HE WAS ALWAYS THERE - Throughout my years as a high school director, he was always there. From my neophyte days at Columbia High School, to adjudicating my final concert festival performance in 2001 (See attached sheet), Jim Copenhaver was there, making a tremendous difference. He was incredibly loyal, intensely challenging, and forever supportive. Jim was “honest”-that honesty was the crucible that shaped my concepts for listening, and striving to hear more. Living only a few blocks from Irmo, I frequently shared evening meals with Jim as we talked about music, and standards. How incredibly fortunate I was to have his counsel. On a humorous note, I remember one rehearsal when he came to critique a marching band rehearsal at Columbia High. During my tenure at CHS, there was never a tower. For Copenhaver’s visit, Jeff Henry “borrowed” a one-man hydraulic lift (for changing gym lights) to observe the band. Imagine two “stout” guys in a small lift swaying with the breeze. During the practice, there was a sudden loud “crack”, and we suddenly dropped at least twenty feet. Needless to say, the remainder of the rehearsal was observed from the ground. Thank you, Jim for being a mentor, a standard, and a dear friend. Those attributes are intertwined and inseparable in my memory of James Copenhaver.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 04:06:59 +0000
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