Page 55 - Memories of the Maestro 9.11.21

Mentor . . .

Thank you for all your support and mentorship over the years! It goes
without saying I would not be where I am in my career without your

inspiration and mentorship. I think back to those years at Fort
Vancouver and realize how fortunate I was to have you as a model for
both teaching and playing. Those early mornings you and I had
playing through those Broiles Duets & Etudes were incredible!

Performing in both the Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble were great
laboratories for learning with your ingenuity in programming, the
skills you taught us (especially sight –reading) and challenging us with professional level

literature.

Since then, you and I have continued to collaborate through my own teaching and performing
career as a trumpet professor at Murray State University, the University of Northern Colorado,
and now the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University.

Just in the past five years, I have performed your music at universities, conferences, and with
high school and community bands across the United States and Central America and of course,

presented the full program of your works at Portland State in 2018. Your ‘Quetzalcoatl’,
‘Kaleidosuite’, ‘Dragonfly Variations’, and ‘Daydreams’ are real hits with audiences!

Since leaving Fort Vancouver and finishing my college education (three degrees!), I have
maintained an active performing career, performing and touring with a variety of artists, most

notably as a member of the Dallas Brass, Portland Opera, Colorado Symphony and currently
with the North Charleston Pops Orchestra and Mannheim Steamroller. My wife Lauren (oboe
& English horn) and I perform as the duo Harmonie del Sur—we’re so honored to perform the

piece you wrote for us, ‘Daydreams’.

With all that said, I have been in a lot of high school band rooms
over the last 40 years and I can tell you that I have yet to come
across anybody with your talents & teaching ability. Know that you
continue to have an influence every day in my teaching and playing,

and that there is some part of your musical spirit in every one of my
trumpet students as they go forward in their various careers…

Looking forward to our continued musical endeavors!

Rob Murray
Class of ‘77