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Allen Strange Obituary
Memories and Condolences
for Allen Strange
34 Entries
Robin Strange
August 7, 2008
To anyone who is still reading this post. The Family of Allen Strange will be hosting a memorial event for Allen in San Jose on Sept. 13. For more information please see his web site at www.allenstrange.com To RSVP for this even please go to http://allenstrange.blogspot.com/
-Robin Strange
Karen Barbour
June 22, 2008
goodbye old friend.
Matthew Brink
June 17, 2008
[I'm so late to this memorial, perhaps these words will be read by none. Learned just today of his passing via SJSU's periodical.]
Coming to SJSU in the 90s, I was strangely drawn to Allen's persona, and related to him in a visceral way. Studied Comp and EA in his studio for a time. I have fond memories of Mexican street food at his house and ruminations on the cultural connections of food and music.
His food was spicy.
It's unfortunate that an explosive moment separated us, but I still recall the vibe he brought to the department and to the campus. It was at once comforting and unsettling. Unsettling if his candid and witty barbs were pointed at you, but comforting in his lack of hierarchy, politics, and other such pretensions. It freed one to experiment and have some fun doing it. But now he's joined Mike Andrade and Dwight Cannon and Larry Wendt and...
If I could take anything away from my interface with Allen and share it with the reader, perhaps it would be the ability to look at things from an angle that most people don't see them, perhaps an apparently "odd" angle to most observers, but to allow that unique perspective to drive insight into deeper understanding.
Now that Allen has awakened in God's presence, he knows the truth that any one of us reading these words can know. May God have mercy on us, for Christ's sake.
With sincere appreciation and sorrow,
Andy Goldberg
June 3, 2008
Professor
Strange taught me the fundamentals of generating acoustic sound with
electronic instruments. Every day in class was an eye popping
experience in discovering the building blocks of 'pitch' 'dynamics' and
'timber;' and how to build musical tone from scratch. He also turned me
onto The Santa Cruz New Music Works. And their annual "Avant-Garden
Party." This year, on June 8th, we will raise a toast to an important
composer, a great teacher, and an all around wonderfully 'Strange' man.
We will miss him.
Stephen Gryc
May 12, 2008
I only stumbled upon this guest book while looking for my own father's obituary, so I hadn't heard that Allen had died. Allen Strange had a significant impact on the art of synthesized music in its early days. He wrote an excellent text on electronic music which I used for several years in my own university teaching. He was a fine musician who had insightful and original ideas about music in general. It was always fun and stimulating to be in his presence. He deserves our admiration and our gratitude. I send my condolences to his family.
Lynne Lockwood
April 22, 2008
I can't count how many times I have eaten at the Strange table in my childhood - my time in their house are some of my treasured memories. Good food, good music, wonderful people. What more could you want?
I am so, so sorry for your loss.
[email protected]
Tim Conrardy
April 22, 2008
If Robin Strange, or Pat sees this, I would like to know when the 'life celebration' is going to be in the Bay Area. Please contact me at tconrardy at earthlink.net .
I got to visit Allen during the summer, and he gave me some nice stuff on CD, including to my surprise, his latest Opus called 'brief visits to imaginary places'. I just got done with a mastering session with Robert Rich ( http://www.robertrich.com ) in which we cleaned up the tracks and made them sound great. The pieces were done with Cameleon (softsynth) Max MSP and Garittan Personal Composer for the orchestra part. While the orchestra part was mainly as a sketch pad for a real orchestra, the pieces sound very wonderful. I now have them in MP3 format, as well as audio. It would be great for a part of the family to contact me , as I would like to share these pieces somehow with the electronic music community, as it could be considered his last 'opus'. Thanks!!
Ronald Dotson
April 4, 2008
I too was a student of Allen's; "CM 3" as they called it back in the early 80s. The imagination and creativity he used/showed in class stays with me to this day, especially as I am now teaching this material. I particularly delight in building on his approach of teaching ground bass/passacaglia concepts using pop/rock music (I always credit him to my students for the original idea). His positive encouragement and approachability was a great help to me in the early stages of my education, and I know has influenced the development of my own teaching style.
