TubeNet

It is with great sadness that inform all of you that my good friend Mark Wolfe was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident last night. Mark was a well known tubist and teacher in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex. He was formerly the Principal Tuba in the Sacramento Symphony until it ceased operations and was currently the tubist in the Shreveport Symphony. On many occasions he subbed for me and played 2nd tuba in the Dallas Symphony and traveled with the DSO on two European tours and several trips to Carnegie Hall. Mark has a wife (Peg) and three children.

The musical community here in DFW will all sorely miss Mark not only for his musicianship, but his optimistic outlook on life. This is a very sad day.

-Matt

RIP Mark Wolfe. My condolences on your loss.

Mark Wolfe was a terrific musician that played the tuba. I have the good fortune to have known Mark and Peggy since I arrived in Denton in 1994. They are incredible parents, having raised three wonderful children. I have a difficult time speaking of him in the past tense.

I have fond memories of Mark and I playing together in Shreveport Symphony as well as on numerous gigs throughout the D-FW Metroplex.

He had a gift for finding the most poignant way of expressing himself, verbally and musically. Even in a very dire situation, he found a way to put it in its most positive light.

I know that he was very proud of his youngest daughter, who plays oboe with the Argyle (TX) Wind Ensemble. The band was selected to be featured at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic this year.

My most sincere condolences to Peggy and his family. Mark will be greatly missed.

David Spies
Principal Tuba, Racine Symphony Orchestra

Here is a newspaper article on Mark's accident:
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/v-pri ... 68736.html

I took over for Mark Wolfe when he left the Sacramento Symphony back in 1991. Mark was a very friendly and helpful guy to a young tuba player coming right out of school, and he gave me some great insights into some of the functions and disfunctions of the orchestra. Mark had also been the personnel manager for a time if I recall correctly. I remember that he was very excited about his new life in Texas, and he sure did love his York CC tuba.

My condolences to his wife and family.

Rod

Mark Wolfe will be deeply missed by many. I will always cherish his patience and generosity; I certainly would not have pursued music as a vocation had it not been for his influence. Even with a full-time symphony job in Sacramento, he was willing to take me on as a private student when I was only 9 years old. Though he had moved to Texas, he assisted in my college search and auditions. When I got to school in Dallas, he was always willing to open his home for a meal with his family.

Mark should be respected and remembered for always putting the needs of his family first. His enthusiasm for making music was as contagious as it was endless.

Ben Berlien
Seattle, WA

Warmest thoughts and prayers to Peggy and family through this.

I, too, am saddened from this news. I met Mark years ago at an audition. I remember him as being a great guy and had a wonderful reputation as a tuba player.

Matt, if you hear of any type of fund that may be set up to help his family, please post.

Thanks - - - STEVE PERRY

Sorry to hear this dreadful news. Mark, Peg and I were at school together many years ago.

The Car Whisperer has a nice post:
http://thecarwhisperer.blogspot.com/200 ... wolfe.html

And Mark added his bio to the Shreveport Symphony website:
http://shreveportsymphony.com/sptlite3.cfm

David Spies

Very sad news indeed ... my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

This is from a Dallas area contractor, sent to many freelance musicians in the area. I think it is appropriate to post here, any help from TubeNet would be a huge blessing to the family:

Dear Friends,

I am sad to report that Mark Wolfe died last night in a motorcycle accident.

Peggy just informed me in reply to my reminder emails for Jobs this weekend and Christmas Eve.

If anyone would like to offer help or a donation to Peggy and the family, the address is:

P. O. Box 18
Argyle, Texas 76226.


I am going to give a portion of my fees for the jobs Mark was to play for me this weekend to his family. If anyone else would like to include a donation with that, let me know. If you are working for me, I can deduct it from your check, or you may send me a check. I will include a card with everyone’s names on it (getting it around to sign will be challenging at this time). He would have taken home a big check for the jobs he was to play in the next few days.

Please forward this email to others close to Mark that I have not included here.

Sterling

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On a personal note, I wanted to share a story about Mark that I feel sums up his generosity. In early 1999 I was a senior in high school, and I was making some college decisions. I barely knew Mark. He was a fantastic musician who played often in the Dallas Symphony. I was a high school kid without much significance in the "real world." I had a couple lessons with Mark, and he asked me if I would be interested in coming to study with him at UT-Arlington. I had also auditioned at SMU to study with Matt Good, as well as 1 other school. Some time in March Mark called my parents while I was in school to find out if I had made any decisions on my enrollment for the following year. My mom told him that I was accepted to study with Matt at SMU, but that I was planning to go to the other school that I was more familiar with, and that I was no longer considering UTA. Mark proceeded to drive all the way across town to my high school and pull me out of class. He explained to me why I was making a huge mistake if I turned down an offer to study with one of the top tuba players in the country at SMU. He didn't make any attempt at all to try and get me to come to HIS school. He came only to help explain what was best for ME. He truly changed my life in an extraodinarily positive way, and he did so in a scenario where MOST people would NOT have taken the time to do so. He did this for a high school student he barely knew, who had just decided not to study with HIM. Mark changed his entire schedule that day to mentor to me, and make sure that I made the most informed decision I could, even though there was no personal gain for himself.

