A note to my 2009 students

Hi guys. I wanted to write to all of you and let you know what a joy it has been to make music with you and to get to know you all. My students, as I told the attendees at our concert, are first-rate people first and pretty darn good musicians too. Is there more to do? Sure. Welcome to being a musician. Can we celebrate this wonderful year and last nights successes? You bet!!!

Seniors: what a joy you've been to me in my life the last four years. I can't begin to put into words the feelings I have for the daily experience of playing and rehearsing the best music we can. Isn't it great? One of my big hopes for you is that you can continue to have this experience; my big sadness is that it can no longer be me that you have it with. I will say that I've made many collegiate-level friends who teach music and would LOVE to have any one of you in their ensembles. I hope you take advantage of this.

Whatever does come in your future, I do hope you will take a moment to reflect on the joys that Exeter Union High School's music department has (hopefully) given you. The music we've shared has been the best I can find in all the areas we cover and you've given a lot of time to prepare it. Is all of that time just for bragging rights? Is it only for a grade, or a trophy? I don't think so.

I think that something really deeper is going on...I don't have the spiritual "chops" to know what it is, but it IS something spiritual. It lives in the same place as our hopes...our aspirations, our dreams. A good place to make a nest for our deeper souls. I know that it is a place that-once you've been there-you will definitely want to get back to.

So my wish is that you will continue to nuture this little flame. Let it build into an unquenchable fire within you. I wish it because the music deserves it, and especially because you deserve it. Consider NOT letting everyday life dictate the end of your playing. Let musicianship continue to be a major daily habit. Trust your heart!

So, to close, I wish you seniors well. I trust that I will continue to enjoy the company of the rest of my young musicians for the rest of your time at EUHS. I promise to work for excellence always, and I can do it because YOUR enthusiasm is my never-ending fuel.