professionally, Zielinski joined the Milwaukee Catholic Symphony in 1944, one year after the orchestra's founding by Fr. Stanley Bartnicki. Zielinski has conducted the Orchestra since that time, preparing it for two concerts at Alverno College each year. In addition, Zielinski acted as guest conductor with the Milwaukee Civic Orchestra and Music Under the Stars, and played flute with the Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and the Cudahy Municipal Band (which he also directed). Although he no longer plays flute, Zielinski continues conducting the seventy musicians of the Milwaukee Catholic Symphony. Several members of the Zielinski family have been associated with this orchestra and its counterpart, the Catholic Youth Symphony, including Zielinski's wife Cynthia, his sister Sylvia, and his children John and Kathryn.
