Teaching percussion at Rochester, New York’s Eastman School of Music since 1959, John H. Beck has amassed quite the incredible collection of instruments, method books and other items. Beck, technically now retired, spoke recently with the Democrat & Chronicle about gradually sorting through the items and the memories.
“Almost everything in here has a story,” says Beck. “The stories are what hold me back from getting this done. I open that door and walk in here, and there’s memorabilia all over the place.
He taught hundreds of students in his years at Eastman, one of the most popular being the legendary Steve Gadd. But about his time with Gadd, he says, “”I didn’t really teach him . . . I just guided him.”
Read the full D&C story here.