Think back to the joy you felt walking into your favorite class in elementary school. There was often a sense of excitement, wonder, and a yearning to learn. You simply couldn’t get enough. Now imagine that very same subject was taught by someone you knew better than anyone else in the world – an individual who’s literally been by your side from day one. For 2004 grad Phil Truex, that rare opportunity had become a reality – sitting in the Maine Memorial band room under the leadership of his own mother, or as his classmates knew her, Mrs. Truex.
“My earliest childhood memories are musical thanks to the loving support of my parents,” said Truex.
In addition to his mother’s musical influence, Truex’s father also worked for several arts organizations, both regionally and nationally. A young child’s love for music was developing at an early age, as Phil remembers singing and listening to music for as long as he can remember.
“My first memories in music stem from attending the Old Songs folk music festival- a tradition my family still keeps every summer. The festival runs the last weekend of June in Altamont, NY. I met some of the artists I work with today at Old Songs as a child whilst singing in their workshops. Learning the songs of Appalachia and the Labor Movement left a significant impression on me; I began to love music as a precious moment in time. More importantly, I saw music as a movement that transcends avarice and hate,” said Truex.
Following his mother’s influence in and out of the classroom, Truex’s love for music would only continue to grow as he progressed through Maine-Endwell. Sitting under the learning tree of some of his favorite teachers, he credits his time in the Spartan Fine Arts department for shaping the career he has today.
“My best memories always stem from moments of growth, be it in the music program, the concert hall, or via a hard-earned academic success. In high school, my All-State participation felt especially poignant as it solidified my drive to enter music as a career. At MESH, the music faculty always went above and beyond to make sure my peers and I had top-notch instruction and opportunities. Fitzroy Stewart and Robin Linaberry were instrumental (pun intended) in my growth as a musician and a person. Their patience and persistence with me is a credit to them both as educators,” said Truex.
At the middle school, Truex credits ‘Buzz’ Parker and Nate Rayboy for helping grow both his skills and love for the art of music.
“Buzz has a litany of professional music experience outside of his tenure teaching middle school band. That aside, he has the coolest nickname for a brass musician. I always fondly remember him describing what it was like performing the book for the Ringling Bros. / Barnum & Bailey Circus! Mr. Parker turned me onto jazz in a big way, as well as some fundamental books I still use in my teaching to this day. Mr. Rayboy shared a lot of the fundamental techniques and structure I needed to practice as a young musician; he still plays trombone with the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, alongside many of my mentors and teachers. He even played piano accompaniment for one of my collegiate recitals,” said Truex.
But it wasn’t just the music program at Maine-Endwell that left an impact on Truex.
“I felt that I developed most as a human in my learning from the health teacher John Perricone. Mr. Perricone’s personal dynamics class opened my mind to a lot of literature that wasn’t always typical school curriculum; I recommend many of those books to my students and friends to this day,” said Truex.
Fast forward more than 20 years later, and not much has changed for this 2004 grad. You won’t find many days where this Spartan doesn’t have an instrument in his hand, as he continues to live his musical dream. After sitting under the learning trees of Harold Reynolds, Jeffrey Gray, and Mark Babbitt, Truex has gone onto perform with the likes of The Ludwig Symphony, Il Brasso Magnifico, the Colorado Jazz Orchestra, 9th and Lincoln Jazz Orchestra, the Greeley Chorale, and Larmier Chorale, and much more. He’s also worked with artists such as the New York Voices, Patti Austin, Jeff Coffin, Donny McCaslin, Benny Green, Jeff Hamilton, Terell Stafford, Jeff Clayton, and many others.
“It has always been my goal to perform with high level musicians and ensembles to create art; I always try to remember how fortunate I am to do something invoking emotional, human responses for a living. In its best moments, it’s truly surreal. I didn’t know how to find a path as a self-employed musician, or what it would look like... but I was too stubborn to stop practicing, taking auditions, learning from others, and creating all sorts of beautiful sounds. The first time I played with a ‘big’ group or name is always a little different, but I try to treat it with reverence for my colleagues and the musical product. I feel that music should be enjoyable whether you’re cutting a recording, playing for live tv/radio, or performing on stage for a concert. It’s thrilling to be trusted to perform in collaboration with some of the best people in my field or with a storied organization. I hold dear the musical highs of these experiences because it feels like I’ve contributed to something that is far greater than the sum of its parts. For me that’s a dream come true,” said Truex.
Today, Truex maintains a small studio, teaching low brass to students of all ages and abilities, while playing in the Atlanta area. He also offers lessons in low brass (Trombone, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, & Tuba) from his home studio, and acts as a teaching artist at Ken Stanton music. All of this while working as a faculty member at the University of North Georgia in the music department. Just as education played a big role in Truex’s life, he’s now spreading that some love and knowledge onto the next generation.
“I’d say that my inspiration and love for education is inspired by the best of my teachers but is fueled today by a strong sense of necessity to produce something of value for the world. Countless times my teachers showed up for me, even when I was unsure what I needed for myself; it is a privilege for me to pay forward the trust my instructors placed in me as a young adult,” said Truex.
As for his advice for the students of today, especially those looking to enter the music field, Truex says normalize learning from mistakes with loving compassion.
“Some opportunities, even the ones you may want the most, might not be for you at first sight or try. One thing that will provide you tremendous value is learning how to consistently ‘show up’. Learn to embrace a steady growth mindset in moments of success and failure. We cannot learn without both highs and lows; the people who most often find achievement have learned to apply themselves to find it,” said Truex.
He continued, “To students pursuing music- go practice! Seriously,’ adulting’ takes up a tremendous amount of time simply dealing with the minutia of life. Use the time you have now as a student to open your ears and mind. Listen all the time and play your instrument with purpose; music is both an intellectual and physical skill. To master both, you’re going to need to put in time and dedicated energy in the practice room. Fall in love with the experience and your sound,” said Truex.
Sometimes in life, our earliest memories, loves, and interests remain for the rest of our lives, thanks to those special people who leave the biggest impacts. Truex is living proof that if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.
For Truex's full interview, click here.