Guest Book - 2009

Thanks to those who have submitted entries to the Guestbook page.
We appreciate hearing from people who enjoy Leroy Anderson's music.

You are invited to send your comments for us to include in the Guestbook.
Send your comments to: info[at]woodburymusic[dot]com. Thank you.

- The Anderson Family


I heard the Suite of Carols conducted by Slatkin for the first time on Christmas Eve on my NPR station, and was completely enchanted. I thought I had never heard the name Leroy Anderson, so I was astonished to realize -- on visiting the website -- that I had been hearing his music all my life.

Thanks for the great pleasure Anderson's music has given, and for the website that makes it possible for ignoramuses like me to discover his many delights.

Paula Spilner
Philadelphia Pennslyvania
December 26, 2009


Since 1963 I have enjoyed every rendition of SLEIGH RIDE I could find... As a 21 year old working in the Empire State Building in N.Y.C....I first heard it waiting for my boyfriend in the lobby at Christmas time!!!

Leroy Anderson is under appreciated...but not by me!

Thanks and Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!

Gerry Lykins
Ft. Thomas, Kentucky
December 25, 2009


Have been a great admirer of Leroy Anderson's music since hearing "The Typewriter" on an early seventies Jacksonville Symphony school concert, my introduction to orchestra music. Some years later our city's Jr. Youth Symphony played "The Waltzing Cat" and I vividly remember seeing the tail end "Presto" section and panicking as those final bars were as challenging to play on the trumpet as anything I had, at the time, encountered in symphonic band - really had to practice that one!

Another memory I have is seeing a PBS Boston Pops retrospective, featuring a clip of Mr. Anderson talking about the beginnings of his association with the Pops and Arthur Fiedler, ending with him thanking Fiedler for his help in getting his composing career jump-started via the debut of his first Pops composition, "Jazz Pizzicato."

Though my favorite Anderson compositions are many, a few that made a particular impact would be "Forgotten Dreams", "Horse and Buggy", "Phantom Regiment", Sleigh Ride" "Summer Skies" and "The Irish Washerwoman" (from the "Irish Suite"). Thoughtful, memorable music from a truly great American composer (and personal inspiration).

Sincerely,

Bill Boston
(LA-based composer and film music orchestrator)
December 21, 2009


How many know that there is a brilliant trio of people who all were first generation Americans and who all came from the Swedish most southern province of Sk�ne: Leroy Anderson, Charles Lindbergh and Edgar Bergen. Two of them have been celebrated with stamps - the time has come for Leroy. I fell for Blue Tango back in 1952 and Serenata stills bring a tear to my eye. He really could write music that touched the heart. Keep up the pressure on the US Post Office!

Thorsten Sj�lin
England
December 19, 2009


I'm 75, and I've loved Leroy Anderson's music ever since I was a teenager in the early '50s. My top favorites are "Belle of the Ball," "Sleigh Ride" (also my favorite Christmas piece), and "Bugler's Holiday," but I love them all.

In the late '40s my family lived in a suburb of Atlanta, and every summer the Atlanta Pops gave free concerts on Sundays for about six weeks. Our whole family went every week; we enjoyed those concerts very much, and I'm sure that's where I heard my first Anderson piece, "Fiddle Faddle."

In college I was very fond of a boy who majored in music and played the trumpet. I can still remember him as part of a trumpet trio playing "Bugler's Holiday" in a concert. This music brings back wonderful memories of a vibrant America right after WWII, when the future was dazzling and it wasn't a crime to be patriotic.
I recently gave myself a terrific Christmas present: an album of Leroy Anderson music for my iPod. Nothing lifts my spirits so joyously. He was truly a national treasure.

Helen Mosbrook
Dublin, California
December 13,2009


I first wrote to the site on July 13, 2007. Looking at that entry today, I noticed that my location was given as Australia! Wonder how that happened? In any event my love for Anderson's music has never diminished. I'm looking forward to hearing some of the originally unpublished works recently recorded for the first time. I found out not long ago that "Horse and Buggy" was published for dance orchestra in the UK. I wonder if other compositions not published in the USA in that format made it to that type of arrangement in Europe or elsewhere. Having been a big band leader we are always curious about such things! Listening today to "The Golden Years", and "Summer Skies", along with "Trumpeter's Lullaby" conducted by Mr. Anderson himself, just made me misty eyed all over again. Beautiful melodies like these are sorely missed in the current music scene, But we can listen and marvel.

s Sincerely,

Peter Nash
Brockton, Massachuetts December 7 2009


I am in my mid-fifties now, and so most of my Christmas memories as a child, were in the 50s and 60s.

