John LAUDERDALE Obituary

Jacks time with me as his student at Otago Uni was unfortunately all too brief. Nonetheless he corrected my embouchure and encouraged me to purchase the Claude Gordon method books which I still have and use today. He left a lasting impression and I was very sad when he left Dunedin as I thought very highly of him and still do to this day. Thank you Mr Lauderdale. Good teachers always have a way of leaving a lasting impression and Jack was one of the best.

We are very sorry to hear about the passing away of Jack, known by many of us as Mr. Lauderdale.

Mr. Lauderdale inspired the lives of countless students throughout the world, of which I would like to mention his influence at Mahurangi College in Warkworth, NZ.

As I look back over the years he is one of the few teachers whose lessons extended to not only his subject, music, but to life in general and some of them stuck with me forever.

One I will never forget -

"Never mistake kindness for weakness."

He taught us how to be mature and hard working musicians, never compromising on anything. He was a strict and immaculate musician, gifted with the passion of sharing his vast learning with the youth.

We had a lot of laughs and a lot of cries. I remember a girl once broke into tears in the rehearsal. He was very strict but he knew that's what it took to refine a person's character in learning to play an instrument well.

Sometimes he would say,

"You are all young leprechauns and I am an old man. You have all the time in the world left ahead of you, but I don't. I have just an itty-squitty bit of time left and [after an emphatic pause] YOU ARE WASTING IT!" Then he would smile and resume the rehearsal.

But his message was clear: be mature, work hard, achieve the best, don't waste time and don't compromise on anything. He was a perfectionist and I learnt that from him.

We wish you a pleasant journey from here Mr Lauderdale, may our souls meet again, it has been a pleasant journey so far.

Mr Lauderdale

I still remember meeting you as a nervous 12 year old, showing up for my first Trombone lessons. While that never amounted to anything, I subsequently took up the Alto Saxophone and joined the Concert Band under your tutelage. I still remember you were tough but fair with all of us, encouraging us to be the best that we could be - and with your guidance, the concert band kept achieving new heights with you at the conductor's stand.

Thank you for your hard and tireless work. You will be sorely missed. You have earned your rest.

There is someone you will remember sometimes out of sudden because that special person made you who you are. I remember the great times at North Shore Youth Band. The practice, the joke, the hard work, the laughter will be deep inside my heart.

I remember jack with great fondness both when he was a member of the NZSO but also of the Dunedin Civic. He took me under his wing and was encouraging, instructive, and had many great amusing stories drawn from his wealth of life experiences. Even though I had not heard from Jack since 1979, he was always in my thoughts. My thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP

Thinking of Jack and his family,from the other side of the world as his memorial service draws near.We send our thanks, love and respect to all his family and friends.
Kevin,Jo,Lorna,Charlie and Clara
Cardiff,Wales

Jack -a true legend! Your jokes, lessons, principles and famous sayings I will never forget!...and every now and then, I find myself sharing the same pearls of wisdom and jokes with fond memories of you! You will be missed-but always remembered.

I am so grateful for the love and dedication Jack demonstrated both for the music being played and for those who were playing it.
I was in the North Shore Youth Band with Jack along with my other four siblings back in the day and still remember the excitement of winning Gold at the Nationals.
We were all taught to strive for excellence and learnt countless lessons from Jack. Standing up with our knees bent improved posture, holding notes until we were literally out of breath helped with phrasing and the list goes on.
I still think of his funny little sayings (no probs corn cobs) and it makes me remember the fun we had and the hard work we put in.
Jack, you inspired me and countless others throughout your life.
You gifted this world with musical greatness. So many could attribute their musical success to you.
May you rest peacefully now.
Youve worked so hard for so long, you absolutely deserve it.

Jack was definitely a strong flavour, and the world is a more beige place with his passing you left an enduring influence for which I am ever grateful.
Angus Byars-Basel, Switzerland

Hi there, Jack (Measles, Hurricanes) - no idea where that came from, but it was how we greeted each other, over the years!

So sorry to learn of your passing - by chance 5 days after Basil and 2 days before his celebration service. Perhaps you've both already met up there and are exchanging memories and a few laughs as I write!

Kathleen and Trish, my sincere condolences and love to you both. I know exactly what you're experiencing.

Go in peace, Jack.

With love

Blanche (Jack's NZSO colleague, together with Basil)

I first encountered Jack as a nervous 11 year old in Mosgiel - little did I know that he would have such an impact on my formative years and into my adulthood.

He was one of those people that you encounter outside your immediate family that inspires, shapes, forms and mentors you in life. I was fortunate to have this twice - when I was a teen and then after moving to Auckland as an adult.

Not only did he help me develop my love and passion for music (which continues to this day) but he brought a lot of sensitive kids together with many of us developing lifelong friendships. They were the best of times.

His life lessons reside with me to this day and his trumpet lessons and focus on making that sound remains with me always- can't pick up that horn without paying homage.

He was a man who cared passionately (he always told me you can never care enough), was a 'little bit' mischievous but had a heart of gold.

He leaves a legacy through the many people he has influenced through the years.

Rest in peace Jack you deserve it.

Anthony Chin

I met Jack at Waikato Orchestral Society summer camp in Taupo when I was 13 years old. He was my trumpet teacher through school & at Auckland University, where I gained a BMus. Through Jack's encouragement, I studied Trumpet at the Royal College of Music (RCM).

