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Just moments ago, I received the incredibly sad news that one of the most important and influential people in my life passed away. Donald A. Stanley. Although there have been many important people in my life, that have contributed in countless ways to my development, Don Stanley is THE reason I am able to have a career in music. He kicked my *** when I needed it most. He didn't give up on me, when many times he should have and I would have deserved it. He was an incredible role model, teaching and leading by example. He would be in his office practicing the tuba the way he told us to practice. He was structured and taught us how to be the same. He is the guy that told us to buy a date book and use it. He taught us how to act like and be a professional. I owe him everything. Thank you, Mr. Stanley. I am devastated by our loss of you, and I am forever grateful for all you have done for me. Rest in peace my teacher, my mentor, and my friend.

Sad news indeed.

Don Stanley was my first tuba teacher. I lived near Corning, NY and would travel down Route 15 to Mansfield, PA to take a lesson every two weeks for $8 per lesson. I initially started studying with him in 10th grade and he made me learn all my scales two octaves slurred, taught me how to play beautiful legato, multiple tonging and good musicianship skills that I use every day. He was not only a great tubist, but he was also a good conductor leading the Mansfield University Wind Ensemble and he also directed the Marching Band. Mr. Stanley even traveled down to NYC to meet my mother and I at Giardinelli's to purchase my first C tuba in July of 1977.

I am eternally grateful that I knew this man. He will be sorely missed.

bloke wrote: I believe this is him, correct?

Yes! Thank you for posting the photo.

There is a group on Facebook called "Measure 657 - A Tribute To Donald A. Stanley" if anyone would like to join. People are posting memories, photos, videos, etc in remembrance. Also, information regarding the Mansfield University Wind Ensemble concert being dedicated to him in the spring, and an alumni wind ensemble concert next fall at MU, will be posted there.

Once service information is available it will be posted in this group, as well.

Mike Milnarik

Announcing the Donald A. Stanley Composition Commission Consortium. This is possibly the first Composition Commission Consortium of it’s kind as FOUR pieces will be written as part of the same project! Mr. Stanley built his reputation in many ways - including his steadfast commitment to all aspects of the tuba and euphonium, as a wind ensemble conductor, as a teacher, and as a role model. He challenged the members of his wind ensemble to bring themselves up to the level of the music, not bring the level of the music down to them. It was important to him for new works to be written for the tuba and euphonium. He taught his students to purchase music instead of photocopying it so that composers could make a living and would continue to write for our instruments. He stressed the importance of chamber music by organizing his students into tuba/euphonium quartets. With all of these things in mind, four new works will be written by composer Sanae Kanda. (http://www.sanaekanda.com" target="_blank" target="_blank) A wind ensemble piece (5-8 minutes); a tuba and piano piece (3-5 minutes); a euphonium and piano piece (3-5 minutes); and a piece for tuba/euphonium quartet (3-5 minutes). All of these pieces will be written at the level of the standard repertoire, playable by advanced high school, college and professional ensembles.

Each contribution is made to fund the writing of all four pieces, therefore, contributors will be listed on ALL FOUR pieces, to be published by Lami Musicworks. Contribution levels will be $50.00 and $100.00+.

As a THANK YOU from Sanae for your contribution:

$50.00 contributors will receive: A digital download of Sanae Kanda’s album “Purple Night” (to which Mr. Stanley was a contributor) and a choice of either the tuba and piano piece OR the euphonium and piano piece in PDF format.

$100.00+ contributors will receive: A digital download of Sanae Kanda’s album “Purple Night” (to which Mr. Stanley was a contributor); a PDF of the tuba and piano piece; a PDF of the euphonium and piano piece; and a PDF of the tuba/euphonium quartet.

Not a tuba or euphonium player? Use the pieces with students or give them to a tuba and/or euphonium player you know! The most important thing is that people see that these pieces were written to honor Donald A. Stanley.

Contributions can be made by check, money order, or PayPal. Please visit http://sanaekanda.com/projects" target="_blank" target="_blank for details.