I am sad to say I lost a great friend, my Jr. High School band director Paul Baumgarten (“Mr. B”) died unexpectedly this week. You see back when I was in Junior High School, Mr B. brought a handful of his students (me included) on a field trip into the big city of Minneapolis to see Buddy Rich perform at Orchestra Hall. I didnt even know who Buddy was but it turned out to be an enlightening experience for me. It was like I found home. I had never felt anything like it and have never felt a similar feeling since. Like someone turned on a switch inside. From that point on I knew I was going to be a musician. “Mr B” brought that to me. I will always be grateful for how you changed my life. Thank you.
Mr B
I am very sorry to hear this, my prayers for his dear family. I hope it brings them great comfort in knowing that such a special person has touched so many lives such as yours. It has always been my opinion that certain persons with the calling of teacher or musician are very special and important in this world because of the lives they are meant to inspire. So may you also take comfort in knowing that you have paid this inspiration forward many-fold. God bless.
Oh, Mr. B.!
Now I’m sad, too. He was such an encourager (in other words, a great teacher.)
Whenever I think of him, I hear: “Eins, zwei, drei, spiel…”
And polka music…for some reason, I hear polka music. :^)
Rest in peace, Mr. B.
Bradley:
Mr. B was a real mentor to me as well. He did that throughout his career. While it is interesting how many of his students ultimately were inspired to become musicians, my story is how the lessons he taught me made a real difference in the very non musical legal and business path I followed. Paul always understood what was really important, always focused on the positive and always made you feel like you were the most important person at that moment. I will miss him so very much.
“One, two. . ., eight, nine, ten. . . , ready go. . , go.”
Bradley,
I am saddened as well to hear of the loss of Mr. B. He too was and will remain a treasure and source of inspiration in my life. I loved his sense of enthusiasm.
Brad you too touch lives, so please keep the beautiful music coming.