RIP Walter S. Hartley

[Bill Troiano]

I'm very sorry to hear this. I came to know Walter Hartley pretty well back in my SUNY Fredonia days (undergrad). He was my theory teacher for 2 years. He and my tuba teacher, Rudy Emilson were colleagues and great friends. So, I got to (and was asked to) play almost everything he wrote. For 1 year, I lived in a house with 3 other guys right next door to Walter Hartley's house. I also rode with him in a NY State car from Fredonia to Indiana U. for the first International Tuba Symposium back in 1973. At that conference, I sat next to him in the main concert hall during somebody's presentation - I can't remember who. What I do remember is that while somebody was on stage performing, Walter Hartley was composing a piece on manuscript paper right next to me. I watched him in amazement. It turned out to be his, Music for Solo Tuba. Man, do I have Walter Hartley stories - some very funny. He was a brilliant and amazing man.

[Stephen Shoop]

Dr. Mike Fischer and presented a session at the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic in 1995 on the junior high and high school tuba-euphonium ensemble. Dr. Hartley was in attendance and introduced himself after our presentation. Shortly thereafter he sent me a copy of his Shape-Note Songs for Tuba-Euphonium Quartet which I was honored to publish in 1997. He was a true gentleman and friend of the tuba and euphonium. RIP Dr. Hartley.