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In Memory of Richard Henry Blake
In March of 2006, The Madrigal Choir of Binghamton lost a wonderful man--our assistant director, a rock-solid bass and section leader, and a great friend. He is truly missed.
Here are a few of the tributes about him that were published in the Press and elsewhere.
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Published in The Press and Sun Bulletin, Tuesday, May 9th, 2006
A man of music, a fine teacher, a good example
By THERESE WALSH
"Shh. Listen to the sounds that surround you. Notice the pitches, the volume, the timbre, the many lines of counterpoint. As light taught Monet how to paint, the earth may be teaching you music." - excerpt from How Can We Keep from Singing, by Joan Oliver Goldsmith.
I've been singing for as long as I can recall, and I've been with The Madrigal Choir of Binghamton since 1999. Recently, we lost one of our members: Richard Blake, section leader for the basses, former choir instructor with the Chenango Valley school district, husband, father, grandfather, friend.
Granted, death is an inevitable part of life. Richard fought a valiant battle, and it's hard to say that he "lost" when his journey inspired so many. Though his body weakened, his spirit never wavered. He showed great concern for those he would leave behind; he continued to cajole with friends; he gave as much emotional warmth and energy to people as they gave to him--right up until the end. He asked the choir before he passed away to sing at his funeral and to sing the early Quaker song:
"My life flows on in endless song
Above earth's lamentation.
I hear the real though far off song
That hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing.
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing!"
Richard loved music, but his illness stole his ability to read it; an especially cruel blow. It didn't, however, steal his love for song. He passed away with favorite pieces of music playing in the background, and he lingered-- literally -- until the last notes played out.
We will miss Richard tremendously. If Anne Cotten is the Madrigal Choir's mother; Richard was like the group's father. I will forever hear his rich bass voice in my mind and be glad that I knew him. Most important, I won't forget his lesson: Listen to the sounds around you--the earth may be teaching you music.
Rest in peace, my friend.
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From online site: http://mistyfalls.com/php3/
Goodbye, Mr. Blake
By CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON IV
It's a strange kind of feeling when a teacher you spent a substantial amount of time with passes away. Mr. Blake was the chorus teacher at Chenango Valley High School and I was in his chorus for several years. I remember him as imposing and a little scary… and he would put you in your place if you strayed too far out of line. As a student, this can be a little intimidating. He asked me once to play the piano accompaniment for the chorus one year and I practiced the pieces but ultimately chickened out. In my youth, I was never the type to feel comfortable playing in front of people… at least in the chorus, there was a sense of invisibility. He was rather disappointed and I disappointed him again later that year when I didn't participate in some kind of music program a select few of us in the chorus had been selected to participate in the year before. I guess it just came down to time commitments for me and I had and have always valued my time often opting to spend it alone with my thoughts and dreams rather than in the loud and sometimes jarring world of student activity.
In the years since I have graduated, I have seen Mr. Blake performing in various choirs, choruses and have seen a passion in him that I understand now, but could not recognize or appreciate as a high-school student. This man truly loved music and was compelled to push others to excel in the subject. Even now I remember his frustration with students who would not focus for the short span of a morning rehearsal, and I understand the desire he had to treat music with the respect and attention that it deserves. I respect Mr. Blake more now in the years after our short time together in those morning high-school classes than I would have imagined possible back then and find myself touched by what he has ultimately given me which is a better understanding of how a man can love something like music and fight for it in every walk of his life.
We all have our struggles in our brief time here on this planet, and Mr. Blake had his, I'm sure. He has passed too young, but such is the way of things sometimes. As for me, I will remember him fondly; the good times, the intimidating times and the moments when I discovered the passion that drove his dedication and desire to live in the music. If there is such a place as heaven or the after life, I have no doubt he will continue to fulfill his musical passion that he dedicated this life to. Goodbye, Mr. Blake… and thanks.
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Published in the Press and Sun Bulletin, March 29th, 2006
Obituary
Richard Henry Blake, 60, of Binghamton, passed away on Monday, March 27, 2006, at his home. He was the son of the late Robert and Barbara (Mulford) Blake. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; son, Timothy and Deborah Blake; daughter, Robin and Martin Bischoff; and daughter, Hillary and Rob Montgomery; grandchildren, Madeline, Ethan and Samuel Blake, Theodore, Nathan and Matthew Bischoff; sister, Rebecca and Rick Kresge; brother-in-law, Carl and Donna Brown; nieces and nephews, Scott and Stacey Brown, Tara Knapp, Ellen and Jay Bush, Ethan and Melissa White, Richard, Joseph, David and Alisa Kresge. He was a music teacher at Chenango Valley Central Schools for 34 years and in Binghamton's Daniel Dickinson School for one year. He was a member of Broome County Music Educators Association, NYState School Music Association, American Choral Director's Association, Chenango Valley Teachers Association, The Binghamton University Chorus, Ogden Hillcrest United Methodist Church. He was recently the Assistant Director of the Madrigal Choir of Binghamton. He was formerly a member and president of the Port Crane Fire Department and director of the Binghamton Clef Club. He was a graduate of Harpursville Central School, Hartwick College and Ithaca College.
If desired, donations are requested for the Endowment Fund at Ogden Hillcrest United Methodist Church, 1061 Chenango Street, Binghamton, N.Y. 13901, The Madrigal Choir of Binghamton, c/o Claudia Kachmarik, 12 Arbutus Lane, Binghamton, N.Y. 13901, or the Richard Blake Scholarship Fund at Chenango Valley High School, 1160 Chenango Street, Binghamton, N.Y. 13901.
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