Oh goodness, I remember a band practice and Mr. Nicholson asking me to play something - all in front of the entire band, I was so intimidated and just knew it would be impossible for me... I refused and he repositioned me to the last clarinet in the last section.. definitely I deserved it... at the next band practice he asked me to play one note, which I did. He then reinstated me to my former position. I learned a lot about self confidence and intimidation from this experience, obviously not so intimidated any longer - and usually able to adjust self confidence when I see it slipping. Thanks Jon
I vividly remember a spring day in Mrs. Wright's 4th grade class at the brand spanking new Union St School. We were asked to play our plastic flutes and the guest Music teacher (Mr. Nicholson) would listen to us while walking around the room and tap us on the shoulder if he believed we could make a contribution to the music program in Springfield. He tapped me and, thus, began a 4 year excursion into the music experience in Springfield. I just never connected with the trombone and dropped it. I am saddened by his passing. The period taught me about choices, talent and commitment. He taught others much more and I always respected him and our musicians greatly. Ed Ankuda
Among the many people at SHS who affected my life while growing up in Springfield, Mr. Nicholson stands out as a teacher extraordinaire. What - and how - he taught us about music has brought me tremendous enjoyment through the years. Though I’ve continued it only as an amateur, several from SHS went on to make music their own careers; they are truly a testament to Mr. Nicholson’s influence.
I too remember that “fateful” trip to Hartford when we heard the renowned band of Wm. Revelli in concert - and when Mr. Nicholson auditioned for the great man and won the scholarship that took him on to Michigan. I’ll also never forget our final “farewell” concert in 1960, in the Riverside gym. The finale - Schwanda the Bagpiper - with Susan playing the organ and the separate brass choir in the back was truly “awesome”. What a tribute to him!
After he left Springfield his work in Washington and then in Massachusetts undoubtedly influenced many other people, as it had affected us. He didn’t forget us though; he returned to Springfield on several occasions. I have a very fond memory of seeing him again - at least a decade or so ago - at one of those brief reunions. There are so many of us who owe so much to this man. His career was truly remarkable. Our grateful memories of him are part of his legacy.
While I never had the pleasure of playing an instrument for Mr. Nicholson (or anyone else due to my lack of talent and skill) I do fondly remember the wonderful job he did entertaining music lovers in Springfield. On many, many occasions throughout my life after leaving Spingfield in 1957 I found myself telling people about the fantastic instrumental music program we enjoyed growing up. The high scool band and the community band provided wonderful concerts and were the hit of many parades. I can only assume that much of that enjoyment was due to the diligence and talents of Mr. Nicholson.
Last summer I got a call to play percussion in a community band in Massachusetts …. conducted by Jon Nicholson. I couldn’t believe it! My entire musical lifetime was being bookended by the same person!
It was Mr. Nicholson who started me out, in Springfield, around age 9, on oboe. My parents were delighted. We knew Jon, Kay, and their two little girls through church. Oboe seemed such a classy kind of instrument. I lasted about three weeks on it, then segued to drums. My parents were a little less delighted by that; however there were never any drums in our house. I always used the school’s drums.
Mr. Nicholson’s enthusiasm certainly swept me along. My first mentor! When I was in junior high, he let me play occasionally with the high school band. We moved away to Michigan in 1956, but the seed he had planted was still growing. At Michigan State I majored in Music Education. The siren call of New England brought me, in 1964, to the University of Connecticut where I spent my whole career.
By this time Jon had earned his doctorate (his thesis was about Patrick Gilmore and the two great Peace Jubilees after the Civil War) and was the music supervisor In Belmont, Massachusetts. I was directing the UConn Marching Band. Guess what, The Nicholsons’ older daughter Jill had become a flutist like her mother. Jill enrolled at UConn and played in the Marching Band under moi. This gave more opportunities to keep in touch. I visited Jon’s lakeside home near the Mass/New Hampshire state line, and found his enthusiasm unabated. He ripped my ears off with a recording of Handel’s Fireworks Music, replete with dozens of oboes quacking away double forte.
So it was a thrill to be invited to play for Jon in 2015. The dates proved impractical, though, so I contented myself with the thought that I must get up there and see him in the fall. Alas, I was too late.
