I have been very sad the last couple of days after hearing about
Bill's passing. As Bob mentioned, he has had a big impact on the way
music is copied here in Hollywood. Many copying offices have their
own custom template that they use for their work. I am familiar with
a few of these templates and I can see Bill's influence in each of
them. Perhaps in different ways, but nonetheless, it is there. And,
of course, Bill has had a huge influence on my own templates. I
guess I find comfort in the idea that I will still be able to see his
"musical footprints" every time I crack open one of my templates.
The best thing about Bill though was his unending kindness and
willingness to give of himself to anyone who sought out his help and
friendship. He was so generous that way. He was genuine and real
and human. I greatly appreciated that about Bill and I will miss
that so much.
I got the feeling that Bill truly loved to work with other people and
help them and he also loved the process of having others bring their
input to the table. Where some people keep what they know to
themselves and are threatened or uncomfortable with someone else's
input and constructive criticism, Bill was the opposite. He wanted
to share everything he knew and he welcomed feedback from others. I
think he really understood and that others' input helped him to be
better at what he did too and that camaraderie with others is what
really makes things fun. And I think he was genuinely excited when
someone came up with something he didn't know or hadn't seen before
so that he could add that to his overflowing wealth of knowledge.
I was stuck in traffic one day on the 405 and I have to say that was
the one of the most enjoyable 405 traffic jams I have had here in
LA. That was because I had Bill on the phone and I got to talk to
him for over an hour. We talked about copying. We talked about the
challenges of living and working in L.A. We shared smiles over the
wonderful friends we had in common and we vented to each other about
some of the more difficult things here. When I hung up with him, I
knew I had a made a friend and I felt very happy.
Business is business and work is work. But the older I get the more
I feel like the best thing in life is the connections of the heart I
make with others. I have made so many good friends on this list and
I cherish each and every one of you. Wish there were more hours in
the day and fewer miles between us!
Thanks for being such a good friend Bill. And thanks to all that you
gave to this list and to the music prep community here in LA. I'm
really gonna miss you!
Rest in peace my friend.
With love,
Karen
The above sentence appears on page nine of Finale Productivity, a
book by Bill Duncan, explaining the use of his fonts and his
approach to music notation and engraving. He has aimed his process
and philosophies at those composers, arrangers and copyists who
work in the Los Angeles studio and musical theater scene. This is
where the music has to be sightread perfectly on the first time
around. We are the "Sight reading capital of the world".
I can't tell you how often the above phrase enters into my life
every day. Misunderstanding is running rampant in our everyday
endeavors. I treasure this phrase as I treasure this dear man who
has left us.
I know that a couple of you, Karen Guthrie and Chuck Israel, have
had wonderful encounters with Bill. for me, his approach is
flawless. Check out his beautiful chord symbols.
I know I am a better musician because of him.
With much love and appreciation for you all:
Bob Florence
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