Charles F. Gouse

Charles Gouse was a galvanizing, deeply nurturing, heartwarmingly magnificent musician, mentor, and role model. I remain forever grateful to have been his fortunate trumpet and conducting student and will be eternally grateful for his hugely inspiring example, surpassing kindness, and unstintingly warm-hearted generosity. Heartfelt thanks always, Charlie, for your patience, rare insight, and unexampled beneficence.

I was in the community orchestra in 1976-77 - 1st clarinet. Charlie was a wonderful conductor and humorous, kind person. I definitely improved my musicianship under his baton. I am very sad to see that he had passed.

On a whim I looked up Charlie on the Internet, and I was shocked to see his obituary appear - shocked because it was awhile ago and because we're not supposed to be getting any older. I played tuba in the Hicksville Community Orchestra, which was to me a mixed group of green aspiring high school musicians and working and retired people who couldn't get music out of their blood. When I think of the sounds that emanated from all of us in early rehearsals of, say, Shostakovich 5th (a Community...

I have many fond memories of playing flute in Hicksville with Mr. Gouse as conductor. I remember his fine musicianship and his encouraging and inspirational personality. He had a good sense of humor, too. One day he tacked a Bandaid to the bulletin board in the high school band room, next to a piece of paper on which he had written, "This band needs" and an arrow pointing to the Bandaid. It makes me laugh to this day.

Just today I learned of Mr. Gouse's passing. I remember clearly when he took over the Hicksville High School band from Miss Spink. It was his sheer energy that brought the band to great ratings at NYSSMA festivals when I was in high school. I too have had a lifelong involvement in music in no small part because of Mr. Gouse's inspiration. I was able to go back and visit him only once after my graduation in 1959 but still remember with great fondness his leadership and musicianship.

I was terribly saddened to learn of the death of my beloved teacher: conductor, trumpet player and educator Charles F. Gouse. He was a devoted, profoundly ennobling mentor of unparalleled influence. Dr. Gouse's uncommon benevolence, gentle wisdom, rock-solid guidance, and passionately life-affirming spirit kindled in me a vital energy and touched the lives of many. He was a luminous, cherished role model. As a music educator for more than 35 years, I've been animated by and have sought...

Charlie was an inspiration to make music which I have done all my life. I played tenor sax in the band until some more sax players came up from junior high and I wanted to play another instrument. He said it was his choice this time and so I learned the bassoon.... well I haven't played bassoon since but recently have taken up tenor recorder with a local group and still thank him for his encouragement. I will miss you. Thank you for all you touched.

Charlie was without a doubt the greatest teacher I ever had. I've spent my life as a professional musician and a public school music teacher in no small measure because of him. I remenber him taking out his trunpet during lunch and him and I playing tunes and imorovising for the period. He instilled a love of music that I kept with me my whole life. He was a wonderful musician and teacher but even more, he was a wonderful human being. I will miss him.