Don’t Waste Edvard Grieg’s Apples!
Remembering Doug Wilfert
By Sean J. Kennedy- February 2, 2025
Yes, that Edvard Grieg—the iconic Norwegian composer who defined the sound of the late Romantic Era! More on him soon, but for now…
A Guiding Principle
If you’ve ever been in a group led by me, you’ve no doubt heard me say, "Early is on time, on time is late, and late is late!" I first heard that expression in 1995 when I was a student-teacher with Mr. Douglas Wilfert at General Wayne Middle School and Great Valley High School. That motto stuck with me and has remained a guiding principle throughout all of my ensembles, whether as a student or in a professional setting. Doug firmly believed in it, living by the principle and sharing it with everyone around him. His commitment to excellence and punctuality wasn’t just about time, it was about respecting the work and the people you worked with, shaping the lives of his students and colleagues.
A Life-Changing Experience
As a confident, perhaps overly confident, undergraduate entering my final semester at the West Chester University School of Music, I was assigned to complete my secondary-level student teaching at Great Valley High School in Malvern, PA. After a somewhat underwhelming elementary teaching experience, I expected little more from this new assignment. Little did I know, this experience would be life-changing, both personally and professionally, thanks to the teacher I was lucky enough to work with: Doug Wilfert.
First Impressions and Deepening Understanding
My first impression of Doug was one of awe. He was austere, abrupt at times, and deeply serious about the production, rehearsal, and teaching of music. His knowledge of conducting pedagogy, repertoire, composers, and performers was unmatched. After that first day of working with him, my confidence quickly waned as I realized how much I still had to learn. But as the week went on, I began to see something more profound in him. Doug’s commitment to music went far beyond the podium. He knew each of his students intimately, their strengths, weaknesses, fears, and personalities. Depending on the situation, he could be their biggest cheerleader, disciplinarian, confidant, or simply someone they could talk to. It became clear to me that Doug loved his students deeply and used music as a vehicle to inspire them in ways that went far beyond just teaching them how to play an instrument.
Musical Legacy and Inspirations
Doug's first trumpet teacher also taught the legendary Clifford Brown in Wilmington. Doug began playing professionally in high school, joining the Wilmington Musician’s Union. During those early years, he had the rare opportunity to play bass with Ray McKinley, the famous drummer from Glenn Miller’s band, who would often comment that everyone played Glenn Miller’s tunes too fast. It was one of many small but profound ways Doug was connected to a rich musical history that few could genuinely appreciate.
As a junior high school student, Doug attended a jazz camp where he learned about music theory and upper-extensions from vibraphonist Gary Burton. He also had the chance to perform with Ray Eberle, Glenn Miller’s famous boy singer. When Doug shared this with his mother, she dropped the dinner dishes in astonishment, she had been a fan of Ray’s during her youth. To Doug, those moments were more than just anecdotes; they were part of his life's tapestry, woven with rich experiences and deep connections to the greats of music history.
Doug studied conducting with Dr. Frederick Fennell, and when I had the privilege of performing and recording with Dr. Fennell myself, Doug was the first to share in my excitement. He was more than a mentor; he was one of my biggest cheerleaders, eager to hear every detail of the experience. Doug’s encouragement meant the world to me, especially when he urged me to pursue a Master’s in percussion performance. Having earned his Master’s degree in trumpet performance, he understood the challenges and dedication it took, particularly when pursuing the degree part-time. His belief in me gave me the confidence to continue on that path.
Doug was also incredibly proud of his Norwegian roots, often sharing stories about his heritage. One of his favorite tales was about his paternal grandfather, who grew up in Norway at the turn of the 20th century. Doug recounted how his grandfather, as a young boy, would walk to and from school with his friends. One beautiful, sunny day, they took a shortcut home through an apple orchard, as they often did. Being young boys, they found fallen apples and began throwing them at each other. A few minutes later, an old man emerged from behind an apple tree and scolded them for wasting his apples. He then instructed them, “Don’t waste my apples! You can take as many home to your mothers as you’d like, so she can bake you a pie, but don’t throw them!” To Doug’s astonishment, the old man was none other than Edvard Grieg, the famous Norwegian composer himself! If his name doesn’t ring a bell, I encourage you to Google Edvard Grieg’s Greatest Hits, there’s a good chance you’ll recognize no less three of his iconic pieces, even if you’re not a classical music aficionado.
This was just one of the many stories Doug shared, linking his personal history to the profound legacy of music and culture he admired deeply. Each story offered a unique perspective on how personal connections to music and heritage shape one's identity, something Doug exemplified in all his actions.
A Friendship Beyond Music
Despite his vast knowledge and accomplishments, Doug had an enthusiasm for music and life that was infectious. He was the guy I could argue with about which recorded version of Pines of Rome by the Philadelphia Orchestra was the best, and then just as easily switch gears to discuss how to execute the tricky licks in Some Skunk Funk by The Brecker Brothers. Doug didn’t just love music, he loved life and had a rare gift of sharing that joy with those around him.
