Against all odds, Dad managed to weather the infection that spurred the prompt launching of this site. For several interminably long days, it seemed unlikely that he would get the chance to hear all the news and letters from his friends, colleagues, and students. And while the prolonged period of uncertainty and waiting that we are now facing brings its own hardships, we have been given a little extra time to read Dad the letters that have poured in, and most of all, to reflect on the significance of those stories.
As with all of you, the Arlington music program defined my high school experience. But it also defined my childhood. It was not always easy to share those fun-filled and stressful adolescent days with my father (he always knew what I was up to and whom I was with), or in turn to share my father with all of you. An infamous family story is that Dad actually dropped our mother off at the hospital when she was in labor with Lauri and left to conduct a concert! (He made it back to the hospital in plenty of time though!)
When having a parent as a teacher, it is nearly impossible to see him or her through any other filter than dad or mom. When Dad pushed a student hard in rehearsal, we all knew he was doing so to get the most out of the performance, to help you excel, and to show you that the impossible was in reach. Yet when I was the target, I was quick to blame that Dad was picking on me for staying up too late the night before, for talking too long on the phone, or because he knew I had not practiced all week. I was a little slower than the rest of you at internalizing all of the lessons that Dad readily offered in rehearsals. And now, hearing how he has affected so many, I understand even more fully how fortunate I have been to have him always at my side, cheering me on (or pushing me forward), throughout all my life endeavors.
So beyond providing support to Dad in hearing how his life and actions have made a difference, your unbridled and selfless words have been an unexpected gift to me. I've learned stories I had never heard (a special thanks to Jim Dalton '78!) and have been able to reflect on my own private memories through a slightly new lens. I would not trade a single experience I had with Dad as my teacher (humiliating or otherwise), and I am especially grateful that now, with your heartfelt words and memories, I have so many more ways to tell my young children about their grandfather. So I offer yet another, very humbled, thank you.
I'd also like to extend a thank you to Mr. Szabo for helping us reach so many of you and for the latest wind ensemble recording that I've added to the list below.
Tara Sweeney
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