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.
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