Day 162  Alphonse Pelletier

Musical wind instrument teacher to many of us. Here is a letter to the editor in late June, 2011.

Lessons in music and in life

Thank you for including Alphonse Pelletier on Day 162 of Pittsfield 250 (Eagle, June 11.) As a member of the Pittsfield Junior Symphony and later the Stanley Club concert band from 1938 to 1949, I think that I can speak for many who had the privilege of studying under the tutelage of Mr. Pelletier during that era.

Alphonse Pelletier was far more than a musician. For hundreds of children growing up in the Pittsfield area in the 1930s and ’40s he was a mentor who helped shape our lives. We attained important life skills through his patience and guidance in directing the 100 member Pittsfield Junior Symphony, such as learning to listen to others, listening to your instrument, sight reading, commitment to an instrument and organization, teamwork, selfconfidence and self- esteem, and above all, a love of music.

Taking music lessons from him, as several of us did, he demanded a certain work ethic. If you came to a lesson unprepared, he’d send you home rather than take the $3 hourly fee. It was a moral lesson in commitment.

Mr. Pelletier maintained a lofty status among professional musicians. As a junior in high school, he encouraged me to study with the famed Willem Valkenier, principal French horn player with the Boston Symphony from 1923 to 1953. On first meeting Mr. Valkenier at the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood, he asked why I wanted to study with him. He said, “You are already studying with the best.�

While most of us went on to other professions, the lessons we learned from Mr. Pelletier and the enduring love we have for music because of him has given deeper meaning to our life experience. We are forever grateful to him for his gift to us. PAUL R. BOUSQUET Woodstock, Vt.
Posted By: Administrator - 06-11-2011
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