College of Wooster Bids Farewell to the Leader of the Band

Stuart Ling, longtime director and professor of music, remembered for his kindness

Stuart Ling is shown directing the Scot Marching Band in his familiar MacLeod Tartan sport coat during halftime of a Scot football game.

WOOSTER, Ohio - Stuart Ling, beloved director of bands and professor of music at The College of Wooster for 35 years, died Monday night (March 24) following a period of declining health, just one week after celebrating his 90th birthday.

A graduate of Syracuse University, where he earned his bachelor's degree, master's degree, and Ph.D. in music, Ling came to Wooster in 1949. He directed the Scot Marching Band and the Scot Symphonic Band, as well as The College of Wooster Jazz Band, which he established in 1971. In addition, he directed the brass choir and the pep band. In the classroom, he taught music education methods courses and supervised student teachers. He also taught courses in jazz and operetta production, and served as coordinator of the music therapy program.

"Stuart Ling was a visionary musician, a great composer and arranger, and a superb teacher," said Jeffrey Lindberg, director and conductor of The College of Wooster Jazz Ensemble and the Wooster Symphony Orchestra. "He helped the music department and the entire College to excel in so many areas. Without the contributions of Dr. Ling, the College's reputation as a liberal arts school with an exceptional music program would not be held today."

Ling and his wife Terry, also an accomplished musician, doubted that their stay in Wooster would last more than a few years. After making the long trip from Syracuse via Ohio's back roads in a 1940 Plymouth, the young couple wasn't sure how long they could survive "living in the sticks." But the town and the College grew on them, and they became firmly established in the community as well as in Wooster's Department of Music, where they befriended the likes of Neill and Gertrude Rowe, Daniel and Clarice Parmelee, and the inimitable Richard Gore. Before long the Lings felt right at home, and they wound up making Wooster their permanent residence.

Before coming to Wooster, Ling was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in New Guinea and the Philippines for two years during World War II. He was later dispatched to Korea, where he spent 14 months. During that deployment, he arranged the tune "Dixie," and penned the words for "Are You From Wooster?" which is played at varsity athletic events to this day. Ling remained in the Army Reserve until his retirement in 1975, when he received several medals, including the prestigious Legion of Merit, which was presented at the Pentagon in recognition of his "exceptionally meritorious service." He also received the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Combat Infantry Badge.

During his tenure at Wooster, Ling was especially well known for conducting the Scot band in his bright and colorful MacLeod tartan sport coat, which was made for him by one of his daughters. He was also active in a number of professional music organizations, including the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA), for which he served as president from 1980-82. He later received the OMEA's Distinguished Service Award, the association's highest honor. He also was a member of MENC: The National Association for Music Education; the College Band Directors National Association; and the National Band Association. In addition, he belonged to Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, Pi Kappa Lambda Honorary Music Society, and Phi Mu Alpha Band Fraternity. He had many articles published in music journals and served as contributing editor for The Instrumentalist, a music education magazine.

"Stuart touched the lives of thousands of young and seasoned musicians," said former OMEA President Paul Thoms. "That influence will be carried forward through their children, their students, their colleagues, their churches, and their families. He has affected eternity."

Among Ling's many attributes were his passion for music, his commitment to excellence, his compassion for others, and his unwavering loyalty to the College. "I have always admired Stuart Ling for the person he was and for the manner in which he conducted himself," said Nancy Ditmer, who succeeded Ling as director of bands in 1984. "It was not easy to follow someone who had been in this position for 35 years, but never did I feel anything other than genuine interest and complete support from him. Whether he was leading the Scot Band, Wooster's music education program, or the Ohio Music Education Association, he did so with the grace of a gentle giant, and he made people feel capable and valued for what they had to offer. I hope that as I approach retirement, I can enter those years with the same elegance, dignity, and professionalism that he always exhibited. He touched the lives of thousands of young musicians and teachers, and the world will always be a better place because of his influence."

Bryan Dykstra, emeritus professor of music and a longtime associate of Ling, said, "Stuart was my respected colleague in the Department of Music from the time of my arrival on the faculty in 1969 until his retirement in the mid-1980s. By 1969, of course, he had already been on our faculty for about two decades and had accumulated much knowledge and wisdom about the College, the music department, and the field of music education within Ohio and nationally. This knowledge and wisdom were highly valued by our students and faculty.

