John Gilliland sat next to me in Orchestra for two years - seventh and eighth grade at Williamsburg Jr. High (he had attended Tuckahoe Elementary School, I believe). We both played the cello . John had a tremendous sense of humor. His cousin Sean Gilliland played the bass viol and stood directly behind us. I am not sure if our music was very good, Miss Knoblauch did not think so, but it was a blast being friends with the two Gillilands. Rest in peace John. I hope that the music is good where you are.
I remember the Gillilland cousins and you (and Miss Knoblauch, who thought my violin playing mediocre at best!) on cello. And Gordon Thrall and Felicia Vass played viola, I think. It was about the ten year, maybe even the fifth, that someone told me John had died, but there was always "John or Sean", which one? I hadn't seen Sean either in many years; he was definitely a different personality. John was bright but very introverted. Sean and the other bassist (whom I think was Matthew Smith or something like that) were practical jokers. It is always sad that many haven't made it nearly as far along as we have in life.
Stephanie Taylor
John Gilliland sat next to me in Orchestra for two years - seventh and eighth grade at Williamsburg Jr. High (he had attended Tuckahoe Elementary School, I believe). We both played the cello . John had a tremendous sense of humor. His cousin Sean Gilliland played the bass viol and stood directly behind us. I am not sure if our music was very good, Miss Knoblauch did not think so, but it was a blast being friends with the two Gillilands. Rest in peace John. I hope that the music is good where you are.
James Scarborough
I remember the Gillilland cousins and you (and Miss Knoblauch, who thought my violin playing mediocre at best!) on cello. And Gordon Thrall and Felicia Vass played viola, I think. It was about the ten year, maybe even the fifth, that someone told me John had died, but there was always "John or Sean", which one? I hadn't seen Sean either in many years; he was definitely a different personality. John was bright but very introverted. Sean and the other bassist (whom I think was Matthew Smith or something like that) were practical jokers. It is always sad that many haven't made it nearly as far along as we have in life.