From Scott McKee - WIBC Host

Dear Dick,

Thank you again for a wonderful concert and clinic at the WIBC convention. Your band was a great closer for our nighttime concerts. Thanks for all of your hard work in bringing the group to Seattle.

Have a great holiday time with family and friends!

Hope to cross your path during the Midwest Conference.

All the best,

Scott

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From Lynn Klock, Guest Soloist

Dick,

My time with you and the Austin Symphonic Band the last ten months has been nothing short of spectacular. I can't begin to thank you enough for inviting me to be your guest soloist, and for giving me the opportunity to perform and give clinics at TBA and WIBC. This has been such an enjoyable experience for me that I have been suffering withdrawal from the realization that we don't have another concert to prepare for. I miss being with you, Cheryl, and Weston, and I miss the members of the band. All of you have made me feel so welcome and appreciated. This never would have happened without your invitation.

The band is so lucky to have such a wonderful musician and educator as their leader. The environment that you have created is very special, one where everyone wants to play quality literature, and and wants to play it extremely well. That only happens when the person at the top demands those types of standards. I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to make music with you, and very very honored to have you as a friend. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Please pass on my gratitude to the members of the band. What a terrific group of people and musicians.

I hope you and your family had a Happy Thanksgiving. Send my love to Cheryl and Weston, and I'll look forward to seeing you in Chicago.

Friends always,
Lynn

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From Max McKee - WIBC Founder

Dear Richard and Cheryl,

JUST got back from a few days of rest in Victoria after WIBC-26. Scott did a great job at every level. Dad is proud!

Thanks for all you did to present the wonderful concert. I did not have a chance to see you immediately after because that is the evening that we have our Phoenix get-together in the suite, so I had to switch hats and help with final prep.

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Letter from Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, founder and President of Attitude Concepts for Today, and Executive Director of the Division of Education for Conn-Selmer.

November - 2004

Richard Floyd, Conductor
Members of THE AUSTIN SYMPHONIC BAND
7900 Centre Park Drive Suite A
Austin, Texas, 78754

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

The twenty-sixth annual Western International Band Clinic is now history, but your wonderful Sunday evening performance will long be remembered by those of us where fortunate enough to be in the audience; we were the benefactors of your commitment and dedication to musical artistry; THANK YOU!

Having been a part of the WIBC event for many years, it is always a special treat when ensembles from other regions of our nation share their talents. With three groups from Texas the Lone Star state could not have been better represented, and (suffice to say) your finale concert was the definitive statement that will have everyone buzzing about "the Texas bands" for years to come. The Covington Middle School (Cathy Humphrey) was superb, the Lamar University Wind Ensemble (Scott Weiss) was extraordinary, and then YOU convincingly put the final polished gem in the crown of jewels. BRAVO!

I have heard The Austin Symphonic Band on several occasions; always exciting, always programmed perfectly, always demonstrating the highest level. of talent, however (for me) this particular concert is one I shall remember as "my favorite." CONGRATULATIONS!

Austin to Seattle; it's more than a mere "jaunt down the road." Was it all worth it? It certainly was for those of us on the receiving end of your gracious gift of MUSIC. What you brought to the Northwest was far more than a memorable concert; it was an awareness of what we can do with music, and what music can do for us throughout our lives.

With.best wishes for continued success, I remain,

Tim Lautzenheiser
Executive Director Division of Education
Conn Selmer Inc

Click here for a pdf file of Dr. Lautzenheiser's letter.