National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum
605 East 222nd Street
Euclid, OH 44123
USA
E-
Phone: 216-
Toll Free: 1-
Fax: 216-
A dentist by profession, Dr. William J. "Doc" Lausche was active for nearly sixty
years in the music field. Dr. Lausche was a brilliant composer and arranger; played
the piano proficiently; produced and directed recordings on national labels; taught
and rehearsed some of the most famous Cleveland-
An accomplished musician, "Doc" Lausche enthusiastically embraced a wide range of musical genres. While playing the piano within the Slovenian polka idiom, he often incorporated the influences of jazz, ragtime, Broadway, and classical music, thereby enriching and extending the musical horizons of those around him. Dr. Lausche founded the DENTAL ORCHESTRA OF CLEVELAND and personally organized the "March of Dimes" Spectacular in the 1930s.
Dr. Lausche was one of the first American-
Dedicated to the preservation of authentic Slovenian music and its distinctive melodic
character, Dr. Lausche's adaptations of Slovenian folk songs as well as his many
original compositions reflected his faith in the virtue of melody. "Doc" originated,
arranged, or adapted more Slovenian Cleveland-
"Doc" Lausche personally tutored Johnny Pecon, Lou Trebar, and other musicians, exerting
a strong influence in the cultivation of greater sophistication and skill. In the
opinion of many veteran Cleveland-
"Doc" Lausche's high profile and educated, professional approach had a direct and
positive impact on both the image and substance of Cleveland-
Inducted in 1989
National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame
Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
WILLIAM "DOC" LAUSCHE
1898 -
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