The Leo Majek Orchestra: Five generations of faith, family and music

The members of the Leo Majek,Sr. Orchestra in 1958, are pictured from left to right, Leo Majek, Sr, and his sons: Joe, Charlie, Frank, Leo, Jr., John and Julius. Contributed Photo

The great American composer, Aaron Copeland, once said, “To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incredible and inconceivable.”
The flow of music coming from the Majek family has been such an unstoppable current for 115 years. The Leo Majek Sr. Orchestra, founded in 1897, was based on faith, family and music, that all continue today.

Leo Paul Majek Sr. was born in 1885 in Slovak, Moravia, which is the present-day Czech Republic. Majek began playing his accordion in 1897 when he was 12-years-old. He had no formal training and played by ear. The playing of polkas and waltzes became a lifelong passion. A new era in Czech music history had begun and Majek’s music was a bright spot in the lives of the Czech people during hard times.

In 1908, Majek married Rosie Pruch, also from Moravia. A year later they had a son, Julius, and a daughter, Mary, arrived in 1912. Majek worked in a sugar factory by day, and after work he played his music for weddings and parties, walking from venue to venue with his accordion.

Europe was on the verge of World War I and economic times were hard. Rosie Majek’s brother—already in America—encouraged them to come to this new land. It was a better place with more opportunities and freedoms.

The original Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church located on Agnes Street in 1940, was a faith home to many Czech families of the area. A fire later destroyed the house of worship and reopened at its current location on the corner of Kostoryz and South Padre Island Drive. Contributed Photo

In 1913, Majek sailed for America and landed in Galveston. His destination was Cameron in Central Texas. With faith on his side and a strong motivation to provide for his family, he soon found a farm to rent. In 1914, his wife and children joined him and they became cotton farmers.

Majek continued with his accordion playing at weddings and parties, but instead of walking he traveled by horse.

By 1929, the couple had five more sons, John, Leo Jr., Charlie, Frank and Joe. The boys started playing musical instruments at an early age just like their father. Eventually they had a band. Father and sons made music in the Cameron area for 26 years. The Leo Majek Orchestra became known far and wide.

In 1940, the Majeks relocated to Corpus Christi where there were more work opportunities for a growing family.

With their Catholic faith being the center of their life, they attended Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish, which was located at the time on Agnes Street, between Brownlee and Staples. Msgr. Francis Kasper was the pastor.

“Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church would have a fundraiser each year. It was held at the Moravian Hall on Kostoryz Road. The band would play at no charge to help the church and even Msgr. Kaspar would get up on the stage and play a few notes,” recalled Mary Pittaway, John Majek’s daughter.

The parish men and ladies would serve as cooks for an old fashion barbecue. They had games for the kids, bingo outside and gave away prizes. The band also played at fundraisers for other parishes.

“Playing for their church was a part of the talent they would offer to the community. This was an all day festival for the whole family to enjoy,” Pittaway said.

Ss. Cyril and Methodius ministered to many Czech people, including farmers and others from all walks of life—even musicians. While the musicians had other professions for their livelihoods, music—like their faith—came from within and brought them and others great joy. A wedding dance or a church festival brought out their feelings with the sounds of the accordions and horns, after a hard day in the field or on the job.

The Majeks became known nationally and were recognized for their music. In 1992, the Texas Music Association recognized the orchestra with the Lifetime Achievement Award for the “family band dedicated to preserving and promoting polka music for 95 years.” The Texas House of Representative also honored them in 1997 with a resolution recognizing the Leo Majek Orchestra as the longest performing Czech family orchestra in the country.

In 2013, with Leo Majek and his six sons gone, the band is in its fifth generation and is still thriving with its two newest Majeks joining the band, 17-year old Lauren and eight-year-old Austin. They continue to make music and honor their Catholic faith, both planted and nourished in them by Leo and Rosie Majek more than 100 years ago.

The current Majek Band members are from left to right, Jerome Majek, Lauren Majek, Martha Ann and Jerry Majek, Austin Majek, Michael Majek, and Trey Maresh. Jerry and Michael are grandsons of Leo Michael, Sr.; Jerome is a great grandson of the founder; and Lauren, 17, and Austin, 8, are the great, great grandchildren of Leo Majek, Sr. Contributed Photo