Before studying at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) with George Eskdale, Jack took private lessons from Ernest Hall in London, who was for many years Professor of Trumpet at the RCM. I remember attending lessons in the Ernest Hall room. Ernest Hall taught 3 generations of Trumpeters...probably more. Laurie Evans was a student of Ernest Hall. Laurie (RCM) and Jack (RAM) studied in London at around the same time. Laurie was for many years Principal Trumpet with the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO).

When I left the RCM, I worked with the LPO for several years, and came to know Laurie well. He used an aluminium Vacchiano Trumpet mute that Jack bought from William Vacchiano, when he was in New York. Vacchiano was Principal Trumpet in the New York Philharmonic, and created a range of Trumpet accessories. In a typically selfless and non materialistic gesture, Jack gave the mute to Laurie when he was still a student at the RCM, who, some 35 years later, treasured it as his favourite straight mute, to the end of his career.

In addition to the LPO, I worked with all the London Orchestras, a highlight was working with the LSO (who had 2 Principal Trumpets), Maurice Murphy and Rod Franks. Maurice and Jack knew each other, as years before, they had worked together in the BBC Northern Orchestra. Maurice had fond memories of Jack. As did John Geordiadis, who was for many years Leader of the LSO.

My point in mentioning all of this, is that when I met Jack, I was a kid in the Waikato, with a few dreams about playing the trumpet, a recording of the great Mauruce Andre...and not really much of a clue.

Through Jack's passion and dedication as a teacher, he showed me the path to studying and playing the trumpet in London.

As a 20 year old kiwi lad in London, suddenly being immersed with such big names, legends of the London trumpet scene ...spoken about by Jack in our lessons in Hamilton...all coming to life...awe inspiring.

With this sad news, I look back now and reflect on a career in music over the 10 years after leaving the RCM, where I worked as a lowly section player under great principal trumpets like Michael Laird, Bill Houghton, Maurice, Laurie, Rod Franks, Malcolm Smith, Nick Betts, Paul Beniston, Paul Archibald, Colin Clague, Nick Thompson etc...and also a week recording with Maurice Andre + the LPO. I was never the player who could play in the highest register or had the flashiest technique. But I was told that I made a good sound, and it was possibly for that reason I worked with the LSO, LPO, RPO, BBC Symphony, Royal Opera House, English National Opera, BBC Concert Orchestra, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, over several years.

Any success I did have is to a large degree down to Jack's overriding message - which is to work hard...and that unless you made a good sound, that projected to the back of the concert hall in any dynamic and in all registers, then playing the trumpet was for nothing.

He instilled a fantastic work ethic and passion for excellence in all his pupils. For those of us who were lucky enough to be taught by Jack, it is fair to say that his teaching and philosophies extended beyond the music room, and, many years on, I for one can see many of his approaches to music manifesting themselves in a positive way, in my day to day professional life, and as a father to my own kids (....like one lesson entirely dedicated to learning Rudyard Kipling's "IF"...no music whatsoever)

We lost touch in recent years, which I regret, but I had planned to see him this Christmas with my family, in our first trip back home to NZ after many years.

Alas, it was not to be.

My sincerest condolences. But, thank you for letting Jack spend so much of his time and energy with us students...although I suspect it would have been impossible to stop him from doing anything else!

In my mind I can hear you clearly playing the offstage solo from Lieutenant Kije...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhOocJQpynU

Good bye, my friend.

Dear Jack,

You taught me how to perform; how to think; how to plan; how to work hard and how to laugh in every situation. I repeat your wise and funny words on a daily basis, and think of you every time I hear a tune, walk on a beach or go for a swim.

I will walk the rest of my life's path with you beside me: it's our time to carry the burden now and we will carry it in your honour.

I feel no regrets and no despair-only the strength that you gave me, and my gratitude for your gift.

I love you, and wish you the peace that you so greatly deserve.

Forever your student,

Kevin Price

To a very special Uncle - We our so sad to have to say goodbye to a very special uncle that spent so many christmas's with us the Blenkinsop Family. You are now at rest with Nana, Anthony, Bobby, (angel Kelly)- Love you and will miss you - Angela, Roger, Nicholasxx

I have such fond memories of you leading our Concert Band at Glenfield College. From our sectional rehearsals that you made us have, where we couldn't possibly hide from not having practised our music, to achieving success at competitions and touring overseas, you always believed in us and pushed us to excellence. You have made such a difference in the lives of so many. Thank you xx

I remember Jack from many many years ago in Paekakariki. Very sorry to hear of his death. My love to all the family

I am eternally grateful for the incredible impact you had on my life and career. Your inspiration and leadership enabled me to take the path I am still currently on - 40 years later, teaching music and conducting ensembles. We started the Concert Band together at Glenfield College, and your expertise and mentoring saw it rise to great heights, enriching the lives of so many children. From you I learnt to settle for nothing less than excellence, not stop until the job was done, while taking in the joy and laughter that this art form encompasses. My forever love and sincere thanks.
Alison Housley [email protected]

Our condolences on your loss from the Coppillie and Colman families

Mr. Lauderdale, Thank you for all of the trumpet lessons, life lessons, rehearsals, concerts, tours, laughs, stories and amazing experiences throughout the years. You gave so much to so many, asking nothing in return except for high standards. Your legacy lives on in the hundreds if not thousands of lives you touched through your music and your teachings. We will never forget, and we will be forever grateful.

Condolences to John's family - a great and caring neighbour. Will miss our chats on the Wednesday bin round. Mike and Wendy Smith across the road.