I’m retired now and Jill’s own daughter is studying at UConn. I lunched with them in Storrs a few months ago. I look forward to seeing them again in May, at Jon’s memorial service.
I remember sitting next to Dave Russell with my poor abused french horn. Abused as I was never very good at it and seldom practiced enough to improve my skills. As long as Dave could play I would follow along. That Jon Nicholson let me learn to enjoy a variety of music and gain some pride at being part of a truly great musical program was amazing. He was a great teacher! RBH
The experience we had with Jon Nicholson as our band director was extraordinary. The idea that someone with as little musical talent as I could be part of a band that played at such a high level is memorable, and I credit that experience with giving me the capacity to enjoy almost any genre of music. I didn’t know him well and found performing for him a little intimidating. After spending most of my school years firmly stuck in the 1st seat of the second trumpet section, in our senior year we had blind tryouts for the following year. With his back to us, we played our scales (or whatever) for Jon, and to my surprise, he identified me as one who would be in the first section next year. Uummmm, Mr. Nicholson? I’m graduating.
I always wondered where he went after Springfield. In 1983-84, I was on sabbatical leave at Harvard and living in Belmont, Mass. I had some business at the school administrative offices (for the kids) and noticed the name Jon Nicholson on a door. I knocked with the intention of finding out whether the name belonged to “our” Jon, but no answer. So I inquired at the office where I had business whether “their” Jon was from Springfield, and of course they had no idea. Does he have red hair, oh, but I suppose he has almost none by now? That provoked a smile from a couple of people in the office. He used to have a fiery temper, I said. The office broke up in laughter and I knew I had found his new home. I was so grateful that my oldest child was participating in his music program.
I have had the privilege to have stayed in touch with Jon and Kaye throught out the years. We would bump into each other at musical events after they moved back East. He will be mised as a exclent music teacher, composer, Band director and a good friend.
Kathleen Yoxtheimer (Shelton)
Oh goodness, I remember a band practice and Mr. Nicholson asking me to play something - all in front of the entire band, I was so intimidated and just knew it would be impossible for me... I refused and he repositioned me to the last clarinet in the last section.. definitely I deserved it... at the next band practice he asked me to play one note, which I did. He then reinstated me to my former position. I learned a lot about self confidence and intimidation from this experience, obviously not so intimidated any longer - and usually able to adjust self confidence when I see it slipping. Thanks Jon
David B. Russell
I remember the awesome Schwanda performance. I can still hum the theme. I had forgotten that Sue played the organ.
Edward Ankuda
I vividly remember a spring day in Mrs. Wright's 4th grade class at the brand spanking new Union St School. We were asked to play our plastic flutes and the guest Music teacher (Mr. Nicholson) would listen to us while walking around the room and tap us on the shoulder if he believed we could make a contribution to the music program in Springfield. He tapped me and, thus, began a 4 year excursion into the music experience in Springfield. I just never connected with the trombone and dropped it. I am saddened by his passing. The period taught me about choices, talent and commitment. He taught others much more and I always respected him and our musicians greatly. Ed Ankuda
Clarence Whitcomb
Among the many people at SHS who affected my life while growing up in Springfield, Mr. Nicholson stands out as a teacher extraordinaire. What - and how - he taught us about music has brought me tremendous enjoyment through the years. Though I’ve continued it only as an amateur, several from SHS went on to make music their own careers; they are truly a testament to Mr. Nicholson’s influence.
I too remember that “fateful” trip to Hartford when we heard the renowned band of Wm. Revelli in concert - and when Mr. Nicholson auditioned for the great man and won the scholarship that took him on to Michigan. I’ll also never forget our final “farewell” concert in 1960, in the Riverside gym. The finale - Schwanda the Bagpiper - with Susan playing the organ and the separate brass choir in the back was truly “awesome”. What a tribute to him!
After he left Springfield his work in Washington and then in Massachusetts undoubtedly influenced many other people, as it had affected us. He didn’t forget us though; he returned to Springfield on several occasions. I have a very fond memory of seeing him again - at least a decade or so ago - at one of those brief reunions. There are so many of us who owe so much to this man. His career was truly remarkable. Our grateful memories of him are part of his legacy.
