No one person is more responsible for my musicianship and character more than Mr. C. I think I spent more time on a marching band field and in rehearsals with him over four plus years than I did with my parents. He was extremely funny, intense, down to earth, real, and able to inspire his students to give 110% always...even in rehearsal. He truly cared and before his wife and kids, we were his family...and we truly were a musical family. We didn't mind he was hairy and sweaty, yelled at us through a bullhorn, and wasn't satisfied until he knew we had done our very best. We loved him unconditionally and wanted more than anything to please him.
He didn't just teach me to be an amazing bassoonist and a so-so mellophone player (that was my fault), he taught me and so many thousands before and after me, what kind of person to be. I became a professional musician thanks to him, always striving for excellence and seeking his approval. I always sent him my CDs, would occasionally stop by the school to see him, and begged him to sell me one of his bassoons, which he always refused.
I will forever remember my bassoon lessons with him when he would whittle on my reed, wipe the shavings on my pants, and say "So, Galbraith...how's your love life?" just to catch my awkward teenage self off guard. I will never forget the feeling when our band was the first Cloverleaf band to qualify for state competition. Some of my best memories were on that marching band field and on our many trips.
The world became a darker place today without him, except that those like me who carried their music with them into adulthood might brighten our own torches a little more, knowing that in remembering him, we now carry the torch.
If I can't make it to the services (I am in New York), my heart will be there. I know there are so many people I would love to see again...my true childhood friends, my band rat family. My heart and greatest sympathies go out to his family.
Signed, Pam Galbraith, class of 1986 (aka Angel Pam West)