Update, as of 10:15 AM on Friday, August 10, 2007:
Milt’s funeral service was an extremely moving and powerful event. It was a fitting send-off for such a wonderful man. Thank you to all who provided the music and came to pay tribute. It is something that I will remember as long as I live and breath.
The memorial service is now scheduled:
Labor Day
Monday, September 3, 2007 @ 11:00 A.M.
National Presbyterian Church
4101 Nebraska Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC., 20016
202.537.0800
www.NationalPres.org
The memorial service will feature performances by The Washington Symphonic Brass and a trombone choir. There will be spoken tributes to Milt as well. We hope that you will be able to join us for what promises to be a truly special service.
You can now post a message in remembrance of Milt on his website at:
www.miltstevens.com
Many thanks to Tom Gibson, webmaster of Milt’s site as well as a former student.
Here is a link to National Presbyterian Church for location and directions:
http://www.natpresch.org/location.php
Milton Stevens, Principal Trombonist of the National Symphony Orchestra died suddenly yesterday in Denver. Milt’s family, friends and colleagues are still in a state if shock and disbelief as we struggle to imagine our lives without him. He was simply one of the finest human beings that I had the privilege of knowing.
Memorial services and events are currently in planning stages, and you can check back here for updated information.
Please feel free to post your thoughts and remembrances of Milt here if you wish. I plan to open a site dedicated to Milt for all to add their own personalized messages and post photos. Milt had many, many friends on this planet, and I think that this would be a good way for all of his friends from near and afar to share their thoughts on Milt and his life.
10 Comments
I am shocked and saddened to read of Milt’s untimely passing. My thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.
I share the sense of shock and loss that many of my colleagues feel. Milt was a quality person, one of the truly “good guys” in the music world: kind, gentle, friendly and a fine, fine trombone player. He had many connections with Boston and the Boston area; he played frequently as an extra player with the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops in the 1970′s and was runner up to Norman Bolter for the BSO second trombone position in 1975. With family in Great Barrington, MA, Milt would turn up at Tanglewood each summer; often playing a trombone solo at the town band stand. His trips to “the Shed” were memorable for the warmth of conversation and happy smiling and collegiality. I last saw him in June of this year at the International Trumpet Guild Conference; both of the brass groups we conduct (Washington Symphonic Brass and New England Brass Band) gave concerts there. We had our usual friendly, happy chat about music, the trombone, colleagues and family. Never could I have imagined it would have been my last time speaking to him.
Milt will be sorely missed. But he leaves behind a legacy that will be long remembered. He was not a flashy, self-centric person. He was a rare person, a giver, a gentle, classy throw back to a time of courtesy and “niceness.” He was great model for all of us. The suddenness of his passing makes this all the more difficult. He is gone but certainly will not be forgotten.
Requiem aeterna dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.
-Douglas Yeo
Bass Trombonist, Boston Symphony Orchestra
It was a shock to hear of Milt’s passing. He was a genuine, kind, loyal, giving gentleman and friend. His positive influence on the trombone world was only one of his gifts to us. His family has the prayers of many of us whose lives are better for having known Milt. He will be missed.
I am deeply saddened by the loss of such a great trombone player to the world. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and the ensembles and students that he has touched throughout the years.
I last saw Milt the Friday before his passing. He had just held a masterclass with the SMI brass in DC, and had delivered great ideas, lessons and pointers to help everyones playing, not just brass players. I will never forget his words and I will always remember him for the great player and person that he was. This is a very sad time in the trombone community. Once again my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
I’ll remember Milt as someone very active playing, teaching and conducting. He had things he wanted to do, and he did them.
He did a lot to keep the world of brass playing vital and moving smoothly forward.
His death is a great loss to our community.
We can’t all be Milt. He was one of a kind. But, we can each do our small part to fill the void created by his death.
I always wanted to earn Milt’s praise. I’ll do my part to keep our art form vital, and hope that somewhere Milt is smiling–Knowing that he taught me through example.
Thank you Milt.
I was shocked the other day to hear the news of Milt Stevens’ death. This is a very sad time for the trombone community as his passing has left a void no one can fill.
I met Milt a few years after he had joined the NSO when I started studying with him periodically during college breaks. As I grew as a musician and moved along into the professional arena, Milt was a wonderful coach and mentor, always ready with sage advice and thoughtful encouragement.
Milt was probably the kindest person I have ever known and was a wonderful example of someone who gave back to the profession abundantly and without reservation. He fostered fellowship and community among all of us and his imprint upon our lives will never be forgotten. I will miss him very much.
Thanks for everything Milt.
It is difficult to express the shock and sadness I feel upon hearing of Milt’s sudden death. We were friends for nearly forty years, crossing professional and personal paths often. I will never forget our Boston Trombone Quartet of the early 1970′s and the fun often silly events we offered the public. Since that time Milt’s career stretched far and wide and he brought joy and hope through music to countless listeners. He will never be forgotten. Ina and I express our deepest sympathies to Priscilla and all of Milt’s family at this sad and difficult time.
A master pedagogue, Milt’s passion for working with the next generation of musician knew no bounds. His desire to share his wisdom and high standards were equally matched by his kindness and patience. This is truly a sad day for the musical community.
Milt was a big influence on me….at a time when I was needing inspiration, he was it. Always kind, always thoughtful, and always had the answers:-)
We send our love, Priscilla, and please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Milt was a wonderful man, one that many of my students knew and adored just as I did. He will be missed.
We wish to express our deep sorrow for the loss of this dear person. We were so looking forward to having Milt move into our EcoVillage community. We also wish to express our deep thanks to Milt for enriching our lives with his wonderful music. We will miss him.
Grady and Tena O’Rear