Ava Knapp
Palo Alto High School Band and Orchestra teacher Jeffrey Willner conducts an orchestra consisting of alumni and existing students who came in honor of his retirement. According to Skye Wancerman-Milne, a trombone player in the Class of 2002, her high school education of musical nuances sets her apart from other musicians she plays with now. “I realize now I play music with other people who don't have a school music education and they don't know basic things like counting and it makes it harder to play music together so I’m really thankful for the music education,” Wancerman said.
As the sun dipped behind Viking Stadium on Friday evening, hundreds of musicians marched in with instruments in hand, memories in mind and gratitude in their hearts.
In honor of the retirement of Jeffrey Willner, longtime Palo Alto High School band and orchestra teacher, more than 100 alumni from over 20 years and current band students performed beloved songs while their conductor led them one last time.
According to Willner, the event was a gratifying way to end off his career.
“This was awesome,” Willner said. “I had really high expectations for this thing and they have been exceeded by far.”
Luke Li, a trombone player in the Class of 2004 who is now a psychiatrist, said he heard about this event through an online group chat.
“I heard about it through word of mouth, from other alumni friends on a text thread,” Li said. “It was really exciting to think about just seeing old friends again, seeing Mr. Willner and wishing him well. He was a really important part of my high school experience since I did band all four years.”
According to Katie Gilchrist, incoming band and orchestra teacher in place of Willner, this event was successfully organized under short notice and highlights the impact Willner has had on his alumni.
“If he [Willner] had known earlier, he would have done a football game, but he didn’t know he was gonna retire until February” Gilchrist said. “I’m really glad that we were able to put this together. The fact that we had almost 100 alumni sign up to come out and participate — and a ton more wanted to come but just weren’t able to — shows where he places the focus in his teaching and how much the kids loved his stuff.”
According to Li, one of the biggest lesson he’s taken away from this event is to live in the moment.
“One big area of growth has been taking things a little less seriously because when you’re in high school — things just seem so big,” Li said. “Everything seems so consequential. But coming back, I just really enjoy the relationships that we I still have with my classmates and friends who are here. I think it really is nice to have the perspective that even though things may seem so big in high school, this too shall pass.”
Kalena Masching, a trumpet player in the Class of 2004, said that having Willner as a teacher has changed her approach to writing music.
“He was really good at getting us to play songs outside of our comfort zones,” Masching said. “I played in a rock band and I was writing with my band a couple weeks ago and we were trying to figure out the right chord. I said ‘What if you just replace that one finger with an A flat?’ The way I write music is I think ‘Could I play this note without Willner yelling at me?’ And it works.”
According to Alexander Beaudry, a french horn player in the Class of 2017, Willner had a energetic but effective teaching style.
“I liked him,” Beaudry said. “I went on a couple of trips with them. He’s very loud but good at getting us to play. I hope he has a great retirement.”
Masching said that she believes Willners’ energy will be missed when he retires.
“He’s probably one of the most enthusiastic and energetic people I’ve ever met,” Masching said. “I hope he has a relaxing retirement because I know that band class is not a relaxing thing, but he does a great job corralling so many people.”