FROM THE EDITOR SHAWN REYNOLDS

Amazing people come into our lives and often shape us as human beings and help shape our careers. When those individuals unexpectedly leave our lives, it can be devastating and emotional. Sometimes the irony we encounter around that loss is even more upsetting.

As I took over for my first issue as Editor of Triad, I established a theme. My inspiration was and always has been my friend, musical mentor, and second father, Dr. Stephen Gage. The theme fit both an inspirational void as well as a good fit of the pandemic of which we were coming out. We all needed musical and educational inspiration. Steve’s iconic phrase to anyone he taught or met was “Love Music!” And, so the most fitting theme of my first year as editor they would hopefully provide the inspiration we needed both educationally and personally. That inspiration came from a brilliant article by my friend and musical mentor, Steve Gage. “Love Music…Again” was chosen to inspire us on multiple fronts: To love teaching again; to love inspiring children and other musicians again; and most importantly to share the insight, inspiration, and effect that Steve Gage had on so very many people. I wanted everyone to be reminded why we became music teachers.

Fast forward a year and half later when that irony punched me in the gut. That punch hit so many of his former students, colleagues, friends, and the entire musical community with the devastating news the music world experienced in January with the passing of Steve Gage. The irony is that both the first and last articles I share as my time as editor are tribute and reflection of an amazing music educator and his inspiration. While the first article was a celebration and inspiration provided by him, my last article sadly comes full-circle as a remarkable tribute to an amazing man, educator, musician, teacher, and friend who means so much to so many across Ohio and the nation and especially to me.

Dr. Stephen L Gage, retired director of bands at Youngstown State University, and acting director of bands at Indiana State University, left this world way too young, after complications from heart surgery. The news of his passing sent shockwaves through the music education community across the country. Many of us are still coming to terms with the loss of our mentor, teacher, and our musical guide. He was like a second father to me and so many others. Steve was a consummate cheerleader for every one of his current and former students, no matter their age, position in life, or current career path. He was a consummate cheerleader for music education in the state of Ohio and beyond. He would freely give any time he had, often traveling hours to work with the band of a former student or a colleague. He gave freely of his time, his inspiration, his friendship, and his guidance. All you had to do was ask!

A retired educator from my part of the state recently stated this to me: “I hadn’t been on social media in quite a while since Steve’s death. When I finally went online, I started to read some posts and tributes after his death. I realized it would take me hours upon hours and several beverages to read through the many heart-wrenching tributes and stories about Steve!”

His charge was a quintessential phrase, that became a meme and a hashtag over the years. Simply stated… ”LOVE MUSIC!” The most recent meme, created by one of his former students Heather Sirney, can be seen in far-reaching areas of social media. Many have changed their profile picture to this heart-felt icon in tribute to Steve. It is simply a heart with the words “Love Music” inside. It became the comforting unification and comfort that we all needed to come to terms with his illness and ultimate passing. It is an inspiring reminder of the thousands upon thousands of lives he touched through his teaching and his music making.

Heather Sirney, received both her undergrad and graduated degree working with Dr. Gage. “Dr. Gage asked me to stay at YSU after completely my undergraduate degree in music education, to be his graduate assistant in the band department. The experience was intense; it was an apprenticeship in high levels of music making and expressing genuine love for students! He became my biggest supporter and a good friend, and I hope to pass on his enthusiasm and love of music to my own students!”

Steve reminded us daily, and will continue to remind those that worked with him, to never forget why we do what we do; to never forget to love our students each day and that the privilege of teaching music to kids is a gift. Most of all, through thick and thin, through good and bad, we must always remember to “Love our students more, even when we may not like their actions very much!”

OMEA’s incredible director of media, Amy Annico, was also a student of Steve Gage and remembers this about him. “We often lose touch with teachers and friends after we graduate, but Dr. Gage never let that happen. He was always there to encourage and remind us of the best in ourselves. He was family. I know I speak for many when I say there is a huge hole in my heart that cannot be filled.”

When I asked Steve to write the article and the theme of the first year, I remember his words. “It would my honor and privilege to write an article for an iconic OMEA publication, where two of my former students are at the helm and spreading the their love of music to other music educators!”

John Veneskey, director of bands at South Range Middle School and former professor of music education and director of the Youngstown State University Marching Pride, had the privilege of working with and knowing Steve Gage for quite some time. He had these words to say about Steve. “Steve Gage’s impact on the lives of those who have been fortunate enough to have been associated with him, transcends what words can accurately portray. I am forever thankful to not only have been his colleague, but his friend. Bravo Steve Gage! You left us far too soon - wanting more!”

