<p>Thanks for everyone’s good wishes. Last night the NY Phil (with Joshua Bell) performed on PBS’s “Live from Lincoln Center”. At the end, when they were rolling credits, they ran a simple “In Memory of Jerome Ashby”, which was nice. It was strange to watch the orchestra and not see him, though.</p>
<p>I was thinking about what Allmusic said about the relationship between student and teacher. I suppose that student athletes who choose their school based on a relationship with a coach, or maybe a scholar who chooses a school based upon a 4-year internship with a particular professor might have a similar relationship. Every thing my S has learned about his instrument over that past few years has come from this man. Every decision he makes, from what instrument to buy, to what summer program to attend, what auditions to take, what to plan for the future … they have all been guided by this man. Every time we make a suggestion to S, he runs it past his teacher. We have definitely been usurped. There was a level of trust, respect, and honor that doesn’t easily transfer.</p>
<p>As with most grief situations, there are myriad little ways that it comes back to hit him. He has his senior recital in a month. The date was selected purposely to allow his teacher to attend. His teacher helped him choose the rep. On piece he will be playing he wrote last year for his teacher.</p>
<p>He is working on grad school applications. His teacher’s recommendation is pivotal. He has no idea if the teacher ever wrote and sent the letter. It’s a stupid thing to have to worry about right now, and I’m certain the schools will understand any delay. He will be contacting the schools to see if it was done, and what to do if it wasn’t.</p>
<p>The horn he currently plays was purchased from his teacher two years ago. It was previously owned by Myron Bloom who played it when he was principal in Philly. We were made aware at the time that S was, in a sense, being passed a mantle to wear. I appreciate what many have said here and via PM that Mr. Ashby has given my S a legacy to carry forward.</p>
<p>This particular S is somewhat non-verbal. He is not talking much about this. (To us, at least. I think he’s on the phone quite a bit with classmates.) I know it will hit him hardest when he returns to school, and we won’t be there to help. But that might be better - that he will be surrounded with studio mates who are sharing his feelings. </p>
<p>I’ve always felt that it is what makes his music so profound - he communicates through it rather than through words. I think in particular that his recital is going to be quite emotional.</p>
<p>The horn community is quite close (all over the world). I know his family is going to receive a great deal of comfort knowing how much he was loved and respected by everyone.</p>