Very sad news

[Tubaguyry]

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of Dr. Jeff Hodapp. I still don't know all the details. I only found out about an hour ago. All I do know is that he died around 10 o'clock this morning of apparent cardiac arrest.

For those of you who knew Jeff, you already know what a fantastic person and creative musician he was. I only had the pleasure of knowing him for a few short years, but in that time he became my mentor and my dear friend.

For those of you who didn't know Dr. Hodapp, he was one of a kind. He would bend over backward to help friends, students, and even complete strangers. He was a fiercely loyal friend, and one of the most knowledgeable people I've ever known. He was a student of John Stevens. He taught countless students, including Nat McIntosh, Carol Jantsch, and many others whom my grief-fogged mind can't think of right now.

Dr. Hodapp was halfway through a sabbatical year away from Emporia State University, gigging, working on some projects, and spending time with his wife of about six months.

I don't know what I'm going to do without Dr. Hodapp. I'm just numb at the moment. I just thought I should let you know.

[jonesbrass]

Wow. What sad and surprising news.

[tubashaman2]

.

[Sean Greene]

Wow. What a huge loss to all of us.
Jeff has had a huge influence on so many people. And such a great sense of humor. Wow.

Thanks for posting.

[Mitchell Spray]

I met Jeff Hodapp in 1982 at the Armed Forces School of Music. We were both students there and were later assigned together in the 74th Army Band at Ft Harrison in Indianapolis. Playing in a band with him was a blast. We even called into a local radio station once and had them record us playing some Bach piece so they could play it back as they did the traffic and weather report. Ryan hit it on the head when he described Dr Hodappp. He was the kind of guy you would want your daughter to marry. I have only seen him a handful of times since we served together but just learning of his passing has me very upset.

[Mike Forbes]

Indeed this is very sad news. I had known Jeff for sometime even though we only overlapped at UW-Madison for a short time. I can still remember vividly our last phone conversation which probably lasted well over an hour--he was indeed an extremely kind, creative, and giving man...who had just recently found the love of his life. Terrible untimely death.

Rest in peace, Jeff Hodapp.

Mike Forbes
Sotto Voce Quartet
Professor of Low Brass/Music Theory
UW-Platteville

[Rommel72]

I am feeling so much shock and sadness over this news. I met Jeff in 1996, at the time he was playing with the Quantum Brass. They were doing a residency in Tyler, TX. Jeff would come to the school where I was doing my student teaching and was teaching lessons to the kids. We became fast friends and I even started taking lessons with him myself. From time to time I would hang out with him and the other members of Quantum, it was a lot of fun. I have not spoken to him in some time, but I always look back at the time we shared with fondness. I hold him in high regard as a performer, teacher, and most of all a friend. He will be missed greatly. I will keep his wife and family in my thoughts.

Rommel Cordova

[Tubaguyry]

Dr. Hodapp contributed many articles to various publications over the years. I've always thought one of the most interesting and illuminating was in the ITEA Journal Volume 32:2 (Winter 2005). In that issue was published a condensed version of his doctoral dissertation, "The York Tuba: Design Idiosyncrasies That Contribute to Its Unique Sound." The full paper is a great read, but the article covers all the relevant points. It is very interesting, and provides a quantitative look at a qualitative subject: the sound of the old York tubas.

Do yourself a favor and check it out.

[Brandon Jones]

Does anyone know the arrangements or where to find them?

[Mitchell Spray]

http://www.legacy.com/mankatofreepress/ ... =138028299" target="_blank