MARGIT ISTÓK

Contributions to culture and science

 She graduated in 1929 as a student at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest, where she worked with Irén Senn (1883-1957). After her studies, she returned to Makó and taught at the Antal Donáth Music School, which was part of the gymnasium. She was then a piano teacher at the Makó Music Teachers’ Union. Between 1930 and 1950 she owned the Gondviselés Pharmacy with her brother. In 1965 she was one of the founding members of the Makó State Music School. From 1965-1991 she continued her teaching activities at the newly founded State Music School.

Her students included Csilla Szentpéteri, Judit Erdei, Csaba Kiss, Erika Tóth, Erika Cseh.

Short biography

 Margit Istók (Földeák, 26 March 1901 – Makó, 10 December 1995) Hungarian piano teacher. She studied at the St. Elisabeth School for Women in Budapest, where she was taught by Ilona Erkel, granddaughter of Ferenc Erkel. She graduated from the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest in 1929. She spent her entire life teaching the children of Makó and fostering their love of art. In doing so, she earned great respect for herself. In 1993 the Margaret Istók Foundation was established, she passed away in 1995.

Interesting facts

 Her father, Dr. Barnabás Istók, was a doctor, later the chief physician of Csanád county; her mother Ilona Török. The eldest of the four Istók brothers, Barnabás Istók Jr. graduated simultaneously from medical school and the music academy, where he earned a degree in violin performance, but eventually decided to pursue medicine, settled in the United States and lived his life as a medical professor. Her younger brother, Zoltán Istók, was an engineer; he was chief engineer of the city of Makó for 30 years. Her sister Irén Istók, a pharmacist, ran their pharmacy, which still stands on the corner of Bérpalota.

Their birthplace will soon be renovated and open to the public.