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Thursday, February 17, 2005
Serrano mourns band director
High school's longtime music man dies at age 49 after emergency surgery
By EMILY BERG/Staff Writer
PHELAN — The longtime band director of Serrano High School, died after an emergency surgery to remove a tumor Tuesday night.
Doctors found a mass tumor in his colon that was pushing bacteria into his body. He was taken to surgery Tuesday night to stop the bacteria from spreading, but it was unsuccessful, his wife Nina said.
He was 49.
Nina described her husband as an honest and truthful man who was always concerned about other people.
With a passion for concert band and conducting classical music, he made being band director his whole life, Nina said.
"He's always doing the right thing," she said. "It was his main concern that (students) feel at home, and one big family."
John started at Serrano High School about 15 years ago. He was a band director for about 28 years, Nina said.
Students felt the loss of their band director on Wednesday.
"He was like a third parent for me," said Amber, a band student.
Amber plays the trombone among other instruments and is in her third year of band.
"John never grew old," Amber said. "He was able to relate to the students."
John had special traditions with the band. Sometimes he would direct with his eyebrows rather than his hands, said student Brandi.
During band camp each year, he organized games to raise spirits and create a family atmosphere among the band members, Andreola said.
Students joked that he must just push a button and an entire home would spring from the band room's walls, because he was always there, Andreola said.
"I don't think he ever left the band room," she said.
As a band parent, Troi appreciated that he easily included the parents in all the band activities.
"We all loved him," Troi said.
Chris is the sponsor of the color guard and winter guard and worked closely with John. He would be in the band room at 6 a.m. each day and sometimes didn't leave until 10 p.m., Delgado said.
"His kids came above everything," Delgado said. "I think that's what he needs to be remembered for."
IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOHN.-------------------------------- |
man, i'm so glad that i got over this flu. Freakin weather is crazy up here. And to top it off, our "new" director sucks & everyone agrees w/ me that he's a jackass. well that's all for today kiddies.