I went to High School from 1972 to 1976 in the small town of Wadsworth, Ohio - and loved it. 

One of the most important parts of high school life was being a part of the band under our beloved band director: the late, great Art Baldwin, whom we called "Sarge". 

I have recently received a commission to write a work for band in his honor. 

Sarge was a life guide through action and compassion. I imagine that every band member ever to pass under Sarge's command still feel gratitude and respect for him.

Midwestern states are big time band regions. There's a pride and craft element in marching and symphonic bands there that is missing in other areas of the US. The hot competition between bands is a source of pride for hard won accomplishments.

Sarge was a fit man who served as a drill sergeant in the Marines. He was a professional trumpeter who worked across northern Ohio during his teaching, yet was never late. He had a hot babe as his wife, and drove a hot Pontiac Grand American. Art Baldwin was also completely devoted teacher. He worked hard and worked overtime - and expected the same from us. Having a drill sergeant for a band leader has advantages! First, you WILL listen. He required LONG practice sessions through the hot summers - for much of it 'two-a-days' requiring both morning and evening performance, marches and drills. We'd be marching until dark if the shows weren't coming together towards deadlines. You'd be playing outside for hours and hours each day. Our teamwork created something excellent and built a community that meant something to everyone in it. Band members of all ages know what I'm talking about.

Thankfully, this able leader led us into well designed shows with custom pro arrangements. Our practice built up beefy embouchures. We sounded HUGE. We were so good that other bands hated sharing the field with us. Such endless practice pays off. Every year I was in the band, we won the Niagara Falls Blossom Festival Parade event, as well as many other events around Ohio. We had the combination: a strong leader, great music, good classic shows and a big reputation.

That is why I am so happy that Dr. William Bauer and the Wadsworth Community Band have asked me to compose a new work in Sarge's honor. I remember Bill very well. He was an energetic, shining young man with an infectious smile who next to my twin brother Kevin on baritone horn a few years in. Bill is now an energetic, shining ol man with a beautiful family - and a professor of music education at Case Western University. Sarge has made an indelible impact for the better in him, too! Bill led the community in remembering sarge after his death and also leads the Wadsworth Community Band - comprising of many of Sarge's pupils over the years. He's involved in the band boosters, too. I'm proud to be asked to contribute something that will be publicly related to Sarge - especially by someone with so much heart as Bill Bauer. 

Bill is also open to having the band perform my first large scale composition "Citadel" on the same concert. The only time this work was played, I was 18 and close to graduation. Sarge conducted the first read and then let me conduct the work for a total of two run throughs. When I heard the saxophones play a concert Eb in a C major 9th chord, I immediately heard the problem and the knew the correction. Sarge's reaction to my musicianship and the piece itself gave me the confidence to pursue music composition for my life: he was surprised by my ear and my music's harmony. I'll never forget his compliment in front of the band "You may have just played the work of a budding Beethoven." How could the experience of hearing your first big work played and then words like that from a man you looked up to with such respect?

I don't know what form the commissioned work will take yet. Some on the board want it to be a piece that will contain spirited music reminding them of the spanish flavored marching band music we played. But, thanks to Bill and the board - I have the freedom to instead try to compose music that will contain music that speaks of Sarge's indomitable spirit, humor and love. The new work will premiere on July 4th, 2012 by the Wadsworth Community Band. 

Thank you Bill. And thank you Wadsworth Community Band for your faith in me. And, most of all, thank you Art "Sarge" Baldwin who gave me such a great gift.