My high school band director, Brad Meyerdierks, passed away on Thursday. I was only in band during my senior year but even just that short time changed my life. I’d love to be able to make it home for his funeral, to say goodbye and to offer my support and condolences to his family (particularly his oldest son, Phil, who graduated with me); but as I cannot, this must suffice. Mr. M.’s enthusiasm for music – and for life – was tangible. He is already missed.
Because of Mr. M…
- I was part of a ragtag percussion section that consisted of a bunch of stoners and thugs, myself, and an awesome percussionist named Kassandra who plays music for a living now.
- I gained wonderful, deep relationships with all kinds of people; from the aforementioned thugs and stoners to certified geniuses (seriously) and everyone in between, I am a better person for having known each person in that band and it was a privilege to play with them.
- I learned to play instruments other than the piano, like the marimba (with four mallets!) and the triangle. Seriously, there’s an art to it.
- I played in pep band for a year, which meant I got to play songs like “Smoke on the Water,” “Centerfold” and “25 or 6 to 4” on the bells. How awesome is that?!
- I rode on my first – and last – roller coaster during our band trip.
- I went to an Easter service at a Greek Orthodox church (because Kassandra is Greek and her Easter was during the band trip) that started at midnight. It was all in Greek and I understood nothing. But it was still one of the spiritual highlights of my life: so much beauty was present in that service.
- I got to play the iconic chime part in Rhapsody in Blue, which is one of my all-time favorite musical memories. Ever.
- I played piano in jazz band, which was the first time I ever played anything that wasn’t what was written on the sheet music. Playing from chords was something I’d always wanted to do but never had the gumption to pursue on my own. Mr. M. needed a pianist, so I said yes. I’m so grateful that I did.
- I felt better about moving to Rochester. He went to graduate school at Eastman and was very reassuring about how great of a city it was to live in. Talking to him just before moving made me feel more comfortable heading across the country from all that was familiar to me.
- I had a great friend in Phil, who Mr. M. raised to be a wonderful young man and now adult, and who consistently knew when to listen supportively and when (and how) to get me laughing instead of continuing to gripe. He was – and is – a tremendous person who I’m grateful to count among those dear to me.
Mr. M., thank you for loving the band I was in even when we were terrible (and we certainly were at times). Thank you for letting me join the band even though you knew I just did it to go on the band trip. Thank you for loving each individual even when we were obnoxious. Thank you for recognizing our potential and pushing us to fulfill it while being realistic about the journey. Thank you for introducing me to Bernstein’s Slava, de Meij’s Hobbits, and so many other great pieces. Thank you for being a great teacher and mentor, and for shaping so many lives musically and personally.
I look forward to playing with you again in another band someday, one in which all the flutes will be in tune, all the percussionists will be paying attention, and everyone will come in at the right places. And I hope you’re enjoying being a part of it right now.
May choirs of angels sing you to your rest.