Paul F. Vanderslice

Thinking of you on this day, Mr. V. Very inspiring and part of the reason I became a music educator.

Never had Mr. Vanderslice as a teacher... but I do know that my sister was never absent on days when she had his class. The power of his infectious positivity, for sure.

It’s six years since Paul passed, and I’m still saddened by the loss of a good friend.
He was a great, talented man and an inspiration to all with his wit, dedication and caring personality.
We remember him with fondness, and our hearts go out to Lois and family on this sad anniversary.
Lorraine and Gordon Bassett

He was my concert choir instructor and was very gifted at teaching and challenging us students. He will be greatly missed.

He was a wonderful man. Much love to his family.

I so enjoyed being a member of Mr. Vanderslice's choirs and choruses at Conestoga. I still remember the tunes and words to many of the songs we sang and marvel at the number of works Mr. V. managed to teach us. I think of him often and fondly.
Lynda Aument Kasmala class of '65

Paul Vanderslice was the beloved director of the concert choir at Conestoga when I sang with the group1968-70. As a student new to the area, the choir was one of the anchors of my high school experience. I believe our class of 1970 chose him as our teacher of the year.

What really made a difference in my life was taking Music Theory with him in my senior year. It was such a great, exciting class that I decided to become a music major as an organist in college. After graduation, I played the organ at Trinity Presbyterian for 5 years but didn't get a chance to work with Paul who took the choir director position later. I am now the organist and choir director at a church in Clifton Heights and am so grateful to Paul for the legacy he shared with me and so many others.

He was a great mentor to us all in his quiet, strong way. And I'll never forget how he loved to listen to Count Basie!

How deeply saddened I was to learn of Mr. Vanderslice's passing. I was privileged to be a member of his Concert Choir at Conestoga for three years,from '69-'72, and his influence on me played a large part in my becoming a music educator, a career I have held now for 38 years. His sense of humor, his expectations of us, his patience and his belief in us were unmatched. He made us not only better musicians, but better people. How fitting that his day of passing is the same as Beethoven's - March 26. I remember fondly how the Concert Choir got to sing on the stage of the Academy of Music for the Beethoven Bicentennial in a performance of the final movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, with Mr. Vanderslice as the tenor soloist. I'll never forget that - or any of the other great memories you gave us. Thank you, Mr. Vanderslice!

-Elaine Pagano Sloan
Conestoga High School
Class of 1972

My husband and I knew Mr Vanderslice at Conestoga and were so grateful he brought his talents to Trinity where he was the choir director for our sons.Just on Easter Sunday we were reminiscing about the Easter candy hunt he had in the choir room where our son ran right into a hanger and still has a scar right across his nose.We all laughed and decided that was his last Easter hunt with the choir kids! He was a wonderful,kind and creative gentleman.

I too was one in the 1965 Lower Southeastern District Chorus with Dr. Sweet and Mr. Vanderslice. What a wonderful experience and how it has stuck with me thru these many years. What a fun and educational experience as part of my high school chorus years. So sorry for the family loss BUT we will meet in heaven for sure. Betty (Mercer) Algier, Downingtown High School Class of 1965.

Dear Friends,

Paul was my high school music teacher and mentor well beyond my high school years.
I served as his organist at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Berwyn from 1987-1994.

Paul brought me back to playing the organ after a significant absence of doing so.
I subsequently attended Westminster Choir College to hone my organ and choir directing skills.

Paul was a huge influence on so many of us musically and personally. I am honored to speak at his memorial, and look forward to connecting with others whose lives were changed by this amazing man.

Jim Wilson, class of 1976

I always admired Mr. Vanderslice as a singer, teacher and as a kind man. I think of him often as I try to reach out to my students as he did to me.

Although I tried my best to grow as his student I realize now that he was teaching me well into the future. So many of his students were, and still are, indeed fortunate to have been shaped by his kindness, wisdom, patience and musical spirit. We knew even then that our relationships with him were special and lasting gifts!

I assumed that other students in other school choirs also enjoyed a similar level of musical experiences and adult examples of how to live as a caring person. I was wrong in my assumption. We were extremely fortunate to have known Paul Vanderslice!

Paul had a beautiful singing and speaking voice. I will be unable to attend the service but my thoughts are with the family.

Ingie

So saddened to hear of your loss. I have informed my parents of Mr. Vanderslice's passing and will be in attendance for Saturday's service representing the Kiehner family.

