Harry Brabec: Fondly Remembered as a Friend and Mentor
by Barbara Brabec
Harry made an impact on the lives of many people, but I don’t believe he ever realized how important his teaching, personal encouragement, and professional connections had been to the careers of so many of his old school chums and musician friends. I knew nothing about all he had done to help and encourage others because none of them ever told me these things until after Harry was gone.
I’m sure he never knew, either, that he was so loved, respected, and fondly remembered by so many whose lives he had touched as a friend. I hope this post will be a reminder to all readers of the importance of telling someone if they have made an impact on your life, whether it’s a letter to a famous person you have admired from afar, one of your old teachers, your parents, siblings, a co-worker, or an old friend you’re taking for granted because he or she has always been there for you.
Here are just some of the things that were reported to me after Harry’s death or during the writing of my memoir:
“Harry’s reputation as a drummer in high school was legend. He set high precedents for me and was the ideal role model. As one who partook in a slice of Harry’s life of generosity, caring, patience, dedication, and mentoring, I wonder where my life’s trail would have led me without him. I am most indebted and grateful for his faith and friendship. I owe him as do many others. ” – Gordon Peters, retired Chicago Symphony percussionist and conductor of the Chicago Civic Orchestra
“While at Morton High School, I idolized Harry and looked to him as a big brother. He was an outstanding musician and, above all, a fine gentleman with great professional traits. For those of us that worked with him and knew him, he will always leave a mark.” – Frank Kaderabek, virtuoso trumpeter and lifelong friend
“Harry was a very important person in the lives of many musicians, particularly mine. He was responsible for my career in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.” - Sam Denov, retired Chicago Symphony percussionist and author
“Harry, my mentor, transformed me from a dance band/show band musician to a percussionist. He changed the direction of my life and gave me skills I could use in a lifetime of performance, plus insights that I was then able to pass on to my own students.” - Fred Wickstrom, Percussionist, Professor of Music, University of Miami
“Harry not only taught me the rudiments of percussion, but the rudiments of life as a musician. He made me see that you could be the world’s greatest percussionist, but if you didn’t understand how the music business worked and what you had to do and who you had to get to know to get ahead in it, you were nowhere. One must prepare themselves to earn the right to play professionally, but you have to have people along the way that believe in you and are willing to give you a hand up. Harry Brabec gave me my first hand up while in Orlando. I will always credit him for that first big break.” – Rich Sherrill, a professional musician for 20 years
“When I think of Harry’s it’s the stories he would tell that makes me remember him as the wonderful character he was. I will always remember him as a great guy, a fun person to work with, and a pleasure to know.” Thomas Wetzel, associate principal timpanist with the Milwaukee Symphony
”For all his great experience and all he had done musically, Harry always treated everybody as an equal. When playing in the Bensenville Band, he was always telling us stories of jobs he played. He always helped the band with his playing.” - Scott Thomas, clarinetist in the Bensenville Band
“Harry was an exceptional percussionist that will be greatly missed by all.” Fred Lewis, conductor of the Bensenville Concert Band.
“Harry was quite a great guy, which I discovered soon after he contacted me after one of the school concerts I had conducted. He was gracious, interesting, funny, and possessed all the qualities one could ever hope to possess. Even at 77 years old, I always felt that there was no generation gap between us, and I always enjoyed his company. I’m sure by now Harry has a wonderful ‘gig’ lined up in heaven, where we will all get to see him again one day.” – Verne Spevak, Percussion Concepts , Inc.
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Tags: Bensenville Concert Band, Fred Lewis, Gordon Peters, Harry Brabec, Sam Denov