Allen Schmeltz
March 21, 2008
Hello Pat,
I hope you remember me from CSUF. I was visiting with Steve Hinton (whom I think you will also remember) just yesterday and we were looking over the Phi Mu Alpha directory and there was Allen's name. Today I decided to look him up on the Internet and sadly found that he passed away. My deepest sympathy. Although it was forty years ago, I still have fond memories of Allen. He was a great deal of fun to be around and had such a creative and brilliant mind. From reading the websites it is evident that he had a very impressive career and was much loved. He will be missed. Again, my sympathy to you and the family.
Blessings,
Allen Schmeltz
Steve Santana
March 8, 2008
I was a student of Dr. Strange at San Jose State Univeristy in the early 90's. I'm very proud to have been one of his students. Allen contributed significantly to my life both musically and professionally. After blundering through my Senior project Allen said "Always be proud of your work even if you know you can do better. Learn from it and move on." He had a few other words too but I'll keep that between us! My sincere condolences to Allen's family and close friends. He's influenced many to become better people in his own unique way. He will be missed.
Rian Rodriguez
March 8, 2008
I will never forget Prof. Strange's lecture on Augmented 6th chords. His art opened my mind to the unlimited possibilites of what art can be. I will truly miss this man.
Libor (Lee) Zajicek
March 6, 2008
Allen, the man who taught me there is always a bigger picture.
Donald Moore
March 4, 2008
Greetings:
I am a former student and now a music in Idaho. Dr. Strange had a great influence in my life and helped me sustain the drive it took to complete the program at SJSU.
My condolences and prayers to his wonderful wife and family.
Lara Allen
March 3, 2008
Thanks for being such a good neighbor when I was growing up on College Ave. You always bought my Girl Scout cookies with a kind word for this shy Scout. You always waved when I'd walk past coming home from High School. And though neither of us have lived there for years, you'll always be in a warm place in my heart.
February 29, 2008
Allen...back in the day!
Robin Strange
February 29, 2008
Thank you all for the kind word about my father. It really helps in this time to see how many lives he touched, there is no doubt he has left his mark on the world. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect father, he never stopped raising me, influencing me and was one of my largest influences. We are trying to plan a memorial service in the Bay Area, probably late spring. I think we should do something really special, involving music and spicy Mexican food! I will be sure to have it well advertised to get the word out to the masses. Please feel free to send any ideas our way.
Steven Arnerich
February 28, 2008
Allen was a fellow explorer. There were no wrong answers. Work and play were inseparable. He was funny and clear. Both a practical mechanic and wry visionary. Without studying with Allen I would have been a much different person now.
Bill Sisson
February 27, 2008
Allen, your book was a bible when I was living with Moog modules and endless patch cords as an undergrad in Ohio in the early 1970s. Your music brought joy, adventure and challenge to all who followed in your footsteps. You will be missed.
Allen and me during my visit
Tim Conrardy
February 27, 2008
Allen was a great mentor and a huge influence on me. I was glad I was able to visit him during the summer at his Bainbridge Island home where we disccused music, had good food and one-on-one teaching in his studio which I will never forget. I will miss him dearly.
Jack Crane
February 27, 2008
Pat, I hope you recall me. I was Allen's dean for ten years, 1988-1998. He was a faculty member I always enjoyed having come to my office. He was always cheerful and never had a complaint of any sort. For a Dean, this is an ideal faculty member! His great talent was recognized that day I first met you when he was honored as the President's Scholar. What a wonderful honor! The School of Music and Dance will have a very, very hard time replacing him. I am genuinely sorry for your loss. Jack Crane, Dean Emeritus, College of Humanities and the Arts
Gary Rule
February 27, 2008
I spent the greater part of the 1980's studying music at San Jose State University. The music coming from Allen's studio and students was the most exciting I heard. Thank you!
Eric Gatzert
February 26, 2008
Allen Strange was a very important part of my education at SJSU. He also taught me what a real taco is all about.
