Klarinet Archive - Posting 000100.txt from 2001/10

From: rgarrett@-----.edu
Subj: Re: [kl] Re:quotes and other stuff......
Date: Fri, 5 Oct 2001 11:03:27 -0400

At 10:15 AM 10/05/2001 -0400, you wrote:
>Good quote. despite it's intended use on this list. I always knew when my
>oldest son had done something wrong when he would start telling me about all
>the bad things other kids were doing!
>
>Jay Webler

Jay,

Thanks for posting.

I don't know if you are referring to my intended use of the quote, or
someone else's. But to clarify - I like the quote because for lists like
this because it is a reminder that people should try to be civil - that's
part of what defines a civil society. I know that I toe the line on that
issue sometimes, but I know that I am quick to anger, and I really try hard
to honor the quote. Sometimes I'm not very successful. Part of the reason
is that it is an email thing more than a personal thing. Those who know me
personally know that I can be direct - but that I fit in well generally. I
enjoy teaching my private students, conducting students, and my band
students seem to enjoy the ensemble. Those are positive things that
illustrate some degree of communication abilities.

There are people on the list with enormous talent and wonderful information
and experiences to share. Some, like David Hattner, David Neithamer, Clark
Fobes, Daniel Leeson, and a dozen others I could mention share that - and
more - and they are so much better at that than I am most of the
time! I've met three of those four people, and I really like them as
people. Sadly, there are others - equally talented who spend so much time
making light of someone's opinion - seemingly just to "turn the knife" or
get a dig in. I always wonder at the person who seeks amusement in this
manner - especially when they obviously have so much to offer otherwise. I
think it could be a maturity thing - but I can't be sure.

I am not speaking about anyone specific - and my intentions are only to
honor the quote. No ill feelings are intended here.

Why am I taking the time to clarify all of this? My father, who has been
such a terrific musical influence upon me, started me on the clarinet,
provided the model with his teaching and professional horn playing in the
Oregon Symphony, was recently diagnosed with an incurable disease. He will
watch the muscles of his legs and back deteriorate over time. He can't mow
the lawn, he can't stand and fish for steelhead in the streams near the
Oregon Coast, and he has a tough time just getting around the house. I
learned this two weeks ago. Given that struggle, it kind of puts into
perspective the trivial aspects of posts on this list that could otherwise
be very helpful or useful to all the young (and old!) people on this
list. And I am so sad when I read posts from people I used to admire
because of their musical contributions world-wide, and I conclude that
those posts are only meant to make others feel badly.

That's all.

Best wishes,
Roger Garrett

Clarinet Professor
Director, Symphonic Winds
Illinois Wesleyan University
School of Music
Bloomington, IL 61702-2900
Phone: (309) 556-3268
Fax: (309) 556-3121

"If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me,
this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very
best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until
the end. If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won't
amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, 10 angels swearing I
was right would make no difference."
-Abraham Lincoln

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