Ruth Lee Still

Richard Moore
I studied with Ruth at the University of Kansas in the 60´s upon her arrival, and my experience with her has always been remembered as the most valuable part of my education there in Music Ed.
She was an extraordinary teacher, rarely ever using her trumpet... I was the one there to play. She was an incomparable player, the best possible teacher, and a never forgotten friend. And, of course, all the fabulous stories of New York City. Though I lost track of her some time ago, I´m so glad to have discovered this tribute to her. It´s wonderful to see that she continued to be a wonderful influence in the lives of so many. Someone wrote she was the best of Vacchiano´s teaching students. He must have been proud of her success.
Never to be forgotten.

I met Ruth and her dear friend Betty Scott, while I was a graduate student at FSU. These two wonderful and inspirational role models were among a small number of people who changed my life trajectory. I came to realize the effects of not only their teaching, but of their bravery and courage, after I left FSU and travelled to Boston to Study with the principal trumpet of the Boston Symphony while a graduate student at The New England Conservatory of Music, where I, through serendipitous opportunities, began my professional musical performance career. Through Ruth's teaching enlightenment and efforts, I was accepted to study with both Armando Ghitalla at The New England Conservatory in Boston and William Vacchiano at Julliard.
I owe my fulfilling career as an orchestral trumpet player to both of these wonderful women, ahead of their time in so many ways in America, especially the South, in the early 1970s. Ruth enriched and effectively molded, always in an endearing no nonsense direct approach, the lives of so many fortunate people who became a part of her whirlwind of ideas and lessons, in music and in life. Every time I played I would also hear Ruth's voice and and her brilliant coaching.
I count myself among the group of people who became a part of her universe, as we were all privileged to receive her gifts, which she always willingly shared unconditionally.
Thank you Ruth for taking me into your world and changing my life.

Some of my favorite memories of my time at Brevard College are sitting with her on the porch behind Dunham, before and after lessons, talking about music (and everything else). I wouldn't trade those moments for anything. I hope her and David Kirby are somewhere playing a great gig in the sky together.

I barely knew her. We never spoke. I observed her from a distance. I marveled at her ability to keep an instrumental music program at Brevard College alive and vigorous. When she retired the prorgram went into a steady decline. I am rarely amazed but I will admit that she had to be an amazing teacher.

Ruth touched so many lives. So many students. So many memories to take with her. What a wonderful soul, and I am so very grateful she was in my life.

Ruth was my trumpet and all around life teacher at Brevard College from 1992-1997. She is responsible for every good musical career decision I made during those years and afterwards. I was among that group of Navy musicians trained by Ruth. She literally changed my outlook on what was possible in a musical career. She was also one of the best trainers of classical musicians in the world demanding the absolute best from us all the time. God bless you all and rest in peace Ruth.