DR. PAUL TRUETT LANGSTON

Dear Mrs. Langston and family, I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing Thursday of Dr. Langston!

I was his composition student at Stetson's School of Music from 1987-90. A good part of the reason I decided to attend Stetson U was because of his well regarded reputation! And I have so many good memories of my time under his tutelage. He wouldn't let you sit passive in lessons very long! He would say "Miss Ryder you look pregnant with thought. Please share with the rest of us your ideas on..." (whatever the subject was...) His knowledge of music history was vast and it primed my imagination. Just the way you would hear him talk about "Paris in the 1920's" and it's rich dynamics of artistry just captured my thoughts and made me want to delve further into reading and learning about the lives of many amazing historical composers and their colorful lives!

Also, Dr. Langston was never shy or held back about giving his honest opinions about some music I composed ....he might say "For me, that's boring and repetitive"....and at first I'd be feel hurt and then I'd take a step back and a second look at my creation and it would almost always be "Hey,by George......I think he's right!".

He deeply cared for and was protective of his students as well. Once when I was struggling to cope with some personal problem while at Stetson, I tearfully confided in him that I was having trouble and that the counseling center staff had put me on a waiting list for to see a therapist. He said "Don't worry I'll take care of this" and he picked up the phone and got me in to see someone right away.....I was so grateful and I felt acknowledged and important!

I loved working with Dr. Langston and am so sorry I didn't get to spend more time with him in his final years. I am so glad I did get to see him at St. Barnabas a couple of times when I came to visit the Church.
What a *great* man. I feel so honored to have been his student!!!

I hope to attend the service Monday morning.

In gratitude, sympathy and love,
Diana Ryder, Bachelor of Music 1990
Owner, Instructor at Ryder Piano Studio
Cocoa, Florida

I first met Dr. Langston in late August of 1991. I had arrived on the Stetson campus a few days prior to the start of the semester and decided to walk around the School of Music. I happened to venture by his office and began a conversation since his door was open. I told him about my interest in composition and he looked at some of my scores a couple days later, even though classes had not yet begun. He was my teacher for functional piano and I recall his constant refrain of, "keeeeeep the pulse". Throughout my time at Stetson as well as years later, I always found him to be caring and generous toward his students. I have always thought that he carried himself with a balance of dignity and kindness, and I have aspired to be the kind of teacher and mentor to my own students that he was to me. I consider myself lucky and honored to have known him.

May Esther and the rest of his family take comfort in knowing that his influence on the lives of countless musicians has made our world a better place. Thank you Paul Langston, for being the best teacher I have ever had...

I am very sorry to hear about Dr. Langston's passing. I was privileged to have him as my professor for several pertinent classes while I was at Stetson University, and he was always ready to share a smile or a musical nugget with which to enrich our lives. His coined phrase "Rhythm is physical" was drilled into us in freshman Functional Piano, and as seniors in "Senior Seminar", we always looked forward to our Tuesday morning 8:00 AM open score reading with Dr. Langston!!! He was such a benchmark at Stetson for so many years, and even now when I walk past his portrait hanging in Presser Hall, I smile - knowing that he played such an important role in molding me to be the musician I am today.

Esther, may you and your dear family feel the closeness of God's comfort and peace during this time and always. I share your loss with you. Thank you Dr. Paul Langston for making the world of music a better place.

My thoughts and prayers to all of Dr. Langston's wonderful family.

There can be no doubt that I speak for many in paying tribute to the dedication, intellect, natural talent, and humanity of this great man — all of which he so generously shared with so many. Speaking personally, very few people have had such a strong or lasting an influence on me. The affection he has inspired is now joined by grief and very strong sympathy for his beloved family. Rest in peace, dear friend.