- Bob Whitcomb - Feb 7, 2016
Arthur (Lenny) Leonard Lavalette
While I never had the pleasure of playing an instrument for Mr. Nicholson (or anyone else due to my lack of talent and skill) I do fondly remember the wonderful job he did entertaining music lovers in Springfield. On many, many occasions throughout my life after leaving Spingfield in 1957 I found myself telling people about the fantastic instrumental music program we enjoyed growing up. The high scool band and the community band provided wonderful concerts and were the hit of many parades. I can only assume that much of that enjoyment was due to the diligence and talents of Mr. Nicholson.
David Maker
Last summer I got a call to play percussion in a community band in Massachusetts …. conducted by Jon Nicholson. I couldn’t believe it! My entire musical lifetime was being bookended by the same person!
It was Mr. Nicholson who started me out, in Springfield, around age 9, on oboe. My parents were delighted. We knew Jon, Kay, and their two little girls through church. Oboe seemed such a classy kind of instrument. I lasted about three weeks on it, then segued to drums. My parents were a little less delighted by that; however there were never any drums in our house. I always used the school’s drums.
Mr. Nicholson’s enthusiasm certainly swept me along. My first mentor! When I was in junior high, he let me play occasionally with the high school band. We moved away to Michigan in 1956, but the seed he had planted was still growing. At Michigan State I majored in Music Education. The siren call of New England brought me, in 1964, to the University of Connecticut where I spent my whole career.
By this time Jon had earned his doctorate (his thesis was about Patrick Gilmore and the two great Peace Jubilees after the Civil War) and was the music supervisor In Belmont, Massachusetts. I was directing the UConn Marching Band. Guess what, The Nicholsons’ older daughter Jill had become a flutist like her mother. Jill enrolled at UConn and played in the Marching Band under moi. This gave more opportunities to keep in touch. I visited Jon’s lakeside home near the Mass/New Hampshire state line, and found his enthusiasm unabated. He ripped my ears off with a recording of Handel’s Fireworks Music, replete with dozens of oboes quacking away double forte.
So it was a thrill to be invited to play for Jon in 2015. The dates proved impractical, though, so I contented myself with the thought that I must get up there and see him in the fall. Alas, I was too late.
I’m retired now and Jill’s own daughter is studying at UConn. I lunched with them in Storrs a few months ago. I look forward to seeing them again in May, at Jon’s memorial service.
Raymond Hitchcock Jr.
I remember sitting next to Dave Russell with my poor abused french horn. Abused as I was never very good at it and seldom practiced enough to improve my skills. As long as Dave could play I would follow along. That Jon Nicholson let me learn to enjoy a variety of music and gain some pride at being part of a truly great musical program was amazing. He was a great teacher! RBH
Howard Day
The experience we had with Jon Nicholson as our band director was extraordinary. The idea that someone with as little musical talent as I could be part of a band that played at such a high level is memorable, and I credit that experience with giving me the capacity to enjoy almost any genre of music. I didn’t know him well and found performing for him a little intimidating. After spending most of my school years firmly stuck in the 1st seat of the second trumpet section, in our senior year we had blind tryouts for the following year. With his back to us, we played our scales (or whatever) for Jon, and to my surprise, he identified me as one who would be in the first section next year. Uummmm, Mr. Nicholson? I’m graduating.
I always wondered where he went after Springfield. In 1983-84, I was on sabbatical leave at Harvard and living in Belmont, Mass. I had some business at the school administrative offices (for the kids) and noticed the name Jon Nicholson on a door. I knocked with the intention of finding out whether the name belonged to “our” Jon, but no answer. So I inquired at the office where I had business whether “their” Jon was from Springfield, and of course they had no idea. Does he have red hair, oh, but I suppose he has almost none by now? That provoked a smile from a couple of people in the office. He used to have a fiery temper, I said. The office broke up in laughter and I knew I had found his new home. I was so grateful that my oldest child was participating in his music program.
George Parizo
I have had the privilege to have stayed in touch with Jon and Kaye throught out the years. We would bump into each other at musical events after they moved back East. He will be mised as a exclent music teacher, composer, Band director and a good friend.
George Parizo.
Kathleen Yoxtheimer (Shelton)