Condit Atkinson

I graduated from HPHS in 1966. Connie's dad was my first trumpet teacher. I still play my horn regularly, including many tunes written by Mr. A, from dixieland to small combo and big band. Not matter how busy he was, he always made time for his students. When I began teaching, Connie was my model. Memories of Mr. A and his music live on in those he inspired, and they are many.

In 1974 I met Connie when I was a student at Middlesex County College, I wanted to play music and had no idea how to go about it. I was interested in jazz and not much of a classical player and there was very little going on as far as jazz education back then. I guess he saw some talent and asked me to meet him early in the morning once a week before school starts and he taught me so much about jazz theory by going through a ton of his compositions. It was exactly what I needed. He never...

I have yet to meet anyone whom I admire more than Mr. A. He was a veritable Who’s Who of positive personal qualities. He was creative, intelligent, gentle, strong, caring, supportive, tolerant, unselfish, accessible, charitable, and extremely dedicated. As we all know, he put his students’ needs first. No matter how much work was on his plate, Mr. A was always willing to listen to your troubles or take your mind off of them. The band room at HPHS was a special place, though without Mr. A, it...

Connie was a terrific musician and high school band director. I was in the HPHS band from 7th grade thru my senior year. He made marching band fun (and that's an impossible task), jazz band the best and the stage bands for the broadway musicals the best in New Jersey. All of my best memories of high school center around Mr.A and his program.

So sorry we have lost a wonderful man and a great teacher. I wasn't good enough to play in the HPHS band so Mr. A kindly found a job for me first as mascot and then as "band mother" and rescued me from the teenage horrors of high school. I will be forever grateful. His teaching and generosity went far beyond the classroom.

I think it's fair to say that Mr. A was our Mr. Holland. And that we were his Opus. [Although his catalogue ain't bad either...] I got to see Fern, Connie and his MOTHER once when I was down in Florida on business. We had marvelous time, laughing and remembering the things that passed for "evil pranks" back in the day.

And we talked about "Mr Holland's Opus", the Richard Dreyfus movie that had come out a few years before. I asked them what they thought. Fern said it was like...

Just learned of Mr. A's passing. Please pass on condolences from the entire McCall family who only lived in HP for three years, but whose lives were all touched for the better by Connie and his family. For me, those years (grades 7-9) were especially important as my activities were centered around music. Connie and Joan Blume encouraged me and gave me opportunities that I will remember forever.

Best to all,

Our sincerest sympathies to you and your family. May the memories of Connie as very talented musician, an inspirational teacher, a dedicated father and a friend to all bring you and your family comfort.

With the greatest, fondest memories of Uncle Con. A smile comes to my face when I think about him. My love goes out to Aunt Fern, Dawn, and Condit.