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Memorial Thoughts

James Wilson

James at the 2012 Tournament of Bands (photo by Paul Chaplin)
James at the 2012 Tournament of Bands (photo by Paul Chaplin)

James Wilson, a high school senior and trombone student who studied with me, passed away yesterday afternoon. I feel extremely fortunate to have known and been able to work with James. His energy, dedication, work ethic, determination and passion were abundant and infectious. Like all of the relationships I have with my students, I feel I learned as much from him as I hope he did from me. In his lessons, James was serious and focused. He took notes, stared at his music (obviously replaying lines in his head while I rambled on about something or other), and still managed to pull off what I asked of him. And he did it all with commitment, flair and emotion beyond his years. I will miss James immensely.

Messiah College Trombone Ensemble Fall 2012. l to r: Michael Clayville, Caroline Meyer, James Wilson, Evan Savage, Wes Thompson, Joel Bauman, Zach Long, Lydia Baranoski
Messiah College Trombone Ensemble Fall 2012. l to r: Michael Clayville, Caroline Meyer, James Wilson, Evan Savage, Wes Thompson, Joel Bauman, Zach Long, Lydia Baranoski