I always remember those happy childhood, festive holidays and in particular that exciting and magical piece of orchestral music Sleigh Ride.

Unfortunately, it was only until recently that I knew of Leroy Anderson.

I salute Leroy Anderson, for his music, which was always a part of my very happy childhood.

God Bless You Leroy.

Thank you.

Gary C.
December 3, 2009


Dear Anderson Family,

I am a Leroy Anderson fan all my life. His great music is not easy to get in the Netherlands but thank God there is amazon and ebay. Recently I succeeded in buying the the Dick Cavitt dvd and suddenly I noticed that Leroy Anderson wrote a Concerto! What a lovely piece of music is this! I am grateful to mrs Anderson that she made it available for us all !!

Ruud Paauw
The Netherlands
November 20, 2009


Thank you to Mr. Anderson for some great memories! I grew up listening to music and playing in band and orchestra all through school. Many of these compositions I remember playing and listening to them on your site has brought back many great memories. Both of my children are in band now and I will talk to the band leaders to see if they can play these timeless classics. Thank you again for your genius.

Brian Nolan
September 9, 2009


Leroy Anderson has always been one of the pillars of my musical development. Growing up in the early 50s in Holland I was completely taken with his orchestral compositions, even, before I started making music, myself. It proved to be an instant affection, without the ability to compare with other light orchestras and their composers. But I had no need of that! It doesn't need to name all of his toppers, others already did. But... there've been other compositions by Leroy, seemingly less popular, but equally in quality, for example, what to think of his "Song of The Bells"? As a little boy I had a great admiration for this composition, but after the death-knell of the light music in the mid-60s, I never heard this work anymore, but despite, it always remained with me. Until I came on a site and my discovery? This work was under the title of "Song of the Bells", and proved to be a composition of Leroy Anderson. It was no surprise to me! A great shame, a disgrace, that this light concert music, along with its orchestra's, has been buried alive. These have been the words of a Scottish Conductor (BBC Scottish Variety Orchestra), and his name is Ian Sutherland. Being a great devotee of Leroy Anderson. How right he was!!!!!!
I do think, it's time for a worldwide revival, we need it badly!

Florian Senteur
Holland
September 3, 2009


Here in Cincinnati, from the 1950' s to the early 80's we had a very interesting & informative radio program on every night, Monday thru Friday, 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. It was entitled "Will with the Way". The host was a man named Will Warren who gave tips & techniques on home maintenance, gardening, painting, woodworking, masonry, etc. during the beginning of the do-it-yourself era in the post-war years. The program was aired on WCKY radio which was & still is a 50,000 watt clear channel station (1530AM) that can be heard in South America & many parts of the US & Canada. It was a call in show & I can remember the courteous & congenial Mr. Warren not only acknowledging the caller's name, but where he or she was calling from, wether it be a suburb of Cincinnati or Atlanta, GA! Every night the program began & ended with the "Sandpaper Ballet". Mr. Warren, who also wrote a column on the same topic for the Cincinnati Enquirer, once said he received many calls & letters regarding the music for the radio program he hosted for almost 30 years. He once remarked that it was appropriate for the show's theme & wonderful that it came out in the early 1950's at the same time he began on radio. Many elderly Cincinnatians still identify the Will with a Way program with the Sandpaper Ballet. I often wonder how many people were first exposed to Lerory Anderson's music by listening to Will's radio program. When you consider WCKY's range, it could several million over that period of time.

Mike Whalen
Cincinnati, Ohio
August 23, 2009


Even though I was born and lived through adulthood, in Romania, Leroy Anderson's unique compositions are my musical memory, among many other beautiful pieces of music from everywhere around the Earth, and from folklore to classical. I remember having my affinity for music awaken, and developed by some of Mr. Anderson's best known compositions, growing up during that iron cold era in our lives, when all that beautiful music kept us warm, almost like a true log fire in a fireplace. Some of maestro's compositions, It was too early a time for me to tell age, but they feel as if I have always know them: "Jazz Pizzicato", for example has been always my ten best ever, as it continues to fill my nostalgic need, with familiarity, that carries that which we hope to protect, intact, throughout our life, between present, and the far away, long time past, that we all, humans hold in common.

