Richard Wissler
My wife, Kathy Hoekelman, and I know Dave Riley from Canandaigua NY, where he taught high school vocal music before moving to Ithaca College in 1970. "Mr. Riley" also was the choral director at our church in Canandaigua, St. John's Episcopal. I taught his daughter Colleen swimming lessons at the YMCA on Saturday mornings, and he gave me private voice lessons in return for participating as a study subject in his research on the changing voice of adolescent boys. In a small town like Canandaigua (in those pre-internet days), life revolved around family and friends, school, teachers, and community organizations. While Dave was in charge of vocal music at the high school (Canandaigua Academy), Jack Bullock was the instrumental music person and Jack Lamb was in charge of musical theater. What a treat for our community to have access to these incredibly talented musicians. It was a musical "perfect storm".
Dave Riley was the director of a vocal group at Canandaigua Academy called the Academy Singers, and we toured Europe for a month in the summer of 1970. As a recent high school graduate, this trip was a rite of passage socially and musically. I'm sure that this group of young people strained the boundaries for our poor chaperones including Dave and Jean Riley, Bill and Elaine Jennings, Craig Mills and Gerry Williams. Many of the concert settings were inspiring and unique experiences for us. Dave was a great captain of the ship on this trip. Interestingly, Dave's brother Chuck and his family were living in Europe at that time and joined us for several days of the trip.
Twenty years later, in 1990, Dave traveled north to Canandaigua for a 20th anniversary reunion of the Academy Singers European Tour. This reunion was hosted by my in-laws, Bob and Ann Hoekelman, at their house on West Lake Rd in Canandaigua. Many of our alumni traveled back to Canandaigua for the Academy Singers reunion, and Dave directed us in our original trip repertoire overlooking Canandaigua Lake. Although we had sheet music available, almost everyone in the chorus could sing the entire concert from memory. Thanks to Nancy for helping convince Dave to make the trip.
I'm sure that many memories of schools and teachers are affected by nostalgia, and this is probably true at either the high school or college level. However, Dave Riley had a lasting and positive effect on students and friends that far exceeded fond memories. He was a leader who expected excellence from himself and his fellow musicians. Although a pleasant man, Dave could easily be a "tough guy" when the role was required for rowdy high school students. He taught us how to behave professionally on-stage and back-stage. These lessons have lasted a lifetime, so that I can walk into any performance situation with confidence.
Although Dave Riley was a "music teacher", his leadership and mentoring have inspired many of us beyond the traditional boundaries of music. The lessons that I learned from Dave Riley include working hard and focusing on success with every task. This approach has helped me in many personal and professional situations over the years. I'm grateful to have known him.
Kathy and I only learned of Dave's death because of the memorial concert tomorrow at Ithaca College. We apologize for not contacting his family earlier. Our condolences for the loss of such a wonderful guy.
Richard N. Wissler, MD, PhD
Professor of Anesthesiology
University of Rochester
February 22, 2016
[email protected]