One of the first things Doug asked me to do, as I transitioned from calling him "Mr. Wilfert" to simply "Doug," was a little uncomfortable for me at first. You see, when I meet someone who is such a powerful individual, whether intellectually or skill-wise, calling them by their first name feels a bit strange. But I did it, and my level of awe never diminished over time. Even now, years later, I still look back in wonder at everything Doug taught me, not just about music, but about life.
Doug became more than just a mentor to me, he became a close personal friend. Our friendship, rooted in music, grew over the decades, and Doug became like family to me and my wife, Heather. Some friends know you as a student before you’ve married, had children, and experienced all of life’s milestones. Doug was one of those rare friends who stuck around, and with him, there was always something new to talk about, something exciting to share. I will forever treasure the times we spent together.
Doug's Legacy of Teaching and Friendship
Doug often shared stories about his life, his musical journey, and his love for history, particularly his home state of Delaware. He would give impromptu history lessons about the state, the DuPont family, and the many local landmarks he cherished. He spoke fondly of his father, who had been a driver for the DuPont family and had trained with the Secret Service for escape and evasion tactics. Doug recounted these tales with such passion and detail that I often felt as though I had lived them myself. He also often spoke fondly of his sister, who he described as a brilliant scientist and said ‘had all the brains in the family.’ Beyond his love for history, Doug was a constant creator, composing and recording self-produced albums every year. His childlike enthusiasm for music was infectious, and he would excitedly explain things like how some songs only have one correct tempo, citing Build Me Up Buttercup as an example. His excitement for the smallest details in music, and in life, was contagious, and he could spend hours discussing everything from music theory to the local history he loved so much.
Doug’s deep connection to his students was another thing I admired. He never forgot a name or a face. Even decades after a student had graduated, they would often stop by one of his rehearsals to say hello. Without fail, Doug would stop whatever he was doing, greet them, and dive into a 15-minute conversation. He could recall, in astonishing detail, the student’s journey from the classroom to their life beyond. One of the many things that always impressed me was how Doug made each of his students feel valued, not just as musicians, but as people. He truly cared about them. He had a catalog of memories in his mind that was simply remarkable, and he could recount the most intimate details of his former students' lives as if he had been there with them every step of the way.
Doug didn’t just correct mistakes, he explained them. If there were intonation issues, he would walk you through the music theory behind why a particular note needed to be adjusted, even by a fraction. His attention to detail was incredible, and his ability to share that knowledge made me a better musician, but more importantly, it made me a better teacher.
A Final Tribute to Doug
I was fortunate to have Doug as a mentor, an inspiration, and a friend. The lessons he taught me, both about music and life, will stay with me forever. I will carry them with me as I continue to teach my students, perform for my audiences, and share his legacy with those who come after me. Doug's passion for music, his love for his students, and his deep curiosity about life will continue to inspire me in everything I do.
When we taught together, Doug changed my entire perception of conducting. He didn’t just conduct; he practiced conducting with precision, and he taught me how to do thorough score study and preparation. Teaching alongside him was an education in itself, and it shaped the way I approach music and leadership today. Shortly after I graduated from West Chester, Doug hired me to teach the drumline and pit for the high school marching band. He wasn’t particularly concerned with trophies or competition rankings. His attitude was that trophies were only good for collecting dust; the real reward was seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces after a great performance. “The real trophy is seeing their joy, hanging out with friends in the stands and on the bus, all the silly things that happen throughout a marching band season. That’s why we do this,” Doug would say, “not for pieces of fake marble and plastic.”
Doug was always supportive of my creative work. He insisted that I compose a percussion feature for the band each year to be included in the field show. He was one of the first people to champion my original compositions, and his belief in my music pushed me to continue creating. It’s rare to have someone who supports your work so fully, and Doug was that person for me.
On a personal level, Doug became a close friend to me and my wife, Heather. When we were planning our wedding, there was no question in my mind that Doug would play at the ceremony. He graciously agreed and performed a beautiful rendition of the Haydn Trumpet Concerto: II. Andante. It was a moment that encapsulated the beauty of his musicality, his generosity, and his enduring friendship.
Doug was a person who always made time for others, whether it was students, colleagues, or anyone touched by his kindness. His influence reached far beyond his incredible talent, as he made people feel seen, valued, and heard. I feel incredibly lucky to have known him, worked alongside him, and had him as a friend. His impact on the lives of those he mentored will live on, and the lessons he imparted, his passion for life, music, and his unwavering care for others, will stay with me forever.
When I first learned of Doug’s passing, I was in shock, especially considering how young he was, not yet 70. But true to his belief that “early is on time, on time is late, and late is late,” I have no doubt that Doug was needed somewhere else, and he would never dare be late.
These are my memories of Doug, and I hope I’ve captured the essence of his incredible life and legacy correctly.
Here's a copy of a CR-R Doug gave me in 2002:
Here are some clips of Doug and me backing harmonica phenom Rob Paparozzi in 2015 when we entertained 400 middle school students. I think, sadly, these are the only videos of us actually performing together.
Mark Amentt is on bass, and Rick Smith is on guitar.