A Chance Taken

How mentorship, persistence, and a leap of faith led me to find my place—and the two men who made it possible.

My private music instructor, Bud, had succeeded in turning me into a baritone player and I had made it into a few honor bands. This would help me get accepted into a college, but where?

My high school director, LJ, went to Gettysburg College and I greatly admired him. So I thought that his alma mater might be the place for me.

Mom and Dad took me to the school for a campus tour. It was during that visit that I was made aware that my academic record would not be good enough for Gettysburg College.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) had an excellent music program. The college wasn’t too far away and was affordable This made it a logical choice.

But, my brother had attended IUP and I didn’t want to be in the shadow of my brother. I wanted to someplace to start over.

I saw a poster for James Madison University (JMU) on the bulletin board in the band room. We had attended BOA Regionals at JMU and I knew they had a good marching band. (This was a MAJOR requirement for me.)

On a whim, I tore off an interest card, filled it out and popped it in the mail.

Several weeks later I was called on by our director… literally. LJ bellowed from down the hall, “Eric! Pat Rooney from JMU called about you.” Pat Rooney was a music director at JMU. He was the director of the marching band, The Marching Royal Dukes.

I was gobsmacked! What?

I don’t remember what else was said. My head was swimming… a college band director had asked about ME??

Audition

Music majors have to be accepted by the college/university and also by the music department. They have to have good enough grades AND be an acceptable musician.

I wasn’t sure I could qualify on either front.

Bud knew what I needed to do for auditions. He had me working on two pieces of music. The first was a lyrical piece by Johann Sebastian Bach entitled, "Air on the G String". The second piece was my technical piece: Scene de Concert by Max Denmark.

The level and style of music was new to me. The Bach made my lungs want to explode and the Denmark piece had something called a “cadenza”. All very challenging. Especially since I was playing on an old beat up baritone. (Those valves didn’t work very well.)

JMU was about six hours away, so I was given the option of recording my audition and sending it to the school.

Bud leaped at the idea. He set up a time for me to record in a recital hall at his alma mater, Duquesne University.

I had never performed in such a beautiful hall. Bud had a friend work on the recording. He used professional reel to reel recording equipment.

I’d play and then Bud would have me listen and then play again. We’d make adjustments with each take.

Bud’s friend knew what he was doing. When I heard the final product I felt guilty. It seemed to me that I sounded better than I actually was… if that makes any sense.

Bud assured me that it was ok and we sent the tape to JMU.

They liked what they heard.

Visiting campus

My Mom and Dad were able to get me to campus for a tour/orientation. You have to see the Shenandoah Valley to appreciate it. The college is beautiful.

Our campus tour guide showed our group around. The highlight of the tour was when he proudly let us know that it was cheaper to buy beer by the keg. So, we should drink at parties where things would be cheaper. “Check out fraternity row.”

I thought, “Mom and Dad are never going to let me come here now!” But, Mom and Dad never said anything about it.

Virginia’s drinking age was 18 at the time. They raised it to 21 in my sophomore year, but 18 - 20 year olds were grandfathered in. So, we could legally drink at JMU when we were 18. I drank a little here and there, but never really had a taste for alcohol…thankfully.

We sat through meetings. They asked if anyone had questions and I just sat there, which infuriated my Dad. “Why did we come down here if you’re not going to ask any questions?!!”

He didn’t understand. I wanted to be a band director. I didn’t care where I got my degree. I just wanted to get started. If they were going to allow me to attend their school, great!

Let’s go!

I also sat down with the head of the music department, Joe Estock. He was an extremely likable guy who immediately hit it off with my parents. I think he had some Pittsburgh connections, which made him OK!

Mr. Estock told me that my baritone playing had tipped the scales. My academic record wasn’t good enough for JMU, but the music department (Dr. Estock) had gone to bat for me.

I had my college set. I would enter James Madison University in the fall of 1983 as a music education major.

I’ll end this week’s post with a huge thank you to two influential men that helped to set the course of my life.

Thank you Bruce “Bud” Weissert for getting my musicianship strong enough to get into a college music department.

And.

Thank you, Dr. Joe Estock, for taking a chance on me.

Where would I be without the help of these two men?