Message Board - Dec 08

Please feel free to leave messages here. 

Comments

[Robert P. Rowley]

Bill was one of the four most infulenctial men in my life. He changed the course of events which has shaped my present, past & future...and for that I will be forever grateful. I will always remember Bill for his genious and whit. Heaven is a better place because of Bill's presence - certainly their wind ensemble will be better!
To Bill's family I wish to express my deep saddness for their loss. It is truly a loss for all of us.
Mr. Robert P. Rowley
Arlington Central School District Band Teacher

[Paul Lucas]

To the Sweeney family, please accept my deepest condolences on behalf of the Lucas Family. May you find strength and solace in knowing Mr. Sweeney is with God in Heaven, no longer suffering and in pain. Thank you again and always Mr. Sweeney for all you've done for so many of us. We will miss you.
Paul Lucas, Class of '87

[Dee Schulwolf]

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Sweeney family at this time of sadness. We knew Bill as a neighbor and teacher to our two children Stephanie and Steven Schulwolf but to them, he was their favorite teacher and someone they both looked up to. We followed the marching band around for years and thank him for his wonderful service. I've been following this long and hard journey that he took and hope that he is at peace. We were very saddened by the news.
Dee and Charlie Schulwolf, old neighbor and friend from Beaver Rd.

[Cindi Taylor]

I wanted to take a moment to wish all of Bill's family my sincere thoughts.

I remember the special things..........He would be excited and cheering one moment and the next....well, he might be a little pissed.......hehe

The thing that I cherish is his passion!!! He always loved the music and always wanted the best out of his students!!!

We will miss you Bill and you will always be remembered!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cindi Taylor

[Nicole Maggi]

Mr. Sweeney was a huge part of my high school life. I will always remember him with joy. May he rest in peace, and may you, his family, always feel his love that surrounds you.
With love,

[Stephanie Newman]

Mr. Sweeney's memory will live on in the countless students he influenced, and his heart and soul lives in the music we created with him. My deep condolences to his family, and thank you for sharing this special site with us and inviting us in to celebrate his life with you.

Stephanie Schulwolf Newman '92

[darren motise]

The memory of this great musician has profoundly remained with me on an almost daily basis since my graduation from Arlington High School in 1981. The reason is because he imparted upon me and many other professional musicians the essentials of what it means to be a fine performer.

I have always maintained since I began studying music seriously that this man, Bill Sweeney, was the most influential teacher I had come to know, even to this day, and that includes many teachers from the world's top conservatories. I suppose it has something to do with being a young impressionable student, but mostly it is because he was unrelenting in his pursuit of true excellence, and that is what I took with me since I first met him in 1979.

I had already been to four different public schools in three years and had no interest in anything outside of my private piano lessons, but when I met "Mr. Sweeney," things began to change, so much so I dumped my saxophone studies in order to learn the bassoon solely on the urging of Bill. Thanks to his daily instruction in wind ensemble and in private, I was able to get into four top conservatories, including Juilliard, within a two year period on the bassoon. I always told all my friends that could never have happened if it weren't for my high school music director. And my younger brother made similar progress on the horn under Bill's leadership, and entered the Curtis Institute after only 3 years of playing the horn. MANY students of Bill's went directly into Juilliard, Eastman, and other renowned schools directly out of high school, and have highly successful performing and teaching careers.

Just listen to those wind ensemble selections on this site and the youtube videos of the marching band in the 80s. (I had discovered those videos months ago.) That is all his doing and AHS has never been the same since his retirement. Under his guidance, the music department truly became one of the very strongest in the entire country.

Bill Sweeney was a rare man. I'm not sure how he did it, but I marvel at all he taught me and the supreme quality of his ensembles. And he knew I felt this way because I told him several times after graduating, but he seemed too humble and uninterested in praise, which made him even greater in my eyes.

This past Saturday evening, Dec 20th, I was playing the piano part to Stravinsky's Firebird Suite with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. As I was listening to the bassoon solo and the horn solo I could not help but strongly think of "Mr. Sweeney." Piano is now my main instrument, but on Saturday night --unbeknownst to me, the day of his passing-- I was thinking of how Bill encouraged me to take up bassoon and how much I learned from him through that instrument, and how I was able to take those great lessons into any field of music. He was that unique teacher who consistently taught students how to be musicians, not merely instrumentalists.

Bravo Bill! Your extraordinary mark has been made, and this world is a far better place because of it. Much more than just a memory will live on.

Darren Motise

AHS 1981

[Michael D. Kranis]

We would like to express our sincere condolences on Mr. Sweeney's passing. He was a GIANT in the Arlington Band Community. The esteem and love held for him by scores of students and educators is a living tribute to his legacy.

We thank his entire family for sharing Mr. Sweeney with our Band Community.

Mike Kranis
President
Arlington Band Boosters, Inc.