He touched the musical and personal lives of so many students over so many years. His lessons were not only musical, but always sprinkled with life-lessons about being a better person, loving more, and remem- bering the traditions we were charged with carrying on from our predecessors. He taught us that it was ok to get lost in musical emotions during a piece of music that may result in tears. Anyone who played in his ensembles knows that many of his favorite pieces ended with his distinct cutoff and tears rolling down his (and our) faces. This was commonplace in Steve Gage’s mastery of teaching. I distinctly remember a performance at an OMEA conference of “For Natalie…” from a wind symphony by James Barnes. The music tells the story of Mr. Barnes daughter, Natalie, who died at a very young age. The lush harmony and interplay of musical lines tug at every string of the musician’s heart. Steve loved his children with all of his heart, and he also loved his students. This piece was personal for him because it was about the composer’s child. I was playing principal oboe and distinctly remember trying to hold myself together with tears rolling down my face during the final solo and echoes of the last minor chords. Steve was sobbing, I was sobbing, the musicians were sobbing, and the entire grand ballroom was sobbing. Steve brough amazing and raw emotion to the podium and was able to excavate that from every ensemble he worked with. I will never forget that moment of liquid harmony that was in every teary eye in the room that day.

He taught us that it was ok if our emotions got the best of us during a piece, and that it meant we truly were connecting with and loving the music. He also taught us that life must go on, the show must go on, and that we had to pull ourselves together and make the next piece come alive, even more for our audience. Those that played under him regularly will forever have his final cutoff of a dramatic piece etched in our eyes and in our memories. Whether it was the massive baseball-bat cue complemented by the full-on Paul McCartney ‘hair flop’, or the floating emotional cut-off, with his mouth wide open staring into midair pondering his love of the moment….those cherished moments will forever be etched in our minds and hearts.

Darren Allen, director of bands in the Bay Village Schools and former student of Gage, states:

“Dr. Gage’s influence on me was one of inspiration, encouragement, and modeling what a music educator could be. He was always positive but demanding. The rapport he had with his students allowed him to be honest. I benefited form that honesty on many occasions when I made mistakes. I still strive to create a good rapport with my students while keeping it positive and being forthright. I will miss talking repertoire with him, discussing life, and hitting the links….”

I can think of no better words to end my term as Editor of TRIAD and pay tribute to the man who made me the teacher and musician, I am today than the following: Steve Gage was one of the many mysteries of this world. He is gone too soon and it will take some amount of time to come to terms with his departure from this world. I have lost count of the number of times since his passing that I have heard a piece of music he loved conducting or played with him, and tears started rolling down my face. Those were tears of sadness and joy because this inspirational musician taught so many of us to love music. I am thankful that Steve Gage was such a huge part of my life!

It is our job now…. all of us whom he loved so much….to carry on his torch of love and passion for teaching kids…for teaching music. WE are now charged with carrying his musical legacy and inspiration forward in this world. As he would say often, “This world needs more beauty…more music!!” He saw himself in all of us. Now, WE must see those same things in ourselves. Each one of us must love music harder, love music more passionately…. teach with more compassion…. connect to our students with more love…. on behalf of him! I will miss that huge smile, those dramatic conducting gestures, and the little bits of life-wisdom he drizzled in every musical situation and conversation.

Perhaps it is cliché, but the song “He Lives in Us” from The Lion King resonates and embodies the charge he has left so many people he taught and interacted with. A great man has left us too soon, and we all miss him dearly. Now for the smile we all need…. imagine him standing in front of you with that huge grin on his face, shaking his conducting hand at you while staring deep into your soul and speaking in that voice that only Steve Gage could muster……… “LOVE MUSIC!”

It has been an honor and a privilege to have served as the Editor of the TRIAD for the past two years. I thank the membership for having confidence in voting me to this position. And so, in true fashion when a portion of life comes full circle in ways we never expect, just as I took over as Editor, I am signing paying tribute to this amazing person who has done so much for music education in the state of Ohio and beyond. I pay tribute to the man, the myth, and the legend Dr. Stephen L. Gage. The world is a little darker without you, but we will carry on your charge to “LOVE MUSIC.....MORE!”

Shawn Reynolds teaches instrumental music grades 5-12 as well as middle school music technology and world drumming in the Howland Local Schools. He directs the middle school bands grades 5-8 as well as grades 9-12. He is level 1 certified in the World Music Drumming curriculum and currently teaches a World Music Drumming (WMD)/Music Technology middle school general music course as part of his teaching duties. Shawn has presented at numerous OMEA and PMEA all-state and regional conferences, as well as Internationally as part of the International Double Reed Society (IDRS). He serves as the editor of the Ohio Music Education Association journal, TRIAD and as a member of the OMEA Board of Trustees. In addition, he has been professor of oboe/English horn at Youngstown State University (YSU) since 2015 and previously served as professor of oboe at Westminster College (PA) from 2003 to 2015.