Corkscrew Chronicles: Raising a glass to Harry Pfingsten

On March 25, we lost Harry Pfingsten, a legendary teacher, conductor and champion for new music. If you followed the excellent Avon Lake bands of the past or saw the Patriots Symphonic Band in concert until the last few years, you know of Harry. For those of you who are a follower of Tom Batiuk's syndicated cartoon "Funky Winkerbean," band director Harry Dinkle was Batiuk's tribute to Pfingsten, his favorite teacher. Pfingsten was born in Cleveland and held a bachelor's degree in music education from Miami University of Ohio and a master's from Case Western Reserve University. A music educator for 35 years, 26 as the director of bands at Avon Lake High School, his ensembles received numerous awards and accolades, including Avon Lake being selected as Ohio band of the year in 1971. During his career, Pfingsten arranged for well-known guest composers and educators to conduct his bands and aggressively championed new musical works. He spearheaded the commissioning of new compositions for band, continuing this passion when he accepted the baton of the Patriots Symphonic Band. Pfingsten received the National Band Association Citation of Excellence and was a Jennings Scholar. He was a guest conductor and clinician throughout Ohio and Michigan, including summer programs at Baldwin-Wallace College, Miami University, Ohio Northern University and the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. In 2007, Harry was a guest conductor of the Blossom Festival Band. He also was an active Ohio Music Association Adjudicator. In December 2003, he was honored with induction into the Ohio Band Directors Hall of Fame. There are many who give credit to Pfingsten for helping with sage advice and mentoring them in the fields of music and music education. A consummate educator, he was more than willing to assist people in the industry. He was one of the people who brought music to Lorain County and to many students and educators who continue his legacy. I first met Pfingsten when I was in high school band when Avon Lake and Oberlin collaborated on halftime shows for the Cleveland Browns games. When I returned home from the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, I contacted him to discuss the possibility of teaching instrumental private lessons for brass students from his schools. He not only said it would happen but arranged for two full days of half-hour lessons for his students from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for me to teach that summer. When he took over the baton with the Patriots Symphonic Band, he contacted me to come perform with the group, and we continued that relationship until he retired from the podium. Pfingsten and I also had a connection through wine. He would sometimes approach me before rehearsals to discuss choices of his favorite type of wine, Bordeaux Blanc, and asked for recommendations on specific brands. He enjoyed the elegance and crisp flavors of white Bordeaux's Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes. It was a pleasure to have something in common with him outside of music and we had a number of pleasant, short conversations about wine in the time I knew him. Pfingsten's demeanor was serious yet included a great sense of humor. After a Patriots rehearsal at Elyria's First Congregational, Grace Lounsbrough, our church matriarch, came up to him and said, "If you perform at my funeral, please don't play that last song." He loved telling that story, especially about what a great laugh they shared. As with any artistic endeavor, the future rests on the shoulders of giants. We truly lost a giant when Pfingsten died. Harry, I raise my glass to you. Thank you for all you contributed to so many. Gary Twining is a certified wine educator who worked 34 years in the wholesale fine wine industry. Email him at winingwithtwining@hotmail.com.