Dear Steve,
They say everything in life happens for a reason. That people
come into your lives for a purpose. I started learning trumpet in 5th
Grade at Irvington Elementary School in Portland, OR. I had chosen to
pick the trumpet over the trombone because, frankly, it was a lot
lighter to carry. In middle school at View Ridge in Ridgefield, WA, I
hated being in band. It wasn’t that it was too hard, or that I didn’t
love music, it was more about socially not fitting in. Every year I
would tell my mom, “This is my last year. I hate this.” And every
year, she would say, “Give it one more year. One more.”
Eventually, I landed myself at Skyview just as band camp was
closing. It was within the last few days or something, so everyone had
already learned the show. My first memory of meeting you was when you
asked if I could play a High A on the trumpet. I sort of blanked, not
really knowing what that was (let’s face it. I’ve never been that great
of a musician). You then rephrased it “Can you hold down 1 and 2 and
play in the higher register?” Sure. Why not? You made me a first
trumpet player, and fit me into the drill. Spot number 36.5. The first
and last half numbered drill spot.
It was hard, I’m not going to lie. I was a very small person, and
had a hard time coordinating my body while playing. I think in my first
ever show, I ran into a judge. Classic, right? But what kept me going
was the people. The friends I was making in the marching band were
changing my life, especially so considering I was coming into a school
where I didn’t know anyone. The kids of band showed me the importance
of teamwork, trust, compassion, humor, respect, honor, and most
importantly, family. We were a family, and have always been so.
So after years of wanting to quit, hanging on that “one more year”, I
was finally in band to stay. My physical transformation of growing up
(I grew a foot in two years during high school), as well as my mental
and emotional aging was partnered with my improvement during fall
season. Marching went from being so hard to being so easy, and I found
peace within myself when I performed. The energy I felt during
shows...it’s like nothing else. I’m sure anyone who has done it can
attest to that. I loved it so much that after my Junior Year of high
school, I decided to march with the Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps. That
little kid who had came late to band camp was now traveling the
country, marching in over 23 different states, becoming a stronger
player and marcher, meeting new people, being inspired by other corps.
New music, new art. It was life changing to say the least. But truth
be told, it was the life lessons I had learned from you that pushed me
to be the best I could be in that corps. Your leadership, the way you
push students past their limits to achieve something great. That
incredible commitment you have to the pageantry. That’s what kept me
going.
Outside of the marching world, I did a lot of things. I was involved
with every single musical, and every year, you would bring up in class
how wonderful I was in the play, encouraging students to go support me
an everyone in the show. Your selfless nature to support those in love
with what they do, just as you love what you do do, is astounding. And
wonderful. You reach out to those who need to find a passion and drive
in their lives, and you give them those opportunities. Just like I was
encourage by you to do drum corps, you also showed me the great chance
to be involved with Winter Drum Line. I marched in the cymbal line my
Sophomore and Senior year, learning new things about marching and music
that I would have never dreamed of.
You also gave me the wonderful opportunity to be a part of the
Tropical Storm Steel Drum group. Was I good right from the get go?
No. Of course not. Who is? (Probably lots of people....) But after 4
years, I see performing in steel drums as one of my crowning
accomplishments of high school, and my life. I felt even more at home
there, expressing music in a way I had never done before. Our little
family from those years has gone on to still stay in touch.
And that’s just it, isn’t it? It’s not just about how good we
marched, or how much fun music is. It’s about how much love is shared
between the friends that we meet through the band that you helmed. My
best friends outside of high school? All from the marching band.
Preston Grover. Benjamin Hilton. Brandon Porter. Lauren Berg.
Mackenzie Dickinson. Matt Heid. Taylor McDonnell. Jordan Berg. Eric
Church. Trevor Grover. Chris Blaydon. Charles Ekeya. Brett Bunnis.
Dustin Crossman. The list goes on. You put us together, wether you
realize it or not. You helped shape the landscape of my life, a life
full of hope and artistic expression. We all sweat together, breath the
same air together, laughed together, cried together. Loved together.
Performed together.
I have many, many stories I could share with you. The little things
that meant so much. All the competitions, all of the rehearsals. The
documentary I made during my senior year of high school for the band.
The last band camp. The last show at U of O where I cried silently as I
marched out from performing. I have so many stories, too many for one
message even. But in all of them, there was you. And the great mentor
you were. For someone who never had a father in his life, you were one
hell of a fatherly figure to have. And I thank you. From the bottom of
my heart. Thank you.