"The Department of Music and the College owe Stuart a great deal," added Dykstra. "He mentored hundreds of music education majors over the years, and many of them are still actively teaching music in public schools and elsewhere throughout the country. Among other innovations in our curriculum, Stuart initiated the Jazz Ensemble and the Survey of Jazz course, both of which are still going strong today. He also composed and arranged many works for the Scot Band and the Jazz Ensemble, which were often played by these groups and which sometimes still appear on programs today. He contributed uniquely to the Scottish dimension of half-time shows and concerts by the Scot Marching and Symphonic Bands."

Jack Gallagher, another fellow professor and musician, said, "Stuart was a rare, special colleague of uncommonly versatile accomplishment and heartwarming beneficence and good will. His striking array of compositions and arrangements, his leadership for 35 years of the Scot Band, his recognition of the importance of jazz to the academy and founding of the Wooster Jazz Ensemble, his musical and keyboard facility in both jazz and concert music, his integrity and supportive encouragement as a colleague, and his nurturing mentoring of generations of Wooster students have left a formidable legacy that will continue to touch the lives of all who knew him and have been enriched by his enduring contributions."

Josephine Wright, professor of music and Black Studies, added, "Stuart was a dear, dear colleague, as well as a gentleman of the old school who will be deeply missed by all who knew and admired him. I shall always remember Stuart as a devoutly religious person, true to the end to his God and his church. Stuart and Terry were among the earliest people in Wooster to welcome me into their homes and lives. My thoughts and prayers remain with the Ling Family."

Laura Neill, company manager and producer of Ohio Light Opera and a 1989 Wooster graduate remembers one of Ling's many acts of kindness. "My dog (Gypsy), who had been with me since childhood, had just died, and I was crushed," said Neill, whose father, Bill McGraw '52, played in Ling's first band at Wooster. "Dr. Ling took time to compose a tribute ('An Ode to Gypsy') for clarinet, which was my instrument. I was deeply touched. He was an absolutely remarkable man."

Ron Price, a 1953 graduate and also a member of Ling's first band at Wooster, referred to him as a very special guy. "I first met Dr. Ling when I joined the band in 1953," said Price. "What I remember most fondly is that he always made you feel comfortable. He would put his arm around you and make you feel at home. Although I majored in math, music was very important to me. He and his wife, Terry, would invite us to their home. He would play the piano, and we would all sing. They were both very, very special to me."

Trem Oatman, a 1972 graduate, fondly remembers Ling from being in his marching band, symphonic band and basketball pep band from 1968 through 1972. "Even though I was not a music major or minor, Dr. Ling was one of my formative Wooster influences," said Oatman. "He was friendly and low key, yet kept high musical and performance standards and was able to get his students to love these things that were important to him. I don't recall the details, but an outside observer once told Dr. Ling, 'Your band marches with a lot of pride.' We had high purpose and standards, without taking ourselves overly seriously, but we also had a lot of fun."

Chester Andrews, a 1985 graduate who still announces for the band at football halftime shows, recalls Ling from his final few years as director of the Scot Band and many years after that as well. "Dr. Ling was a stand-up man, respected and dignified, even when he was wearing his MacLeod plaid jacket for every band performance," said Andrews. "I have a lot of memories, including the band surprising him on his birthday (St. Patrick's Day) when we were on tour. I also remember him trying to inspire us to cheer at football games with his 'elevator cheers.' He was a deeply religious man, too, and he would often provide an invocation before a meal."

Even after his retirement, Ling remained active on campus. He regularly attended concerts, lectures, plays, art exhibitions, and Ohio Light Opera productions, for which he often delivered pre-performance lectures. He also was an avid sports fan and Downtown Rebounder, and he rarely missed a football or basketball game.

Much has changed since the Lings first arrived on campus almost 60 years ago. Merz Hall (the former music building) is now Gault Alumni Center, and Memorial Chapel has been replaced by McGaw Chapel. The popular Gum Shoe Hop and spring Color Day celebration have long since been discontinued, and Dad's Day has evolved, first into Parents' Weekend and then Family Weekend. Times have certainly changed, but Stuart Ling never did. His grace, his dignity, and his kindness touched the lives of countless students, faculty, and staff, and his memory will live on with every note that rises from Wooster's campus.

Ling is survived by his wife, as well as three adult daughters and six grandchildren: Kristine (Richard) Holt and children Sarah and Timothy; Karen Aczon and her children Lauren and Evan; and Katherine (Niels) Olsen and sons Stuart and Andrew '09. Those wishing to honor Dr. Ling may do so with a donation to the Stuart J. Ling Jazz Prize Endowment. Additional information is available by phone (330-263-2583).