[Kelly Stokes]

Please accept my deepest sympathies. My heart goes out to the Sweeney Family. I acknowledge and will never forget the opportunities that Mr. Sweeney provided me in my public school education. Although I did not turn out to be a musician, I did learn a lot from the lessons I took and experiences I participated in (symphonic band and marching band). Along the way I made lots of memories and friends. I have not seen a better music program in a public school and I feel privileged to have received what I did back then. I owe it all to the man who created it and made it happen.

[Tammy "LaComb" Richards]

My heart goes out to all in the Sweeney Family in your time of sorrow. Music, was never my main thing, but I did enjoy 4 yrs of concert band and Marching band, which without Mr Sweeney would never had been the same. And you must know, now several years later with a duaghter in that same marching band Mr. Sweeney is still thought of as a major in fluence in the school district.

Tammy " LaComb" Richards
AHS 1983

[Kim Burkhalter]

Words cannot express... May you find peace in knowing that Mr. Sweeney has greatly influenced and touched so many lives. He made music special for all of us who had the privilege of studying with him. My thoughts and prayers are with you all and I thank you for sharing this site with us.
Kim Deane Burkhalter
AHS 1986

[Mary Gardner (horn) 1967-1973, Rae Gardner 1982-86 (horn)]

Bill Sweeney was the father so many of us wished we had. Thank you, Sweeney family, for sharing him with us.

[Lisa Morris]

I was very saddened to read Bill's obituary notice in the Poughkeepsie Journal yesterday. I was unaware of his illness, but seeing this website there's no doubt he was surrounded by love throughout his illness. I know my high school years would have been much different if I had not had Bill's influence. Music, marching band and all that went with them helped me focus when family life wasn't perfect. With Bill and Alix Janove at the helm, marching band musicians always knew what was expected of us--the best--and we rose to the occasion. Bill had great patience, but at those times he did "lose it" a little, it was usually always because we were goofing off and not meeting our potential. He pushed us in all the right ways. The Arlington music program and all of us who went through it during Bill's tenure are better for his efforts. My thoughts and prayers go out to Laurie and his entire family. There's a new member of God's band, and I'm sure he's asking when it's his turn to conduct!
Lisa Morris (class of '83)

[Barbara]

When I was a student at Arlington High School from 1990-1994, a HUGE part of my life was music and my trumpet. So much so, that when my grades in math slipped one semester, my mother made me quit Jazz Band. I was devastated. When I told Mr. Sweeney, he immediately asked to speak to her and proceeded to tell her how counting is an integral part of music and how playing in the Jazz Band could actually help improve my math grades. On another occasion, in Wind Ensemble, I was not playing a certain part as forcefully as was necessary and Mr. Sweeney came up with a creative way of letting me know. He stuck a print out of a steer in my music folder with the words "EAT MEAT" underneath...signifying that I needed more protein to be able to belt out the part! Reading through my old journals. It is pretty amazing how many times Mr. Sweeney's name comes up in a teenagers diary: 1/17/91- "Mr. Sweeney is a great teacher. I would love to take private lessons from him.", 2/25/91-"During quintet practice we were complaining about fatigued chops and Mr. Sweeney told us how he played for a circus for 7 hours straight! Wow, mighty impressive!", and I can go on and on. Mr. Sweeney was a great inspiration and always had a way of finding a creative solution to every problem, where other teachers would get frustrated and yell. Second to none, he was my favorite teacher and I wish the Sweeney family peace during this difficult time. Mr. Sweeney will be remembered fondly and missed dearly.

[Paul & Sue Taylor]

Sincere sympathies to the Sweeney family in their great loss.

As band parents (Cindi '88 and Scott '90) we came to appreciate the magic that Bill was able to perform with the band as well as his positive influence on the kids in the band.

One time I distinctly remember was one 'Pleasant Valley Days' after the parade was over. Bill spotted one of the band members (I assume a freshman)walking around with his band jacket hanging open. Bill rushed over and screamed at him (to our initial embarrassment)and let him know that there was only one way to wear an Arlington marching band uniform in public! In subsequent performances we realized that the Arlington band always looked their 'professional best' whether in competition, before or after. You could always be proud of how they looked and acted.

We still look back with fondness all of those weekends when we drove the "Orange Crate" to band competitions in NY, NJ, and Pa.

Again, our sincerest sympathies.

Paul & Sue Taylor

[Scott LaVine (Professor, Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam)]

I was most saddened to hear today of the passing of Bill Sweeney.

I was blessed to work with some of the many young musicians that left Arlington and came to the Crane School of Music to study and I had the good fortune to witness first hand the remarkable music program at Arlington on the occasions I came to be a guest conductor.

I last saw Bill a couple of summers ago in Potsdam when I gave him a tour of the new Crane building he had never had the opportunity to visit.

