Few individuals outside the Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Iowa area will recognize the name Diana Blake and this is unfortunate for them for this wonderful lady was and is an inspiration to everyone who knew her.
I have never met anyone more dedicated to her students and more gifted in caring for others than this sweet lady.
To illustrate the determination and self-challenging spirit this woman had, let me reflect for you one of the lessons I had with her many years ago.
Diana studied trumpet with me for many years which was unusual for her gift in music was the fact that she was a very accomplished double reed player. As some may know, the embouchure of a reed player and that of a brass player is like trying to mix oil and water; it is not usually successful.
When Diana began studying with me, I noticed several charming characteristics that I eventually grew to understand and enjoy. Her sense of humor was quick and sharp. Although she was vertically challenged as some might describe, she was always successful at cutting down the largest egos she encounted, including mine.
Her ever-challenging approach to herself was evident when one semester she asked me to suggest a solo for her semester jury which would be more challenging than I had suggested. After offering a few ideas, I finally mentioned one that I thought would be beyond her ability in order to calm her down. My suggestion was the first movement of the Hindemith Sonata for Trumpet. Just the mention of the title makes accomplished trumpet player run in fear. To think that an older double reed player would even consider a piece of this stature would be unthinkable; but not to miss Blake. She agreed and began immediately hacking away at the piece. Each week at her lesson we both recognized improvement and as jury time got closer, I could see her confidence beginning to diminish.
Her last lesson before her jury performance was stressful for her realization of the truths of this piece’s challenges were becoming obvious to her. She had selected a trumpet standard solo that many trumpet players avoid. I knew the hours required to prepare this piece for I perform it on my graduate recital not more than ten years earlier and now this sweet lady with the double reed background is scheduled to do the same piece.
As she entered the band room that day to play her jury, both she and I were concerned for she was laying it on the line in front of her teacher as well as four other members of our brass faculty; all of whom were her close friends and colleagues.
I’m sure that you all would like to know how she performed and now you will learn the rest of the story.
She negotiated through some of the most awkward intervals, extra-long phrases and lip killing high notes and only missed the upper B on line 12 marked “Breit”. To watch the determination on her face as she worked through her number was astounding. She accomplished this feat through sheer dedication and will power of which I had never seen before. Diana Blake proved to all that day that determination and outstanding drive can accomplish great things.
Later, while congratulating her on her impressive performance, her only comment was “I just couldn’t get that B”. My desire to give her a big hug was tempered by the fact that she and I were the same age and higher education doctrines frown on this type of encouragement.
So, today when I learned that my friend, student and fellow educator, Diana Blake finished her final performance on this earth, I shed a tear and thanked God that he shared her with her friends, students and audiences through these many years.
“I have never had a more dedicated, hardworking student and friend as I did with Diana Blake”.
Thank you so much for what I have learned from your lessons.
