Edwin Rymarz
Edwin Rymarz was a distinguished Polish composer, organist, and educator, born on September 22, 1936, in Kombornia, Poland, and passed away on February 17, 2008, in Gdańsk. Rymarz was a pivotal figure in the cultural life of Gdańsk, where he spent most of his life and career.
Rymarz began his music education at the Państwowa Szkoła Muzyczna I Stopnia im. Henryka Wieniawskiego in Orunia and continued at the Państwowa Średnia Szkoła Muzyczna in Gdańsk-Wrzeszcz, specializing in organ under Tadeusz Tylewski. He furthered his studies at the Państwowa Wyższa Szkoła Muzyczna in Sopot, focusing on organ and composition under the guidance of Leon Bator and Konrad Pałubicki.
His professional career began in 1963 at the Państwowa Szkoła Muzyczna I stopnia in Gdańsk-Oruni, where he taught music theory, harmony, and instrument knowledge while leading the school orchestra and choir. He later served as a director and educator at various music schools in Gdańsk, including the Ogólnokształcąca Szkoła Muzyczna I i II stopnia im. Feliksa Nowowiejskiego, where he was a director for 25 years.
Rymarz was also a prolific composer, known for his organ, orchestral, chamber, choral, and vocal compositions, including many youth songs with maritime and patriotic themes. He contributed significantly to music education, organizing national master classes for young musicians and teaching theoretical subjects at the Academy of Music in Gdańsk.
Throughout his career, Rymarz received numerous accolades, including the Knight and Officer of the Order of Polonia Restituta, the Medal of the National Education Commission, and the Duke Mestwin II Medal. He was buried at the Garnizonowy Cemetery in Gdańsk, remembered fondly by the cultural community for his dedication and contributions to music and education.