Dedicated to Benton Band Director Richard Martin, 1950 - 2002

"You have to teach the third cornet players, too."
--Rick Martin, quoting a former teacher of his while expressing his
own philosophy

Rick Martin died on November 15, 2002. Born August 19, 1952, Martin was 50 years old and lived in Benton, PA.
He is buried in St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, Numedia.

The rafters shook February 28, 2003, in Millville, as 200 of Columbia County's best school musicians presented a hummer of a Jazz Band, Junior Band and Senior Band program. Benton School District can throw their shoulders back in pride as Jennifer Welliver led the Senior Band in John Philip Sousa's Christmas composition, The Stars and Stripes Forever. Benton's Jason Getz walked away with one of the four monetary awards. Franz von Suppé's Light Cavalry Overture was a crowd pleaser with the Junior band and Sauter Finegan's Midnight Sleighride was a winner with the Senior Band. The Dean of Benton music, Richard Martin (1952-2002), got a standing ovation for his many contributions to local music. Samuel Hazo's world premier of Echos, written in tribute to Rick Martin, got a standing ovation, and brought tears to the eyes of the overflow crowd. The composition musically depicts the wonderful contributions that Rick has made to music education, his community and students. The composition has been chosen to be played at the Pennsylvania All-State Orchestra next month. Millville's likeable music director, Louis Piazza, summed it up when he said the night "was a special moment."

Contributions for Rick Martin can be sent to the Richard Martin Memorial Music Fund and mailed to the

Philadelphia Federal Credit Union
Attn: Rick Martin Memorial Music Fund
P.O. Box 476
2251 New Berwick Highway
Bloomsburg, PA 17815

Additional information may be obtained from Louis Piazza, Band Director, Millville High School, Millville, PA 17846. Phone (570) 458-5547.

The Composer is Samuel R. Hazo, recipient of the National Band Association's 2001 Biennial Composition Award. Mr. Hazo has received commissions at the professional, university and public school levels in addition to composing original scores for television, radio and the stage. His original symphonic compositions include performances with actors Brooke Shields, James Earl Jones, David Conrad and Richard Kiley. He has also written symphonic arrangements for three-time Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Lucinda Williams. His works for wind ensemble have been premiered at the Music Educators' National Conference (State & National), Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic, National Band Association Convention, Texas Bandmaster's Convention, and also aired in full-length programs on National Public Radio. Premiering performance ensembles include a variety of professional bands, university bands, all-state bands and honors bands.

Mr. Hazo has served as a music teacher at all grade levels including college. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Duquesne University where he served on the Board of Governors and was awarded as Duquesne's Outstanding Graduate in Music Education. Mr. Hazo serves as a clinician and is currently on the music faculty in the Upper St. Clair School District. He resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with his wife and two children.

Michael S. Milnarik, director INNOVATA and a close friend of Rick Martin
www.innovatabrass.com