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Roger Bobo has posted on Facebook that Mel Culbertson has passed into the nearer presence of the Lord.

I intend to add Him to the Death Announcements the Bethlehem Moravian Trombone Choir
will do from the Steeple this Sunday.
We start with the Passion Chorale, then a chorale for each person that has departed,
which chorale played is based on age and marriage status.
It is a tradition going back to the founding of the trombone choir in 1754.

The post Roger Bobo put up on Facebook about Mel,

"Mel Culbertson was a giant in the tuba world.
I am in shock and deeply saddened by the news of his death.
He was my first student in Los Angeles and paid for his lessons
by doing yard work from 1964-65; I learned from him!
He was my good friend and a valued colleague.
Mel changed the face of tuba in France and his extraordinary students testify to his legacy.
Mel enjoyed life and I have wonderful happy memories of occasions
throughout the years in venues all over the world.
RIP Mel."

This is indeed a sad day. I have had many teachers, and Mel was one of the best I encountered. What a pedagogue and player he was.

He was not just my teacher, but a great friend to me. He would always put things in perspective, and for those of you who knew him, he never took life too seriously. I will certainly miss those "it's 5 p.m. somewhere" phone calls from him.

Truly a stand-up guy, and a legend. RIP Mel, you will be missed.

Mel Culbertson single-handedly relegated the French C tuba to archaic demise.

There is a memorial service in France this week on July 29th, Friday 11a.m. at the "Eglise de Bouliac" near Mel's home in Bordeaux.

I am in the process of organizing a small tribute concert to happen here in the US. If you, or anyone you know were close or knew Mel, or if you would like to be a part of this event please contact me directly and let me know.

Thanks ~A