Mark was a special person and musician, and we are all worse off now that he is gone.

~Jarrod Robertson

This brings back really tough memories and I didnt know Mark that well, just met him a couple times.

Thoughts and prayers to his family in this really tough time.


Article i found
http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/d ... d919b.html

Although I never actually studied with Mark, I got to know him a bit through friends and classmates of mine that did, and later while working with the Dallas Symphony where Mark regularly subbed or played 2nd tuba.

Mark was always very kind and gracious to me and, just as others have said, it is truly sad to hear of his passing.

Tom

Here is a link to an article about Mark in the Denton Record-Chronicle:

http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/d ... d919b.html

I will always remember Mark's beautiful recital at UNT after he first came back to the DFW area.

What a terrible thing for this family, and I would encourage the Tubenet community to contribute to the fund which is

The Wolfe Family
P. O. Box 18
Argyle, Texas 76226.

Any small amount would be very helpful for short term needs of this family and appreciated. Turn your condolences into something concrete.

Efforts are underway for a fund for the Wolfe family established by Ray Hair, President of the D-FW Professional Musicians Association, Local #72-147.

Anyone may contribute to this fund, not merely members of the Musicians union.

Ray Hair's Official Press Release is listed below.

**************************
NEWS MEMO


TUBIST MARK WOLFE DIES IN MOTORCYCLE CRASH
TRAGEDY STRIKES FAMILY DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS
MUSICANS’ UNION, TUBA ASSOCIATION APPEAL FOR DONATIONS


WHO:
Mark Wolfe, a professional Tuba player who had performed for many years with DFW Orchestras including the Dallas Symphony, was killed Tuesday night December 18 when his motorcycle struck a pickup truck that was turning onto US 377 in Roanoke. He died instantly.

WHAT:
The Musicians’ Union – The Dallas Fort Worth Professional Musicians’ Association, affiliated Local 72-147 of the American Federation of Musicians which represents 1800 musicians throughout North Texas, and the International Tuba Euphonium Association - a professional association that promotes Tubists worldwide, have established the Wolfe Family Fund to accept donations for the family.

WHERE:
Donations, payable to the Wolfe Family Fund, may be sent to the Musicians’ Union, located at 1939 Stadium Oaks Court, Ste. 110, Arlington, Texas 76011.

WHY:
For years, Mark Wolfe brought joy to the world as a talented musician but left the earth suddenly and tragically, at Christmastime. His wife Peggy and three children, Sam, Michael and Page, remain behind devastated by their loss and in need of immediate support from friends and all concerned to survive. Mark served as principal tubist with the Shreveport Symphony for the past ten seasons and performed regularly with the Dallas Symphony. Born in Dallas, Mark graduated in 1980 and again in 1985 from the University of North Texas with degrees in music performance. He was a member of the Dallas Brass before becoming principal tubist with the Sacramento Symphony. There, he toured as a soloist and took on duties as personnel manager. Mark has performed solos with the Dallas, Fort Worth, Sacramento, Longview, and Mexico State Symphony Orchestras. He taught at the University of the Pacific, the University of North Texas, Oklahoma City University, Southern Methodist University, and at the University of Texas at Arlington. Mark resided with his family in the Denton County town of Argyle, Texas where they planted and maintained an orchard growing many varieties of pecans.

For further information, contact Local 72-147 President Ray Hair
at (Metro) 817-469-6040 or 817-988-5238 (voice mail/pager).
Release #1, December 20, 2007 11:45 am
**************************

We hope to coordinate our efforts in order to maximize their impact and best help the Wolfe family in their time of grief and need. This would also allow them to focus upon their immediate issues and concerns directly.

Thank you for your concern. Please stay tuned...

David Spies

Are you serious? I didnt even know about this. He taught me lessons at UT Tyler. wow..he will be missed

The date for the service has not been finalized yet. It will be posted here once a decision has been made.

Damn fine player and nice guy.
He will be sorely missd around here.

Mark Wolfe Funeral & Remembrance Services

Date: Friday, 28th December 2007
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Venue: St. Philip the Apostle Roman Catholic Church
Address: 1897 W. Main Street (at the corner of Main & Kirkpatrick), Lewisville, Texas 75067

Church Website: http://stphilipcc.org/

The funeral service will follow strict Roman Catholic Church guidelines. In the Community Life Center, immediately following the main funeral service, there will be an opportunity for those wanting to say a few words to do so. Additionally, there will be a video / slide presentation "Remembering Mark Wolfe". For tuba / euphonium players able to attend there will be an impromptu ensemble performance for anyone desiring to participate.

Contributions to the Wolfe Family Fund are greatly appreciated and may be made payable to the Wolfe Family Fund, c/o Musicians’ Union, 1939 Stadium Oaks Court, Ste. 110, Arlington, Texas 76011