Former Snohomish High students will honor teacher at concert

SNOHOMISH — Band and choir teacher Ed Peterson demanded excellence and respect from his students. In return, he motivated them to do their best.

Peterson has long been retired from teaching at Snohomish High School, but that hasn’t stopped his former students from putting on a tribute concert as a way to say thanks.

“Peterson deserves a tribute because he has been a positive influence on his students, and by creating a successful music program that still exists today,” said Kim Ingalls Allen, 52, and one of Peterson’s students from 1974 to 1977.

The concert is scheduled at 6 p.m. Nov. 26 at the Performing Arts Center in Snohomish High School, 1316 Fifth St. A reception will follow at the Snohomish Senior Center, 506 Fourth St.

There is a $10 admission fee to cover operational costs, such as rental of the venue and refreshments.

The 90-minute concert has former band and choir students playing jazz, classical and rock music. There will also be solo performances.

Peterson said he was humbled and excited about the concert when he was approached with the idea more than a year ago.

“I look forward to a great concert and to see all the students as adults,” Peterson said.

Peterson, 80, moved to Kelso shortly after he retired in 1996 after 45 years of teaching. Of those years, he spent 38 years in Snohomish.

Peterson is scheduled to lead his former students through the school’s anthem. He misses teaching but that chapter of his life is closed, he said.

“I miss the relationship with young people and trying to make them better,” he said.

Some of his students said he made them better.

Ingalls Allen and former classmates Ardis Hallanger and Linda Loveland Mauer started recruiting alumni through Facebook by creating a page for the tribute.

As many as 50 former students from different decades signed up and started practicing in Christ the King Lutheran Church in Snohomish about a month ago. Former students from as far as Arizona, California and even Scotland are scheduled to perform, Hallanger said.

Ingalls Allen described the first practices as heartwarming, especially since most of students didn’t pursue a musical career.

“They haven’t blown a horn or sung in a couple of years. They’re still rusty but that added to the fun,” she said.

Last week, the performances were progressing. While 10 women practiced with the choir, about 20 people practiced with the band. All were Peterson’s former students, from between 1966 and 1996. Five of them went on to pursue a musical career.

One of them is David George, who plays trumpet in his own jazz quartet and has weekly performances at a restaurant in Shoreline.

George, 60, describes Peterson as someone who made an impression in his life. He influenced George to continue with music and even travel to Europe after he did a school trip there in the summer of 1968.

“Few teachers stand out on my student career. He is one of the pivotal ones,” George said

For some, attending band classes under Peterson are the best memories of their lives.

“Everything he did was for the kids,” said Bryan Friedly, 33. “This is my way to give something back.”

Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@heraldnet.com.

Tribute concert

The Ed Peterson Tribute concert is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 26 at the Performing Arts Center at Snohomish High School, 1316 Fifth St.

Tickets, $10, can be purchased at www.edpetersonreunion.ning.com, or by check to Peterson Tribute Concert and mailed to Ardis Hallanger, 702 5th St. Snohomish, WA, 98290.

Alumni wishing to join the band or choir can email Hallanger at a.hallanger@frontier.com.

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