In
September 2013, the Foothill Symphonic Winds and the Bay Area music
scene lost a great friend, musician, and mentor. Nicholas "Nick"
Stumbaugh died unexpectedly
from complications after a car accident. Nick had been playing clarinet
and saxophone for over 50 years and was a 10-year member of the Foothill
Symphonic Winds. He was active in many other local musical groups
including the Woodside Village Band, the Serenaders dance band, the Cal
State East Bay concert band, and the Ohlone Clarinet Choir. He
also played in many community musical theater productions and with local
symphony orchestras. He worked as a criminalist in the San Mateo County
Sheriff's Forensic Laboratory.
His
friends and family wanted to establish a memorial that would honor his
love of music and inspiring others, particularly young musicians, in a
significant way. With help from Nick's family and friends, the Foothill
Symphonic Winds established the
Nick
Stumbaugh Memorial Music Award. This award has been given
annually to an outstanding 7th grade music student at the Blach
Intermediate School, where FSW rehearses. The award provides funding for
music instruction. A plaque has been presented to the recipient at Blach's
Spring Music Concert. A larger plaque is mounted in the Rehearsal Room
noting each year's winner(s).
Awardees have received a 13-week session of music lessons at the
Community
School of Music and Arts or with an independent professional
instructor. The following students have been honored:
2014 Elena Dagan,
clarinet
2015
Stephanie Evanson,
bass clarinet
2016 Clara Michaud,
viola
2017 Eligh Collier,
string
bass (Vince Gomez, instructor)
2018 Johnny Estrada & Julia Oram,
bass clarinet
(Mark Sowlakis, instructor)
In January 2019, the Foothill Symphonic Winds completed the Award effort
with the donation of a 36-in Yamaha concert bass drum to Blach's music
program.
During the FSW's December 2012 concert, Nick played the bass clarinet solo
in David Bennett's
Basswood. We
are fortunate to have a recording of that performance. To
watch that video, please click on the image below or this YouTube
link.