Thanks, Allen
Bob and Gwennie Balcomb
February 26, 2008
Pat, Erin and Robin, I am saddened by the death of your husband, father, mentor, greatest supporter. I have fond memories of Allen and I at Erin's and Angie's softball games. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and will be in the future.
Angela Alexander
February 26, 2008
Dear Pat
I happened to read the obits today - what a shock to read of Allen's death. I send you my sincerest sympathies. I remember the good times sitting on the sidelines of the girls softball games.....
Please know that I am thinking of you and the girls - I would love to know what Erin is doing these days if you would like to get in touch through email.
Thinking of you
Angela Alexander
carmen hermosillo
February 26, 2008
Allen is THE reason i did not give up on music forever. the cowboy hat and the boots gave me hope that classical music could be a living art.
Roger Collins
February 26, 2008
Dear Pat,
I was very saddened to learn of Allen's death, and have wonderful memories of taking composition lessons with him. We had quite a few laughs! I recall at one point in a lesson he told me he was getting a headache; I didn't pursue that, but I'm sure it had nothing to do with my composition skills! Anyhow...I hope you and the family are ok.
Love, Roger Collins
Tru Vu
February 26, 2008
My sincerest condolences to Mrs. Strange and the family. Allen Strange is always one of my favorite contemporary composers. My big regret is that I never had a chance to learn his pieces when I was a student at SJSU in the 1990’s under Pat Strange. Rest in peace, Professor Strange.
Nathan Brown
February 26, 2008
As so many are expressing, to meet Allen was to be affected by him - a great teacher, mentor, positive influence, friend and a joy to be around. I had the luck of having Allen as a teacher at SJSU in the Elector-Acoustics program, and he is one of those rare teachers that comes along, who leaves a lifelong impression. I have thought of him so many times since then, and visited on occasion. From my first encounters with him, he always encouraged students and musicians to explore and challenge ourselves. I think what I remember most is his terminal excitement about almost everything and his apparent personal interest in each person he met. Always positive and inquisitive, he’ll forever be a part of my life.
I am hoping if there is a memorial service the Mercury can help get the word out about it.
Richard Barber
February 23, 2008
My brother just told me Allen Strange has passed on. What a great teacher and mentor he was to all of us. We're going to miss his constant levity and disdain for mediocrity.
My deepest condolences to Pat and all his family, friends and colleagues.
"Try going for a random walk."
Allen & Pat Strange, Bainbridge Island, WA, 19 January 2008
Brian Belet
February 23, 2008
Allen’s death creates a painful void in my heart, and in my musical sphere. He was a dear friend, my musical mentor, and a fun artistic co-conspirator. Whenever people or situations tried to settle into complacency, Allen would kick it in the shins and shake up the mix! I loved him for this, even when I was the reluctant recipient of his intervention. His musical ideas were always clear, with equal care given to serious and to playful inventions. He treated fellow composers and performers with respect and kindness – both novice and expert received the same consideration from him.
I learned so much from him, and I am still trying to live up to his high standards and artistic richness. I will spend the rest of my life still trying to reach this goal. Allen, my dear friend, I miss you, and I send you love and joy as your spirit now flies free of the pains of this world.
Robert Voisey
February 22, 2008
My sincerest condolences to Pat and the family. Allen was a fabulous composer, inspirational colleague and a good friend. I will miss him dearly.
Doug Michael
February 22, 2008
My condolences to his family. I'm a former SJSU student of Allen Strange and he influenced me in many ways. One thing I loved about Allen was his directness and complete honesty, especially when commenting on my music. He pushed me as a composer and a person. His presence on the SJSU campus and the world musical stage was huge and he will be sorely missed. Rest in peace Allen.
Nancy Billings
February 22, 2008
An incredible talent and certainly an asset to the SJSU music faculty during the time I was a student in the early 1970's.
Stephen Ruppenthal
February 22, 2008
An inspiration to all who knew him. Self-less teacher and mentor; composer who pushed boundaries creating beautiful and innovative music; life-long friend and colleague. I cannot imagine a world without Allen Strange in it. His music will live for us all.
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