JOHN E. PRESTON

Mr.John Preston enriched our lives beyond measure with his kindness, boundless enthusiasm, and abiding love of music. I'll always remember being a weaker alto in Glee Club at RMHS and having to audition as the school grew and membership in glee club was no longer just a choice. I somehow managed to sing on key for the minutes required and remember his grin when I said "surprised, huh?" I've never known a finer teacher or a better man. I also had the bonus of attending church with my...

I have wonderful memories of Mr. Preston at RMHS. He was truly talented and as someone already said - had the patience of Job. I will always appreciate that after auditioning me and my best friend Betty Jane Standifer in our junior year at RMHS he let us in the glee club. Believe me, it was an act of pity on his part because we certainly could not sing but did not want to take home ec. My brothers were in the RMHS Band and my youngest brother, Eric, was made drum major - I think it had...

He had such a gift to teach! Giving us a love and appreciation for a wide variety of music, old and new; he helped us be a part of it. He had the patience of Job, inspired us and knew how to get the best performances out of us all. Participating in RMHS chorus, madrigals, musicals were a huge part of my happiest memories of High School. A professional, caring, gifted man. My condolences to his family.

John Preston drew out the best from any choral group under his direction no matter their talents and abilities. He began as organist and choirmaster at Christ Episcopal Church when I was about four years old and was there long after I grew up and moved to New England. He played at my wedding and at the funerals of my parents. I sang under his direction in the Gilbert and Sullivan productions in the old parish hall there and later in the St. Cecilia and Senior Choirs. I actually got to...

I was a member of Mr. Preston's Richard Montgomery Glee Club in the 1960's and also a member of the children's choir at Christ Episcopal Church. His love for music was apparent in all the years I participated with him in these groups. I just heard this news and am truly saddened by it. Betsy Barnsley Leigyh

As a girl growing up in Rockville, and an Episcopalian, I remember John Preston well. Excellent organist and choir director there. Years after he was not the church organist, I could not walk into the church without expecting him to be sitting up front.

Fond memories. His family and friends had someone very giving and special.