Letters to Walter Chesnut
In the age of “heavy metal” and “acid rock,” getting teenagers to appreciate other types of music, particularly classical music, can be a tough thing to do. However, music professor Walter Chesnut has had remarkable success in doing just that.
In the last year, Chesnut, a professor of trumpet, has traveled throughout the Northeast conducting bands and orchestras made up of children of all ages. During that time he has received over 100 letters from the children praising him for his work and thanking him for the influence he has had on their lives.
In addition to being a guest conductor at various primary and secondary schools, Chesnut also teaches a clinic, “The History of the Trumpet in Sight and Sound.” He says it is all part of his outreach work to share his music, and “the kids have responded to me rather unbelievably.”
In May of last year, Chesnut conducted the Maine All-State Band. Soon after, he received a letter from a 15-year-old girl who played in the band. She wrote, “ ... You are a powerful man. Your enthusiasm grew within me, and now your emotions are embossed within me forever. You have created a new world for many people, and thank you for introducing that world to me.”
Chesnut said the response he receives from the children makes him feel warm inside. “I get choked up a little at times because you never know if you’re reaching kids or not,” said Chesnut. “It’s pretty poweriul having that kind of influence. What means the most to me is if I can influence a kid to give them confidence about what they’re doing and open their eyes to something they’ve never seen before.”
Many of the children feel that Chesnut has opened their eyes to something new. They feel that he has given them a greater understanding and appreciation for music. The correspondence he receives ranges from simple thank you notes to letters of adoration and praise. Here are some excerpts:
“You are the Best”
“Thank you for the inspiration to be a musician who doesn’t play notes, that plays music,” said a teenage boy from New Jersey. A young girl from Pennsylvania wrote, “I play from my heart thanks to you, and I’ll never forget to teach that to my students when I become a music teacher.” Another Pennsylvania youth wrote, “I hope you can teach in every part of the world because every musician has not played music until you’ve conducted them.”
Chesnut says the letters he receives amaze him because he finds it hard to believe that such an impact can be made in just a few days. He said he usually spends just three days with the young musicians. However, his pen pals feel that those few days are enough.
One high school student wrote, “I would like to thank you for giving us every ounce of your energy and devotion. Even if I never see you again, my memories of you and my two-day experience will remain in my heart forever,”
“You taught us more in those three days than I have probably learned in the last three years. You are the best person, and I really mean person, not just conductor, that I have ever worked with in my entire 14 years as a human being,” wrote a girl from Maine.
Chesnut said he was active in music as a child and began to play the trumpet in the high school band in his home state of Virginia. He said he was not surprised when his own children decided to pursue careers in music. He said they grew up around music and were exposed to it all their lives because both he and his wife are musicians.
His son Walter, Jr. is a sophomore music composition major here at the University. His daughter, Mary, also a University student, is a performance major in voice. His son Robert is a sophomore in high school. Chesnut said although Robert is not looking at a career in music, he does play the trumpet in the high school band.
At the University, Chesnut teaches a trumpet class composed of 21 students. He said when he first came here in 1967, his class consisted of only three. He teaches each student individually. “They’re very caring students. They’re good to me.” he said.
He has also been active in the Department of Music and Dance. In 1968 he founded the Brass Choir which he conducted until 1984. In 1976 he was a guest soloist with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra for the opening of the Fine Arts Center. From 1983 to 1986 he led the Youth of America 50-piece band on a three-week tour of Europe, where they played to full houses in Luxembourg and Austria. And he is well-known on campus for opening major gatherings with his long ceremonial trumpet.
Chesnut said he answers all the letters he receives personally. “It’s important that they know I care about them.” He said he enjoys working with young people and he tries to teach them more than just music. “l feel very relaxed in front of the kids. I say what I think from my heart. Music is emotion. I talk about love, sharing, and caring about each other.”
—By Rhonda Swan. ”Letters to Walter Chesnut” was originally published by The Campus Chronicle March 13, 1987.