Scott

To The Vanderslice Family;
It is with deep and profound sadness that I learn of the passing of Paul. Although we did not connect for many years as the passing of time often dictates..please know that Paul was a genuine friend and fellow musical comrade.
I will never forget my first encounter with Paul, when I was a senior in high school. It was the year that District Chorus (1965) was being hosted by Connestoga High and Paul was the host director. I still have a picture of the chorus with guest conductor Roy Sweet and host director, Paul Vanderslice standing on each side of the stage.
Dedication today is a loosely applied attribute..however, Paul Vanderslice was the "Gold Standard". He gave his life to the cause of exciting others to and through music and in that mission he was a great success. He touched many hearts and minds, both young and old with the expert application of his craft.
Paul for many years was a devoted Minister of Sacred Music..giving personal witness to his faith through Christ's musical service. This is the time during which I came to know Paul as a friend and in many ways as a mentor. Paul and Lois joined Grove United Methodist Church early into my 44 year tenure as Director of Sacred Music Ministries. Time does not permit me to share the multitude of contributions and countless situations of support and assistance that Paul so graciously offered during his ten years, as an invaluable part of my ministry at Grove.
I will always remember: the many solos in anthems and cantatas..his kind and constructive suggestions..his vocal participation in small groups and ensembles..his valuable contributions to the successful new organ project..his assisting as substitute director when and if I needed him..his eager initiative in beginning and directing Grove's first handbell choir..sharing with Paul in the singing of duets (baritone and tenor) what a treat..participating with Paul in the professional quartet during a performance of the Saint Saen's Christmas Oratorio at Phoenixville United Methodist Church.
Paul Vanderslice was indeed truly dedicated in every way..to his life's work in music and most of all to his loving wife Lois and to his family. He was an inspiration to all who knew him and especially to those who were fortunate enough to share with him in the musical profession. I am honored to count myself among the fortunate.
Paul Vanderslice was my friend and I am again, profoundly saddened at his passing. The Lord now is indeed delighted..for Heaven has now become a bit brighter and its Music Ministry..blessed and greatly enhanced.
Thank You Paul and God Bless.
Dr. Craig Edwin Rider

As I child I always had a love for music and singing. But it was Mr. Vanderslice who nutured this talent during my years at Conestoga, so much so that I went on to get my Bachelors and Masters Degree (cum laude) in Music from the School of Music at West Chester University.
Although I only taught 14 years, I lead my my choir to Europe in 1979.
I later became a folk balladeer and released a CD in 1993 "Bard of the Brandywine".
And this Sunday, so many years later, I will cantor the 12 noon Easter Mass at St. Agnes in West Chester.
I often think of the musical heritage that Mr. Vandeslice gave all of us in the concert choir as we sang classics such as Ave Verum and major works like the Faure Requiem.
Now he sings with the angels. Amen !
Thank you Mr. Vanderslice.

It is with great fondness that i remember "Mr. Vanderslice" as we called him at school. He was a great teacher and advisor to so many students at CHS. My deepest condolences to the entire family. He was a great man.

I was sorry to hear of Mr. Vanderslice's passing he was a fun teacher!

Paul was a very special friend, and I thoroughly enjoyed his great sense of humor, wit and knowledge . I always looked forward to our breakfast sessions and then with Lorraine,at our Mahjong games with Paul and Lois .
He will be sorely missed and I will always treasure my friendship with a fine gentleman and a great leader in the music world.

Dear Vanderslice family: I was so saddened to read Paul's obituary in the Daily Local today. He was my Youth Choir director at Union United Methodist Church back in the late 1960s, then both of my children took lessons from him at the Music Centre in Lionville. My daughter finished a Master's in Music partly inspired by his guidance back in high school. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Vanderslice's passing my sympathy to his family. He was a wonder Music teacher I had him at Conestoga many years ago
Virginia Babcock Sykes

I am so sorry to hear about your family's loss. I knew "Mr Vanderslice" (as he will always be remembered by me) as part of my Conestoga HS music experience from 1965-69. He was such a kind and wonderful person and I will remember him fondly.

I never knew Paul, but I am friends with Craig and Jenn. Craig is such a kind, good man; I'm sure his dad was very much like him. I'm so sorry for your loss, but know that people all over the country are thinking of you and praying for you. You are in my heart. Jude Southerland Kessler

The gentle and enduring belief this fine man had in the students and choir members he directed, was his kindest and most loving gift to the world.

There are few virtuosos, but Mr. Vanderslice knew that many of the rest of us also love to sing, deserve it, and will always remember the opportunity he gave us to do it.

We have no way to replace this fine teacher and conductor. We will need to begin again, from scratch.

Good night, Mr. Vanderslice! We love you dearly.

David Dillman

Some of the very, very happiest moments of my youth were spent in the first soprano section of his concert choir at Conestoga. The world is better for having had him in it.

Pat Hudspeth Amick

Dear Vanderslice Family,

Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Mr. V. was my mentor and friend and greatly influenced me to become an educator for the past 32 years. Prior to my parents' deaths, I would always go home to PA and visit with Mr. V. Unfortunately, I haven't been "home" to PA in about 10 years, and he and I lost touch. He will always have a special place in my heart and will be greatly missed.

God bless!
Kyle Marie Marquette Koeneman
Conestoga Sr. High Class of 1975