All other masterpieces the Maestro composed are there too, in my discoth�que, both in my memory, and now, lately in his CDs: "Jazz Legato, the Penny Whistle Song, Sandpaper Ballet, Sleigh Ride, The Typewriter, The Waltzing Cat, Horse an Buggy, Goldilocks," the list doesn't stop here. And Then, there is yet another astonishing composition, that wraps it all in a bagful of wonderful musical wonders, so American, and yet so universal: it is the "Forgotten Dreams", which always bring me thinking back to the temporal frailty of the human condition, but reverently, kindly, and still hopeful, into transcending.

Long live human spirit, through the appreciation of all our miracle workers: Long live Maestro's Leroy Anderson spirit, through his Wonderful Music.

Thank You MPR,

George Bostean,
Springfield, Tennessee
August 4, 2009


Hello !

I'm a 73 years old Irishman, born in Dublin (Ireland !) but now living 'down South' here in Cork City. I've just listened to the 'Hear the Music' section of your fantastic website, and for much of my listening, I was moved to tears !..tears of joy, that is, reliving how I first heard the particular piece when it was first on the airwaves...beautiful ! Leroy had a joyous heart, and his creations have the power to lift ours...thank you so very much, Leroy,(and family ) for all the joy that you have given me thru your wonderful gift.

Sincerely and gratefully,

Arthur C. Healy
Ballyphehane,
Cork City 4, Ireland
August 3, 2009


Great website! I wanted to tell you that I used forgotten dreams as a theme song at wsm-fm in Nashville from 1968 to 1978. My morning show began at 6:05 am right after nbc news. I signed-on with forgotten dreams, then signed-off with it in time to meet the nbc news at 10:00 am. It was then an easy-listening format. Another wsm announcer of some notoriety, david cobb, used forgotten dreams for many years on his wsm-am nightly show which, despite wsm's grand ole opry aspect, was also an easy-listening format.

The number of times the phone rang with the question,"what is the name of that song?," I couldn't count. Despite changes in musical taste, the Leroy Anderson music retains a timelessness and a quiet dignity reflecting his mastery of composition and of his sense of what was satisfying to the ear.

So I am happy to find this opportunity to express my thanks to the family of this man.

Thank you!

Dent Morriss
Assistant district attorney general
Springfield, Tennessee
July 28, 2009


I was brought up in a house where all music was good music if you liked it. We listened to everything. My Dad was a pianist - sight read with ease (often transposing into flat keys which he preferred) and could play anything if you 'sang it at him'. We sang a lot, played a lot and listened a lot, and went to orchestral concerts, Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas - whatever music was available.

I caught up with Leroy Anderson in the early 1950s and was hooked at once. I played piano (rather inadequately) and oboe (somewhat better than piano) but really preferred listening to performing. Now I'm in my late 70s and I still love all the Anderson music - he was an original, a genius. I'm very glad I met his music when I still had plenty of years ahead of me to enjoy it.

Pru Beattie
July 25, 2009


What a joy. I love the music. I played trombone in band and orchestra in grade and high school. Wonderful program there. C.L. Barnhouse Music Publishing Company located there. We had access to all band and orchestra music. Today I buy every CD I am able to locate. I still have my Conn Conquistador 1936 instrument and original case. There would be no life without beautiful music...and Mr. Anderson is at the top of the pyramid of American composers.
My small town was Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Love and blessings to the Andersons.

Harriett Shea
Gainesville, Florida
July 2, 2009


Wonderful! Just as they used to classify Gershwin as light concert, so too will they come to their senses and welcome Mr. Anderson into the fold of songsters like (dare I say) Schubert and Schumann haha. Sleighride IS my favorite Christmas song and coming from Michigan I know a sleighride when I speak of one. haha. Great great great.

Thank you,

George
June 30, 2009


Leroy Anderson is my favorite composer and I am always introducing him to younger students who might know the more famous melodies but not so many of the other wonderful songs Mr. Anderson composed. He was and continues to be a very unique voice of American music.

