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Martinsville High School Alumni
Class of 1959 Reply  |   Post Message  |   Message List
Victor Rislow - 6
11/03/06     Erik Stegall  (1986)      ejstegall@va.net
Hello Class of 1959

I recently acquired an issue of the October 2006 edition of the International Trumpet Guild Journal and thought I would pass along the article about Professor Rislow. I too was a member of the Martinsville High School Band and continued to play after graduation in 1986 in college and the Navy Band. Currently, I am Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend Percy Sledge's trombonist. I had heard tales of Professor Rislow over the years and was shocked to hear of his passing. However, I think it is a shame that such a nationally known trumpet artist has not received the pomp and circumstance he deserves here in our community. Hence my reason for posting the following article. Professor Rislow was indeed a true craftsman spending countless hours refining his art as evident from the following article:

ITG Journal Vol.31, No.1 October 2006

ITG member Victor P. Rislow III, associate professor of music at Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania died December 20, 2005, aged 64. He was a member of the Susquehanna University music faculty for 35 years.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, on March 16, 1941, Vic was raised in Martinsville, Virginia, and graduated from Martinsville High School. He earned a bachelor of music degree from the University of Kentucky where he studied with Jack Hyatt, and a master of music in trumpet performance from Western Michigan University where he studied with Donald Bullock. He also studied with Thomas Wohlwender at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He taught at public and private schools in Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan before joining the Susquehanna faculty in 1970 as an instructor in music. He had also taught at Western Michigan, Bucknell University, and at the West Virginia Institute of Technology.

In addition to his dedicated teaching, Rislow had extensive performance experience as a trumpeter in a wide range of musical settings. He appeared as a soloist with the Susquehanna University Chamber Orchestra and Symphonic Band, and gave recitals both on campus and in the region. As the first director of the Susquehanna University Jazz Ensemble, he had also served as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician at high school jazz festivals and competitions.

He was founding member of the Commonwealth Brass Quintet, formed in 1981 by faculty members from several schools in Pennsylvania to promote the performance of brass chamber music. The quintet was familiar to Susquehanna audiences as they played at special occasions including the annual convocation and commencement ceremonies.

Rislow is remembered as exceptional musician and teacher and was the type of person whose presence always made other people feel good. He had many passions and was generous in sharing them with others, whether it was his love of chess, golf, tennis, or music. He served as the tennis pro for Susquehanna Valley Country Club and also founded the Susquehanna University Cycling Club.

A memorial service for Mr. Rislow was held on January 17, 2006, in Stretansky Concert Hall on the campus of Susquehanna University. The Victor P. Rislow III Scholarship has been established in his honor. Donations may be made to the Victor P. Rislow III Scholarship Fund, Development Office, Susquehanna University, 514 University Ave., Selinsgrove, PA 17870. Source:School of Arts, Humanities and Communications, Susquehanna University.

Please note that only the finest trumpet players and instructors are featured or mentioned in this professional publication that has existed since 1974.

I know the class of 1959 is truly proud of its classmate Vic Rislow.

I wish the Rislow family peace,joy and happiness in the future and may the wonderful memories of Professor Rislow live in their hearts and minds indefinitely.

Regards,

Erik Stegall
Class of '86