The Legacy of Mr Graham Young, Music Director at John Muir Jr High (1921-1998)

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Several of us were so blessed to have Mr Young for music back when he taught at Muir in the 1960's. On Facebook, several have posted many endearing words of kindness regarding him and I will post a few here along with photos from the Highlander, Muir's yearbook, for the years 1962- 1964. 

If you have anything to share, you can post it below or email and I will add - thanks! 

And thank you, Mr Young, for all that you did for so many!

Cathy Palmer
BHS '67
cathyjpalmer@yahoo.com

FACEBOOK COMMENTS
This comment from Don Ray, BHS '67, got the ball rolling - thanks Don!

About 20 years ago, I decided to track down the music teacher/director from when I was at John Muir, Mr. Graham Young. He was retired. He had left Muir, he told me, to pursue his dream as a studio musician. You'll recall he played the trumpet in the Dixieland band at Disneyland. "Did I every hear anything you did for TV or the movies?" I asked.
He replied, "Did you ever watch The Waltons? That's me playing the trumpet at the start of each show." I few years later I learned that he had died. I'm so glad I got to speak with him and thank him.



Cathy Emmett Palmer
Wow!! I always liked Mr Young. Thanks Don

Jolene Firgens
He was a great teacher.......Glad he realized his dream. Saw him play at Disneyland many times. RIP Mr Young.....Does anyone remember in choir when we sang "Moon River" before it was ever released? Thanks to his friend Henry Mancinci.

Don Ray
You're welcome, Cathy. It's funny. When I found the first public record with Mr. Graham's address, his voter registration, he had been living in the same condo building as my mother was living --- on Rose St. behind Bob's Toluca Lake. When I asked my mother, she said, "Oh yes. He was right across my wall. I would wave to him from my kitchen window when he was out on his balcony. I didn't know he was your teacher." At the time I spoke with him, he was retired and playing once a week on the Queen Mary. What a great guy. What an inspiration.
He he died several years ago. I'm glad there were others who appreciated him. I learned of his death when I was searching the word "Burbank" on eBay and someone was selling the Burbank trumpet owned by "the late Graham Young."
There are so many unsung heroes who touched us and inspired us. The letter I wrote to him was probably goofy, but if I find it, I may share it. It was my way of expressing to him the many ways that he inspired or awakened me.

Julie Guttridge
I LOVED Mr. Young.. Had him for Girls & Mixed Choir.. I did not appreciate his talent til later years looking back of the beautiful music he put together for us to sing.. All the movie music, Sound if Music, etc.. Taught me to THINK about the next key we were to hit.. Loved it when he played the trumpet .. Sorry to hear he passed.. He was a great music teacher.. We at that age, don't appreciate the people we were blessed with...

Carol Nicholls Lebrecht
I enjoyed Mr Young's Music class too. I remember learning a lot of folk music And learning to play the tonette. I remember him being a very nice man.I am so glad you posted this Don. I listened to The Walton's Theme Song with new appreciation.

Cathy Emmett Palmer
According to this website http://www.trompete.com.pt/eng/filmestrompetistas.html, looks like Mr Young also played for the 1975 Robert Redford movie, “The Great Waldo Pepper”

Kathie Weitzman
I loved Mr. Young! Always so nice and supportive, even though I was awful in music

John Rocke
He was a great musician, person, and teacher. He used to take the "dance band" at John Muir to Disneyland to perform. A true, one-of-a-kind, who gave to teaching when he could have professionally excelled in other endeavors. I was fortunate to have been a student of his, despite like the comment above, being an average musician. If there was a teaching hall of fame, he would be in it...

Ron Hatt/Taos Rag
Mr. Young - my mixed chorus teacher - what a fantastic teacher he was. Do you all know that Mr. Young was the first trumpet player for the Gene Krupa Band. A few years ago, on YouTube, I saw a video of Mr. Young on the trumpet in a quartet with Gene Krupa. At that time Gene Krupa was at the top of the charts. THEN - I saw the Gene Krupa movie starring Sal Mineo. I was SHOCKED - in the movie Gene Krupa was so addicted to marijuana he had to be held back when he saw a reefer on the floor. Back then I thought "weed" was evil. When I asked Mr. Young about this in the movie - he told me that Gene Krupa had been arrested for the contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He denied Krupa smoked reefer. And the jazz band he had at Muir was fabulous and could he ever play the trumpet - unbelievable. God bless you Mr. Young.
Ron Hagg 1966

Linda Duffendack Oxley
Graham Young was my musical inspiration to move forward in my life in choral music. He had a long and extensive list of credits in the professional film, television, movie and band world. Yet his passion was teaching young persons to live and love music! In addition to all those named above he also was Henry Mancini's first call whenever Mancini toured or recorded. You can hear him on many Mancini's famous tunes. In 1989 I hired him and he put together a small dance band for my parents 50th wedding anniversary party. It was great fun because the big band era was his and my parents favorite styles of music. Also in the 80's he played Easter services for me a couple of years when I was directing at Westwood Methodist Church. It was a classical gig and he certainly could to do that equally as well as swing band! We had a lot of fun with the student now director and teacher relationship on those mornings. He was a great musician and a wonderful person. Terrific memories! Thank you!

