Gary and Phyliss Fagan

Gary and Phyliss Fagan directed their last Henley Middle School band concert at the Western Albemarle High School auditorium May 28 to a jammed house that wanted to show their appreciation for the couple’s 34 years of dedication to the community’s musical education. Robert LaRue, who performed on saxophone during the Symphonic Band’s number Bella Beach, summed up the sentiment with impromptu remarks between numbers: “We have an incredible music program here. There’s not a greater gift than the gift Gary has given. He’s the best.”

Fagan brushed that off as he proceeded to the next song, “Anchors Aweigh,” a tribute meant to honor all those serving in the armed forces. He asked any active duty member in the audience to please stand. Twenty men and women stood up to the applause of the crowd and they remaining standing during a stirring performance.

“Musicians become musicians because they hear a piece of music that stops them in their tracks and takes their breath away and they want to create that feeling in other people,” Fagan said to introduce the next selection, “Gently Blows the Summer Wind.” That piece had aroused that feeling in him, he acknowledged. Then came the finale, Fagan’s first published composition, “U.S.S. Hornet.” He had first named it “Hornet” in honor of the Henley Hornets.

Fagan started Henley on its way to band stardom in 1977, coming over from Louisa County, where he had been teaching. He told the story of how James Simmons hired him, the same James Simmons who a few minutes later conducted 53 former Fagan students who had formed an alumni band to perform that night in Fagan’s honor. Kristen Edwards had come from California. “He changed my life. He’s just one of those teachers,” she explained.

Mr. Fagan with the Alumni Band.

When the time came to present the band awards, Fagan promised to be expeditious about it, but, as usual, he had a lot to say about each of his students. One in particular, he drew attention to: a former student, Ashley Walton, who is making an arduous recovery from a coma she suffered in a car accident in 2008. Fagan had told band boosters at the beginning of the school year that the band’s finances were adequate and special fundraising efforts weren’t necessary this year.

But, at his last concert, he “called in his chips,” as he put it, and asked the crowd to please donate to her needs. He repeated the appeal later and by the end of the night a basket placed in the hallway had been stuffed with $1,600. Because he had asked.
His current students presented him with a book they had compiled, “The Book of 101 Faganisms,” which include “All right, gang. Today is a perfect day for marching.”

Next, Brie Hudson made a presentation on behalf of her sister Kori, a former Fagan pupil who is now flying an F-16 in Afghanistan. It was a case containing an American flag that she had carried with her in her cockpit on a combat mission.

Next he and Phyliss were given tickets to the Heritage Theater’s summer season, plus dinner out before the shows.
Fifth District Congressman Tom Perriello, also a former student, had a tribute to Fagan read into the Congressional Record and it was read aloud to the audience. “You will always be the leader of the band for all the thousands of students who came through Henley Middle School,” Perriello wrote.

Then the alumni band took the stage. They had had one practice. Some folks hadn’t been playing much. They performed “Troy” and they sounded pretty good. “They’ve still got it!” said Phyliss afterward. The crowd took the occasion to give the Fagans a standing ovation. Then the Symphonic Band crowded onto the stage with the alumni band for a final performance of the “U.S.S. Hornet.”

“I don’t know what to say,” said Fagan, abashed. “I’m astounded. I have been so blessed. The best job in the world is to teach kids about music.”

He and Phyliss greeted fans in a receiving line at a reception afterward. A framed poster had been made with the titles of all 39 of his compositions on it and students signed a sheet of posterboard that was glued to its back.

His three daughters, Emily, Amanda and Lindsay, were there, as was his mother, who was making her first appearance at one of his band concerts in 36 years. The family posed together for a photograph as the last concert night ended.