Bill was an extraordinary musician and teacher and was an inspiration to countless members of the music education profession. My father passed away six years ago today, so as I reminisce, I send my sympathies to Bill's family and to the countless number of students whose lives he has touched over the years. His presence will be dearly missed.

[Janet [Hutchings] Woods]

Dear Linda,Lauri.Jill and Tera. I was sorry to read of Bill's death in the paper. I was told about the web site at the Invitational but couldn't find it. It seams I've found too many "lost" friends in times of sadness lately. Working with Bill, all those years ago, with marching band broadened my appreciation of music and performance. I have many wonderful memories from band camps, rehearsals, performances, planing sessions and dinners.

[Kym Kasin Butler class of '82]

My sincerest sympathy to you Mrs Sweeney, Lauri, Jill and Tara. It is with fond memories that I think of Mr.Sweeney both as a Marching Band instructor and as my neighbor. My daughter heard many stories about Mr. Sweeney as she spent her year in marching band and the "Kasin Krew" shared their band experiences with her. He will be greatly missed.

[Steve Watt - class of 1978]

Bill had great vivacity which I am sure he shared all his life. His influence was profound on me and my appreciation for music and musicianship, establishing the standard which I still work toward 30 years later as I play trumpet and sing in my community. I extend deep sympathy to you all.

[Charlene Dell]

It is with great sadness that I hear of Bill's passing this week. I had the pleasure of working with/for Bill very early in my teaching career. He was a wonderful mentor, role model, and friend to a very young teacher. Now as an assistant professor of teacher education at the University of Oklahoma - I often share some of the stories Bill used to tell me- so his Legacy will continue on in my students, and on in theirs as well, continuing to teach future music educators for years to come.

Blessings for the wonderful life and friendship that he shared with us all.

[KATHY SCHUTT]

I was so honored to be one of Bills care takers at Serinety House. God gave Linda and Bill a special gift, the gift of time. I encouraged Bill to enjoy the gift that he had recieved and for he and Linda to live each new day to it's fullest! Bill did tell me that it was hard for him to just sit on his porch while Linda did the gardening and outside work by herself. He was so happy to be able to go home for good again. It was a privlage & honor to have known Bill & Linda.

[Martha Smith McCullagh, '78]

I was so sorry to hear of Mr. Sweeney’s passing. I would like to send my sincere sympathy to Mrs. Sweeney and the rest of the family.

I was in the Symphonic Band throughout high school. I cherish those memories. I learned so much from Mr. Sweeney about music, teaching and respect. He was a wonderful role model for us all. I only wish I had known about this site earlier so that I could have sent this as a thank you note to Mr. Sweeney.

Most sincerely,
Martha Smith McCullagh, AHS ‘78

[Darren Motise]

You all might like to see a little video tribute to Bill I posted on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQonthA2a7U

Enjoy...

Darren Motise '81

[Ellen Wigsten Cannon AHS '78]

Dearest Mrs. Sweeney and Family,

It is with great sadness that I write this. I am so sorry for your great loss during this season. Mr. Sweeney was truly a great man. Inspiring, fun, self sacrificing for his students. I was in just about everything he taught ...Symphonic band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, jazz band,I even hung out at your house with Tara (I think) peeking in at my private clarinet lessons with Mrs. Sweeney.

Because our family lives in Spain, I did not hear about his illness until today, but I too would have loved to thank him personally for enriching my high school days and my life. Blessings to all the family as you make it through the next weeks, months and years. I am sure you have a great hole in your hearts, but perhaps it can be filled just a bit knowing the wonderful legacy he left in the lives of his beloved family and students.

Here is my prayer for you from a song fittingly written by a director of music:

Psalm 42:8

By day the Lord directs His love,
at night His song is with me-
a prayer to the God of my life.

Much love to all the family,

Sincerely,

Ellen Wigsten Cannon AHS '78

[Jean Bennett-Rynearson]

With sadness I learned today of Bill Sweeney's passing.

Mr. Sweeney was one of a very few teachers who made a huge impact on my life. On a hot summer day when I was 14, he gave me my very first horn lesson, and I could not have guessed that it marked the beginning of a long and wonderful journey. He encouraged me through Band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Solo Competitions, and college auditions at Fredonia and Potsdam. He let me take my lunch period in the band room so that I could practice, get some ad hoc lessons, and practice the keyboard skills I would need in college. I know he was a good teacher because he made me a good horn player. I graduated from Fredonia, got a Masters Degree from the Yale School of Music, studied at Tanglewood, and enjoyed a 19-year career as a professional horn player. And when Mr. Sweeney asked me to give horn lessons to his daughter, I was honored. I loved playing horn from that very first lesson, and earning my living doing the thing I most loved was a dream come true. Thank you, Mr. Sweeney, for believing in me.

I will always remember Bill Sweeney fondly, and I send my condolences to Linda, Lauri, Jill, and Tara.

Sincerely,
Jean Bennett-Rynearson (AHS ’75)