Mark Littleton Sr
The Lord knows him. A class act for sure. Caring and always going out of his way for us. God bless him. Another of the Greatest Generation. Who will stand in their stead.

Donna Luce Neitman
He was my favorite and one of the nicest teachers at John Muir. I was in choir. John Rocke, I agree with you about the hall of fame thing. He had a way to bring out the best in his students.

Deb Cawthorne
OMGosh, I remember Mr. Young. It was so nice reading what he did in his life.


HIGHLANDER PHOTOS
1962






1963






1964






UPDATE! Watch Mr Young play the "Peter Gunn Theme" with the Henry Mancini Orchestra 

Just received this email from Doug Freeman, BHS '66
Graham young is the trumpet, second from left. 

CLICK LINK TO WATCH VIDEO
https://youtu.be/GXzf3mT-74A

"This is great and worth viewing even though the begining 5 seconds are missing. Full orchestra with solo's by Pete Candoli, Graham Young, Al Aarons,Oscar Brashear, Bill Watrous, and Don Menza, etc."

 

May 4, 2014 UPDATE! More Facebook comments
Christine Smith Carroll
The best music teacher ever.

Peggy Melton Cyphers
I went to Luther but I remember an assembly where Muir came and played. I remember a band - jazz???- they started playing before the curtain opened and it sounded fantastic. I am thinking this was Mr. Young playing? I also remember because a good family friend was in the band, Russ Parks. Russ was at my brother's memorial - it was so awesome to see him

Gary Holloway
I believe Mr. Young also played with the dixieland band at Disneyland on the weekends.

Eddie C. Morton
A good man and a good teacher.

Dee Dee Daugharty Culotta
I was the soloist singer in Mr. Young's Dance Band, plus I had him for girl's choir and mixed choir too. He was a super person. Sorry to hear of his passing.

Cathy Coyle
I loved Mr. Young!!! He was my first introduction to singing in a choir. I had him for Girls Choir & Mixed Choir. I remember singing "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" at the Masonic Temple during the Christmas season. He also taught us songs on the tonette and "Kingston Town"; using bongo drums. Love that we had such a talented Music teacher!

Larry Cummings
Mr Young was a great teacher. I had him at Muir Junior High. Seeing him play in the Dixy Band at Disneyland was always a big exciting moment and he always seemed to remember me. BHS class of '70

Patti Dobrowolski
We were blessed to have Mr Young. He was definitely one of my favorite teachers. My Dad player the trumpet and when we were at Disneyland I talked with Mr. Young during the break and he and Dad went back stage and played a song together.  I was crying like a baby - such a wonderful memory. I remember him being able to breathe in at the same time he blew on the trumpet and could hold the longest note. Such an amazing man.

Val Tonione
I think that his proudest moment that I can remember was when he had The Young Men From New Orleans come and play at Muir. This was the original group with Johhny St. Cyr. They used to play at Disneyland as well. This might have been their last performance as a group as Johnny died in 1966.

EMAIL
Linda Peterson Everett
I have fond memories of being in Mr Young's music class with Deanna and Andrea. I know Deanna will remember the three if us practicing "Surrey With The Fringe on Top" from "Oklahoma" with me on the piano in my living room at 600 Walnut Ave. for an assignment from Mr. Young. Yikes!!!! I can hardly carry a tune and I haven't touched the keys of a piano since then! How did THAT even happen??

OCTOBER 13, 2014 UPDATE
Received this email today...
Ms. Palmer

We have never met but there coincidence in the appreciation of good music and musicians. I am referring to Mr. Young, trumpet/cornet player.

I had the great privilege to be in a high school band in Mt. Morris, Michigan during the school year of 1952-53. It was during this school year that the small band of 32 preformed a Christmas composition that Mr. Young transpose, to fit the small band, that he had memorized from the master composition while he was enrolled at the University of Michigan. The name of the composition was Glory from 12th Highest.

During the time I was under Mr. Young’s instruction he owned a trumpet and cornet that had an interchangeable mouthpiece rim. This way he did not have to get accustom to different mouthpieces when he changed horns.

I want to thank you for posting the Burbank High Blog on the internet. I would be very appreciative of any other information you might have for posting. Mr. Young taught at Mt. Morris the years of 1950 to 1953. He was followed by Dr. William Moffett.

Sincerely
Gerald G.Hunt

2nd email from Gerald included the following...

When I was sitting under him in Mt. Morris he told us that he had been in the Air Force. When his service time was coming an end, Dr. Reveille the music director at the U of M asked him to come to the U of M. He was pushed into duo service at Christmas time 1952 when he as asked to be choir and band director at the same time. His talents came forth then doing both jobs.

Mr. young brought a struggling band of 28 to a proud band of 42 before he left. I will contact other members of my class who were in band and see if they have any other information and then I will forward them on.



MORE...
Here's Mr Graham doing a solo around the 2 min mark in this 1990 vid!


Same band doing 'Sing, Sing, Sing', one of my favs!

