Lloyd Blackman

He will be missed by many. He was a big part of my childhood, and adolescence. I have many memories of Junior Ochestra, Intercollegiate Orchestra, and the early years of the Provincial Youth Orchestra, trips to to places like London, Minneapolis, Saskatoon, Prince Albert and more. When other groups were selling oranges and chocolates etc. for fundraising, he always said that we would only sell music. He taught us about integrity, tolerance, respecting differences, effort, working toward a goal, possibilities, hope, etc. , but mainly I have learned so much about music from him. Music continues to be my therapy and he continues to be my mentor through the many memories that will always be with me. Music continues to be a very important part of my life. I'm forever thankful for his continued influence. He will never be forgotten - ever and always remembered fondly.

I have such great memories of Lloyd, and was saddened to hear of his passing. He was the musical director of the Delta Symphony Society, and under his leadership, our orchestra blossomed into a wonderful family of musicians. He even welcomed us into his home for a weekly chamber group rehearsal! We had so much fun on our tour of Germany, Holland, Austria and Switzerland, it was a trip my family enjoyed so much. We actually played a concert in Salzburg under Mozarts statue!
Yes, I remember "the eye" and that little bounce he had when conducting the orchestra, he was a great inspiration to our youth and a good friend. May you be comforted with your memories.

I had the privilege of working with Lloyd in the Saskatchewan Junior Concert Society - a fine man and a positive role model. My condolences to the family.

Condolences to the entire Blackman family on your loss. Lloyd Blackman had a tremendous influence on my life on so many levels beyond simply the music. He was so good with children, clearly loved music and that love was infectious and communicated to all who fell under his influence. He was very inclusive and made everyone feel welcome and as though they belonged. I played the violin in both the Junior Symphony Orchestra (2 years) and the Inter-Collegiate Orchestra (4 years) under his direction and I remember those years with great fondness. He inspired us to be the best we were capable of at any given time. His kindness, his compassion, his humor, the "eye" which very eloquently communicated his displeasure at what had just happened . . . and many many more fond memories. He gave us "adventures" -- to play at EXPO '67 and at the Banff Springs Hotel to name but a few. His life had a great positive impact on many many people -- a life well lived! The world was a better place because of him! You can be proud to call him your father. I am proud to call him friend and mentor, and I am incredibly grateful for his presence in my life at a very crucial time. He knew me as Anne Larmour in Regina, Central Collegiate.

I was a student of the Regina board of education string program and for a number of years was a student of Lloyd. I was also a member of the Intercollegiate orchestra and took part in the trips to London in 1971 and Minneapolis in 1973.

Lloyd had a distinctive conducting style and had a number of expressions I shall always remember:

"I am not up here flying economy class!" to tell the orchestra they weren't watching him.

"we need to hear from the secret society of the cellos" if the cellos needed to play louder.

My favourite memory occurred when I had been on the TV program, Reach for the top and had incorrectly identified the sound of a cello as a viola.

At the first rehearsal after this episode aired on TV, he called out to me as I entered the music room: 'There is the boy how can't tell a cello from a viola!" Luckily I played the violin, so I had a little excuse.

In hindsight, my musical experiences in the orchestra and the musicianship I learned from Lloyd were some of my favourite experiences from my highschool years.

My daughter is now studying to be a professional musician and I feel this a direct result of what I learned from people Lloyd Blackman.

My prayers are with the family at this time.

Nigel Salway

Mr. Blackman was an inspirational and fun conductor for the Inter-collegiate Orchestra. I still think of our trip to England when I was in Grade 10 in 1971. What an experience! My sympathies to one of Regina's leading muciscal families.

Lloyd was the Music Director of the Delta Youth Orchestra from 1985 to 1995. The two European tours he took with the orchestra in the late 1980's are still talked about by the alumni from that time and are now legendary. I first met Lloyd in the fall of 1989 when I was brought on to work as a woodwind coach with the youth orchestra. Lloyd had a profound impact on his students, and through him they learned many lessons about life beyond just playing the violin or being a young musician. Rest in Peace...