Randy Skinner
New York, New York
July 1, 2009


Hello to the Anderson family!

I'm an elementary music teacher in Pensacola, Florida. I teach about a different composer every month of the school year. For the past several years I've taught about the same set of composers - Brahms, Schumann, Bach, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Jazz ( composers, songwriters, bandleaders, musicians, etc. ), Haydn, Chopin and Handel. I'm making plans for next school year and thought I needed to change things up and teach about some different composers. Then the thought came to me, 'Why not teach about a different American composer each month next year. I must admit I was having a little trouble deciding which composers to include, but as SOON as I came across the name of Leroy Anderson ( and refreshed myself on the sheer bulk of his music - and the familiarity of his music ) I had NO doubt whether I should include him. Thank you for the wonderful website. It provides a lot of good material and resources. I look forward to sharing Leroy Anderson's music and story to my students.

Sincerely,

Neil Passmore, Music Teacher
R.C. Lipscomb Elementary
Pensacola Florida
June 1, 2009


Hello! In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on a public radio station (WBRH-FM 90.3) operated by a local high school, there's a three-hour Sunday morning program dedicated to the popular music of the 1930's through mid-1960's. This past Sunday (3-22-2009), in one segment which featured a set of songs popular in the late 1940's, the host played Leroy Anderson's vThe Syncopated Clock'. It is astonishing how bright, refreshing and exciting the Anderson tune was to the listener's ears. The other songs in the set were good, but all seemed cut from the same fabric, all tended to sound similar. 'Syncopated Clock' really stood out from the crowd; it was as new and cheery and wonderfully different as when the composition was first heard some 60 years ago----NOT just another 'pea in the pod'! Leroy Anderson, from late 1930vs through mid-1950's, much like George Gershwin in the first two decades of the 20th Century (re: 'Rhapsody in Blue') possessed a muse which gave the world musical gems unlike anything heard before or since. It is delightful and gratifying that Leroy Anderson's orchestral miniatures are now being played more and more on radio stations and similar venues, and generations of listeners are discovering his music again for the first time. And thanks to the efforts of so many in stressing Anderson's unique contributions to American music, we can now associate the composer's name with the melodies we've grown to love so much.

Michael D. Wascom
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
March 24, 2009


My fourth entry here. How wonderful to hear just recently from James Burke's daughter at this site (1-7-09). I know exactly what she means, every time I listen to his performance of "A Trumpeter's Lullaby" with Mr. Anderson conducting, I am simply amazed at his virtuoso performance...making a very difficult part look so easy. As the liner notes say: "....the distinguished trumpeter James Burke who tossed off the very difficult part with such aplomb and elan that the members of the orchestra - not to mention the pleased conductor-composer - applauded him at the finish of the piece!"
Have been listening to a lot of Mr. Anderson's music of late....soooo good...!

Best Regards,
Richard Gregg
Hayward, California
March 2, 2009


Hey I love the song Syncopated Clock its one of my favorites. I love the story it tells.

Bye
From,
Suzy Cameral
January 29, 2009


Leroy's work was featured by Radio New Zealand Concert yesterday, January 8th 2009. Though I knew almost all the pieces they played by heart, whistling and singing happily along, I didn't know the composers name. Well. Not until yesterday. Now I know who was musically accompanying me in my younger days - Leroy. Thank you for that.

Peter- A music lover from New Zealand.
January 8, 2009


I am the daughter of the world famous James F.Burke cornetist who played with your with your father on the album A Leroy Andersons Pop Concert. He performed Bugler's Holiday, Trumpeter's Lullaby along with many other great hits. I have just recently started collecting my father's recordings and this was the first album I purchased. The best of the best performed for one of the best mistro's in the world and he was one. If by chance you would have any info on my father recordings it would be a pleasure to hear from you.

Kind Regards,
Jolynda Burke Herr
New Castle, Pennsylvania
January 7, 2009


I went to the Swedish Institute in Minnesota, in Minneapolis, and they had three rooms dedicated to Leroy Anderson. At that point, I discovered the man, and his music and I have been Leroy Anderson nuts ever since. I remember seeing him do The Typewriter Song when I was a kid, he was on TV, and I do remember it. But now I can connect the man with the memory.

I think this guy is great!

Katherine J. Lange
January 5, 2009