Clarinet : Peanuts Hucko
Alto Sax : Jack Stuckey, Herbert Stewadd
Tenor Sax : Robert Efford, Loren Schoenberg
Trumpet : Graham Young, Clinton McMahan, Zeke Zarchy, Donald Smith
Trombone : Bill Tole, Gary Tole, Robert Havens
Piano : Mark Shangold
Guitar : Barry Zweig
Bass : Paul Gormley
Drums : Alvin Stoller

JUNE 30, 2015 UPDATE

Found Mr Young at Find A Grave and added a few photos
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=105108450

JANUARY 2, 2016 UPDATE
Received the following email and photo today... thanks so much, Gary Wilson!

While scanning I came across your tribute to Graham Young.. I have little info. Mr. Young was our band director at MT. MORRIS HIGH SCHOOL, Mt. Morris Michigan. He started right after graduating from U. of Michigan. He was at our school from 1952 thru 1953 or 1951 thru 1952 I'm not sure.. He made our marching band the talk of the state...
Attached is a picture of him getting ready to practice.

MORE FACEBOOK COMMENTS...

Larry O'Brien
My favorite teacher at Muir. Many great memories of him and watching him play at Disneyland.

Krista Barcus Kelly
He was a great teacher and musician. Loved being in chorus!

Ozzie Gerro
I loved the Music class with Him!

Lynda Barton Hewitt
He was my teacher for Chorus for two years and he was terrific!

Ron Hagg (Taos Rag)
I was in mixed chorus - we sang cool songs. Many years later I saw a video of him playing the horn along side Gene Krupa. Mr. Young was a big time musician - playing with the best bands of the time. Loved his "jazz" band. Bob Pease could really play the drums. Really wish I could find that video of Mr. Young and Gene Krupa. It was a quartet.


Dee Dee Daugharty Culotta
I was the soloist in his Dance Band at John Muir. He was one of my favorite teachers.

David Colvin
I'd loved being in his class until Boys Dean pulled me out, liked finding him playing at Disneyland

Mike Signorelli
Mixed chorus 7, 8, 9th grade.Mr. Young was great guy. It was a big deal to say to him at Disneyland he played in the Ragtime band...

Susan Earle
I had great respect for Mr. Young. I was a shy student but he believed in me. To this day I regret turning down a solo part in the song "White Christmas". I always felt like I let him down. He was a fantastic musician & we loved it when he played. Good times for sure. I was in his class 7, 8, & 9th grade as well for the years 65, 66, & 67.

Don Gockel
I remember Mr. Young for 7,8,9th grades also. 1964-5-6

Ken Templeton
I had Mr. Young for choir. I also enjoyed going to Disneyland and seeing him play in the Dixieland band at the carnation Plaza

Richard Aspey
I had Mr. Graham for mixed chorus and enjoyed the class. I also saw him a few times at Disneyland. Great memories!

Linda Silvas
I remember him

Jennifer Todd
I had him I remember seeing him at Disneyland

Teri Clark
I can't sing a note but I did like Mr. Young. That being said, what I remember most from that classroom were the nuclear attack drills.

Jan DeJaegher
Mr. Young would play his trumpet for all of his classes and demonstrate circular breathing. I was in awe of that talent and still cannot do it to this day!

AUGUST 15, 2018 UPDATE
Just found this clip of Mr Young playing his trumpet on the Andy Griffith Show back in 1960!


 

APRIL 13, 2023 UPDATET

Today, received the following email from Roger Leone...

Cathy:

I only recently became aware of your blog.  You have a great tribute to Mr. Young.

I attended Muir and played in the after school dance band that he directed.  In 1961, when I was in 8th grade, the school thought we were so good, they agreed to use school funds to pay for us to go to a recording studio and make a record.

The record sold in the student store.  Sales more than made back the original investment and continued generating funds for school activities for some years afterward.

I only recently dug up my old 45's. I have 3 of them. I first made an .mp3.  I also wanted to share it on facebook so I made a video that is available on YouTube. 

 

In addition to teaching school 5 days a week, giving private lessons, playing in a number of bands / orchestras, working studio recording sessions, Mr. Young still found time to orchestrate the music that our dance band played. I have to confess that at the time, I didn't appreciate the effort he put into our band. He truly was a gift to his students. 

 

Thanks, 

Roger Leon 

 

THANKS ROGER!    

 

John Muir Blues

John Muir Blues

Photo and comment posted in 2020 on Facebook by Ron Hagg...

I had Mixed Chorus with Mr. Young. We found out that he played in the Gene Krupa Band - a very popular band in the 1940s. I saw the 1959 movie, "The Gene Krupa Story." In the movie Gene Krupa was terribly addicted to marijuana. One scene someone had to hold him back because he was so desperate for the joint that was on the floor. I was SHOCKED. I mean, marijuana was so evil. I asked Mr. Young about it, because I was so shocked. "Mr. Young, Gene Krupa smoked marijuana and got arrested." Mr. Young told me that he wasn't arrested for marijuana, but was arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The young guy who hauled around their equipment was arrested for possession of marijuana. I was relieved. Now, Mr. Young did have a small soul patch. In the photo - He's the trumpet player on the left.