An Enhanced Obituary I created for Dad (Lloyd Blackman) is now online until Oct 19, 2014. To view the Enhanced Obituary click the link below:
http://www.legacy.com/EnhancedObit/EnhancedObit.aspx?PersonId=172512972
There are more photos and some videos of recent efforts where Dad played for Chalmers Lodge in Vancouver where he was living until March, 2014.

I enjoyed having him as a teacher at centrall, especially as my form room in grade 9.

The 'eye' .... he could give you 'the eye' look and didn't need to say a word. He wanted me to play my euphonium in his Central school band and every music class I got 'the eye'. Being a stubborn foolish teenager who just got a car ... well I never gave in. Have regretted that mistake ever since. I watched as friends benefitted from this talented man. From bands to musicals they all seemed to be having such a good time. But even more impressive are the students who he started on a lifelong journey in music. That teacher you never forget ... Lloyd Blackman!

After submitting my thoughts, I realized that I hadn't included my name and residence (......in 2 military bands)

hi Duncan, and siblings. Thanks for keeping us in touch re Lloyd and Betty. So sorry for your loss..
Wow, so many great memories of you and the family at StM's..
those were the days..
Roy, Ellen, n Andrea

Mr. Blackman was a wonderful teacher and a marvellous mentor throughput my time in the Anglican Youth Choir in Regina. Sending condolences to the family for your loss

Lloyd taught my youngest daughter violin from the time she was seven until she was seventeen. He conducted her in the pre-junior youth orchestra and he conducted her sister who played percussion in the senior orchestra at DYO. These daughters learned music from Lloyd but they also learned to make good choices in their lives. I believe that sometimes, they would not have listened to me but chose positive paths and moved forward with strength and courage and conviction because of Mr. Blackman's influence. I had not seen him for many years but I am eternally grateful for the positive impact he had on our entire family. God is with you in death as in life. Rest in peace.

Dear Family,
Back in the late sixties, Lloyd was always so good to me both at Central and in Youth Orchestra. There are many skills that we can fake in life but kids always know which teachers really like them and hold out hope for them. Lloyd always knew that I would be okay, with a little push and nudge when I wandered away. And I was. I have such fond memories of him and the times we spent together. His laughter was always infectious. Lloyd came to visit me, thirty-five years after he finished teaching me. I told him he was "an old goat". He laughed and said "you finally found the courage to tell me that, did you?" I laughed, too. He will be missed with great fondness for all that he was and for all that he did for me and thousands of other students.

My many many fond childhood memories, from the Lakeview neighbourhood in Regina, include the wonderful Blackman family, especially Lloyd and Betty - our musical matriarchs. Aunt Betty taught me to play piano, at the age of 3, and Uncle Lloyd, accepted a Catholic girl who couldn't sing a note, into the Anglican Youth Choir as a pre-teen. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family, and I'm sure Heaven has welcomed its gates with a symphonic melody welcoming Uncle Lloyd with great jubilee. Prayers and blessings - always....

Hugh - Sending you sincere condolences on the loss of your Dad.

Lloyd had a profound influence on my life. Without his influence I would never have gone as far as I did in my musical development.

Dear Duncan & family
My condolences to you & your family on the passing of your dad. He was a giant in our midst regarding the treatment of students and support of youth in his care in music & life!
I remembered his ways in my lfe & teaching years and feel that he was a profound role model for me as a teacher. His enthusiam in helping students participate in music events & life was amazing. I always wished I could have had his ways of teaching music & treatment of students for more than the one year I had with him while at Central.
My sympathies to you & your family
Beverly Blakely & family

I'm still playing trombone in 2 military bands and my start was in Central Collegiate, 1957 when Lloyd suggested that I begin on an euphonium. A year later, I still couldn't pronounce the word so moved to trombone.
I was fortunate enough to play in the pit orchestra for Prairie Pastel and remember the rehearsals and the shows with great fondness.
Without Lloyd, my life would have been so shallow for it was he who introduced me to the world of music and my life is richer for that.
May Lloyd rest in peace and my sincerest condolences to the family.
To quote Berthold Auerbach, "Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
Thank you Mr Blackman

Lloyd was a great musical mentor for youth. I remember many bus trips with the Anglican Youth Choir with both Lloyd and Betty as chaparones. My sincerest condolences to the family.